Notes on Napkins

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GOLD STARS Report: SongU.com Songs Recently Picked Up for Pitches (Edition 9/5/25)

CONGRATULATIONS to the following SongU writers for having their songs signed or pitched for the following leads for the period from July 6, 2025 to September 5th, 2025.

Pitch For Publisher. Christian Contemporary (CCM), Christian Praise/Worship.Various Contemporary Christian Artists. Continuing to listen! A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is seeking mid and up-tempo, high-spirited Contemporary Christian and Praise & Worship tracks.

    • Brian Adams (Brian Keith Adams) “AM I WALKING ALONE “ (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • Shane Banks (Shane Banks) “I’M THE ONE” (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • Alisa Claus (Alisa Joy Claus) “HOPE IS ALL I SEE” (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • Alisa Claus (Alisa Joy Claus) “WORSHIP HIM IN PRAISE” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Alisa Claus (Alisa Joy Claus) “JESUS IS ALIVE” (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • Randall Cohen (Randall Cohen) “COME” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Randall Cohen (Randall Cohen) “YOUNG IN MY HEART (2025)” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Luke Denison (Luke Denison) “I AM” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Bill Ekhoff (Ekhoff/Smeckpeper) “ONE FAITH ONE BODY ONE HOPE” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Bill Ekhoff (Bill Ekhoff) “AS IF” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Jennifer Ferguson (Jennifer Ferguson, Jeff Baker) “STAINED GLASS MEMORIES (DEMO)” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Mindy Gars dolandis (Mindy Gars Dolandis, Chris Castle) “TRULY ARE” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Mindy Gars dolandis (Mindy Gars Dolandis, Chris Castle) “JUST PRAY” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • David Johnson (David Alan Johnson, Sherry Lynn Hodge) “IN THE BOOK OF MATTHEW” (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • Kevin Kenney (Kevin W. Kenney) “SHINE!” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Karen Mitchell (James Kocian, Matt Glickstein and Karen R Mitchell) “THROUGH NOW UNTIL THEN” (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • Karen Mitchell (Corey Lee Barker, Eric Uglum and Karen R Mitchell) “A_MY GOD DOES (CCM VERSION)” (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • David Pellegrini (David Pellegrini) “LOVE HIM MORE AND MORE” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Bobby Roberts (Bobby Roberts/Travis Smith/Camden Roberts) “BREAK ME DOWN” (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • De’leah Shane (De’Leah Shane/Sara Brice) “I’M LISTENING “ (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • Scotty Spain (Scotty Spain) “YOU HOLD THE HALLELUJAH” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Scotty Spain (Scotty Spain) “HELL CAN’T HOLD ME” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Scotty Spain (Scotty Spain) “3 DAYS” (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen) “IN GOD’S EYES” (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen) “SWEAR ON THE BIBLE (GOSPEL)” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen) “SWEAR ON THE BIBLE (INDIE CHRISTIAN)” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Phil Stephenson (Phil Stephenson) “LEARNING WHO YOU ARE “ (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • Rita Weyls (Weyls/Beresford) “PRAY REMIX” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)
    • Shawn Wiese (Shawn Wiese) “KING OF KINGS” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country, Honky Tonk, Gospel.Chapel Hart. Extended! A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is listening to songs for “America’s Got Talent”-Golden Buzzer artist Chapel Hart. About: the phenomenal chick trio Chapel …

    • Luke Denison (Luke Denison, Randy Sloan) “ONE INCH AT A TIME” (Date picked up: 7/8/2025)
    • Erin Gaetz (Erin Gaetz) “RIPTIDE” (Date picked up: 7/8/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Drew Langdon, Erica Ellis) “PORCELAIN HORSES” (Date picked up: 7/8/2025)
    • Rita Weyls (Rita Weyls/Carlene McDearis-Wentworth) “DOWN AT BETTY’S PLACE “ (Date picked up: 7/8/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country, Honky Tonk.Steel Skarecrow. A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is a multi-talented, two-steppin’ Honky Tonk Troubadours band, Steel Skarecrow. About: This is a four-member band that plays and …

    • Adam Byrd (John Cirillo/Chip Martin/Adam Byrd) “A BAR IN HEAVEN” (Date picked up: 7/23/2025)
    • Adam Byrd (Adam Byrd) “MY KINDA TROUBLE” (Date picked up: 7/23/2025)
    • Brandon Gillihan (Brandon “BD” Gillihan) “WHEN THE CROW BEGINS TO FLY” (Date picked up: 7/23/2025)
    • Mitch Townley (Townley, Miller, Curry, Parker) “FIND YOUR ROAD AND GO” (Date picked up: 7/23/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Damon Spigle. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for indie Country artist, Damon Spigle. An Eastern Kentucky native, Damon is a talented and determined 16-year-old singer-songwriter, …

    • Scotty Spain (Scotty Spain) “BUILT LIKE THAT” (Date picked up: 8/15/2025)

Pitch For Song Plugger. Contemporary Country.David J. Extended! Still looking! A Street Pitch guest and song plugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for Sony artist David J. Seeking: contemporary country songs in the Sam Hunt and Morgan Wallen direction. …

    • Cassie Leuffen (Cassie Leuffen) “HAPPY TO” (Date picked up: 9/5/2025)

Pitch For Song Plugger. Country.Jade Eagleson. Extended! A Street Pitch guest and song plugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for Starseed Records artist Jade Eagleson. This Canadian traditional country artist has a huge and growing fan base. …

    • Stephen Adrian Lawrance (Stephen Adrian Lawrance, Steven Lee Olsen) “IT FINDS ME” (Date picked up: 9/3/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country, Folk, Singer Songwriter. Girl Named Tom. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for indie Country artist, Girl Named Tom. This is a sister and two brothers group, Bekah, Caleb, and Joshua Liechty, …

    • Pat Kelley (Pat Kelley/Rob Crosby/Angela Kaset) “UNSUNG SAINTS-FEMALE” (Date picked up: 7/6/2025)
    • Rita Weyls (Xxxx) “STRONG MEDICINE “ (Date picked up: 7/7/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Bailey Zimmerman. A Street Pitch guest and song plugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for Warner Music artist Bailey Zimmerman. Think modern-day Brantley Gilbert. Seeking: Radio HITS. Songs with strong …

    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham) “PEACE SIGN” (Date picked up: 8/13/2025)
    • Scotty Spain (Scotty Spain) “HOLY GHOST IN A HOTEL ROOM” (Date picked up: 7/7/2025)
    • Scotty Spain (Scotty Spain) “BUILT TO STAY BROKEN” (Date picked up: 8/13/2025)

Pitch For Song Plugger. Country. Brooks & Dunn. Veteran music publisher with multiple cuts on major artists is listening to songs for Sony Records artist Brooks & Dunn.

    • Jeff Roe (Zach Neil, Jeff Roe) “BOTTOM OF IT” (Date picked up: 7/7/2025)
    • Templeton Thompson (Sam Gay, Rod McCormack) “MY CRAZY FRIEND” (Date picked up: 7/21/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. R&B, Singer Songwriter, Soul, Alternative, Indie.Network TV Dramatic Series New Season. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately.

    • Alisa Claus (Alisa Joy Claus) “I’LL NEVER LOOK AT YOU THE SAME” (Date picked up: 8/8/2025)
    • Priscilla Connolly (Priscilla Connolly and Rita Weyls) “SECRETS “ (Date picked up: 8/8/2025)
    • Kevin Kilberry (Kevin Kilberry) “INSIDE OUT (FEAT., CHELSEA)” (Date picked up: 8/8/2025)
    • Douglas Stanglin (Doug Stanglin & Janet Devers) “SOMEONE TO HOLD (UPDATE)” (Date picked up: 8/8/2025)

Pitch For A&R Representative. Blues, R&B, Soul. Wynnesong Records is seeking great songs for a 21-year-old male artist. Submit: R&B/Soul/Blues/Indie Rock ala Chris Stapleton and Teskey Brothers. Recording the first week of August. Need songs as soon as possible. …

    • Shawn Fitzgerald (Shawn Fitzgerald) “PLEASE, THROW A LIL LOVE MY WAY (BLUES)” (Date picked up: 7/30/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Blues, Country. Pryor Baird. A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members for Black River Entertainment artist Pryor Baird.

    • Cassie Leuffen (Cassie Leuffen) “YOUR STAR” (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)
    • Gregory Santora (Gregory Santora) “ALYSSA RAE” (Date picked up: 8/28/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country.Chris Young. A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members for multi-platinum recording artist and Grand Ole Opry member Chris Young. Seeking: Career-defining HIT songs. Chris is known for …

    • Thomas White (WHITE CABIN MUSIC) “GLAD I CAME IN LAST” (Date picked up: 8/21/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Singer Songwriter, Alternative, Indie. Seeking Music For TV – School Spirits 3. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately.

    • Kevin Kilberry (Kevin Kilberry) “INSIDE OUT (FEAT., CHELSEA)” (Date picked up: 8/8/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Holiday Themed.Country Christmas songs for Female Artist. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for SSM Nashville artist, Kylie Ryan. Kylie is originally from Australia; she now lives …

    • Rita Weyls (Weyls, R./Walker, J.) “CARIBBEAN CHRISTMAS “ (Date picked up: 7/6/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Bluegrass, Country, Dance, Pop. Kameron Ross. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Grade One View Music artist, Kameron Ross. This Texas-based, America’s Got Talent artist, and DC Pride performer …

    • Alan Bruce (Alan Bruce) “LIVING A LIE” (Date picked up: 7/12/2025)
    • Erica Ellis (Erica Ellis and Rafi Arkin) “WHAT IF I’M WRONG” (Date picked up: 7/29/2025)
    • Kenneth Riggins (Kenneth Riggins) “RIGHT WHERE U WANT ME” (Date picked up: 7/29/2025)
    • Kenneth Wolfe (Kenn Wolfe) “SO WHAT!!!” (Date picked up: 7/15/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country. Alli Walker. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Records Nashville artist, Ali Walker. Seeking: UPTEMPO positive Country. Female vocal demos. To learn more …

    • Bobby Roberts (Bobby Ray Roberts/Travis Cheyenne Smith) “THIS COULD BE A LOVE LIKE THAT” (Date picked up: 8/27/2025)

Pitch For Song Plugger. Country, Rock.Trucker Songs. Quick Pitch! Veteran music publisher with multiple cuts on major artists is listening to songs for an unnamed male artist managed by a major Nashville artist management company.

    • Kevin Kilberry (Kevin Kilberry) “200 MILES FROM TENNESSEE (FEAT., JOE)” (Date picked up: 7/21/2025)
    • Scotty Spain (Scotty Spain) “DIESEL IN MY VEINS” (Date picked up: 7/17/2025)
    • Scotty Spain (Scotty Spain) “LEFT LANE LIVIN’” (Date picked up: 7/21/2025)
    • Kenneth Wolfe (Kenn Wolfe) “THE ROAD CAN BE HEAVEN OR HELL” (Date picked up: 7/16/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Funk, HipHop, Pop, EDM.Upbeat Fun Party Songs For Ad Campaign. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately.

    • Mindy Gars dolandis (Chloe Dolandis, Mindy Gars Dolandis, Rory Dolandis) “LET’S MAKE THIS MOMENT” (Date picked up: 8/5/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, Singer Songwriter, Soul.Warm and Reflective Song for Indie Film. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately.

