Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Ben, I need some advice ASAP

#1

Hey Ben
I know that you are aware of the song I wrote "Where the Woman doesn’t Die
because you were kind enough to offer some positive feedback. My point of that whole
demo was to get it our there with the hope someone might want to record it. I have been getting a decent amount of play at the Bluegrass Jamboree .

Well, I have been approached by a publisher and by all appearances they have worked with a lot of big players in BG and I have no reason to doubt their Bona Fides…but the problem is I don’t know if the terms
they are offering are standard in the biz or if I’m getting played…10% for admin fees and then we split 50/50.
I have no idea if this is standard or not. Any advice?

UPDATE: The guy is also telling me not to expect to make more than $500 for the life of the song. I can’t even recoup my demo fees…it’s just not worth it anymore.

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#2

I tend to think if it made it, it would make it big. If not, nothing. So, I’m not sure from where the $500 comes in. I’d rather wait and not rush.

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#3

Yeah…I don’t know what to do…

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#4

Yeah… I have no knowledge on that either. Let’s see what Ben have to say…

#5

Well I can tell you this much, I probably won’t be doing any new song demo’s anytime soon.

#6

Good idea Stixx to seek the advice from someone Like Banjo Ben who has been in the business, and maybe some others here will see this and be able to tell you some more about it. I have never been in on this type of negotiation, but just from a general business standpoint, anything is negotiable. No one has to accept “standard practice” just because someone on the other side floated that out there. “Standard practice” by another person’s definition, may not be the deal that is in your best interest. "For me, “standard practice” is a word that is meant to give off an aura of something that is etched in stone, which I don’t buy into.

Lot of it depends on the value you put on your own music. Since the song has received a positive reception elsewhere, then is clear that others value it. Stick to your guns and believe in what you are doing. People in the music business will be looking out for their own interest more than they will yours. I think they count on having an upper hand by thinking the person they are dealing with may not know the ropes.

This much I can say. After having heard your song, is far better than many songs that were number one hits, so good luck to you, and like John M said, best not to rush!

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#7

Didn’t you publish it yourself through BMI? I thought you said you did.

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#8

Thanks!

#9

I did…but they are interested in presenting it to other working artists which was my original goal.

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#10

No, typical admin fee is 15%. Admin means they administer the royalties, collect them from around the world and make sure you are paid like you should be. You don’t really need that right now b/c the song ain’t making no money.

Now, if they want to be the publisher, then 50% is standard when you’re a no-name writer, however that INCLUDES admin. What a publisher does is admin as well as pitch it to artists.

Shoot me a message and tell me who they are. I’ll tell you whether you can trust them.

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