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In reviewing old compositions, I am finding some that are quite good. (In fact, I am getting forwards on some of them.) I have some pretty good ones that were collaborations....and I haven't a clue where some of my old collaborators are these days. What's the consensus on submitting tunes when you don't know how to locate a co-writer?

RobbyD wrote:In reviewing old compositions, I am finding some that are quite good. (In fact, I am getting forwards on some of them.) I have some pretty good ones that were collaborations....and I haven't a clue where some of my old collaborators are these days. What's the consensus on submitting tunes when you don't know how to locate a co-writer?

The problem is you won't be able to sign any deals because those deals require signatures from your co-writers as well. So unless you can get in touch with them, your tracks are in limbo. Submitting them through Taxi has no value (other than the critiques).

Casey

Yeah, unfortunately Robby, if you can't track down your old collaborators, then those songs are as good as dead when it comes to pitching and signing deals. You'll need their signature on the contract too, so if you can't get it, they won't get signed.

You might want to try Spokeo or something to see if you can find them.

~~Matt

I ran into the same problem about 10 years ago. A publisher liked a song I co-wrote, but I wasn't able to locate my co-writer so I eventually had to tell the publisher I would write another song similar to it. Luckily he took it, but I learned from then on to not pitch any tracks I co -write unless I have access to my co-writer.

So I'm going to sound like a stalker but....can you use social media to track down some of your old collaborators? It's worth a try though it might be a long shot to find them but at least you can say you tried.

Best of luck!

Yes, there are services that can track down a person, and it's usually easier and cheaper to find someone who's owed money.

If you can't find co-writers, don't submit, there's no way you can get your co-writer to sign the paperwork should the end user be interested.

And I'll just suggest that, although those old songs may seem quite good... I bet with your added experience since then, TAXI membership, etc.. that you can write even better now. Let them go and write new ones, perhaps inspired by the old ideas.

Also, maybe you signed a co-writing agreement with them for the song, when you wrote it ? If not you should have, and should do always going forward.

Anyway, if you have a cowriters agreement, then I assume you have their PRO number. Through that PRO number your PRO can find them and their details. Maybe that's a route to try ?