Keen on Music Publishing

Where can I meet other songwriters and industry professionals?

The obvious answer would be to go where other songwriters, publishers, artists and music professionals congregate. That could require moving to a music center like Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami or New York. However that is not your only option. In fact a study published in the Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association Journal 1[1] suggests that the music industry, with the exception of publishing and music licensing companies, is actually de-centralizing. In other words it is theoretically getting easier to have a satisfying overall career in music without having to move to a music center. Technological innovation has made it easier and cheaper to record, package and market music with a computer in your home or at some other location in any community.

However, as the aforementioned study points out, the music publishing sector of the music industry remains relatively centralized in the music centers. Living in a music center can provide a lot of synergy and stimulating fellowship within a larger, diverse community of creative people. There are more opportunities for encounters that might enhance your career. But the competition is stiffer too.

If you have the means to attend events, workshops and conventions do some research. Try to dig beneath the hype to determine the real value as it relates to your goals. In selecting workshops and other forums for interaction it is crucial to scrutinize the credentials of those conducting the workshop or offering the service. Many individuals or groups who conduct workshops and conferences have experienced very modest success and are hoping to lure you into hiring their services so that they can derive income from some semblance of the music business. Their appeal to you will push your emotional buttons and prey upon your ignorance. They may present themselves as the perfect antidote to claims (interestingly enough, made by them) that the music industry is ineffective, inefficient or uninterested in you. That is a classic sham.

Not only must you look for credibility in their resume or discography but you are looking for a good match; seek expertise and contacts with regard to the type of music you create. Not only do you seek professional knowledge and legitimate success in the presenters but musical compatibility between them and yourself. An extreme example of a mismatch would be for a church music writer to attend a workshop led by a successful honky tonk songwriter. Another folly would be to attend some sort of so-called "Indie" event when your goal is to land a contract with a legitimate music industry publisher. Judging the character of these presenters (or yourself) is not the issue. It's a matter of goal compatibility.

If your goals include receiving instruction and feedback from creative Christians who have enjoyed success in the music industry (including mainstream pop, rock and country as well as the Christian music industry) then it makes sense for you to consider involving yourself in the programs offered by the Gospel Music Association (GMA), CCLI or ASCAP.

ASCAP's I Create Music Expo is the only known national music conference dedicated solely to songwriters and composers.

It's so important to fellowship with other creative Christians. Joining songwriter and artist organizations, both national and local, is an excellent way to build community, expand your contacts, network and bloom where you're planted.

Copyright 2007 Dan Keen. All Rights Reserved
1[1] Terrell, P.(2005). Decentralization and Growth in the U.S. Music Industry.
Journal of the Music & Entertainment Industry Educators Association, 5 (2)