Singer credit for demo recording?

[HogTime]

I had a demo studio do one of my songs with pro pickers and singers. Turned out great. I own the master. If I wanted to try and get some local radio station to play it, how would they announce who it is by, since I didn't sing it? My "record label" is Hog Time Music. Could they say it's by "Hog Time Music" or maybe "Hog Time Pickers"?

Any difference with "digital release" (Spotify,etc.)?

Thanks,
Ralph

[Casey H]

First thing is did the demo studio give you a work for hire release for the singer and musicians? You really need that to use the master recording for anything broadcast which is not the same as presenting it to a publisher for an artist to cut. And if so, did the agreement include the right to use "name and likeness" (e.g. name and photo)?

Some demo singers are OK with you using their name. Others are not so you would use a made up name or "stage name".

With the right permission, you can release to Spotify, etc. as "[YOU] Feat. [SINGER]". You would include "Feat [SINGER]" on the album art work.

Advice... Whenever you have a demo done, unless you are sure you only want to pitch it for others to re-record (which could change down the road), get a work for hire release signed. It's especially critical for the singer but should be for all musicians. If you use a studio, it's better if the individual musicians sign than a representative of the studio.

[funsongs]

Hi, Ralph.
Per what Casey wrote - I recently had this same thing happen: I hired a pro singer for a TAXI A&R collaboration project, and got her to sign a WFH for the song, so that
the TAXI member/partner could rightfully submit to future TAXI listings, or other libraries: under the condition that the song is not "by (artist's name)" - but rather,
"featuring (artist)".
The reason being - probably a typical scenario - the artist is releasing her OWN ALBUM project - and does NOT want other songs, projects, productions co-mingled with her own stuff.

Hope that makes sense, and that you are able to get the proper WFH/release documents in order -
and be clear with YOUR agreement with the singer/artist.

Good luck; hope that helps.

[HogTime]

Casey & Peter:

Thanks for your knowledgeable input. I don't have a signed clearance yet, but it should be no problem based on the following statement on the demo studio website:

Plus, rest easy knowing with every service we offer, you own 100% of everything. We take no percentage or royalties and will gladly provide a signed clearance statement with your production stating you own 100% of all aspects of the song AND its recording!

This a one-of-a-kind situation for me, so I probably won't pursue a WFH from the singers and musicians, and depend on the studio clearance to cover that and be a CYA for me.

Let's say I put it on a music site and use a bogus artist name, would it be?

Ralph Goff featuring bogusname
or
Song Name featuring bogusname

I didn't play or sing on it, so my name on it (as songwriter) doesn't seem logical to me.

Thanks for your help,
Ralph

[Casey H]

For sites like Spotify, etc. it would generally be Ralph Goff Feat. Bogusname. "Bogusname" could be the actual singer's name if you have their permission. If not, yes a bogus name.

For production music libraries, they usually want an artist name for the song totally separate from the songwriter. So the artist would be your singer or made up name for your singer. You would be listed as songwriter to get paid songwriter royalties.

HTH
Casey

[HogTime]

Casey:

Thanks for the additional info. I'm going to contact the demo studio for a clearance statement and see if I should list the name of the lead singer.

Glad I joined here for very knowledgeable folks to answer my questions.

Ralph