Music Row Lawyer (C. Stephen Weaver)

The Public Bought the Lies - SOPA and PIPA Vote Postponed

The public bought the lies.  The vote on anti-piracy legislation has been postponed.  Below is a letter from Bart Herbison, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, to the membership.  It sums up what happened.

Dear Songwriters: Over the past two weeks legislation to combat online piracy has suffered serious setbacks. First, some key provisions of both the Protect IP ACT (U.S. Senate) and the Stop Online PIracy Act or SOPA (U.S. House of Representatives) were removed. Then, Congress was deluged with millions of communications after popular websites went dark this week in protest of both anti-piracy bills and support for both acts dwindled dramatically. Finally, today the legislation was postponed.  As we await the next steps in Congress I want to make some very important points. 1. WE WERE RIGHT. Concerns expressed by Google and others over the legislation were never accurate to begin with. Most of their previously expressed concerns were addressed when key provisions were removed. Nonetheless, while copyright holders won the debate, we lost in the court of uninformed public opinion. Over the past few weeks this moved from a debate on the issues to a political debate.... and that is when support began to erode. The tech community did a great job of instilling fear and confusion over both bills. 2. THANKS. I want to thank every songwriter, music industry person and others who worked to pass these bills. NSAI visited with more than 200 Members of Congress about these bills, just last year! Our efforts were unrivaled in terms of putting songwriters in front of lawmakers throughout this process. 3. NEXT. Anti-piracy legislation will be revamped and then considered. Both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees remain dedicated to addressing the problem of Internet piracy.  We will continue fighting until a solution is found. Please watch communications from NSAI over the next few days and weeks as we strategically plan the next steps in this battle.  I am proud of every one of you who helped. This is one of the most important issues that this generation of creators will ever face. Sincerely, Bart Herbison, Executive Director NSAI

 

"Rogue Websites" Bill Passed by Senate Judiciary Committee

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) just released the following press release:

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES "ROGUE WEBSITES" BILL

House Version Expected Soon

Nashville, TN -- The United States Senate Judiciary Committee this week unanimously passed legislation targeted at eliminating websites that primarily exist to allow the theft of music, movies and other intellectual property.
 
"The Nashville Songwriters Association International has been focusing on this issue for months and thanks the Senators who took a bold stand against the theft of American music on the Internet.  We expect similar legislation to be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives very soon.  We continue trekking to Washington, D.C. and will soon launch and coordinate a national campaign for songwriters to communicate with their representatives on this issue."

"With only an estimated one of thirty songs legally purchased,
we MUST do something about the theft of music on the Internet."

    A more lengthy press release has been issued by Senator Patrick Leahy’s office and can be read here.

 

Copyright © 2011 C. Stephen Weaver

For Aspiring Songwriters

My motivation for writing this blog is two-fold.  First, it is to be of service. Second, it is self preservation! Almost daily I receive emails from amateur songwriters either asking me to pitch their songs for them -- or asking me how to open doors and get their songs to successful recording artists.  The idea is that I can now refer them to this blog.  Following are my suggestions and answers for the as yet unpublished country songwriters:

 

1.  I am not a song plugger and I do not know any attorneys who are.

 

2.  Find a good song plugger in Nashville.  These people make a full-time career of opening the doors you want to enter.  If your songs are competitive then they will get them to the right people.

 

3.  Meet the publishers, the producers, the a&r people, the artists--that means networking in Nashville and becoming a part of the natural flow of the industry.  I do not mean the online publishers that prey on songwriters.  I mean the real publishers in Nashville, LA, NY and in other smaller music industry pockets in the U.S.

 

3.  Improve your craft and make connections by joining the Nashville Songwriters Association International -- and taking advantage of what they have to offer. I am not familiar with NSAI Chapters in other cities but I know they offer many priceless opportunities in Nashville.

 

4. Perform at writer's nights in Nashville.

 

5.  Network in Nashville -- your goal is to get to know the publishers and other writers--writers who are more accomplished than you are at this particular time.  Perhaps you will be able to co-write with one of them and learn.

 

6.  If you haven't already picked up on it, I strongly believe that if you are going to write for the country market then you need to spend a lot of time in Nashville.  My belief is not mere opinion -- it is the result of years of experience and observation.  Yes, you can find exceptions.  Maybe you are one. But this blog is for the rest of you.  It is about how to improve your odds.  If you cannot move to Nashville you can still make regular visits here.  Again, the idea is to increase your odds.  Go where the work is.  Go where the industry is.

 

I am sure there are many other good suggestions.  If you have any, then I invite you to share them by commenting on this blog.

Copyright © 2009 C. Stephen Weaver

NSAI - The Nashville Songwriter's Friend

Last week I was interviewed for a 20 minute video which will be a part of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Pro-Writer Video Series. The "host" of the video series is always enthusiastic National Membership Director, Sheree Spoltore'. My plans are to put a copy of the Video on my website in the near future. At least weekly I suggest to beginning songwriters that they become members of NSAI. The organization offers opportunities to network and to learn and polish the songwriting craft. Not insignificantly, NSAI is one of the primary organizations that lobbies in Washington for legislation protecting the rights of creators -- particularly songwriters. Check them out at their website. And if you are an aspiring songwriter, a professional songwriter--or somewhere in between--definitely consider becoming a member of NSAI.

Copyright © 2008 C. Stephen Weaver