    • Robbi Atkins (robbi atkins) “ALIVE TODAY” (Date picked up: 8/19/2025)

Pitch For Song Plugger. Honky Tonk, Traditional Country.Mark Chesnutt. Extended! A Street Pitch guest and song plugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for 1990s multi-platinum selling artist Mark Chesnutt. Chesnutt’s music, heavily influenced by classic country artists …

    • Kyle Jeter (Kyle Jeter) “ONE TWO-STEP” (Date picked up: 8/15/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country, Soul.Iconic Band with Female Lead. Extended! A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is listening to songs for an Iconic Band with Female Lead, coming soon to an acclaimed new Major Label! Let’s …

    • Thomas White (Thomas White/ Gabe Peterson) “SOMEONE TO RUN TO” (Date picked up: 8/5/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country. Extended until September 16, unless McGraw’s team notifies us that the song search is complete. Tim McGraw. This pitch is enabled with an optional “add-on” Behind-The-Scenes (BTS) LIVE EXPERIENCE! Watch and hear the guest’s genuine, unfiltered …

    • Kerry Jeter (Kerry Jeter) “IN THE TRYIN’” (Date picked up: 9/5/2025)
    • Alexsi Mallory (Alexsi Mallory) “TELLIN’ TIME” (Date picked up: 8/18/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Electronic, HipHop, Pop, Rock, Indie.TV Promos/Trailers. Quick Pitch! A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately.

    • Robert Quigley (Robert Quigley, Alan Cameron, Graeme Duffin, Jamie) “SHINE” (Date picked up: 8/22/2025)

And a round of congrats to those marked ‘Maybe,’ too. Keep up the great work, everyone!

About Pitching at SongU.com: On the SongU virtual campus, success is achieved through our focus on education, and making each song the strongest it can be BEFORE spending money on a demo. We offer numerous opportunities for songwriters to reach their goals, from one-on-one coaching to live feedback sessions, to peer and mentor co-writes.


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Behind the Scenes: Why Publishers Turn Off Songs Early

What would make a music publisher stop your song before it’s even over? That’s exactly what we explored in our most recent Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) Experience at SongU.com.

A virtual meeting screenshot from SongU.com featuring music publisher Bob Dellaposta reviewing songs for Tim McGraw. The interface displays the song's waveform and options for feedback.

Music publisher Bob Dellaposta (My3Kids Music) joined us in the e-classroom and listened in real-time to the songs our members pitched for Tim McGraw. After each song, he explained why he marked it yes, no, or maybe. It was a rare chance to hear his unfiltered thought process as he listened to multiple songs to narrow down his pitch selection for a particular artist. This is the kind of feedback you almost never get to witness.

One of our members, Betty Holt from NC, summed it up perfectly:

“Bob was excellent at explaining his reasons for rejecting songs. In most cases they just weren’t right for Tim McGraw but might have worked for someone else. It helped me see that rejections are usually not rejections of my ability as a songwriter, but just not appropriate for a particular artist.”

I love the way Betty put that. It’s such an important reminder: No doesn’t necessarily mean your song isn’t good. More often, it means it’s not the right fit for that artist at that time.

So what made Bob turn off a song early? He gave us some clear examples:

  • He quickly stopped one song because “Tim McGraw isn’t going to sing a song about his exes. Tim is happily married to Faith Hill, and it just wouldn’t be true to who he is.”
  • He turned off another song because, while it was well-written, it was patriotic. Bob explained that he’s never heard Tim do a patriotic song, so it felt out of character.
  • Other songs were cut short because they were in styles and genres that Tim doesn’t typically record, such as tropical pop/reggae, Americana, or Folk.
  • And when I asked Bob the big-picture question, what are you really listening for today? His answer was simply: “I’m looking for Tim’s next big hit. Not album fillers.” He said that he’d want to hear songs that are positive, songs with emotional impact that move him, and that will move listeners.

Bob also reminded us that he holds himself to the same standard as any other writer. The moment he recognizes something out of character for the artist, he’ll turn a song off, even if it’s his own.

To summarize, what Bob is describing is the importance of looking critically and objectively at your own songs when pitching for a specific project or artist. Read the pitch listings and briefs carefully. Research the artist by listening to their songs. Two simple questions can make all the difference: Does my song have lyrics that they can honestly relate to? And, is the music and style true to who they are?

As you keep writing and pitching, I encourage you to look at your songs through the artists’ eyes. In other words, instead of imagining what the artist can do for your song, ask what your song can do for the artist.

If this topic resonates with you, you’ll definitely want to check out our DIY Podcast course: SONG 270W Songs In The Spotlight: How To Write Songs That Artists Want to Sing. In it, hit singer/songwriter Craig Bickhardt shares practical tips and techniques that can help you write for and pitch to artists.

I understand how hard it can be to step back and be objective about your own songs – they really do feel like our “babies.” Just remember, we’re on your team at SongU. If you’re not sure whether a song is ready to pitch, come join us in one of our Song Feedback Courses to get an objective perspective from your peers and mentors.

Keep writing, keep refining, and most of all, keep believing in yourself. You got this!


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GOLD STARS Report: SongU.com Songs Recently Picked Up for Pitches (Edition 7/5/25)

CONGRATULATIONS to the following SongU writers for having their songs signed or pitched for the following leads between April 6, 2025, and July 5th, 2025.

Pitch For Publisher. Christian Contemporary (CCM), Christian Praise/Worship.Various Contemporary Christian Artists. Continuing to listen! A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is listening for MID and UP-TEMPO, high-spirited Contemporary Christian and Praise & Worship …

    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock) “EYES OF FAITH” (Date picked up: 4/10/2025)
    • Rick Burge (Rick Burge) “AN ACT OF FAITH (SOLDIER ON)” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Alisa Claus (Alisa Claus) “HE SPEAKS TO ME” (Date picked up: 6/10/2025)
    • Randall Cohen (Randall Parker Cohen) “TILL YOUR COUNT IS DONE” (Date picked up: 5/13/2025)
    • Jennifer Ferguson (Jennifer Ferguson, Cari Lynn York, Karen Mitchell) “STRONGER THAN I THINK” (Date picked up: 6/10/2025)
    • Jennifer Ferguson (Corey Lee Barker, Cari Lynn York, Jennifer Ferguso) “EVERYDAY BLESSINGS “ (Date picked up: 5/13/2025)
    • Pat Kelley (Pat Kelley/Briana Domenica/Patrick Dodge) “HOLY HALLELUJAH” (Date picked up: 5/6/2025)
    • Pat Kelley (Pat Kelley/Rob Crosby/Angela Kaset) “UNSUNG SAINTS-FEMALE” (Date picked up: 5/22/2025)
    • Pat Kelley (Pat Kelley/Briana Domenica) “DELIVERED” (Date picked up: 5/13/2025)
    • Abigail Marmion (Abigail Marmion/Edward Gaus, Jr.) “MY MISSING PIECE (REVISED 2025)” (Date picked up: 5/6/2025)
    • Abigail Marmion (Abigail Marmion/Edward Gaus, Jr./Rick Huckaby) “TRUST YOUR OUTCOMES TO GOD “ (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Abigail Marmion (Abigail Marmion, Edward Gaus, Jr.) “CHASIN’ AFTER JESUS” (Date picked up: 5/13/2025)
    • Terri Mcpherson (Terri Edwards McPherson and Dave Langdon) “LOVE IN HIS EYES” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Mac Millen (Jerry Poor, Mac Millen) “JESUS LOVES US THIS I KNOW” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Jon Philibert (Jon Philibert) “PUT IT DOWN TO LOVE” (Date picked up: 5/13/2025)
    • Rory Scott (Rory Scott) “BORN AGAIN” (Date picked up: 6/10/2025)
    • Hilton Severson (Hilton Severson) “DIGGING INTO YOUR WORD” (Date picked up: 5/13/2025)
    • De’leah Shane (De’Leah Shane, Sara Brice) “I AM” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • De’leah Shane (De’Leah Shane/ Sara Brice) “MOUNTAINS “ (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Sandy Sherman (Sandy Sherman & MaryBeth Stone) “IN GOD’S IMAGE” (Date picked up: 5/22/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen & Raul Barba) “DON’T LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED (SHORTER VERSION)” (Date picked up: 4/18/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen & David Smith) “NEVER TOO FAR FROM THE SHORE (FEAT. ANDREW HALL) [RADIO EDIT]” (Date picked up: 4/18/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen & Raul Barba) “ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH FAITH” (Date picked up: 4/18/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen & William Sherry) “ETERNALLY” (Date picked up: 4/18/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen, John Melusy & Raul Barba) “TODAY’S THE DAY (CHRISTIAN VERSION)” (Date picked up: 5/13/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen & William Sherry) “YOU RESCUED ME” (Date picked up: 5/13/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen & Raul Barba) “GOD IS LOVE” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen & Raul Barba) “MIRACLE OF FAITH” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Mitch Townley (Townley, Miller, Curry, Parker) “OBITUARY “ (Date picked up: 6/10/2025)
    • John Welch (John Welch and Jeromy Marsh) “YOU ALREADY WON” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • John Welch (John Welch and Jeromy Marsh) “NO OTHER LOVE” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Brian Wheatley (Brian Wheatley) “HE CAME DOWN” (Date picked up: 6/10/2025)
    • Thomas White (White Cabin Music) “COUNTRY ROAD “ (Date picked up: 5/13/2025)
    • Thomas White (White Cabin Music) “DARKNESS INTO LIGHT / DUET” (Date picked up: 6/17/2025)
    • Trisa Wintringham (Trisa Wintringham) “KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME” (Date picked up: 5/13/2025)

Pitch For Song Plugger. .Jake Vaadeland. Folk/Roots Extended! A Street Pitch guest and song plugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for indie artist Jake Vaadeland. Seeking: Roots/Folk music, smile-inducing songs that blend genres, …

    • John Romanelli (JOHN ROMANELLI) “HARLAN” (Date picked up: 4/16/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Grace West. Extended! A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is listening to songs for NBC’s Season 23 of “The Voice” – Team Blake artist Grace West.

    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock) “1-800-GOODBYE” (Date picked up: 4/29/2025)
    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock) “GONE” (Date picked up: 4/29/2025)
    • Ricky Amburgey (Carey Latham/Jennifer Ferguson/Rick Amburgey) “LOVE RULES” (Date picked up: 4/29/2025)
    • Carin Fradin (Carin Fradin, Elizabeth Eckert) “DOLLY WOULD” (Date picked up: 4/29/2025)
    • Carin Fradin (Fran Litterski, Carin Fradin, Chris Rizzo) “LISTEN TO COUNTRY” (Date picked up: 4/29/2025)
    • Kevin Kilberry (Kevin Kilberry) “BECAUSE I LOVED YOU (FEAT.,LOT2SAY)” (Date picked up: 4/29/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Kyle Jackson-Rachky, Kris Crepeau) “MISS FIRE” (Date picked up: 4/29/2025)
    • Steve Peters (Scott Peters/Steve Peters) “COME BACK SOON “ (Date picked up: 4/29/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country, Honky Tonk, Gospel.Chapel Hart. Extended! A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is listening to songs for “America’s Got Talent”-Golden Buzzer artist Chapel Hart. About: the phenomenal chick trio Chapel …

    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Lee Adcock) “I LIED TOO (FEMALE MIX)” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Lee Adcock) “CHOICES OF THE HEART (FEMALE)” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Jerry Blackburn “FORGIVEN” (Date picked up: 5/13/2025)
    • Jerry Blackburn (Jerry Blackburn, Ron Stevens) “LOOSE CHANGE” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Amanda Kent (Amanda Kent) “HONKY TONK HEART” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Amanda Kent (Amanda Kent (McCarthy)) “THE ONLY SHOT” (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)
    • Amanda Kent (Amanda Kent (McCarthy)) “IF THIS CHEVY HAD WINGS” (Date picked up: 4/30/2025)
    • Rita Weyls (Xxxx) “STRONG MEDICINE “ (Date picked up: 4/24/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, Indie.Contemporary Upbeat Christmas Songs. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately.

    • Rhonda Gessow (Rhonda Gessow/Krysta Marie Youngs) “CHRISTMAS ALL TOGETHER” (Date picked up: 5/6/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, Singer Songwriter, Indie.Contemporary Downtempo Emotional Christmas Songs. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately.

