JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Paying to co-write with a 'hitmaker'

just some rambling comments,

Not sure if a paid cowrite is Music Row’s newest cash cow.

What's worse? paying a hit writer to cowrite or gherming?

Where do you draw the line between teaching, coaching, critiquing, demoing, custom songs, & cowriting?

Many established writers cowrite with pretty and handsome young fledglings who might have a shot at an artist deal because you never know gonna do what

I'm not sure where I stand on what two consenting adults do behind closed doors. As long as no one gets hurt, lied to or taken advantage of.

Is there "an implicit promise that if a dilettante writer cowrites with a “hit writer” she will immediately be welcomed into the exclusive hit-maker club just by having his or her name juxtaposed next to someone who has penned a chart topper or two."
Might depend upon which hit writer.

It is to a writers strategic advantage to “write up”.
Talent and earning your way is one way to accomplish it.

"When an up-and-comer shows up for a writing appointment with an established pro, she’d better arrive with some fresh ideas and the capability to contribute her own share."
Very True

“I’ll give pretty much anyone a chance. But, if he arrives without a pencil, a piece of paper, a guitar, or an idea, I probably won’t book another appointment.”
great quote

Hiring a pro might look at what the collaborator brings to the table through different eyes. Knowing he’ll be walking away with wad of cash regardless of what they write.
~~~> doesn't everyone try to write the best song they can?

"Ultimately, what really rankles me is the mere suggestion that every song co-written with a “hit writer” is destined for chart success."
That's a poor assumption. Some businesses might mislead folks with that notion.

Hit writers have batting averages
# of songs written vs
cuts vs
singles vs
hits.

If a you write a song with a hit writer you might stand a better chance of something positive happen.
You might write a better song faster
You might learning something.
Yu might be baffled and ask what just happened?

If I purchased a co-write with one of these rent-a-pros,
what motivation would he or she have to even pitch our song?
~~~> they might if it was a really great song

Would it be a solid, strategic move for the pro to stick his neck out for a co-writer without any track record at all?
~ ~ ~> what matters more, the song or the pedigree of its writers?

“Our last three retreats have brought about very successful results for our attendees: several of the songs co-written at these retreats have been demoed and are being pitched to major recording artists.
One of the songs co-written at our Santa Fe retreat is on ‘hold’ for 2011 American Idol runner-up, Lauren Alaina, for her debut album!”
~~~~> what are they selling?
they are baiting people to sign up for their events


If a newby writer came up to you and said
"I bet you $??? that you won't write a song with me?"
Meaning if you did write a song with her
you won the bet.
At what dollar amount would you say, OK?

Who knows where a hit is gonna come from?
Sometimes life is messy

I understand the desperation and eagerness of new writers who want validation and success.

I understand the frustration of established writers who've seen the world as they know it shrink and shift around them.

Alyssa Moreno got a Rascal Flatts cut and single from a Jeffrey Steele cowrite she won through Durango Songwriters Expo. She's a wonderful deserving singer songwriter who's had some of her other songs placed on TV series.

I hope those screening songs for artists will pay more attention to the song and not as much to it's pedigree or story of creation.

Sometimes great songs happen when writers write down and accept an appointment they're tempted to cancel. When Karen Taylor Good met with Burton Collins, she wasn't super thrilled but she showed up. In the appointment he told her the story of
"How Can I Help you Say Goodbye."
"How Can I help you Say Goodbye"

Story behind Bless the Broken Road

Who knows where great songs come from?

I just hope they keep coming
I love it when the song earns it's place in history.