Hey Matt,
Sorry I didn't see this until now. Thank you so much for being a Badass! This whole deal was actually very simple. Apparently Janiva herself screened the songs right before Christmas and her comment on the forward was that she thought the song was great and she was taking it to her producer right away. I actually forgot about it, because at that time I didn't know it was her and it was Christmas time. Then at the beginning of Feb I received an email from Janiva directly saying that she'd like to go into the studio immediately and do it. I gave her my permission - but to be honest the toughest part was to pin down my co-writer Jennifer, because she was on the road with a limited computer. To make a long story short, and upon Taxi's advice I got Jennifer to sign over a POA granting me complete rights to "negotiate." Jennifer and I are good friends so this involved some trust on her part - but I am trustworthy.
The mechanical rights agreement wasn't signed until last minute - but was standard. Since I had already set up a publishing company through ASCAP - Jennifer agreed that I would receive all royalties and distribute her cut to her. This was all standard stuff. There was no negotiation and I have no limitations. She, of course owns the master - but I still own the song and the publishing. And now I have a signed CD thanking me - and noting that I am a Badass too!
Prior to this Janiva left her record label and started her own label for this one. I wasn't aware of the back-story initially. She said this CD was very personal to her and wanted to do songs her own way. She wrote or co-wrote all but three songs, mine being one of them. I dealt with Janiva at the beginning but then her lawyer I presume after that. Janiva is busy as hell and I don't want to bother her. I want her to sell CDs!
So we'll see how this progresses. It's cool as I wasn't looking for this - the opportunity rose through a Taxi listing. Fact is stranger than fiction - on to the next one!
Cheers,
Scott
