It’s understandably disheartening to have your song passed on. So, here’s a secret to help you improve your odds. You can schedule one-on-one 30 or 60-minute Private Listening Sessions with the same Street Pitch guests who provide pitch leads. Here are 5 ways this exclusive access to these industry pros gives you an invaluable approach to improving your pitching prospects:
You can gain strategic pre-pitch information: Play songs that you believe have excellent pitch potential and get their input BEFORE submitting them.
Learn from rejection: Present a previously passed on song to find out why it didn’t quite hit the mark and what can help improve your odds the next time.
Receive guidance for works-in-progress: Share your worktapes and developing songs, enabling pitch guests to provide feedback and steer you in the right direction for your best results.
Jog their memory of previously preferred songs: Remind them of songs they’ve enjoyed in the past, highlighting your adaptability and commitment to delivering what resonates.
Expand your network: IMPORTANTLY, these sessions offer a unique opportunity to establish meaningful face-to-face connections that build rapport with music publishers for future communication.
Currently, Creative Director, Queenie Mullinex (Washington Street Publishing – Nancy Peacock pitch listings), Publisher, Bob Dellaposta (My 3 Kids Music), and Publisher Dallas Gregory (Song Rocket Music) are available to schedule private sessions at a time that is convenient for you.
CONGRATULATIONS to these SongU members for having their songs signed or pitched for the following leads during the time period 05/03/2023 – 06/15/2023.
Pitch For Publisher. Country. LAINE HARDY. Extended! Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for songs for BUENA VISTA RECORDS artist Laine Hardy. Season 17 winner of American Idol. Laine is currently writing …
• Kelly Collins “HERE I AM” (Date picked up: 5/10/2023)
Pitch For Song Plugger. Country. SHENANDOAH. Street Pitch guest, J.N., veteran independent songplugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for 8 Track Entertainment artist, Shenandoah. Seeking ‘classic Shenandoah’ uptempos or mids to complete new album for …
• Janet Devers “CAN’T WE TRY” (Date picked up: 5/17/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. .Americana, Bluegrass, Texas Dirt Country. JIMMY BOWEN. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for songs for Santa Fe Entertainment artist Jimmy Bowen. Listening for UP-TEMPO …
• Michael Boehnlein “THE LIMESTONE CHURCH” (Date picked up: 5/11/2023) • Michael Boehnlein “BLUEGRASS MOUNTAIN HOME” (Date picked up: 5/11/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country, Inspirational, Gospel.Inspirational / Positive Country / Americana Gospel CHRIS GOLDEN. Extended! Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is listening for songs for singer and multi-instrumentalist Chris …
• Bobby Johnston “BLESSED” (Date picked up: 5/4/2023) • Abigail Marmion “TRUST YOUR OUTCOMES TO GOD “ (Date picked up: 5/10/2023) • David Pellegrini “ALL MY DAYS” (Date picked up: 5/4/2023) • Rory Scott “BORN AGAIN” (Date picked up: 5/4/2023) • Mitch Townley “ALWAYS ENOUGH” (Date picked up: 5/4/2023) • Rita Weyls “ARE YOUR REASONS RIGHT “ (Date picked up: 5/4/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country.‘Mama’ Songs Only. Read full description for details. THE OAK RIDGE BOYS. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is listening for one of the most distinctive and recognizable acts …
• Ricky Amburgey “THANK YOU GOD FOR MY MAMA” (Date picked up: 5/30/2023) • Robbi Atkins “LITTLE BOY “ (Date picked up: 5/30/2023) • Paul Jarvis “UNTIL YOU”VE RAISED A DAUGHTER (YOU”LL NEVER UNDERSTAND)” (Date picked up: 5/16/2023) • Carey Latham “CALL YOU MAMA UP” (Date picked up: 5/16/2023) • Avrim Topel “SONS AND SINGLE MOMS 2.0” (Date picked up: 5/16/2023) • Brett Turner “MY MAMA’S BOY DEMO” (Date picked up: 5/30/2023) • Brad Yunek “HER DRESS” (Date picked up: 5/16/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Traditional Country. JORDAN OAKS. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is listening for songs rising country singer and musician Jordan Oaks (independent). Seeking Modern Day Traditional Country songs. Jordan …
• Heno Head “BETWEEN HELL AND HALLELUJAH” (Date picked up: 6/5/2023) • Kenneth Riggins “YOU ARE IN CONTROL/2” (Date picked up: 6/9/2023) • Matthew Soileau “POUR CHOICES (RE-WRITE)” (Date picked up: 6/5/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country. LAUREN ALAINA. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Big Loud Records artist Lauren Alaina. Seeking UPTEMPO story songs. Nothing too sweet. Think less about romance and …
• Carin Fradin “SONG DRUNK” (Date picked up: 5/31/2023) • Derek James “WORN TO BE WILD” (Date picked up: 5/31/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country. SAM GROW. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Average Joe Records artist Sam Grow. Seeking great story telling songs. Listen to “This Town” https://newcountrysongs.com/sam-grow/this-town/ …
