Record contract

[bonzo]

Hi,
I am a member of Taxi, but have as yet not taken the plunge and sent anything in.
But I sent a couple of songs to Paramount song.com just for feedback and they sent me a record contract with Startune.
Has anybody heard of or had dealings with them or Paramount.

Any info is welcome.
Cheers Bonzo

[aronscot]

I was also sent a contract from them. Your not being offered a employment position as a song writer. They claim to get your music published. Whether this is true or not I don't know,but Monty Powell told me to be careful because their scetchy.

[byllsong]

http://www.ripoffreport.com/literary-ag ... -ggg72.htm

Be wary...

[Casey H]

Stay away from these folks.... Very much NOT a legit outfit.

I hate to say something like that on a public forum but Paramount being non-legit (to be kind and not use the word that starts with 's' and rhymes with 'ham') is very well know across the music industry. They prey on the hopes and dreams of new artists and songwriters, taking their money for absolutely nothing.

Casey

[DonaldM]

As if things aren't tough enough in this business! Geesh!

[guitarhacker]

Never pay to get a song published or to have a "demo" made. This sounds like a shark. They tell you you have a hit, but it needs to be demoed better so it can be plugged to a big star. Of course, you get all excited and then they ask for hundreds if not thousands of dollars from you as an "investment" in your songwriting career and to produce the demo.

ALL legitimate publishers will absorb the demo costs (if they do one) as a part of the cost of doing business AND it is reasonable, if they do that, for them to recover the costs from royalties off the top.

Most pubs and libraries want fully produced radio ready stuff that they don't have to waste time & money on demo recordings.

At the last TAXI Rally we were told the demo is dead. Those days are gone.... you need to be able to produce radio ready music.

Never pay a publisher. If they ask for money RUN.... and READ and UNDERSTAND everything you sign.... before you sign it. If you sign a "Music Contract" that has mice type that obligates you to pay 50% of demo costs, and the demo they do is $5000, you owe the money, and that deal is sure to go south rapidly.

Unfortunately, there are many companies in the scamming end of the music business.

I have known several "songwriters" throughout the years that have fallen victim to this type of scam. They all had a box of records of their song demo's to show for it. And if you heard the "hit song" you would shake your head sadly.....

Be careful.

[distortionjunkie]

I walked up to the paramount office on 16th street and they were less than enthusiastic and helpful. You could not just walk into the office -- there was a digital security phone you had to call to speak to someone. I thought this was strange for a company that advertised as people-oriented.

[guitarhacker]

I just googled both companies mentioned in the OP.... it lead me to a Nashville forum..... lots of people using the service of this company, but not one seems to have made any money from it.

It sure sounds like a shark deal to me.... I'd avoid it totally.

There are legit companies out there.... they will not ask for money.

[bonzo]

Thanks guys,
Just as I thought another waste of time, I was signed to a company and label in the UK but they turned out to be a bunch of messers.

Guess I'll have to get a proper job then.

Thanks to all who replied and good luck for the future.

Cheers Bonzo

[mojobone]

Never pay to get a song published or to have a "demo" made. This sounds like a shark. They tell you you have a hit, but it needs to be demoed better so it can be plugged to a big star. Of course, you get all excited and then they ask for hundreds if not thousands of dollars from you as an "investment" in your songwriting career and to produce the demo.

ALL legitimate publishers will absorb the demo costs (if they do one) as a part of the cost of doing business AND it is reasonable, if they do that, for them to recover the costs from royalties off the top.

Most pubs and libraries want fully produced radio ready stuff that they don't have to waste time & money on demo recordings.

At the last TAXI Rally we were told the demo is dead. Those days are gone.... you need to be able to produce radio ready music.

Never pay a publisher. If they ask for money RUN.... and READ and UNDERSTAND everything you sign.... before you sign it. If you sign a "Music Contract" that has mice type that obligates you to pay 50% of demo costs, and the demo they do is $5000, you owe the money, and that deal is sure to go south rapidly.

Unfortunately, there are many companies in the scamming end of the music business.

I have known several "songwriters" throughout the years that have fallen victim to this type of scam. They all had a box of records of their song demo's to show for it. And if you heard the "hit song" you would shake your head sadly.....

Be careful.

I believe Guitarhacker may be slightly overstating the case. Yes, traditionally, publishers have borne the burden of underwriting "demo' recordings, but with the proliferation of inexpensive editing tools, virtual instruments and recording hardware/software, that paradigm is in decline. It pays to research the folks with whom you do business, nevertheless. Anyone who offers you 'easy money' is equally suspect, but that doesn't mean that no opportunities exist; if you can master virtual instruments, recording technology and composition, there are many lucrative outlets for your creativity, and hanging out here is a very good way to learn more about them. Certainly, there are demo houses that provide great value for your money, once you know what you're buying, and provided that you have a marketable song to begin with. If you don't know whether your song is marketable, you've come to the right place.