EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Hit songwriter, Jason Blume, whose credits include songwriting teacher and author, comments on activities the songwriters are or are not doing to further their career, as indicated by their answers. Jason draws from his own experiences to offer advice and suggestions to both songwriters and the songwriting community with regard to career development, especially for those who want to pursue the commercial market.
BMI Director of Writer/Publisher Relations and former venue owner, J.W. Johnson, reacts to the activities songwriters report that they are engaging in as presented by the statistics, and discusses important points that songwriters should consider when mapping out their career plans in order to become competitive in an extremely competitive market.
Independent recording artist, songwriter, and author, Tonya Rae, ties the survey results with her own life experiences and offers up a variety of practical suggestions to songwriters about how to develop and take charge of their careers. In addition, Tonya includes resources to help songwriters along their way.
Allen Foster, songwriter, musician and magazine publisher, targets a distinct group of songwriters in the survey and responds to their answers with some surprise and concern. He expresses concern about the dream vs. the reality of songwriting, and considers options for songwriters to find ways to find a path to songwriting success.
When faced with the percentage of songwriters who are earning income from their songwriting, performing songwriter, author, and book publisher, David Wimble, takes issue with those in the music business who "suddenly become songwriters," thereby limiting opportunities for true songwriters to place their songs and benefit from their art.
Dean Kay, Executive Board Member of ASCAP and chair of its Technology Committee, references his broad experience as a hit songwriter, music publisher, and proponent of new technology for the music industry, to offer career advice to aspiring songwriters. He also describes the important role that performing rights organizations can play in a songwriter¹s career development.
David Mark Thomas, Membership Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) was surprised by the statistics regarding songwriters¹ use of and perceptions of the many organizations, services and activities available to songwriters to assist in their craft development and career advancement. He uses the opportunity to explain the benefits of these many services for those "no experience" songwriters who might not realize all that is available to them.
Arlon Bennett is an aspiring songwriter/artist who is making his way through the demanding and exciting world of songwriting and performing. He has produced his own CDs, owns his own publishing company, and promotes his music via his own and hosted music websites. Arlon took the MusicDish songwriter survey and shares his answers and reasoning behind those answers, offering suggestions to his fellow aspiring songwriter/artists in the process.