• Ricky Amburgey “THAT SOBER AGAIN” (Date picked up: 5/31/2023) • James Hoppe “SOMETHING’S UP” (Date picked up: 5/31/2023) • Derek James “ONLY A BACKROAD KNOWS” (Date picked up: 5/31/2023) • Carey Latham “GUESS WHERE I AM” (Date picked up: 5/28/2023)
Pitch For Song Plugger. Contemporary Country. MORGAN EVANS. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Warner Brothers artist Morgan Evans. Seeking early Keith Urban type singles for radio 38-yr old Australian male country …
• Jonny Born “HOW YOU LOOK AT ME – DEMO” (Date picked up: 5/31/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Christian Contemporary (CCM), Inspirational, Gospel, Christian Praise/Worship. CHRISTIAN MUSIC FOR VARIOUS ARTISTS AND LABELS. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is listening for a broad spectrum of Christian music in any genre: Praise & Worship, CCM, Southern …
• Wes Bullock “DESPERATE” (Date picked up: 6/7/2023) • David Johnson “I GIVE IT UP TO YOU” (Date picked up: 5/16/2023) • Carey Latham “DID YOU SEE THE MOON LAST NIGHT” (Date picked up: 5/16/2023) • Rita Weyls “ARE YOUR REASONS RIGHT “ (Date picked up: 5/31/2023) • Thomas White “LET THE HEALING BEGIN” (Date picked up: 5/16/2023)
Pitch For Licensing Agent. .Vintage-retro styles, Acoustic Pop, Singer-songwriter, Folk HEALTHCARE COMMERCIAL. QUICK PITCH! Street Pitch guest, N.P. is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch appropriately. This …
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Blues, Pop, Rock, Soul, Alternative, Indie. MUSIC FOR HBO SERIES, HACKS. Street Pitch guest, N.P. is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch appropriately. This HBO series starring Jean Smart is back in production and scheduled to air late …
Pitch For Licensing Agent. .INDIE ALT ROCK MEETS GRUNGE MURMUR. Bob Dellaposta has been asked to pre-screen the songs submitted for this sync licensing opportunity. NOTE: There are 5 spots listed separately on this page, each with different musical needs. PLEASE READ THE …
• David Nicastro “FALLEN FROM GRACE” (Date picked up: 6/12/2023)
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Film/TV/Media. MURMUR. Bob Dellaposta has been asked to pre-screen the songs submitted for this sync licensing opportunity. NOTE: There are 5 spots listed separately on this page, each with different musical needs. PLEASE READ THE SYNOPSIS, AND THE MUSIC NEEDS FOR …
• Wayne Gamache “IN CASE OF FIRE” (Date picked up: 6/12/2023)
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.
Songwriter, mentor, friend, and colleague Pete Luboff passed away this week due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Sara and I first met Pete and Pat Luboff in the mid-1990s, shortly after they moved from LA to Nashville. At the time, only a handful of songwriters were involved in songwriting education, and we were all friends and knew each other. Pete and Pat’s book, “88 Songwriting Wrongs and How To Right Them,” was always one of my top picks for songwriting books, right next to Sheila Davis’s “Craft of Lyric Writing.”
After they moved to Nashville, we finally got together face-to-face at the Starbucks near the Bluebird Café. I reached out my hand to shake his, and Pete just jumped in and hugged me (and then Sara) like he had known us for years. I quickly learned that was his nature – Pete was a friend to everyone and loved everyone without fail. We talked for hours into the evening until we closed down Starbucks, where I found out they had a Snoop Dogg cut on his first album (who knew!). We taught at seminars and camps together and shared many a meal at both our homes. When Sara and I started thinking about launching SongU.com, Pat and Pete were among our first phone calls and, not surprisingly, one of the first to jump on board and support us. Their DIY course, SONG 120 – What’s In A Name: The Central Importance Of The Song Title, was one of the first courses developed for SongU.com. This fundamental course remains as relevant today as the day it was conceived. When we added live song feedback courses (FDBK) to our instructional offerings, Pat and Pete were again our first phone call. From 2007 to 2015, they taught the popular FDBK 105 – Song Feedback and Mentoring several times a month. Pete always had his guitar in hand and could effortlessly create musical ideas on the spot for virtually any song to improve it. Pat always had her timer in hand to ensure Pete didn’t spend an hour discussing and working on one song :-).
More than anything, Pete Luboff was a good man, an honest and fierce supporter of songwriters. He loved songs, but more importantly, he loved those who created them. Thank you, Pete, for the joy you added to our life and for all you’ve done for songwriters. We will miss your creativity, your laughter, and your hugs.
CONGRATULATIONS to the following members for having their songs signed or pitched for the following leads during the time period 03/01/2023 – 05/02/2023.
