JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Mentor Questions Forum Anyone know about this bunch??

Does anyone here know anything about them?

www.bigredsongbus.com.

I tried to check out their web page...but got an eroor message...will keep trying.

Emily

Same here.
All I got was error; web page unavailable.

That's strange,I just clicked the link and it opened right away. Computers!!!!!!?????

Try this. I hope. His had a period after .com

Nashville Trans-Hit Authority

Interesting
I might check them out later when I have more time.
But for now
I have listened to all 4 songs they have listed.
I thought, Gee, I've heard these songs.
Then I realized why. They sound just like what I hear on the radio or on CMT every day. I even had an almost instant image of a different popular artist singing each of them.
Trent Tomlinson, Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, George Strait.
I wonder who other folks might see doing those songs?

Now, that I believe is the formula for success if you want to get a cut in Nashville.
Very interesting indeed.

Hi Guys,

I checked them out and here's my synopsis.

They charge $35.00 per month with a minimum 3 month term. They also offer a demo service at about $550.00 per song.

They also license "music only" mixes of songs in their catalog to anyone who's willing to pay $291.00, which includes a mechanical license for 1000 CD's. This seems to be a similar to what Bob Dellaposta does at My Three Kids Music.

This company is brand spanking new, with a couple of pro-songwriters handling the creative end (Patty Way & Damon Medic).

Jeff Way (co-owner of Big Red Song Bus) has been fairly active promoting his company in online songwriting forums recently. He posted a blurb in rec.music.makers.songwriting that received a positive response from Seth Jackson. You can check it out here:

Click Here to read Seth's response

All in all, they look like an interesting alternative (I'm considering giving them a try). They claim to use a very successful songplugger who is, however, unnamed.

My only concern is that they're very new and, considering the fact that they're actively looking to license "music only" mixes of their catalog, they might be more interested in songs with full demos as opposed to simple guitar/piano vocals.

EDIT:

Just noticed this on their website:

"Best of all, if you sign a single song contract with us, AND if we fail to place the song, a full reversion clause can be easily exercised after two years of membership"

I'd certainly want to clarify if you have to remain a "paying member" for two years in order to exercise the reversion clause. That would be a deal breaker for me.

That also calls to mind the question, how good is a single song publishing contract with them if you cancel your membership? In other words, does the publishing relationship hinge on the membership fee?

HTH - Phil C.

This is Jeffrey with The Nashville Trans-Hit Authority. I apologize, I would have gotten in sooner but I had no idea this thread existed. Thank you to Phil for the mail. I would like to answer everyone's questions. If you have any additional questions, feel free to email me at jeffrey@bigredsongbus.com; I can usually respond within the hour.

"All in all, they look like an interesting alternative (I'm considering giving them a try). They claim to use a very successful songplugger who is, however, unnamed."

Our current songplugger is Matt Christopher who has done very well in the business in the last five years. Truth be told, we are currently in negotiations with a very, VERY successful plugger. He will come on as our second plugger because business is picking up. As soon as we have confirmation, I'll notify everyone.

"My only concern is that they're very new and, considering the fact that they're actively looking to license "music only" mixes of their catalog, they might be more interested in songs with full demos as opposed to simple guitar/piano vocals."

Yes, we are a new company. But The Nashville Trans-Hit Authority is run by successful pro songwriters and successful pluggers. So, the company is new...but the owners are far from it! Licensing "music only" mixes is something we have just gotten into recently. In the last few months, we've realized that many local artists need songs for their independent albums. Many of them can't afford to go into the studio to record full demos. This offers them a cheap alternative. I'd like to stress that this is merely an additional perk for our members. Typically, Patty and Damon stress the idea that you should not demo your songs until you are POSITIVE that they are complete. So, to answer your question, they almost prefer worktapes. It is hard to make changes to a completed $700 demo! Personally, I prefer guitar vocals.

"I'd certainly want to clarify if you have to remain a "paying member" for two years in order to exercise the reversion clause. That would be a deal breaker for me."

Not at all, Phil. The great thing about NTA is that it is run by songwriters. If they aren't running with your song, they have absolutely no desire to keep your songs locked in a safe. 99% of the time, they are more than happy to return your song to you.

"That also calls to mind the question, how good is a single song publishing contract with them if you cancel your membership? In other words, does the publishing relationship hinge on the membership fee?"

Good question. This is part of the reason why we require at least a three month term. It wouldn't be fair for someone to sign up...have their song passed along to our plugger...and then cancel their membership. That would be abusing the system. You must remain a member to have your song pitched.

I think I've answered all the questions. Let me know if I forgot anything.

-Jeffrey
jeffrey@bigredsongbus.com

One last thing....What I love about this company so much is that it is small and intimate. Unfortunately, some of these other companies have become so huge that it is nearly impossible to be given the time of day with your songs. We, on the other hand, work seven days a week and will always respond to you as quickly as we possibly can.

www.bigredsongbus.com

Dear Jeffrey,

Thanks for stopping by and clarifying our members' questions regarding your company.

May I say, it's refreshing to see such a professional response from a company one of our members is interested in.

Many times, owners of companies mentioned here join the discussion about their company and somehow feel they have to assume a defensive stance... and can't believe anyone would ever question their services.

It was very cool to see you use this as an opportunity to tell us who you are and what you're about.

Best of luck with your venture.

Regards,
Christine

Wow....I have to agree with Christine. I'm impressed. Makes me wish my songs were ready to send!

Bree

Thank you for the compliments. Whenever you are ready, we will be glad to work with you.

"Success is never a sure thing, but it is impossible if you never try."

If anyone has any questions at all, please feel free to email me any time. jeffrey@bigredsongbus.com

Jeffrey,

This thread should be a model of how a business responds to questions on website such as JPF. In the past, as you've heard from Christine and Bree, JPF has been treated like the enemy for asking questions or wanting to give songwriters good business advice such as requesting reversion clauses. Songwriters are looking for partners, not adversaries, and so they ask questions and hope for friendly, direct, clear answers. Thanks for replying. Don't be surprised if you get more questions.

All the Best,
Mike

Thanks, Mike. I appreciate that. We're always happy to help.