US collaborator required

[Casey H]

The most important thing is to agree on these things UP FRONT when starting a project and put them in writing in the form of a collaboration agreement. If the parties involved are comfortable with any split they agree on, that's all that matters.It may seem cold at first to have to sign an agreement with someone who is basically (or completely) a friend, but reality is these things, more often than you would think, end up in disputes. If you've read these boards for a long time, you would have seen quite a few horror stories. Practice safe collaboration... Casey

[malcolmdunn]

I would like to put the record straight about where I’m coming from on this topic and why there might be a degree of misapprehension involved.I have been a professional musician & producer in the UK for over 25 years now. I have had records in the charts and even a UK number one. I have access to a proper recording studio and many fine singers & musicians. The studio is owned by me but it has to pay it’s way.The tracks on my TAXI page are mostly song demos sung by myself and recorded at home in my project studio. I can’t put any of my previous releases on there because even though I may have written the song and performed on the track I do not own the recordings. This is why I made the point that the ownership of the song and the recording are entirely different things. I know for a fact that in the real world songwriters never get 50/50 (or any where near that) on recordings that they did not pay for or do themselves - even if they performed on them.I’m happy to go 50/50 on a promotional song demo (like the ones on my TAXI page) but if I’m spending time and money in a real studio and hiring singers there is no way I (or any other producer in these circumstances) would go 50/50 on the recording rights.

[Casey H]

Hi MalcolmI think the confusion came because people assumed you would be making the recordings yourself in a home studio, not paying outside studio fees. In cases like that, 50/50 is more the norm. However, if you co-write a song with someone and fees are required for outside studios and/or musicians, why wouldn't you and your co-writer split those to start with? That would make you equal partners. Not doubting your intentions or values in fairness, just clarifying...I've co-written a few songs whereby outside demo services did the recording. Everything is 50/50 in those cases with the studio fees being split.Now if two folks write a song together and only one can afford to pay the studio fees, of course, alternate arrangements would make sense... Anything from the 66/33 you suggested to 100/0 until the studio fees are covered followed by 50/50. There is no true right or wrong answer, only what the individuals involved feel works for them. But, as I said, putting it down in writing is very important. A few months back I heard a song from an artist that I thought had tremendous potential. There was only a poorly made home recording and the artist had no means to pay for a demo. I decided to pay for the professional demo in exchange for ownership of the publishing (with a reversion, of course). This worked for the two of us and it's all on paper.So, my suggestion is agree on something, sign it, and get to work on THE SONG!! Without a great song, all is pretty much moot anyway and I think the energy is much better spent there than quibbling about the percentages. The project you don't work on because you are worrying about 50 vs. 60 percent could be the "one" and 50, 40, or 33% of a winner are all better than 0% of a loser... Casey

[johnnydean1]

Quote:I would like to put the record straight about where I’m coming from on this topic and why there might be a degree of misapprehension involved.I have been a professional musician & producer in the UK for over 25 years now. I have had records in the charts and even a UK number one. I have access to a proper recording studio and many fine singers & musicians. The studio is owned by me but it has to pay it’s way.The tracks on my TAXI page are mostly song demos sung by myself and recorded at home in my project studio. I can’t put any of my previous releases on there because even though I may have written the song and performed on the track I do not own the recordings. This is why I made the point that the ownership of the song and the recording are entirely different things. I know for a fact that in the real world songwriters never get 50/50 (or any where near that) on recordings that they did not pay for or do themselves - even if they performed on them.I’m happy to go 50/50 on a promotional song demo (like the ones on my TAXI page) but if I’m spending time and money in a real studio and hiring singers there is no way I (or any other producer in these circumstances) would go 50/50 on the recording rights.Malcolm,people frequently come on this board claiming all sorts of chart success but never actually giving any detail. (Jude 3) being the most recent.Why don't you give a list of the act's you have worked with and their chart success's.If you are not prepared to do that,I and maybe others will just presume you are making hollow claims.

[malcolmdunn]

Dear Johnnydean1,I was simply trying to find a songwriting collaborator, I wasn't asking anyone for money or attempting any scam so why should I make things up? I didn't say anything initially about my past chart experience because it was a long time ago (early 1980's) and not stylistically relevant to what I am doing now. I also didn't want to appear arrogant by "bigging myself up"I don't have time or the inclination to type out a full list of credits and it wouldn't prove much anyway - so if you want some tangible proof of my professional status then visit my website at www.mdaudio.co.uk This is my business website aimed at media clients and doesn't deal with previous musical activities but it does illustrate in a tangible way what I do now. There is an address and phone number if you want to check me out further.My biggest hit as producer/co-writer was Swords of a thousand men by Ten Pole Tudor. You can see a video from 1981 with me in it, I'm the one with long hair and a beard. I told you it was a long time ago!www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDe7NCMK3Xo

[lcmemusic]

Hey Malcolm,I own a small studio here in Rocky Mount, Va. I primarily write and record Christian Rock, but I would be willing to branch out into some secular stuff if it means getting a song picked up by someone. If you are interested, you can check out my work at www.soundclick.com/jeffmyersI'm not a Taxi member as of yet, but if you are, then you can still pitch the song. One way this could work would be to create wave files, and FTP them to a site where you can download them and add your parts to them. But, just like you, I'm used to doing everything. I think we should start with something experimental at first to see if the chemistry is there. Then, if it is, we can go further. You can email also me at lcmemusic@yahoo.com Let me know what you think.Jeff

[deantaylor]

Malcolm,I sent you a private message.Dean

[dcandco]

Malcolm, I would be interested in looking into collaborating with you.You can check out a wide variety of my songs at http://www.dcandco.net/license.htm Most of my recordings are for my band, but I can write for what ever is called for.Check it out and p.m. me or email me if interested.Best-Dave