Pitch For Publisher. Blues, Pop, Reggae, Singer Songwriter, Alternative, Indie. From SongU mentor and publisher, Bob Dellaposta. Opportunity for direct Licensing for Germany, Poland, France, Belgium, Italy, UK, Sweden, Norway and Europe. We need happy, positive, carefree, cheerful, fun rhythmic feel good music. Male or female vocals that families can enjoy while shopping or eating lunch or dinner in malls, retail stores, elevators, bars, night clubs, casinos, cruise ships, restaurants, phone hold music, jukeboxes, live shows …
• Matty Gottesman “DON’T PLAY DUMB” (Date picked up: 3/7/2023) • John Schutt “MAGICAL CLASH CRASH” (Date picked up: 3/7/2023) • Douglas Stanglin “IT SURE SEEMED REAL TO ME (POP)” (Date picked up: 3/7/2023) • Malcolm Stretten “TIME OF YOUR LIFE” (Date picked up: 3/7/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country. LAINE HARDY. Extended! Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for songs for BUENA VISTA RECORDS artist Laine Hardy. Season 17 winner of American Idol. Laine is currently writing and cutting songs for this project, so the bar is very high. Before pitching please check out these songs to hear his voice and style. “The Ground I Grew Up On†https://youtu.be/tap-kjERcxg and …
• D Toomey “CRY YOU A BAYOU” (Date picked up: 3/2/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country. MaRYNN TAYLOR. Extended! Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for songs for Black River Records artist MaRynn Taylor. Listening for UPTEMPOS only! No ballads. Needing 90’s style Country in the sphere of Sara Evans and early Trisha Yearwood. Songs can also have elements and nuances of Suzy Boggus and Mary Chapin Carpenter, all with a Dixie Chicks vibe. Nothing salacious, …
• Robbi Atkins “HUMAN HEART (2021)” (Date picked up: 3/14/2023) • Robbi Atkins “I LOVE US” (Date picked up: 4/6/2023) • Mitch Townley “GIRL IN A SUMMER SONG” (Date picked up: 3/14/2023) • Rita Weyls “STRONG MEDICINE “ (Date picked up: 4/6/2023) • Thomas White “SMALL TOWN LOVE” (Date picked up: 3/14/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country. TEGAN MARIE. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Warner Brothers artist Tegan Marie. This is a 19-year old singer that was first signed to a major label at age 13. She needs fun young Country to show off her powerful vocal range. FEMALE vocal demos only. Listen at these links: https://www.teganmarieofficial.com/ ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcq1rtdWTpA ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcBUNClV9T8. …
• James Hoppe “TALK TO THE HAND” (Date picked up: 4/2/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country. GREG PRATT. Extended! Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for indie artist Greg Pratt, (producer Jace Williams) and setting out on a 2023 tour. This artist was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Deep baritone voice. UPDATE: Pitch your best Country radio-friendly UP-TEMPO, EDGY, Country ROCKERS that would break this artist to mainstream. MALE vocals only. Listen to previous …
• Eric Spiegel “180” (Date picked up: 4/1/2023)
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, R&B, Soul, Indie. SONGS FOR CLOTHING BRAND FALL CAMPAIGN. Street Pitch guest, N.P. is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting. Pitch appropriately. Looking for upbeat songs for this multi-demographic company. Hooky, memorable, earworms, but must have an authentic feel- not just ‘made for sync’. – The sounds should be optimistic but not overly cheery or too pop-y – No aggressive or overly sexy songs – …
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, Rock, Singer Songwriter, Indie. INTENSE & MOODY SONGS FOR POPULAR NETWORK SERIES. Street Pitch guest, N.P. is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting. Pitch appropriately. Looking for songs with one of these two vibes: 1. Tension. We need songs with tension to play during montages and tense moments. Dramatic spots where ‘everything is on the line’ and we don’t know how it will turn out. Male or Female. Genres: Edgy Indie Rock & …
Pitch For Song Plugger. Country. NATE BARNES. Street Pitch guest, J.N., veteran independent songplugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for Quartz Hill artist Nate Barnes. Seeking radio-friendly break-through hit songs in the direction of Luke Bryan’s “All My Friends Say” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart”. Can also consider full-blown drinkin’ party songs (not quirky or beachy) for a cool Country image. PITCH FOLLOW-UP: If this guest expresses interest …
• Thomas White “GLAD I CAME IN LAST” (Date picked up: 3/21/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country. JAMESON RODGERS. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Sony artist Jameson Rodgers. Seeking UP-TEMPO show openers. MALE vocal demos only. For his look and sound, listen to ‘Porch With a View’ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGBFBHHzB5w and ‘Missing One’ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa8kZkFYXrE . Submit male up-tempos only. Pitch follow-up info: If this guest …