    • Phillip Sandifer (Phillip Sandifer) “IF WE EVER NEEDED CHRISTMAS (FEMALE)” (Date picked up: 5/8/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country, Traditional Country.Bradley Gaskin. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for Indie Country artist, Bradley Gaskin. Gaskin’s forthcoming Keith Stegall – produced album, Unfinished Business, is …

    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock, Dave Quirk, David Hill) “LOVE LOOKS LIKE THAT” (Date picked up: 4/18/2025)
    • Pat Kelley (Pat Kelley) “TALKIN’ TO HER COFFE CUP” (Date picked up: 4/27/2025)
    • Justin Phillips (Justin Phillips, Kenny Erickson) “NOT MISSING ME” (Date picked up: 4/18/2025)
    • Rory Scott (Rory Scott) “ONCE UPON A LIME” (Date picked up: 5/6/2025)
    • Mary Zalla (Mary Zalla, Parker Francis, Mason Douglas) “MY COUNTRY PEOPLE” (Date picked up: 5/6/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Gospel.Contemporary Gospel Male/Female Duo . A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for a male/female duo. Seeking bluesy soulful Gospel songs with big chorus for an entire choir. …

    • Riki Carignan (Riki Carignan, Gavin Scott Carignan) “CAN’T STOP ME NOW (FEAT. JESSIE WAGNER)” (Date picked up: 4/19/2025)
    • Steve Matthews (Steve Matthews / Amber Sweeney / Kama Bell / Devon) “TAKE A LOOK AGAIN” (Date picked up: 4/29/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Trea Landon. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for Warner Brothers artist Trea Landon. Seeking Great songs. Think Kenny Chesney meets George Strait. Male Vocals Only. …

    • Ronald Hill (HappyRon Hill, Jeffrey East, Angela Porter, Avrim) “SOMETHIN ABOUT FEELINS” (Date picked up: 4/19/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Travis Smith, Adam Carpenter) “GOOD GRIEF” (Date picked up: 4/20/2025)
    • Brad Mckinney (Brad McKinney, Jake Arthur, Derek James, Thomas Bo) “GET THAT GIRL” (Date picked up: 4/20/2025)
    • Jim Purtell (Jim Purtell and Ricki E. Bellos) “BLUE SKY RAIN” (Date picked up: 4/19/2025)
    • Rory Scott (Rory Scott) “ONCE UPON A LIME” (Date picked up: 5/6/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country.Blake Shelton. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for Warner Brothers artist Blake Shelton. Seeking BIG songs with IMPACTFUL lyrics. No sad or break-up songs. For …

    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock, Dave Quirk, David Hill) “LOVE LOOKS LIKE THAT” (Date picked up: 4/20/2025)
    • Robbi Atkins (robbi atkins) “THE ROOTS (V.2)” (Date picked up: 5/6/2025)
    • Rhondalynn Pisanello (MARK ZUBEK and RHONDA PISANELLO) “GOOD, GOOD DAY” (Date picked up: 5/6/2025)

(An update about member cuts on the popular Maddye Trew pitch is coming soon.) Pitch For Publisher. Country. Maddye Trew. NEW! QUICK PITCH! The next in-person meeting is on Friday, April 23rd. A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members for indie artist Maddye Trew. Every song submitted will be listened …

    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Lee Adcock) “DAYS OF THUNDER (FEMALE MIX)” (Date picked up: 4/11/2025)
    • Ricky Amburgey (Rick Amburgey) “I SUPPORT DAY DRINKING” (Date picked up: 4/22/2025)
    • Ricky Amburgey (Rick Amburgey) “FLIP CUP DRUNK” (Date picked up: 4/11/2025)
    • Ricky Amburgey (Rick Amburgey) “HELL YEAH CELEBRATION (FEMALE VERSION)” (Date picked up: 4/16/2025)
    • Ricky Amburgey (Rick Amburgey) “FIREWORKS IN THE DARK “ (Date picked up: 4/16/2025)
    • Randy Borman (Randy Borman) “HONKY TONK BLUES” (Date picked up: 4/22/2025)
    • Jennifer Ferguson (Carey Latham, Jennifer Ferguson) “COUNTRY SUMMER NIGHT (FEMALE VOCAL)” (Date picked up: 4/22/2025)
    • Jennifer Ferguson (Rick Amburgey, Jennifer Ferguson) “THE CORK “ (Date picked up: 4/22/2025)
    • Shawn Fitzgerald (Shawn Fitzgerald) “PARTY ANIMALS GETTING WILD ON THE FARM” (Date picked up: 4/14/2025)
    • Carin Fradin (Jake Arthur, Carin Fradin, Dan Allen) “SONG DRUNK” (Date picked up: 4/22/2025)
    • Erin Gaetz (Erin Gaetz) “RIPTIDE” (Date picked up: 4/16/2025)
    • Jerry Glidewell (Jerry Glidewell & Chad Roland) “COUGAR BAIT” (Date picked up: 4/14/2025)
    • Jerry Glidewell (Jerry Glidewell & Chad Roland) “WOLFPACK” (Date picked up: 4/16/2025)
    • Heidi Huettner (Huettner/Timmer/West) “IF I WERE SCARLETT” (Date picked up: 4/16/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Tery Wayne Wilkins) “LITTLE BIT” (Date picked up: 4/10/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Jennie B. Larsen, Bryan Mitschellitc) “I DON’T DANCE” (Date picked up: 4/16/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Larry Vail, Natalie Joly) “DRINKIN’ OR DRANKIN'” (Date picked up: 4/14/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Rick Amburgey) “THAT’S HOW WE DO IT ROUND HERE” (Date picked up: 4/23/2025)
    • David Nicastro (DAVID NICASTRO) “F150 PROOF” (Date picked up: 4/22/2025)
    • Bobby Roberts (Bobby Ray Roberts) “THAT MONEY SONG. “ (Date picked up: 4/16/2025)
    • Andrew Trotter (Andrew Trotter) “NEON SKY” (Date picked up: 4/22/2025)
    • James Wattler (J.D. Wattler) “SHE’S JUST A GIRL” (Date picked up: 4/16/2025)
    • Rita Weyls (Weyls/Hydro/Moroziuk) “UH UH” (Date picked up: 4/16/2025)
    • Thomas White (Thomas White / Rick Amburgey) “MIXIN’ MY GIRLS WITH BOURBON “ (Date picked up: 4/22/2025)
    • Thomas White (Rick Amburgey / Thomas White) “MIXIN’ 3 YEARS WITH BOURBON “ (Date picked up: 4/22/2025)
    • Haley Woolbright (Haley Horina) “SUMMER VIBES” (Date picked up: 4/22/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country, Folk.The Band Loula. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for Warner Brothers artist The Band Loula.

    • Ricki Bellos (Ricki E Bellos) “SWEET CLOVER FIELD” (Date picked up: 5/29/2025)
    • Shawn Fitzgerald (Shawn Fitzgerald) “THE JAGGED EDGE OF A BROKEN GLASS (DEEP)” (Date picked up: 5/15/2025)
    • Ronald Hill (Rebecca Lynn Howard, HappyRon Hill, Russ Still) “DROP OF SOUL (SUNG BY REBECCA LYNN HOWARD)” (Date picked up: 5/27/2025)
    • Rhondalynn Pisanello (Rhonda Pisanello) “THE SAGA OF THE REMORSELESS MOTHER” (Date picked up: 4/27/2025)
    • Bobby Roberts (Bobby Ray Roberts/Denver Wade) “THE DEVIL’S DAUGHTER” (Date picked up: 5/6/2025)

Pitch For Song Plugger. Country, Rock.Lanie Gardner. A Street Pitch guest and song plugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for BBR Music Group/BMG artist Lanie Gardner. Seeking: Joan Jett like rock meets country anthems. Also considering bouncy, …

    • Carlene Wentworth (Carlene Wentworth/Rita Weyls) “BETTY’S PLACE” (Date picked up: 5/27/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Damon Spigle. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for indie Country artist, Damon Spigle. An Eastern Kentucky native, Damon is a talented and determined 16-year-old singer-songwriter, …

    • Erica Ellis (Erica Ellis/Kyle Harvey) “SHOTGUN” (Date picked up: 5/20/2025)
    • Ray Kayanek (Ray Allen Kayanek/J.C. Sullivan) “SWING AND A MISS” (Date picked up: 5/27/2025)
    • Haley Woolbright (Haley Horina, Charlie Dunn) “SHOTGUN” (Date picked up: 5/29/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Funk, R&B, Soul.The GapX Band. Quick Pitch! A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for The GapX Band. This group features original members of the legendary Gap Band, who toured the world and …

    • Shawn Fitzgerald (Shawn Fitzgerald) “RED CARPET DIVA (GAP)” (Date picked up: 5/21/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Pop, Classical/Operatic.Nancy May. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for a UK-based artist, Nancy May. Nancy’s unique Soprano voice can be heard in concerts around the UK and on all download platforms. …

    • Shawn Fitzgerald (Shawn Fitzgerald and Bob Dellaposta) “SWEET USE TO BE’S (MAY)” (Date picked up: 5/21/2025)
    • Carlene Wentworth (Carlene Wentworth & Bill O’Hanlon) “I’M AWAKE (FEMALE CLASSICAL CROSSOVER)” (Date picked up: 5/20/2025)
    • Rita Weyls (Weyls/McDearis-Wentworth) “FOREVER BETTER 3 ( FEMALE VERSION)” (Date picked up: 5/6/2025)
    • Kenneth Wolfe (Kenn C. Wolfe-Sunny Hilden) “I ONLY SEE FOREVER” (Date picked up: 5/27/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country.Conner Smith. Extended. A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members for Big Machine Label Group artist Conner Smith.

    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Adam Carpenter, Shane Banks) “MILE MARKER 19” (Date picked up: 5/21/2025)
    • Brad Mckinney (Brad McKinney, Tristan Bushman, Hayden Cain) “HOLD UP” (Date picked up: 6/3/2025)
    • Mitch Townley (Townley/Johnson) “NUMBERED (SDB)” (Date picked up: 6/29/2025)
    • Thomas White (WHITE CABIN MUSIC) “HILLBILLY DREAM” (Date picked up: 5/21/2025)

Pitch For Song Plugger. Country.Randall King. Veteran music publisher with multiple cuts on major artists is listening to songs for Warner Music recording artist Randall King.

Seeking: Strong, uptempo country songs with radio single potential. Absolutely …

    • Adam Byrd (John Cirillo/Chip Martin/Adam Byrd) “A BAR IN HEAVEN” (Date picked up: 6/9/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Adam Carpenter, Shane Banks) “MILE MARKER 19” (Date picked up: 6/23/2025)
    • Jeff Roe (Jeff Roe, Marla Rubenstein, Randy Morrison) “SAD IN MEXICO” (Date picked up: 6/9/2025)
    • Greg Smith (greg p smith, sandy ramos, bronson hetzer) “WRAP YOU UP IN LOVE DMB” (Date picked up: 6/9/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, R&B, Soul, Indie.Theme Songs For Advertising Projects #2. Extended! A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately.

    • Priscilla Connolly (Priscilla Connolly, Rita Weyls, Corey Barker) “FEELIN’ GOOD “ (Date picked up: 5/18/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Christian Contemporary (CCM), Christian Praise/Worship.Contemporary Christian Songs For Film & TV. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately.

    • Alisa Claus (Alisa Claus) “HE SPEAKS TO ME” (Date picked up: 6/18/2025)
    • Randall Cohen (Randall Cohen) “COME” (Date picked up: 6/18/2025)
    • Rhonda Gessow (Rhonda Gessow, Brandon Chase) “WHERE I AM (YOU FIND ME)” (Date picked up: 5/18/2025)

Pitch For Song Plugger. Country.Clay Walker. Veteran music publisher with multiple cuts on major artists is listening to songs for multi-Platinum-selling artist Clay Walker. (Note: This is a different pitch guest from the Clay Walker Pitch #2427 back in March.)

