The Music Business is like any other business -- there are excellent, caring legitimate people and businesses -- and there are scumballs. Run from ads that say "Sell your songs" or "we can put hit melodies to your lyrics."

Few  songwriters like the business end of songwriting - getting your "children" out there and risking rejection. It's easier to justify paying money to someone else who's promising the moon. Unfortunately, that doesn't work.

Deal with all companies and people with a healthy skepticism - legitimate ones will gladly answer your questions -- and you should verify their answers. If someone gets upset by your questions, then run (if they aren't cooperative BEFORE they get your money, how will they act AFTER you've sent that check?).

Legitimate songwriters and publishers NEVER "buy" or "sell" songs. If that is news to you, then read "Step 5" in 6 Steps to Songwriting Success and/or listen to the Taking Care of Business instructional CD. 

NEVER pay to have a melody written to your lyric (or vice versa) unless you are doing it for your own enjoyment (and ask for demos of their work before you send in any money).

If you aren't getting any publisher interest in your songs, then a paid song plugger won't be able to get you success either. The credentials of a song plugger should be more than dropping off CDs with the receptionist -- verify his or her claims of success. We are not aware of ANY instance when an unpublished songwriter achieved his or her first major label release by paying a songplugger.

Legitimate publishing companies and record labels will NEVER ask you for one red cent. If a publisher wants to publish your song--and believes it needs a new demo--the publisher will pay for this. Legitimate publishers are not in the business of doing demos for their writers--for a fee.

If a publisher or record label has had any legitimate success you will NOT have to search their website to find it. It would be in big, bold letters on the front page--not subtly implied by dropping names of artists wih whom they interact. 

Recording demos of our songs is a necessary part of the songwriting business. The list of demo studios on this site is not all-inclusive of the hundreds of good studios. The list is a compilation of ones Jason, our clients, and students have used -- and we know they do excellent work at reasonable prices. They will be glad to send you demos of their work. We have no connection with any of them and receive nothing from them if you decide to use one of them.

We urge you to use a professional critique service BEFORE investing money in a demo.

Our books and instructional CDs can help you learn, understand, and achieve your goals. Jason's students have had hit songs, publishing contracts, and staff writing deals.

Good luck with your writing and may all your hard work and perserverence pay off --

from Neil Rice, JB's assistant