Pitch For Publisher. .Acoustic Country / Modern Bluegrass. WESTWEND. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for WestWend, currently label-shopping. SUBMIT male/female duets, acoustic country, modern bluegrass ala Alison Krauss & Wade Bowen. For more about this artist go to https://www.westwendmusic.com/home. Pitch follow-up info: If this guest expresses interest in your song, before pitching …
• Reesa Bebb “KISS ME LIKE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME (REWRITTEN – NEW DEMO)” (Date picked up: 4/1/2023) • Jim Purtell “WALK AWAY FREE” (Date picked up: 3/20/2023)
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Country, Rock. GRITTY ROCK/COUNTRY FOR SUPERHERO MOVIE. Street Pitch guest, N.P. is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting. Pitch appropriately. We’re looking for gritty, hard driving rock or country rock leaning songs. Something in the direction of ‘Heavy Is The Head’ by Zach Brown Band and Chris Cornell. Our character is the reluctant hero who has to become king, so even better if lyrics relate to this theme. MALE …
• Jonny Born “WARNING ON A WHISKEY BOTTLE” (Date picked up: 4/13/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. .Americana, Bluegrass, Texas Dirt Country. JIMMY BOWEN. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for songs for Santa Fe Entertainment artist Jimmy Bowen. Listening for UP-TEMPO songs for highly acclaimed musician and high tenor singer, Jimmy Bowen. Up-Tempo Americana, Bluegrass & Texas Dirt Country; think Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs in your song selection. The songs Jimmy …
• Wes Bullock “BRUSHSTROKES” (Date picked up: 3/30/2023) • Michael Taylor “JUST ALONG FOR THE RIDE_VER1” (Date picked up: 3/30/2023) • Mitch Townley “WAITING ON A TRAIN” (Date picked up: 4/10/2023) • Thomas White ” NO PLACE LIKE TEXAS” (Date picked up: 3/30/2023) • Thomas White “LEFT ON BROADWAY” (Date picked up: 3/30/2023) • Ed Williams “LIQUOR ME UP” (Date picked up: 4/20/2023) • Timothy Williams “SCREEN DOOR” (Date picked up: 4/20/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country, Inspirational, Gospel.Inspirational / Positive Country / Americana Gospel CHRIS GOLDEN. Extended! Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is listening for songs for singer and multi-instrumentalist Chris Golden. Chris is the son of William Lee Golden of the legendary Oak Ridge Boys, and considers his musical talents “a gift from God”. In 1995, he began performing with the Oak Ridge Boys playing guitar, …
• Michael Boehnlein “BLESSINGS FLOW” (Date picked up: 4/12/2023) • Garland Bost “HEAVENS LOOKING BETTER EVERYDAY” (Date picked up: 5/1/2023) • Carey Latham “SINNER MAN” (Date picked up: 4/26/2023) • Paul Longwell “I’M ALSO A SON” (Date picked up: 5/1/2023) • Brad Mckinney “WORDS TO LOVE BY” (Date picked up: 4/27/2023) • Phillip Sandifer “FIND YOUR OWN WAY” (Date picked up: 5/1/2023) • Thomas White “RIDE WITH ME” (Date picked up: 4/26/2023) • Thomas White “MAMA HELD THE GLASS” (Date picked up: 4/26/2023) • Brad Yunek “A FARMER’S WIFE” (Date picked up: 3/22/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country.‘Mama’ Songs Only. Read full description for details. THE OAK RIDGE BOYS. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is listening for one of the most distinctive and recognizable acts in music industry history, The Oak Ridge Boys. Songs can be any tempo, but must be written to describe, characterize, encapsulate and relate to everything beautiful and endearing about mamas (mothers). …
• Robert Otting “BOX OF BUTTONS V3” (Date picked up: 4/6/2023) • Monty Savitz “I NEVER WOULD’VE SAW THE LIGHT” (Date picked up: 5/2/2023) • Thomas White “NEVER WOULDA SAW THE LIGHT” (Date picked up: 5/2/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Traditional Country. JORDAN OAKS. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is listening for songs rising country singer and musician Jordan Oaks (independent). Seeking Modern Day Traditional Country songs. Jordan performed over 200 shows nationwide last year, appearing alongside notable country stars such as Joe Nichols, Jimmie Allen, Parmalee, Priscilla Block, Kip Moore, Rodney Atkins and others. Jordan has …
• Eve Suchy “SIPPIN'” (Date picked up: 5/1/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country. RODNEY ATKINS. This is a Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) enabled pitch…which means that as you go through the submission process, you will have an OPTIONAL add-on opportunity to attend a live listening session with the guest as he listens to your song. Limited enrollment – Details inside. (BTS end date: 4/19). LISTING: Street Pitch guest, J.N., veteran independent songplugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for Curb artist, …
• James Hoppe “FALL APART TOGETHER” (Date picked up: 5/2/2023)
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, Indie. Modern Indie Songs For Communication Brand. Street Pitch guest, N.P. is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting. Pitch appropriately. Looking for indie songs that have an uplifting and positive tone. Mid to uptempo – not hypersonic speed, but with energy that will propel the visuals. Lyrically it could be about giving back, community, coming together, lifting each other up, making the world a better …
• Matthew Soileau “ONE LIGHT” (Date picked up: 4/24/2023)
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.