    • Adam Byrd (John Cirillo/Chip Martin/Adam Byrd) “A BAR IN HEAVEN” (Date picked up: 6/26/2025)
    • Jeff Roe (Jeff Roe, Marla Rubenstein, Randy Morrison) “SAD IN MEXICO” (Date picked up: 6/3/2025)
    • Templeton Thompson (Sam Gay, Rod McCormack) “MY CRAZY FRIEND” (Date picked up: 6/26/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Pop.Stacey Leadbeatter. Quick Pitch! A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for ‘Britain’s Got Talent” finalist Stacey Leadbeatter. Seeking: Pop ballads and mid-tempos ala …

    • Priscilla Connolly (Priscilla Connolly) “ALIVE” (Date picked up: 5/21/2025)
    • Shawn Fitzgerald (Shawn Fitzgerald) “TOO SHY” (Date picked up: 5/27/2025)
    • Carlene Wentworth (Carlene Wentworth) “HOLD ON NOW” (Date picked up: 5/21/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country, Folk, Singer Songwriter.Girl Named Tom. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for indie Country artist, Girl Named Tom. This is a sister and two brothers group, Bekah, Caleb, and Joshua Liechty, …

    • Ricky Amburgey (Rick Amburgey/Joe Bigalke) “A HUMAN BEING (FEMALE VERSION)” (Date picked up: 6/14/2025)
    • Adam Byrd (Adam Byrd/Sarah Motes Ashley) “JUST ANOTHER TATTOO” (Date picked up: 6/14/2025)
    • Shawn Fitzgerald (Shawn Fitzgerald) “UNWIND” (Date picked up: 6/14/2025)
    • David Geer (David D. Geer) “HIGH AND HALLELUJAH” (Date picked up: 6/14/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, R&B, Singer Songwriter, Indie.Relationship Songs for TV Series. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately.

    • Mindy Gars Dolandis (Mindy Gars Dolandis, Rory Dolandis) “ALL I NEED IS TO BE WITH YOU” (Date picked up: 6/18/2025)

Pitch For Song Plugger. Country.Brooks & Dunn. Veteran music publisher with multiple cuts on major artists is listening to songs for Sony Records artist Brooks & Dunn.

    • Adam Byrd (John Cirillo/Chip Martin/Adam Byrd) “A BAR IN HEAVEN” (Date picked up: 7/1/2025)
    • Jeff Roe (Jeff Roe, Leslie Bowe, Ralston Wells) “I CAN DRINK IN THIS BAR” (Date picked up: 7/1/2025)

And a round of congrats to those marked ‘Maybe,’ too. Keep up the great work, everyone!

About Pitching at SongU.com: On the SongU virtual campus, success is achieved through our focus on education, and making each song the strongest it can be BEFORE spending money on a demo. We offer numerous opportunities for songwriters to reach their goals, from one-on-one coaching to live feedback sessions, to peer and mentor co-writes.


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GOLD STARS Report: SongU.com Songs Recently Picked Up for Pitches (Edition 4/5/25)

CONGRATULATIONS to the following SongU writers for having their songs signed or pitched for the following leads between February 6, 2025, and April 5th, 2025.

Pitch For Publisher. Christian Contemporary (CCM), Christian Praise/Worship.Various Contemporary Christian Artists. Continuing to listen! A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is listening for MID and UP-TEMPO, high-spirited Contemporary Christian and Praise & Worship …

    • Rhonda Gessow (Rhonda Gessow, Brandon Chase) “WHERE I AM (YOU FIND ME)” (Date picked up: 3/14/2025)
    • Pat Kelley (Pat Kelley) “HE DIDN’T COME FOR THE PERFECT” (Date picked up: 3/14/2025)
    • Robert Marshall (ROBERT SCOTT MARSHALL) “READ YOUR BIBLE” (Date picked up: 2/11/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen & Raul Barba) “WE SEE THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY (CCM/AMERICANA RADIO EDIT)” (Date picked up: 3/14/2025)
    • Clare Steffen (Clare Steffen & Raul Barba) “I FEEL NO FEAR” (Date picked up: 3/14/2025)
    • Thomas White (White Cabin Music) “HOLDING ON TO JESUS” (Date picked up: 3/14/2025)

Pitch For Song Plugger. Contemporary Country.Shaylen. A Street Pitch guest and song plugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for Big Machine/ Nashville Harbor Records artist Shaylen. Seeking: ‘Girl Power.’ Uptempos or mids. She loves Shania Twain. …

    • Ronald Hill (Rebecca Lynn Howard, HappyRon Hill, Russ Still) “DROP OF SOUL (SUNG BY REBECCA LYNN HOWARD)” (Date picked up: 2/20/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Blackwater Draw. Street Pitch guest and veteran music publisher with multiple current cuts on major artists is seeking songs for UMG artist Blackwater Draw. NOTE: This is a different guest than last month’s Pitch #2371. If your song was …

    • Amy Clay (Amy Clay) “YOUR’RE MY WRECKING BALL” (Date picked up: 3/10/2025)
    • Kevin Kilberry (Kevin Kilberry) “NEVER COMMIN BACK – FEMALE” (Date picked up: 3/10/2025)
    • Robert Otting (Robert Otting & Joel Smyers) “BOX OF BUTTONS V3” (Date picked up: 3/10/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Anonymous Major Label Female Artist. UPDATED January 9th: I’m not finding what I want, so I’ve asked SU admin to refine the description. It’s a challenging needle to thread. Please re-read the lead with updates. Street Pitch guest and veteran …

    • Kevin Kilberry (Kevin Kilberry) “NEVER COMMIN BACK – FEMALE” (Date picked up: 2/25/2025)
    • Robert Otting (Robert Otting & Joel Smyers) “BOX OF BUTTONS V3” (Date picked up: 2/25/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Jazz.All That Jazz For Source Music. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately. Please do not submit AI-generated material.

    • Robert Marino (Robert J. Marino) “I GOTTA LITTLE CRUSH ON YOU” (Date picked up: 3/21/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Dance, Funk, HipHop, Pop, Alternative. Feel Good Songs For Ads + Promos. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately. Please do not submit AI-generated material.

    • M G (Matty Gottesman, Magnus Bertelsen) “ALL YOU AGAIN” (Date picked up: 2/14/2025)
    • M G (Matty Gottesman) “NOT SCARED” (Date picked up: 2/14/2025)
    • Rhonda Gessow (Rhonda Gessow) “WALK” (Date picked up: 2/14/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Grace West. Extended! A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is listening to songs for NBC’s Season 23 of “The Voice” – Team Blake artist Grace West.

    • Thomas White (Thomas White) “SMALL TOWN LOVE” (Date picked up: 2/13/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Singer Songwriter, Alternative, Traditional Country, Indie.Music For New Starz Drama/Thriller. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately. Please do not submit AI-generated material.

    • M G (Matty Gottesman) “LAMP SHADE” (Date picked up: 2/26/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country, Honky Tonk, Gospel.Chapel Hart. Extended! A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is listening to songs for “America’s Got Talent”-Golden Buzzer artist Chapel Hart. About: the phenomenal chick trio Chapel …

    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock / John Bizzack) “KISS A LOT OF FROGS” (Date picked up: 3/20/2025)
    • Ricky Amburgey (Marti Jane Dodson/Rick Amburgey/Sandra DeVault) “HEARTACHE HEALIN'” (Date picked up: 3/20/2025)
    • Robbi Atkins (Robbi Atkins) “THE HURRICANE” (Date picked up: 3/20/2025)
    • Kevin Kilberry (Kevin Kilberry) “NAUGHTY BOY – COUNTRY” (Date picked up: 3/20/2025)
    • Kenneth Riggins (Kenneth Riggins) “GIRL GOTTA DO/ 4” (Date picked up: 3/20/2025)
    • Kenneth Riggins (Tamara Avant/ Ken Riggins) “BELIEVE/3” (Date picked up: 3/20/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Pop.Adam Tucker. Quick Pitch! A Street Pitch guest and song plugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for UK-based indie artist Adam Tucker. This artist is gaining traction from recent commercial success. He’ll be in …

    • Mike Duer (Mike Duer) “THIS TIME FEELS RIGHT” (Date picked up: 2/12/2025)
    • Brian Tucker (Brian Tucker) “DREAM OF YOU” (Date picked up: 2/12/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Pop, Rock.Tiffany. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for 80’s teen legend Tiffany. Tiffany (now 54), whose 1987 cover of “I Think We’re Alone Now” spent two weeks at No. 1 on the …

    • Kevin Kenney (Kevin W. Kenney) “SHINE!” (Date picked up: 2/17/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country.Carly Pearce. Veteran music publisher with multiple cuts on major artists is listening to songs for Big Machine recording artist Carly Pearce. Carly has already cut 7 “outside” songs for this project – meaning she did not write them herself. …

    • Robbi Atkins (robbi atkins) “THIS FIELD IS FOR THE DOGS” (Date picked up: 2/21/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Gary Allan. Extended! Still time to submit – he’s not cutting until later in April. Veteran music publisher with multiple cuts on major artists is listening to songs for Indy/Thirty Tigers recording artist Gary Allan. Gary is in search of songs …

    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Drew Langdon) “LONELY’S GONE” (Date picked up: 3/18/2025)
    • Templeton Thompson (Templeton Thompson, Sam Gay, Dan Washburn) “I GO TO THE WATER” (Date picked up: 3/24/2025)
    • Templeton Thompson (Sam Gay) “THE WINDOW “ (Date picked up: 3/24/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Clay Walker. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for multi-Platinum-selling artist Clay Walker. Seeking radio hits. Submit your A-game commercial Country songs. All …

    • Germain Brunet (Germain Brunet and Tina Tufts-May) “MOONLIGHT BECOMES YOU” (Date picked up: 3/19/2025)
    • Paul Jarvis (Paul Jarvis) “LINES” (Date picked up: 3/19/2025)
    • Pat Kelley (Pat Kelley/Marty Dodson/CJ Stevens) “SOMETIMES I DRINK ALONE” (Date picked up: 3/22/2025)
    • Avrim Topel (Avrim Topel, Danny Myrick, Karen Kiley) “ICONIC” (Date picked up: 3/19/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members, is looking for songs for Curb Records artist Rodney Atkins. Seeking mids/ups tempos with meaty lyrics and meaningful themes. No slow songs or break-up …

    • Scott Miller (Mitch Townley/David Kent/Scott Miller) “FIRST” (Date picked up: 3/27/2025)
    • Eric Spiegel (Eric Spiegel, Brian White, Joe Beck) “NEVER TOO LATE” (Date picked up: 3/22/2025)
    • Avrim Topel (Avrim Topel, Danny Myrick, Karen Kiley) “ICONIC” (Date picked up: 3/22/2025)
    • Mary Zalla (Mary Zalla, Parker Francis, Mason Douglas) “MY COUNTRY PEOPLE” (Date picked up: 3/22/2025)

(An update about member cuts on the popular Maddye Trew pitch is coming soon.) Pitch For Publisher. Country. Maddye Trew. IMMEDIATE NEED! In-person Meeting on Friday, April 4th at 12PM ET/11AM CT. I will listen to every song submitted by midnight on Thursday, April 3rd. A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU …

