A DAY OF RESEARCH MAY KEEP YOU OUT OF THE BURN UNIT
by Kurt Gunn
Green Bay, WI
So you got a message on myspace from a licensing company saying your song is perfect for The Hills and they want to place it this week. All you need to do is send a check for $400 and sign this contract. Take a deep breath, slow down, and start digging. First off nothing is done overnight so there is no hurry. A few things you might want to ask Next Big Thing Enterprises.
- How many artists are you representing
- What is my money going to
- How long is the contract
- Do I keep the rights to my songs
- How big is their staff
- What is their placement rate
This should give you a feel of what you are going to get out of the Next Big Thing. The thing with most of these companies is they just are not legit. There are so many musicians out there trying to make money, and there are just as many companies trying to take it. DON’T GET BURNT.
I’ve had a few of these companies and producers find me, and try to screw me. The first time it happened was the last time. If I only would have done a little research I would have known. Here are a few things you can look into.
- Google the company, and dig deep. Sooner or later you will stumble on some forum that will tell you the company blows.
- Remember that the company pays people to go on these forums and pretend to be someone that made it to the big time with them. Go ahead and look the artist up if they either aren’t there or have fifty plays on myspace
- Contact some artist they represent, and find out what the company did for them
- Contact an artist from the Companies City and ask if they have heard anything about them good or bad. Most artist will be more than willing to help out
- Look into the better business bureau
- Does the company even have an address
As far as licensing goes the only company that I’ve found that looks credible is TAXI
Just keep digging, and if your gut tells you no, then don’t do it. If it is too good to be true 9 times out of 10 it is.
myspace.com/kurtgunnmusic
www.myspace.com/wisconsinsongwritersrevival