CONGRATULATIONS to the writers whose songs were picked up, signed, or pitched for the following SongU leads during the time period 01/17/2023 – 02/22/2023. Note: Some of these opportunities are no longer open for submissions.
Pitch For Publisher. Blues, Pop, Reggae, Singer Songwriter, Alternative, Indie. From SongU mentor and publisher, Bob Dellaposta. Opportunity for direct Licensing for Germany, Poland, France, Belgium, Italy, UK, Sweden, Norway and Europe. We need happy, positive, carefree, cheerful, fun rhythmic feel good music. …
Pitch For Publisher. Americana, Country, Dance, Folk, Pop, Rock. From SongU mentor and publisher, Bob Dellaposta (My3Kids Music). Opportunity for mechanical licensing. This platform licenses your song and your instrumental tracks to Indie artists all over the world….
Pitch For Publisher. Country. CLIFF DORSEY. Extended! Still listening. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for songs for Black Sheep Label Group artist Cliff Dorsey. Need great country songs for up-and-coming country artist…
• Greg Smith “WRAP YOU UP IN LOVE DMB” (Date picked up: 2/14/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Southern Rock. TENNESSEE OUTLAW COUNTRY/Featuring MATT WESTIN. Extended! Matt’s team is still looking. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for songs for Spectrum Records artist Tennessee Outlaw Country/ft Matt Westin…
• Paul Jarvis “LINES” (Date picked up: 1/23/2023) • Scott Miller “ZERO TO HILLBILLY” (Date picked up: 1/23/2023) • Rita Weyls “POUR DECISIONS FINAL” (Date picked up: 1/23/2023)
Pitch For Song Plugger. Country. ALABAMA. Extended! Street Pitch guest, J.N., veteran independent songplugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for BMG artist Alabama. Still seeking a few great country songs for their next project, consider ’90’s country’ positive message story song, up tempos, or mids…
• Paul Jarvis “UNTIL YOU’VE RAISED A DAUGHTER (YOU’LL NEVER UNDERSTAND)” (Date picked up: 2/15/2023)
Pitch For Song Plugger. Country, Traditional Country. LAUREN ALAINA. Extended! Street Pitch guest, J.N., veteran independent songplugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for Big Loud Records artist Lauren Alaina. Seeking traditional country up tempos and mids. Stay away from pop country, listen to her recent duets with Jon Pardi. Lauren is very open-minded about outside songs…
• Andrew Trotter “ROUGH DRAFT” (Date picked up: 1/31/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country. DANIELLE BRADBERY. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Big Machine Records artist Danielle Bradbery. Seeking radio-friendly fun hits…
• Derek James “WORN TO BE WILD” (Date picked up: 1/18/2023) • Carey Latham “TUNNEL” (Date picked up: 1/30/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country, Pop. COREY KENT. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Sony artist Corey Kent. Seeking radio-friendly positive up-tempo youthful country pop. MALE vocal demos only…
• Derek James “ONLY A BACKROAD KNOWS” (Date picked up: 1/19/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country. MaRYNN TAYLOR. Extended! Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for songs for Black River Records artist MaRynn Taylor. Listening for UPTEMPOS only! No ballads. Needing 90’s style Country…
Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country. JERICHO ROSE. Quick Pitch! Two weeks / Two songs only. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for songs for Global Eyes Entertainment artist Jericho Rose. Especially listening for mids and uptempos…
• Luke Denison “ONE INCH AT A TIME” (Date picked up: 2/21/2023) • Luke Denison “NOBODY’S YOU” (Date picked up: 2/21/2023) • Carey Latham “WE GOT THIS” (Date picked up: 2/21/2023)
Pitch For Song Plugger. Country. GARTH BROOKS. Extended until end of the month; but BEFORE PITCHING, READ ADDITIONAL NEW CASTING INFO BELOW. Street Pitch guest, J.N., veteran independent songplugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for Pearl Records artist Garth Brooks. New description From JN, Thanks for all the songs you’ve been pitching. With an artist that has such a long and successful career as Garth…
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, R&B, Rock, Soul, Alternative, Indie.SONGS FOR STREAMING SERIES. Street Pitch guest, N.P. is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting. Pitch appropriately. We need your COOLEST indie alternative, pop/rock songs for several spots in this show…
• Malcolm Stretten “ALWAYS FOR YOU” (Date picked up: 2/20/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country.JASON ALDEAN. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for BBR Music Group artist Jason Aldean. Bob says, I’m looking for a few to send to this artist. Must be broadcast quality demo. A radio smash, great lyric, nothing “cutesy”….