    • Janet Devers (Douglas Stanglin and Janet Devers) “IF LOVE COULD MAKE YOU STAY” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Janet Devers (Brenda Perry and Janet Devers) “EVERYTIME” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Shawn Fitzgerald (Shawn Fitzgerald) “YOU SHOULD HAVE LOVED ME AS MUCH AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF” (Date picked up: 4/3/2025)
    • Shawn Fitzgerald (Shawn Fitzgerald) “MAYBE” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Erin Gaetz (Erin Gaetz) “JUKEBOX” (Date picked up: 4/4/2025)
    • Jerry Glidewell (Jerry Glidewell & Chad Roland) “LONELY AVENUE” (Date picked up: 4/3/2025)
    • Ronald Hill (HappyRon, Rachel Thibodeau, Spence Burton/) “GET ME BACK” (Date picked up: 4/3/2025)
    • Kerry Jeter (Kerry Jeter, Abby Jeter, Kyle Jeter, Chanel Beharr) “HANGIN’ ON BY A SIX STRING” (Date picked up: 4/3/2025)
    • David Johnson (David Johnson) “THE ONE MAN” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Amanda Kent (Amanda Kent, Curt Ryle) “BURN” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Amanda Kent (Amanda Kent) “GOOD” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Amanda Kent (Amanda Kent) “CLEANEST DIRTY LOOK” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Amanda Kent (Amanda Kent (McCarthy)) “DON’T KNOW HOW TO” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Kevin Kilberry (Kevin Kilberry) “NEVER COMMIN BACK – (FEAT., ANNY)” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Kevin Kilberry (Kevin Kilberry) “BECAUSE I LOVED YOU (FEAT.,LOT2SAY)” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Brenda Kornblum (Brenda Kornblum & Trey Bruce) “REASON TO CRY” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Kyle Jackson-Rachky, Kris Crepeau) “MISS FIRE” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Jennie B. Larsen) “LET IT BURN” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Adam Carpenter) “GOOD BUY” (Date picked up: 4/3/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Adam Carpenter) “KEEP THE CHANGE” (Date picked up: 4/3/2025)
    • David Nicastro (David Nicastro) “I’LL CRY FOR A WHILE” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Kenneth Riggins (Ken Riggins) “ONCE CC / FEMALE “ (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Kenneth Riggins (Tamara Avant) “I’M CURIOUS/3” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Bobby Roberts (Bobby Ray Roberts) “WINE FOR JESUS” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Tracie Taylor (Tracie Taylor, Joe Beck) “COLORADO TOO” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)
    • Thomas White (WHITE CABIN MUSIC) “LET GO OF THE REINS -FEMALE” (Date picked up: 4/2/2025)

And a round of congrats to those marked ‘Maybe,’ too. Keep up the great work, everyone!

About Pitching at SongU.com: On the SongU virtual campus, success is achieved through our focus on education, and making each song the strongest it can be BEFORE spending money on a demo. We offer numerous opportunities for songwriters to reach their goals, from one-on-one coaching to live feedback sessions, to peer and mentor co-writes.


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From Voice Memo to Studio Demo: Melyssa Corrigan’s Special Event Co-Write with Michael Jay

Close-up portrait of a woman with short, curly hair wearing large, sparkly glasses and a black tank top, smiling softly at the camera.
Melyssa Corrigan
A smiling man wearing a black hat and a brown jacket, sitting in a relaxed environment.
Michael Jay
A male musician performing on stage, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone, with a brick wall backdrop.
Scott Barrier

I recently caught up with songwriter Melyssa Corrigan, the winner of our Fall 2024 Special Event Pitch with hit songwriter and producer Michael Jay. (View Melyssa’s SU member website.) She was thrilled with the professional co-writing experience that followed. Michael included his frequent co-writer, pro singer/songwriter Scott Barrier, as a third collaborator. Below, Melyssa shared the original voice memo they used to kick off the co-writing session and the studio demo of the final song.

The Co-Writing Experience

“It was a pleasure to write with Michael and Scott! They were warm and laid back and clearly both experts in their respective crafts. It was a thoughtful and efficient session and I sense we have a strong song on our hands. So grateful for the opportunity!!” — Melyssa

Michael Jay agreed. After the session, he told SongU they had written “a fantastic song” and planned to demo it.

Q&A with Melyssa: How the Song Took Shape

Q: How did you prepare for the session?
“I sent Michael a voice memo of a song start that had been running through my head for a while. I suspected he’d be just the right fit for it. Turned out he liked the concept and we rolled with it.”

🎧 Listen to Melyssa’s Voice Memo Song Starter:

Q: How did the co-writing session come together?
“When we first started setting up the session, Michael suggested inviting Scott Barrier, a writer he collaborates with often. Scott was fantastic and offered some really great lyric ideas, and worked out the melody with Michael. He seems to be a very active writer who is often out at writer’s rounds, etc.

Q: Did you feel comfortable during the co-write?
“Completely. Both Michael and Scott were warm and welcoming and the write itself was professional and efficient yet relaxed.”

Q: Did you take away any key writing lessons?
“Michael and Scott did a great job of steering me away from being too specific in the lyrics to broaden the appeal and make the song work for a greater variety of artists.”

Q: That makes sense. I noticed that you removed “Mrs. and Mr.” from the original voice memo for that reason. What else did you learn from the experience?
“To keep an open mind and allow them to do what they do best in order to elevate the song.”

Q: Do you have any final thoughts?
“Very GRATEFUL for the opportunity and loved it!”

Song Evolution: From Voice Memo to Demo

Here is the final studio demo of the song, featuring vocalist Katie Ohh. It was based on the original voice memo Melyssa sent to Michael Jay, which sparked the idea.

🎧 Listen to the Final Demo: “What If It Was Me”:

Why This Demo Works (Even Without a Full Band)

Even though the final demo is a simple guitar/vocal recording, the professional quality of the guitar playing and Katie Ohh’s expressive vocals bring the song’s emotion to life. This is an important insight for songwriters: you don’t always need a full band production to show your song in its best light. A well-executed guitar/vocal demo can be just as effective and pitchable.

Congratulations to Melyssa! We’re proud of how she represented the SongU community!

Ready For Your Moment?

📢 Don’t miss your chance! Our current Special Event Pitch with Dylan Emmet is open now. Submit your songs to the current Special Event Pitch!

In Case You Missed The Big Reveal with Michael Jay …

A unique aspect of all of our Special Event Pitches is the one-hour educational session leading up to announcing the winner, which we call The Big Reveal. Here’s a 20-minute recap of the exciting Rising Star Contenders Countdown leading to the winning song of the Golden Ticket with Michael Jay. Along the way, Michael gave truly actionable tips about writing standout songs. Hear them now in Episode One of our brand-new SongU Podcast!


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Meet the SongU Special Event Pitch Guest – Dylan Emmet

Running now through June 30th, 2025, this Special Event Pitch offers you a chance to be selected for a collaborative writing session with artist and producer Dylan Emmet and indie artist Constance. The song you co-write could become part of either of their artist projects or be pitched to other artists.

About our Guest: With over 3 million streams on his own Spotify project and over 15 million streams on tracks he’s written or produced Dylan Emmet, knows how to create songs that resonate globally. His music has been featured on ESPN, FOX SPORTS, NBC, MTV, and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. A seasoned vocalist, guitarist, and producer, Dylan brings over 20 years of songwriting experience and technical mastery in Pro Tools, Ableton Live, and Logic Pro to every session. Listen to his music.

In addition, Dylan is SongU’s newest Songwriting Feedback mentor. Here’s what our members are saying:

“Dylan is incredibly knowledgeable and was extremely helpful with feedback on everyone’s songs. He is an awesome addition to SongU. ”

“Dylan created a conversational atmosphere where I felt I was right in the room with an eclectic group of writers-a pleasant and engaging experience with everyone’s songs and an added value of his insight into what makes a good song great.”

Here’s more about the artist Constance, Dylan’s long-time collaborator, whose project “NeonHeart” was in the EDM world and had some features with major artists in the scene like Said The Sky and 3LAU. 


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GOLD STARS Report: SongU.com Songs Recently Picked Up for Pitches (Edition 2/5/25)

CONGRATULATIONS to the following SongU writers for having their songs signed or pitched for the following leads between December 6, 2024 and February 5, 2025.

Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country.Maddye Trew. (Updated 1/3/2025: Maddye continues to meet directly with this guest, resulting in 5 holds on her project for SU members.) A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is listening to …

    • Ricky Amburgey (Rick Amburgey/Alyssa Newton) “PRINCES” (Date picked up: 1/2/2025)
    • Ricky Amburgey (Rick Amburgey/Alyssa Newton) “HERE’S TO ALL THE WOMEN” (Date picked up: 1/3/2025)
    • Ricky Amburgey (Rebecca Lynn Howard/Joyce Sampson/Rick Amburgey) “BEHIND” (Date picked up: 1/3/2025)
    • Edward Bentley (Jordan Rainer – Ed Bentley) “MY TURN FISHING” (Date picked up: 1/2/2025)
    • Shawn Fitzgerald (Shawn Fitzgerald) “STARDUST AND STEEL 2.0” (Date picked up: 1/2/2025)
    • Bobby Johnston (Bobby Johnston, Donna Ulisse, Rick Stanley, Erin O) “BEFORE I LET MY HEART GO” (Date picked up: 1/2/2025)
    • Bobby Johnston (Jerry Salley, Bobby Johnston, Erin Ott) “LONELY LONG” (Date picked up: 1/2/2025)
    • Kevin Kilberry (Kevin Kilberry) “THINGS MY MOTHER SAID” (Date picked up: 1/21/2025)
    • Kevin Kilberry (Kevin Kilberry) “IT’S ONE OF THOSE DAYS – FEMALE” (Date picked up: 1/2/2025)
    • Carey Latham (Carey Latham, Carin Fradin, Kyle Jackson-Rachky) “DRINK IT OFF” (Date picked up: 1/27/2025)
    • Stephen adrian Lawrance (Stephen Adrian Lawrance, Misty Lee Tassone) “LETS GET IT STARTED” (Date picked up: 1/2/2025)
    • Bobby Roberts (Bobby Ray Roberts) “THAT MONEY SONG” (Date picked up: 1/2/2025)
    • Jeff Roe (Jeff Roe, Brett Moody, Randy Morrison) “COVER GIRL” (Date picked up: 1/2/2025)
    • Mary Zalla (Mary Zalla) “GRIT” (Date picked up: 1/2/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country.Cody Johnson. Veteran music publisher with multiple current cuts on major artists is seeking songs for Warner Music Nashville recording artist Cody Johnson. Before pitching, please read the entire description (a few times;-). This is a competitive …

    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock / Tim Schlesener) “WORTH WATCHING” (Date picked up: 12/10/2024)

Pitch For Publisher. Christian Contemporary (CCM), Christian Praise/Worship.Various Contemporary Christian Artists. Re-Opened! A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is listening for MID and UP-TEMPO, high-spirited Contemporary Christian and Praise & Worship style …

    • Garland Bost (Garland Bost / Dawn Trudeau) “YOU LOVE ME MORE” (Date picked up: 1/21/2025)
    • Rick Burge (Rick Burge) “JESUS HELP US” (Date picked up: 1/21/2025)
    • Randall Cohen (Randall Parker Cohen) “AWESOME MIGHTY KING” (Date picked up: 1/21/2025)
    • Randall Cohen (Randall Parker Cohen) “THE LIGHT” (Date picked up: 1/21/2025)
    • Priscilla Connolly (Priscilla Connolly) “MY ROCK” (Date picked up: 12/20/2024)
    • Luke Denison (Luke Denison) “WATERS (RESCUE ME)” (Date picked up: 1/21/2025)
    • Kerry Jeter (Kerry Jeter) “SOAR “ (Date picked up: 12/16/2024)
    • Ray Kayanek (Ray Allen Kayanek/Clare Steffen) “GOOD THINGS HAPPEN” (Date picked up: 1/21/2025)
    • Ray Kayanek (Ray Allen Kayanek/Clare Steffen) “I AM” (Date picked up: 1/21/2025)
    • Jeffrey Leavitt (Jeffrey Scott Leavitt) “TENACIOUS LOVE” (Date picked up: 12/16/2024)
    • Abigail Marmion (Abigail Marmion/Edward Gaus, Jr.) “THE ONE SURE THING” (Date picked up: 12/20/2024)
    • Abigail Marmion (Abigail Marmion, Edward Gaus Jr) “WHILE WE WAIT” (Date picked up: 12/20/2024)
    • Mac Millen (Tim Stewart, Toy Polo, Mac Millen) “FROM A BULLET TO THE BIBLE (TIM’S VERSION)” (Date picked up: 1/21/2025)
    • Scott Miller (Dan Curry/Scott Miller) “VICTORIOUS” (Date picked up: 12/20/2024)
    • David Pellegrini (David Pellegrini) ” LORD YOU’RE WORKING IN MY LIFE VERSION 2″ (Date picked up: 12/20/2024)
    • David Pellegrini (David Pellegrini) “EYES UP” (Date picked up: 12/16/2024)
    • Tyler Porter (Tyler Porter) “COMPASS” (Date picked up: 12/20/2024)
    • Keith Sasser (Keith Sasser. Lee McAlpin, Toby Parsons) “DOWN ON MY KNEES” (Date picked up: 12/20/2024)
    • Tim Schlesener (Tim Schlesener) “I STILL BELIEVE” (Date picked up: 1/21/2025)
    • Mitch Townley (Curry, Miller, Parker, Townley) “LET HOPE RAIN” (Date picked up: 12/16/2024)
    • Mitch Townley (Curry, Miller, Parker, Townley) “GOD’S AWESOME LOVE” (Date picked up: 12/16/2024)
    • Rita Weyls (Weyls, Mallon-Hallend/Wooten) “DO WHAT’S RIGHT VERSION 2” (Date picked up: 1/21/2025)
    • Rita Weyls (Xxxx) “ARE YOUR REASONS RIGHT “ (Date picked up: 12/20/2024)
    • Thomas White (WHITE CABIN MUSIC) “THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN” (Date picked up: 12/16/2024)

