Sell Your Country Songs Now

Do you secretly harbor ambitions to write Kenny Chesney’s next hit song? Do you want friends to download country songs that you have penned? You may have thought it impossible, but there are ways to go about pitching your country music to the next big country star if you are determined and persistent.

"The best way to pitch is any way you can," say Pete and Pat Luboff, workshop leaders with the National Academy of Songwriters in Los Angeles. "The closer you can get to the artist, the better the chances of being heard by someone who makes the decisions. Publishers are often easier to get through to, but other good routes are managers, A&R people at the labels, attorneys, producers, publishers of songs previously cut by the artist, band members, other writers who have had cuts with the artist. We also know of an Oscar-winning writer who worked his way into a very lucrative song by getting to know the producer's barber, lawyer, dentist, etc. and actually becoming a client of those people! "

If you are really ready to lay it all on the line and head to Nashville with a demo in hand, the Luboffs recommends getting a hold of tip sheets which tell you which producers/artists are looking for material and drop your CDs off personally." Meet with people at the performance rights organizations and get advice and referrals. Perform at songwriter nights. We had a songwriter take one of our songs directly to an artist that he had a hit with because he liked it when he heard us sing it at the Bluebird. That isn't the only time that's happened to us."

If you really want to break into the country music scene, the Luboffs stress that you have schmooze with the major players in Nashville. "You need to promote yourself and your material; otherwise, who will? There are books about how to schmooze. Get over your reticence! How bad do you want to be a professional writer?" they say.

Because most people get free country music off the Internet, the Luboffs say that promoting yourself online is a great way to attract the record industry and fans to your country songs. "You can hear what the artists are doing, find connections and information on artists, see what kinds of messages they'd like to deliver and how appropriate your song would be for them. A country song mp3 is a great promotion tool for new artists." Playing the songwriters clubs via open mic in Nashville is another great way to network with top country song artists and collaborators.
Of course, the most important way to sell your country music is to keep writing, even past the rejections. Even the great country songwriters all initially met with some degree of resistance when shopping their country songs in Nashville. Just keep in mind that if you persist, your friends will one day be able to download free country songs written by you!

Listen to Country Songs at EZ-tracks for free.

Where does your favorite top country songs rank? Visit EZ-tracks to check out top country music charts.