• Ricky Amburgey “GIRL DAD -“ (Date picked up: 2/21/2023) • Derek James “ONLY A BACKROAD KNOWS” (Date picked up: 1/30/2023) • Jeff Roe “SHE’S GONNA LEAVE A MARK” (Date picked up: 2/21/2023) • Eric Spiegel “NEVER TOO LATE” (Date picked up: 2/21/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country.TEGAN MARIE. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Warner Brothers artist Tegan Marie. This is a 19-year old singer that was first signed to a major label at age 13. She needs…
• Carey Latham “SOUNDS LIKE A SONG” (Date picked up: 2/21/2023)
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Film/TV/Media.MUSIC FOR CABLE TV SERIES. Street Pitch guest, N.P. is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting. Pitch appropriately. Seeking 3 styles/moods for this show…
And a big round of applause to those marked ‘Maybe’ too. Keep up the great work, everyone!
About Pitching at SongU.com: Our philosophy is that success is achieved through a 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.
CONGRATULATIONS to the following SongU.com members for having their songs signed or pitched for the following leads during the time period 01/01/2023 – 01/16/2023. (Note, some of these leads may no longer be available for submissions.)
Pitch For Publisher. Blues, Pop, Reggae, Singer Songwriter, Alternative, Indie. From SongU mentor and publisher, Bob Dellaposta. Opportunity for direct Licensing for Germany, Poland, France, Belgium, Italy, UK, Sweden, Norway and Europe. We need happy, positive, carefree, …
• Robbi Atkins “LA LA LA LA LOVE” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Robbi Atkins “CREW” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Mark Newman “SMILING – MASTER” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Mark Newman “LOCK THIS DOWN – MASTER “ (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Hilton Severson “THE WATER YOU GIVE” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Tom Watson “BLOSSOM” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Aaron j Wayman “YOU WOULDN’T LET ME” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Cari lynn York “THAT’S WHAT YOU ARE (FULL MIX) “ (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Cari lynn York “STRONGER THAN I THINK ***** (STRINGS)” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Bluegrass. BLUEGRASS MUSIC FOR VARIOUS ARTISTS AND LABELS. Extended! Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is listening for Listening for Bluegrass Music ONLY!! Please do NOT pitch country. Bluegrass music instrumentation includes …
• Enda Cullen “THE TRAIN CAME BACK” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023) • Sandra Devault “LORELEI” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country. CLIFF DORSEY. Extended! Still listening. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for songs for Black Sheep Label Group artist Cliff Dorsey. Need great country songs for up-and-coming country artist. …
• Ricky Amburgey “SHE’S A LIGHT” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023) • Ricky Amburgey “THE BEST THINGS DON’T COME FIRST” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023) • Carey Latham “COUNTRY SUMMER NIGHT” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023) • Karen Mitchell “LOVE AIN’T LOOKIN'” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023) • Mitch Townley “NOTHINGOUT OF SOMETHING” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country. WALKER COUNTY. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Warner Bros. artist Walker County. These are two sisters (think harmony). UPTEMPOS. Think Dixie Chicks meets Miranda Lambert. …
• Jerry Blackburn “IT HAS TO HURT” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023) • Kenneth Riggins “GIRL GOTTA DO/ LYRIC REWRITE” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023)
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Dance, HipHop, Pop. SONGS FOR AD CAMPAIGN. Street Pitch guest, N.P. is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting. Pitch appropriately. Seeking songs about Unity & Universal Love for advertisement campaign This brand is looking for positive, upbeat songs …
• Frank Stopak “WORLD-GO-ROUND” (Date picked up: 1/16/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country, Pop. COREY KENT. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Sony artist Corey Kent. Seeking radio-friendly positive up-tempo youthful country pop …
• Robbi Atkins “SLOWPOKE’S FIELD (FINAL)” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country. CAM BOGLE. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for up and coming new artist Cam Bogle. This guy is pretty cool. He has a rich baritone voice. Looking for HITS only …
• Jim Purtell “BLUE SKY RAIN” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023)
And a round of applause to those marked ‘Maybe’ too. Keep up the great work, everyone!
Picture: Karen and Mitch Townley with Sara Light in Nashville
We write songs for a variety of reasons. It could be to share a story or relate an emotion. Sometimes it’s to honor someone, describe a relationship, or bring an issue to light. We could be testifying to God’s work in our life through a worship song or a song designed to encourage someone else. But what does it mean to be “successful” with the songs we write?
Our motivation to express ourselves is primarily our purpose for writing a song. So, we are successful when what we desire to communicate in our song is what the listener feels or experiences when they hear it. In simple terms, the listener “gets it.” This accomplishment is what I like to call “expressive success.” Expressive success is rooted in understanding the fundamental concepts of songwriting. It takes practice and work at the craft to get there and should be enjoyed and celebrated when achieved. Any other success we experience with a song is icing on the cake and essentially out of our control.