Pitch For Publisher. Country, Pop.Dolly Parton. Re-Opened! A Street Pitch guest and music publisher who has already generated income for SongU members is listening to songs for Dolly Parton. Note from the Pitch Guest: UPDATE: Thanks for all the songs you sent last fall. …

    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock) “MIRACLE PILL” (Date picked up: 1/7/2025)
    • Kevin Kenney (Kevin W. Kenney) “SHINE, POP VERSION “ (Date picked up: 1/15/2025)
    • Templeton Thompson (Templeton Thompson, Sam Gay & Max Jackson) “LOVE FILLED LIFE” (Date picked up: 1/15/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Steve Champion. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for Average Joe Records artist Steve Champion. What to Submit: Looking for HIT RADIO singles. Any tempo. He writes, …

    • Paul Longwell (Paul Longwell) “I’M ALSO A SON” (Date picked up: 1/6/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, Singer Songwriter, Soul, Indie.Contemporary Pop Music For Movie Montage Scene. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting, and pitch appropriately. Please do not submit AI-generated material.

Brief: …

    • Matt Glickstein (Matt Glickstein and Karen Mitchell) “EVERYTHING’S BETTER WITH YOU” (Date picked up: 12/6/2024)
    • Molly rose Hansen (Molly Hansen) “KINDRED” (Date picked up: 12/6/2024)
    • Kevin Kenney (Kevin W. Kenney) “SHINE!” (Date picked up: 12/20/2024)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Electronic, Pop, Rock, Indie.Telecommunications Ad Campaign. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting, and pitch appropriately. Please do not submit AI-generated material.

Seeking: Uptempo, …

    • Rhonda Gessow (Rhonda Gessow, Kendra Dantes) “CALL ME, FRIEND” (Date picked up: 12/20/2024)
    • Matt Glickstein (Matt Glickstein, Clayton Jones, Karen Mitchell) “WHAT’S GOOD” (Date picked up: 12/20/2024)
    • Mary Haller (Mary Haller, Gary King) “THE NEW AGE” (Date picked up: 1/5/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country, Southern Rock.6 Gun Justice. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for LHM artist 6 Gun Justice. What to Submit:Spaghetti western country rock. Songs that would fit in a Western movie …

    • Adam Byrd (Adam Byrd) “IN THE SADDLE” (Date picked up: 12/25/2024)
    • Mary Haller (Mary Haller) “DEAL WITH THE DEVIL (STOMP-CLAP VERSION)” (Date picked up: 1/6/2025)
    • Ken O’neal (Ken O’Neal) “COWBOY UP” (Date picked up: 12/25/2024)
    • Rhondalynn Pisanello (Rhonda Pisanello) “WHEN THE COWBOYS RIDE [DEMO]” (Date picked up: 12/25/2024)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Sammy Sadler. Extended, Updated Jan ’25. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for indie artist Sammy Sadler. What to Submit: Update: He has had a change of direction. …

    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock) “CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR” (Date picked up: 12/30/2024)
    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock) “MY BEST IS YET TO BE” (Date picked up: 12/30/2024)
    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock) “MIRACLE PILL” (Date picked up: 1/1/2025)
    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock) “TOO GOOD TO BE FORGOT” (Date picked up: 1/27/2025)
    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock) “ORDINARY DAY” (Date picked up: 1/27/2025)
    • Ricky Amburgey (Marti Jane Dodson/Carin Fradin/Rick Amburgey) “NOBODY KNOWS” (Date picked up: 2/5/2025)
    • Janet Devers (Doug Stanglin and Janet Devers) “CAN’T WE TRY” (Date picked up: 12/30/2024)
    • Paul Jarvis (Paul Jarvis) “YOU MADE ME” (Date picked up: 2/5/2025)
    • Jon Philibert (Jon Philibert) “BACK IN WAYCROSS TONIGHT” (Date picked up: 1/8/2025)
    • Jim Purtell (Jim Purtell and Ricki E. Bellos) “BLUE SKY RAIN” (Date picked up: 1/16/2025)
    • Greg Smith (greg p smith, sandy ramos, bronson hetzer) “WRAP YOU UP IN LOVE DMB” (Date picked up: 2/5/2025)
    • Eric Spiegel (Eric Spiegel, Brian White, Joe Beck) “NEVER TOO LATE” (Date picked up: 12/16/2024)
    • Rita Weyls (Rita Weyls) “BRING YOUR BROKEN HEART TO ME” (Date picked up: 1/6/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Vicki Vann. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for Red Canyon Records artist Vicki Vann. She is an American country music artist, entrepreneur, and businesswoman. She has …

    • Robbi Atkins (robbi atkins) “SPARK!” (Date picked up: 1/8/2025)
    • Janet Devers (Doug Stanglin and Janet Devers) “CAN’T WE TRY (FEMALE)” (Date picked up: 1/1/2025)
    • Carol Hashe rainone (Carol Hashe Rainone/Vickie Hopper) “ONLY LONELY” (Date picked up: 12/16/2024)
    • Ronald Hill (Rebecca Lynn Howard, HappyRon Hill, Russ Still) “DROP OF SOUL (SUNG BY REBECCA LYNN HOWARD)” (Date picked up: 1/6/2025)
    • Dana Pagane (Dana Pagane; Mark Burch; Melissa Corrigan) “CAN’T LOVE YOU TOO LONG FEMALE VERSION “ (Date picked up: 12/16/2024)
    • Roger Rounce (Roger Rounce / Byron Hill) “I SEE HER CRY” (Date picked up: 12/16/2024)
    • Rita Weyls (Rita Weyls) “HOW TO LET YOU GO” (Date picked up: 12/18/2024)
    • Rita Weyls (RITA WEYLS) “MONDAY MORNING CRAZY” (Date picked up: 1/1/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Country.Brandon Scott Jones. Quick Pitch! A Street Pitch guest and song plugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for Wood Thrush Records artist Brandon Scott Jones. Please read the description carefully and pitch appropriately. …

    • Marvin Adcock (Marvin Adcock) “LOVE AT FIRST DANCE” (Date picked up: 12/19/2024)
    • Adam Byrd (John Cirillo/Chip Martin/Adam Byrd) “A BAR IN HEAVEN” (Date picked up: 12/19/2024)
    • Janet Devers (Doug Stanglin and Janet Devers) “CAN’T WE TRY” (Date picked up: 12/13/2024)

Pitch For A&R Representative. Contemporary Country.Emma Forgette Quick Pitch. This is a direct pitch to the A&R representative for this 19-year-old up-and-coming artist managed by MC1 Nashville/DKM/The Orchard/Sony and produced by Lucio DiToro. What to Submit SUBMIT ONE SONG ONLY (your …

    • David Nicastro (David Nicastro) “MOVE ON DOWN THE LINE” (Date picked up: 12/19/2024)

Pitch For Publisher. Funk, R&B, Gospel.Lindsey Caroline. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for Impulse Records artist Lindsey Caroline.
What to Submit: Pay attention to the genres and styles she wants: …

    • Kevin Kilberry (Kevin Kilberry and Rita Kilberry) “SHOULD I – (FEAT.,SD)” (Date picked up: 1/1/2025)
    • Dana Pagane (Mark Burch, Dana Pagane, Melyssa Corrigan,) “ITS NOT TOO LATE” (Date picked up: 1/1/2025)
    • Kenneth Riggins (Ken Riggins) “GIRL GOTTA DO /R& B VERSION” (Date picked up: 1/1/2025)
    • Buc Williams (MARK “BUC” WILLIAMS/PHIL JACKSON) “BETTER DAYS” (Date picked up: 1/6/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, Singer Songwriter, Alternative, Indie.Dramatic TV Series – Songs with Tension. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately. Please do not submit AI-generated material.

Seeking: …

    • Amy Clay (Amy Clay) “IN THIS QUIET WITH YOU” (Date picked up: 1/30/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, Singer Songwriter, Alternative, Indie.Dramatic TV Series – Songs with Melancholy. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately. Please do not submit AI-generated material.

Seeking: …

    • M G (Matty Gottesman) “THIS MIGHT BE ABOUT YOU” (Date picked up: 1/30/2025)

Pitch For Licensing Agent. Jazz.All That Jazz For Source Music. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch it appropriately. Please do not submit AI-generated material.

Seeking: Upbeat, …

    • Sarah Motes Ashley (Sarah Motes Ashley) “BE MINE” (Date picked up: 1/27/2025)

Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country.Shari Rowe. A Street Pitch guest and publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members is seeking songs for independent artist Shari Rowe. Shari tours internationally, opening for major artists like Wynonna Judd and Diamond Rio. …

    • Karel Daniels (Karel Daniels/Diane Ward/Jack Shawde) “RESTLESS” (Date picked up: 2/5/2025)
    • Bobby Roberts (Bobby Ray Roberts) “THAT MONEY SONG. “ (Date picked up: 1/27/2025)

And a round of congrats to those marked ‘Maybe,’ too. Keep up the great work, everyone!

About Pitching at SongU.com: On the SongU virtual campus, success is achieved through our focus on education, and making each song the strongest it can be BEFORE spending money on a demo. We offer numerous opportunities for songwriters to reach their goals, from one-on-one coaching to live feedback sessions, to peer and mentor co-writes.


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FAQ: Understanding How, When, and If to Use AI for Songwriting at SongU.com

The challenge of responding to the rapid rise of AI in song creation is an ongoing discussion in both the music industry and at SongU. Legal and philosophical considerations enter the conversation, creating differing responses, interpretations, and confusion. Several of the legal implications, including intellectual property rights, the use of AI models trained on copyrighted material, and what constitutes human expression, are still to be determined.

But we do know some things. In late January 2025, the official report by the Register of Copyrights, Copyright, and Artificial Intelligence, Part 2: Copyrightability, released new information and guidelines that help clear up some of the legal questions, including a critical one – “Can my AI-generated songs be copyrighted?” 

Since this is a rapidly changing subject, this document is not meant to be legal advice. Instead its purpose is to explain how and why we’ve adopted our policies regarding AI at SongU. When in doubt, you should always contact a qualified entertainment attorney who specializes in intellectual property or copyright law.

Ok, let’s address the copyright question and other questions that have been commonly asked at SongU.com in recent weeks.

What is copyright, and why does it matter?

Copyright protects your creative work and ensures that you, the songwriter, can control how it is used, performed, and licensed. Without copyright protection, anyone could use your song freely, including for commercial purposes, without your permission. Technically, the moment you create and fix your song in a tangible form (such as writing it down or recording it), it is automatically protected by copyright. However, registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office provides official proof of ownership and strengthens your legal standing in case of a copyright dispute.

If you transfer or assign your copyright ownership to a music publisher, the publisher gains control over how the song is used and licensed. In this case, the publisher receives the publisher’s share of royalties while you continue to receive the writer’s share.

Here’s a real-world example: When Paul Simon wrote, recorded, and published The Sound of Silence in 1964, he had no way of knowing that in 2015, the hard rock band Disturbed would re-record (“cover”) and release it as a single. Their version became a hit and reached #1 on the Billboard Hard Rock Chart. Because Paul Simon was the copyright owner at the time, he received royalties from the song’s performance and mechanical licenses. In 2021, Paul Simon sold his entire songwriting catalog to Sony Music Publishing for approximately $250 million. As a result, Sony now owns the copyright to The Sound of Silence and his other songs. Moving forward, Sony—not Paul Simon—will collect all publishing income and control how his songs are licensed or used while Paul Simon continues to collect the writer’s share of the income.

What’s the correct terminology to use?

Misinformation and incorrect terminology about a song’s copyright often leads to confusion. So, first we need to agree on clear definitions.

  • Music – A sequence of sounds arranged in a melodic structure. When human-authored, a melody is copyrightable as part of a song. Note that production, demos, chords, and arrangements are not copyrightable since copyright protects a melody’s specific expression, not general musical ideas or styles.
  • Lyrics – Words intended to be paired with music. When human-authored, lyrics are copyrightable and may be protected separately from the melody.
  • Song – A composition consisting of both melody and lyrics. When human-authored, the melody, lyrics, or entire song can be copyrighted individually or together. AI-generated melodies or lyrics alone are not copyrightable under current U.S. law.
  • Demo – A demonstration recording of a song (melody + lyrics) to showcase the composition before full production. If AI generates any part of the melody, the result is an AI-assisted composition—not just a demo. In this case, saying that AI was used “only for the demo” is misleading.
  • Production – The instrumentation and arrangement in a recording. While production affects the final sound, it does not determine the copyrightable composition (melody + lyrics). A human-authored sound recording (master recording) can be separately copyrighted, but this is distinct from the song’s underlying composition copyright.
  • Ownership – Paying for an AI-generated song (e.g., via Suno) does not grant copyright ownership. AI platforms may provide usage rights under their Terms of Service, but under current U.S. Copyright law, only human-authored works are eligible for copyright. AI-generated music cannot be legally “owned” in the same way as human-authored compositions.
  • Public Domain – Works free for public use because they are no longer protected by copyright, were dedicated to the public domain, or were never eligible for copyright (e.g., AI-generated works under current law).

What’s the big deal about using AI-generated music and lyrics?

Now that we understand copyright and the correct terminology, let’s talk about what happens when AI-generated music and/or lyrics enter the picture. As of January 28, 2025, the U.S. Register of Copyrights ruled that AI-generated works (lyrics or melody) cannot be copyrighted unless there is a “sufficient amount of human expression.” If AI generates any part or all of your melody based on your lyrics, the AI-generated portion is not eligible for copyright. Even if an AI Platform’s Terms of Service allow you to use AI-generated material commercially, according to the U.S. Copyright Office, you cannot claim ownership or copyright on that material because it lacks human authorship.

Back to Paul Simon. If generative AI existed when Paul Simon wrote The Sound of Silence, and rather than writing his own original music, he let AI generate the music, the resulting music would not have been eligible for copyright protection. Since there would be no human author, it would have no legal owner and, like an uncopyrightable work, could be used by anyone without restriction.  Anyone could use that music for their own purposes and profit. They could even add their own human-authored lyrics to it, in which case their new lyrics would be eligible for copyright protection, but the underlying music still would not be since it was rendered by AI, not written by a human.

Does re-working AI-generated music or lyrics make them mine and eligible for copyright?

Making edits to AI-generated material does not grant full copyright ownership, nor does “putting your own spin” on the production. Only the portions that you change with significant human transformation are eligible for copyright protection—AI-generated portions remain ineligible. Modifications or rearrangements are not enough to establish human authorship.

What If I used prompts to get the music or lyrics exactly how I want? According to the U.S. Copyright Office, if you write only the lyrics and AI generates the music, you can only copyright the lyrics, not the melody or the full song (lyrics + melody). Similarly, if you compose the melody but use AI to generate the lyrics, only the melody is copyrightable. Prompting AI to generate a melody or lyrics—no matter how detailed —does not qualify as human-authored.

An analogy: Let’s say you’re a woodworker who designs and handcrafts furniture. Your handcrafted furniture, designed, shaped, and built by a human, is considered an original work of craftsmanship and can be copyrighted. Compare this to a person using a computer-controlled furniture-making machine (a CNC) that automatically carves, shapes, and assembles furniture based on digital instructions. While you provide input, the machine is doing the creative execution.

In the same way, writing lyrics or a melody yourself is like handcrafting furniture—you’re the creator, and it’s copyrightable. However, prompting AI to generate a melody or lyrics is like inputting a design into a CNC machine. It follows your instructions, but you are not considered the creator under copyright law.

I’m a lyricist who does not write the music. When can I claim a copyright to a song?

Is there a problem with using AI to demo my song?

This question has both legal and philosophical considerations. A demo is a recorded version of a song (melody + lyrics) used for pitching or reference. If AI is used only for demo production (e.g., AI-generated vocals or backing tracks), but a human (or humans) wrote the underlying song (melody + lyrics), the song itself remains copyrightable. However, the AI-generated elements of the demo are not eligible for copyright protection as a sound recording because they lack human authorship.

Using AI to create a demo for a song you wrote (melody + lyrics) is generally acceptable, much like hiring session musicians to record a demo. The key distinction is that the AI-generated elements cannot be copyrighted as a sound recording. AI simply provides instrumentation or vocalization for your composition, which does not affect your copyright to the melody and lyrics. However, if AI generated any portion of the melody or lyrics, it is misleading to claim you “demoed” a fully human-written song. In such cases, you must disclose AI’s involvement in the songwriting process).

The philosophical dilemma. Many songwriters use AI to generate demos because the process is cost-effective and efficient. AI allows songwriters to experiment with production, tempo, and arrangement quickly. Some people argue that using AI reduces opportunities for real musicians and vocalists. Others note that technological advancements—such as Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like ProTools and Cubase—have also changed the industry. Some songwriters choose to have real musicians recreate their AI demos in the studio for industry credibility.

Can I pitch a song that uses AI at SongU?

Yes, with exceptions. A pitch guest will not accept AI-generated material in certain situations, such as when sync licensing restrictions apply.

However, for any pitch that does accept AI, you must clearly state how AI was used in your submission. This information must be included in the “notes to pitch guest” field and/or on the “lyric sheet” to ensure full transparency regarding AI’s role in your song. Use the following guidelines:

  • If you used AI for ANY portion of the lyrics or melody, you must specify which parts were AI-generated and which were authored by you.
  • If you and/or another human wrote all of the lyrics and melody but used AI to create a demo, state that your song was fully human-authored and that AI was used only for demo production.
  • If you supply lyrics to any AI Platform and allow AI to generate any part of the melody or lyrics, you must disclose it (e.g., ‘I wrote the lyrics, but Suno generated the melody and the demo’). If AI-generated both the melody and lyrics, this must also be clearly stated.

The takeaway: A human-authored song may utilize AI to create the demo, but if any part of the lyric or melody is AI-generated, the song must not be misrepresented as fully human-written in any pitch submission.

Why wouldn’t sync agents, music publishers, or artists want to hear an AI song?

  • Sync Agents – AI-generated songs create legal uncertainty for licensing in film, TV, and advertisements. Since AI-generated content lacks clear copyright ownership, securing rights for use can be risky.
  • Music Publishers – Publishers typically require clear ownership of songs to manage rights and collect royalties. If part of a song is AI-generated and lacks copyright protection, it complicates the ability to monetize the work.
  • Recording Artists – Many artists avoid AI-generated songs due to legal uncertainties, rights management issues, and ethical concerns about AI in creative works.

Full transparency is required when pitching AI-assisted songs at SongU.com so pitch guests can make informed decisions based on legal, financial, and other considerations.

Can I bring my AI-generated (or partially AI) song to a SongU song feedback course and/or submit it to a coach for a song evaluation?

Some instructors in our live Song Feedback Courses (FDBK) may be open to discussing AI-generated songs as part of the educational process. However, they may choose not to provide detailed feedback on AI-generated portions of a song. Some may only offer general comments on the overall feel, while others may decline to evaluate AI-generated material entirely.

Our song evaluation coaches generally focus on human-authored songwriting. While some may provide feedback on AI-assisted songs, they are not required to review AI-generated portions. We have asked all our coaches to add a note in their coaching philosophy area about how they intend to handle AI-generated content.

If you submit a song with AI-generated elements, you must disclose this upfront so the instructor or coach can determine how to proceed.

What if I register an AI-generated song without disclosing AI’s involvement? Who’s going to know?

Falsely claiming AI-generated content as human-created when registering a work with the U.S. Copyright Office can lead to serious legal and professional consequences. Music publishers and licensing agents require clear copyright ownership, and misrepresentation can permanently damage your credibility and future opportunities in the music industry.

In addition, knowingly submitting an AI-generated work as fully human-created is considered a false statement on a federal form and can result in:

  • Cancellation of your copyright registration – If the Copyright Office discovers AI-generated portions were misrepresented, they can invalidate your registration.
  • Civil penalties, including fines and potential lawsuits, especially if you attempt to monetize the falsely registered work.
  • Legal liability under U.S. law – knowingly falsifying a government form violates federal law.
  • Criminal penalties in extreme cases – If the misrepresentation is part of a broader fraudulent scheme, you could be charged under 18 U.S.C. § 1001, which carries fines of up to $250,000 and a maximum prison sentence of five years.

The takeaway: Misrepresenting AI-generated work as human-authored is not worth the risk.

Will AI-generated songs become more accepted in the future?

Possibly. But as of now (February 2025), music publishers, sync agents, and labels still rely on traditional copyright protections. AI-generated songs remain difficult to license because they lack clear ownership and cannot be copyrighted, making rights management uncertain for commercial use.

The U.S. Copyright Office is preparing a third report, which may address the legal implications of AI training on copyrighted works and how AI-assisted content should be handled. Additionally, ongoing lawsuits against AI companies could set legal precedents that influence copyright policies for AI-generated music.

Some companies, such as Monarrch and Humanable, are developing systems to track AI-generated content and identify copyrighted material used in AI training. If widely adopted, such systems could lead to new licensing models for AI-assisted songwriting that ensure compensation for original copyright holders. Currently, the long-term adoption and use of these solutions remains to be seen.

Where can I find reliable information about copyright and AI?

For the most up-to-date and legally accurate information, we recommend:

  • U.S. Copyright Office – The primary authority on U.S. copyright law, including AI-related rulings.
  • Copyright Alliance – A nonprofit organization providing expert copyright law resources and advocacy.
  • Stanford Copyright & Fair Use Center – A legal research center offering clear explanations of copyright law.
  • Qualified Music and Copyright Attorneys – Consulting a qualified entertainment attorney is the best course of action if you have specific legal concerns.

For industry perspectives on AI and licensing, you may also check:

  • ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
  • BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)

Be cautious of outdated, misleading, or non-authoritative online sources. Some websites promote false claims about AI disclosure rules or suggest ways to bypass legal requirements, which could put you at risk of copyright violations or legal consequences.

As of February 2025, the most recent guidance on AI-generated music and copyright law is found in the U.S. Copyright Office’s report, Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, Part 2: Copyrightability, which provides the current legal stance on AI-generated music and lyrics. We recommend staying informed on new developments since AI copyright laws may continue to evolve.

How should I proceed?

Songwriting has always been about human creativity and originality. The rise of AI does not change that—it remains the songwriter’s role to craft meaningful lyrics and melodies that resonate with listeners. Generative AI is a powerful tool, and like any tool (e.g., rhyming dictionaries), it can assist in the creative process. However, AI should enhance, not replace, human ingenuity. The most successful songwriters develop their craft through experience, emotion, and originality—qualities AI cannot replicate.