Some of us may experience an additional “layer” of success that I refer to as “complimentary success.” Examples of this type of success are when a song is recorded by an artist, placed in a movie or TV show, or performed in a venue. It may win a contest, be used as a theme song for an organization, or perhaps even win an award. These examples are remarkable moments of encouragement for a songwriter but don’t have to be what defines us as “successful” in our writing. For me, complimentary success is undoubtedly a blessing to enjoy, but not the reason why I write. It is not an expectation I have for every song. While we can certainly aspire to write quality songs that contend for complimentary success, I don’t think it is reasonable to expect something that is so far out of our control. There is no shortcut to the destination of this type of success. It takes practice, patience, and perseverance even to consider it.
I would be remiss if I did not mention an even more elusive form of measuring songwriting success: commercial success. Typically, it means a famous or emerging artist has recorded your song, sold many CDs or downloads, done well on major music industry charts, and generated revenue. Most songwriters who enjoy a viable professional income from their songwriting are staff songwriters at music publishing companies. However, the percentage of songwriters who earn a living as a songwriter is extremely low. Does that fact make you want to stop songwriting immediately? I certainly hope not! It is just the nature of the music industry. It’s essential to understand your motivation for writing songs. A person whose aspiration is to be a professional, commercially successful songwriter has restrictions. They can’t always choose what, why, and when they write.
“The percentage of songwriters who earn a living as a songwriter is extremely low. Does that fact make you want to stop songwriting immediately? I certainly hope not!”
I write songs because I “cannot not” write them (pardon the grammar). It is something I love to do. I get so excited when I have written a song that emotionally affects someone in the way I intended. When a listener “gets it,” I am a successful songwriter. I suspect that many of you can become or already are successful too.
Mitch Townley is from Knoxville, TN, where he has served as a Children’s Pastor since 1996. He has over 40 independent artist cuts, including a song featured in a documentary about the Vietnam Memorial and a song placement in the TV show “Nashville.” His song, “This Side Of Sunday” (co-written with Scott Parker), was recorded by Brent Harrison and spent eight weeks in the Number 1 spot on the Christian Country Countdown in April/May of 2018. In April of 2019, it received the 2018 Inspirational Country Song Of the Year award from the Inspirational Country Music Association at a ceremony held at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. Mitch is the Knoxville Chapter coordinator for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He performs his songs regularly in songwriter rounds in the greater Knoxville area as a solo artist and with the acoustic duo “The Back Pew Poets.” Mitch has been a member of SongU.com since 2006 and hosts the regular SongU Open-Mic Experiment, virtual writers’ nights.
For our Fall 2021 SongU Special Event Pitch, “Staff Writer for a Day,” the Creative Director of Winsongs Music Publishing, Kirby Smith, listened to over 200 songs. She selected one writer, Jonny Born, to win the coveted “staff writer for a day” prize which featured a co-writing session with Winsongs’ artist/writer Eric Van Houten. This month Jonny flew from his home in Utah to Nashville, TN, for that session. He told me later that he was glad he made the trip to write in person because the visit was full of surprises, and the creative energy in the writer’s room was tangible.
Jonny, how’d your staff writer session go?
It was amazing! In addition to Eric Van Houten from WinSongs, Kirby added a new artist/writer named Nick Boyd to the meeting as well, and I am so glad she did. Watch out for this kid. He is the real deal!
You had another happy surprise too, right?
We wrote in Liz Rose’s office and I was pumped. I can’t even imagine how many monsters have been written in those walls. I took a picture before the meeting. I know it looks like I’m not happy, but that’s my “Jon, get your head in the game and show up and contribute, it’s time to go to work” face!!! HAHA. Honestly, I just wanted to get a picture before anyone saw me taking a selfie and figured out I was a nervous rookie!
Songwriter, Jonny Born, in Liz Rose Music Writer’s Room
You don’t look like a rookie! What happened when Eric and Nick arrived?
After we chatted for a while and just got to know each other a bit, we talked about what we wanted to write.
How’d the writing process go?
I had about 15-20 hooks/ideas I’ve been saving for that day. I pulled out what I thought was the most intriguing one — a concept around the word “Unmade,” with the chorus starting out, “I can’t lie, the way you kissed me, left me drunker than the whiskey.” And ending with: “Now, I can’t lie, in this bed that we unmade.” They dug it, and we dove in. I was SUPER worried about keeping up and adding value in that room, but was happy that by the end of it, I’d contributed about 40+% of the lyric, most of the music/progressions, and the hook. I felt I belonged in the room.
That’s terrific! It’s great that you came prepared with so many ideas, even though they liked the first one you presented.
Those guys made it modern, and fresh, and really really cool. It’s certainly one of the better ones I’ve written, but those boys write every day. They also seemed happy with it.
Did you learn anything new about the writing process from this experience?
The experience did shine a light on some areas where I get to improve and up my writing game. New ways to approach a lyric, and a top line. How to get out of my comfort zone and do things lyrically, and musically, that aren’t expected and are new and fresh. Mixing up the lyric syncopation, etc. I’m going to dig in and really get to work on that. You’ll see an improvement in my writing because of this. It makes me wonder how good I could get if I was here, and had the chance to write with better writers every day.