AI makes it easy to generate music at the push of a button, but the Copyright Office report clearly states that copyright protection requires human authorship. True artistry comes from human creativity and experience. Those who dedicate time and effort to honing their craft bring value to the music industry and should be rewarded for their originality.

Author’s note: I couldn’t have written this document without the help and assistance of my long-time creative collaborator and co-founder of SongU.com, Danny Arena. In addition to being a professional songwriter, he also happens to be a Professor of Computer Science at Vanderbilt University (where he’s currently helping to design their Generative AI minor).


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Navigating AI in Songwriting: What SongU.com Members Need to Know

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in music creation has sparked conversations throughout the songwriting community. For SongU.com members, the question isn’t just about the technology itself but how AI-enhanced songs fit into SongU.com’s educational and pitching landscape. The following article is based on the insights and opinions regarding AI from our SongU faculty and mentors, comprised of music publishers, song pluggers, and producers, as well as personal experiences and questions from SongU members.* Let’s delve into the heart of the matter: Can you pitch AI-enhanced songs at SongU.com?

The Short Answer

Here’s a brief summary of how we handle AI-enhanced songs specifically and solely for pitching at SongU.com by our members:

If the listing on our site states the pitch guest is not accepting AI-generated material, you may not pitch an AI-generated song to that listing or brief. However, if the listing does not mention AI, you may pitch your AI-enhanced songs, but you must disclose in the note to the pitch guest the exact way you used AI. Here are some examples: “I wrote the lyrics, but the music and instrumentation are fully generated by AI.” Or, “My co-writer and I wrote the lyrics and melody, but AI created the track for this genre.” Or, “This is my demo, but it’s an AI vocal.”

Note that, in general, the sync agents can not accept AI-generated music or vocals because it adds a layer of complexity in clearing the song for licensing. For artist pitches, the publisher or song plugger guests can go either way. Some are willing to hear what you’ve got. They can contact you if they love the song but need a “real” demo. Or, if you’re using AI for vocals only, sometimes those can work. Other publishers are adamantly opposed to AI for copyright and other business reasons.

Because of legal and copyright ambiguities, the best way to use AI is as a tool to enhance your songwriting. Using it to completely generate the melody and track is trickier (again, for copyright reasons). You should at least check that the AI program you’re using states that the vocals used for the music are not recordings or representative files of actual artists and that the music tracks are not taken directly from pre-existing copyrighted material. 

The Comprehensive Answer

Here’s a more detailed exploration of what SongU’s understanding and perspective regarding AI-generated songs.

Full disclosure: I asked AI to summarize 65 pages of my personal email correspondence to the SongU faculty (pitch guests, music publishers, song pluggers, sync agents, and producers) and our members to use as source material regarding this subject, and it did a great job. Our faculty and member input gives us a clear, informative, and actionable list of what you need to know about working with AI. (I double-checked the results to ensure the content is correct and accurate.)

The Topics Covered are:

  1. Industry Resistance to AI-Generated Demos
  2. Sync Licensing Challenges
  3. Ethical and Legal Ambiguities
  4. Diverging Views Among Professionals
  5. Using AI as a Songwriting Tool
  6. Transparency is the Key
  7. Creative Risks With AI
  8. Future Trajectory for AI
  9. Actionable Insights for SongU Members

Industry Resistance to AI-Generated Demos

  • Many music publishers and sync licensing agents reject AI-generated demos, citing concerns over vocal quality and copyright ambiguities.
  • Professionals, such as one of our music publisher mentors, emphasize that AI vocals often lack the polish needed for industry pitching. This risks their own reputations when presenting to A&R teams or sync clients.

Sync Licensing Challenges

  • Sync libraries, including major ones like Crucial Music, do not accept AI-generated tracks due to legal complexities and the inability to guarantee originality.
  • A major issue for sync pitches is that songs must be “ready to use as is,” making AI involvement a red flag for liability and quality control.

Ethical and Legal Ambiguities

  • Legal issues center on whether AI models trained on copyrighted material violate intellectual property laws.
  • Courts are still deciding the legality of AI’s training methods and outputs, creating uncertainty about its widespread adoption.
  • Organizations like American Performing Rights Organizations such as ASCAP, the British Rights Society, MCPS, and others enforce rules that do not allow 100% AI-generated works and require substantial human input for copyrightability. If a musical work is created with partial AI assistance but includes significant human authorship, it may be eligible for copyright protection and registration.

“If a musical work is created with partial AI assistance but includes significant human authorship, it may be eligible for copyright protection and registration with ASCAP.”

–American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)

Diverging Views Among Industry Professionals

  • Some music industry professionals accept AI-enhanced demos for educational or creative experimentation, provided the songwriter discloses AI usage.
  • Others reject AI outright, arguing it undermines the creative process and potentially displaces industry professionals, such as demo singers and musicians.

Using AI as a Songwriting Tool

  • Songwriters are exploring AI tools like Suno.com and Neutone Morpho to generate tracks, test ideas, or improve worktapes, especially for those with limited production skills or budgets.
  • AI is seen as a means to reduce costs and generate and iterate songs quickly, but the results can vary widely in quality. Making them competitive requires significant human intervention—sometimes, as many as 100+ attempts.

Transparency is Key

  • There is consensus that songwriters must disclose their use of AI, especially when pitching to music publishers, song pluggers, or sync agents. Transparency can prevent misunderstandings and maintain trust.
  • Some members use AI-generated demos as templates, later replacing them with live recordings for pitching.

Creative Risks with AI

  • While AI can provide emerging songwriters with access to high-quality production tools, it raises concerns about a flood of mediocre, generic music saturating the market.
  • Authenticity and originality will become increasingly valued as listeners and industry professionals push back against overly polished, AI-driven outputs.

Future Trajectory for AI

  • Integrating AI into the creative process is a moving target, with industry standards and legal frameworks evolving rapidly.
  • We advise songwriters to stay informed about technological advancements, legal rulings, and industry attitudes to make strategic decisions.

Actionable Insights for SongU Members

  • Focus on Disclosure: Clearly indicate how AI is used in the songwriting process when pitching.
  • Leverage AI Strategically: Use AI as a creative assistant rather than a substitute for human contribution to ensure originality and compliance with copyright laws.
  • Adapt to Feedback: If publishers or sync agents request higher-quality outputs, be prepared to replace AI demos with traditional recordings.
  • Invest in Knowledge: Stay updated on industry trends, legal developments, and AI tools to navigate this evolving landscape effectively.

I hope this discussion gives you a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges AI brings to songwriting. It underscores the need to be ethical and intentional as we integrate AI into our songwriting endeavors.

*Thanks to the SongU.com faculty, guest, and members who contributed their thoughts, questions, and expertise to source this article. They are: Danny Arena, Martin Bell, Sherrill Blackman, Benn Cutarelli, Helen Darling, Bob Dellaposta, Diona Devincenzi, Shawn Fitzgerald, Debra Foster, Dallas Gregory, Ronald Jenkins, Kevin Kilberry, Randy Klein, Sara Light, Justin Morgan, Queenie Mullinex, Jeffrey Nelson, Michael Nichols, Lisa Palas, Nancy Peacock, Jon Philibert, Marcia Ramirez, John Schofield, Alan Roy Scott, Michele Vice-Maslin, and Debbie Zavitson


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The Music Biz: A Look Back at 2024 and Predictions for 2025

Curated by Benn Cutarelli, SongU.com Faculty

As we turn the page on 2024, it’s time to reflect on some of the fascinating trends and shifts in the music industry. This article draws on insights shared by renowned music producer, engineer, and author Bobby Owsinski, who has been at the forefront of analyzing industry trends. Through his books and podcasts, Owsinski offers a wealth of knowledge about the evolving landscape of music production, business, and technology.

With Bobby’s permission, here’s a glimpse into the key takeaways from his podcast, “The Music Biz: A Look Back at 2024”, along with predictions for 2025.

Photo by rovenimages.com on Pexels.com

Highlights From 2024

Songwriting and Artists

  1. Emerging Song Trends (Data from music company “Luminate”):
    • Major hits featured slower tempos, with some below 79 BPM.
    • Only 37% of pop songs charted.
    • Rhyme density* in lyrics proved essential, driving better sales and listener engagement.
    • Traditional song forms like Verse/Build/Chorus/Bridge/Tag are making a comeback.
  2. Streaming Statistics (Chart Metric):
    • 3,260 new artists were added daily to streaming platforms, totaling 1.3 million new artists in 2023.
    • 64% were solo acts, with 75% being male artists.
    • A staggering 87% of artists on streaming platforms gained no traction.
  3. Shocking Online Data:
    • 45.6 million tracks received zero plays.
    • 86% of tracks garnered fewer than 1,000 plays.
    • Deezer deleted 26 million tracks due to lack of listeners.

Social Media and Streaming Platforms

  • TikTok’s Turbulent Year:
    • The platform struggled to gain traction in the U.S. music scene, largely due to licensing issues with major record labels.
    • Facing global bans for security concerns, TikTok’s future remains uncertain, even as it introduced 30-minute video capabilities.
  • Streaming Platforms Tighten Requirements:
    • Apple Music began requesting detailed credits, including writer, producer, and engineer information, with each upload.

Industry Shifts

  • Sam Ash Music Closes:
    • The family-owned retail chain shut its doors following the CEO’s passing.
  • Fender’s Guitar Study:
    • Fender revealed that 90% of new guitar players quit within three months, correlating with plummeting guitar sales.
  • Immersive Audio’s Limited Appeal:
    • Despite the hype, 70% of studios reported zero inquiries for immersive audio projects like ATMOS mixes.
  • AI and Legal Protections:
    • Tennessee passed the ELVIS Act, protecting artists’ voices and likenesses from unauthorized AI use.

Predictions for 2025

Social Media and Streaming

  • TikTok is expected to be banned in the U.S., continuing a global trend.
  • A “social media revolt” looms as users demand surprise and authenticity over algorithmic curation.
  • Streaming platforms may delete even more tracks, following Deezer’s lead.
  • Netflix is rumored to be entering the music streaming space.

Artists and AI

  • Indie artists will likely dominate mainstream platforms as major labels scale back artist development.
  • A backlash against AI music is anticipated, as consumers begin to identify and reject it.

Industry Trends

  • Guitar Center may face renewed financial struggles due to lagging sales.
  • Private equity investments in record labels could shrink artist support and shift focus to catalog exploitation.
  • Financial technology (fintech) innovations, like microloans for artists, could help musicians stay afloat.
  • Radio may enjoy a renaissance, reclaiming its place in the music ecosystem.

Final Thoughts
The music industry’s landscape is as dynamic as ever. While 2024 brought slower tempos, declining streaming success for most artists, and increased challenges for legacy platforms like TikTok, 2025 promises new opportunities (and new hurdles). From the rise of indie artists to the impact of financial technology and social media revolutions, this year will undoubtedly reshape the industry yet again. 

For full recording industry podcasts, visit Bobby Owsinski’s website: Bobby Owsinski Home.

*From Chat GPT when asked, “What’s Rhyme Density?” Rhyme density refers to the frequency and complexity of rhymes in a song’s lyrics. It measures how often rhyming words or phrases occur within a given section of a song, such as a verse or chorus. High rhyme density typically means that rhymes are tightly packed, appearing in quick succession, and often include internal rhymes (within lines) and end rhymes (at the end of lines).

For example:

  • Low rhyme density: “I went to the store / Then I walked out the door.”
  • High rhyme density: “I went to the store, adored the decor, / Grabbed an apple core, and then walked out the door.”

Songs with higher rhyme density often feel more engaging and memorable, as they create a rhythmic and lyrical flow that listeners enjoy. In the context of Bobby Owsinski’s observations, rhyme density is linked to commercial success, as it adds appeal and catchiness to songs, making them resonate better with audiences.