What was your overall experience with the Staff Writer for a Day Special Event?
I just wanted to express my gratitude again for creating this opportunity for me. I feel really, really blessed to have had the chance to be part of SongU and get better at the craft, and have the chance to meet you, and be able show up and be “in the room.”
Jonny, THANK YOU for chatting about your “Staff Writer for a Day” experience so that we can all learn from it! Here’s the WORKTAPE of “Unmade” (with your vocal).
“Unmade” written by Jonny Born, Eric Van Houten, and Nick Boyd
Congratulations to all of our Top Tier Marketers who pitched their songs the MOST times at SongU.com in 2021, including our SongU “Mover & Shaker” John Cirillo who pitched 634 times and says that SongU.com has been the best investment of his career.
About John Cirillo: Personally, John has impressed me not only with his determination but his modesty. He routinely highlights his cowriters’ participation and talents, heightening their abilities and profiles. But what truly sets John apart is that he makes time to help other songwriters, at every level, reach their own goals by setting up collaborations and connections, sharing leads, and frequently referring writers to SongU.com (thanks, John). His spirit of mentorship and community is what SongU is all about and what truly earns him his SongU Mover & Shaker title. Below, John tells us about his SongU experience in his own words.
Songwriter, John Cirillo (TN) and his writing buddy, Mickey.
John says: About a year or so ago I was fortunate enough to win a one year membership with SongU (I have since renewed!). I was curious as to the value and the potential of the tools that SongU had to offer and was anxious to get my account up and running. I have worked with several different publishers and organizations in pitching my songs into this ever-changing market. With SongU I found an organization that posted what current successful independent songwriters were looking for; both with artists and with Synch opportunities; which basically covers my catalog.
I was also looking to find a site that was simple to use for any kind of changes or opportunities. SongU’s web site and applications definitely made my efforts easier to get my songs into the right hands. Because of the industry pros that SongU has developed relationships with, I have been able to pitch to opportunities almost every week. Also, the cost of doing so is much more affordable than many other organizations. This has allowed me to submit songs to a solid list of artists and synch opportunities. I have known a few of the industry pros prior to my subscription to SongU. But because of the opportunities to work with each other through SongU, I feel I have strengthened my relationships with a few Pros and started building new relationships with others.
Because the info that SongU provides from the Industry Pros, along with the deadlines and any other important information, I feel that I am able to present my best material for each particular opportunity. Sometimes I don’t have anything, sometimes I have several. But with SongU I feel much more confident that the songs I do pitch fit the opportunity.
Over the past year I have been able to sign several non-exclusive single song contracts with different Industry Pros. Because I am an independent songwriter, it is almost impossible for me to reach the level of artists that I would like to reach without paying a pretty hefty price for a quality sungplugger. But SongU has basically put me in touch with Industry Pros that can help me reach these artists. That is a valuable asset that not all songwriting organizations can provide.
Overall, between the ease of use, their connections to the right Industry Pros and the cost of using SongU, I feel that it certainly has been my best investment in my career as a songwriter.
Congratulations to all of our SongU Top Tier Learners for participating in the most instructor-led and private mentoring sessions this year! This is a huge accomplishment at SongU where our philosophy is that education leads to success. Our members, like our Valedictorian Karen Mitchell, have proven there is a direct correlation between furthering their knowledge of the craft and business of songwriting and meeting their personal songwriting goals.
About Karen Mitchell: I have had the pleasure of getting to know Karen since she joined SongU in 2019 and has participated in over 115 live courses this year. She has always impressed me with her humor, humility, and hard work. That combination has made all the difference. Below, she tells us about her SongU experience and successes. She even mixes in several of her song titles to prove she has learned to write her truth!
Songwriter, Karen Mitchell (CA, SU class of ’19)
Karen says: I am honored to be at the “head of the class” for “Top Learners” in 2021. My SongU journey started in July 2019 at the suggestion of another member, co-writer and special friend. She thought I’d benefit from a membership and she was so write (pun intended)! Since that time I’ve had the awesome privilege of having songs I’ve written or co-written signed to numerous exclusive and non exclusive agreements! The SongU format of having a professional mentor(s) and five members in the live feedback classes is so valuable! It’s great to work with exceptional people who willingly share their thoughts and encouragement! I’ve also benefited from DIY classes, private sessions and written critiques. All services offered are extremely valuable and add to the in-depth learning experience! SongU has been instrumental in helping me see personal growth and I plan to continue with that process! Some critiques can be tough and when I can’t “Escape the Sad” I’ve learned to pour those emotions into a new song. In fact, I’m “Stronger Than I Think” and “Stronger Than I’ve Ever Been.” This year I started co-writing with an amazing and talented musician! We met in a SongU class. Writing with him has made me a “Better” writer! SongU has changed my life and I’m confident there’ll be many more incredible songs in the near future! In fact (for one mentor in particular) I’m just “Waiting” to see what new doors open in 2022!
