Whats “good” for the industry might not be good for parts of that industry, like writers. Of course, we can just accept the next Britney or the next reality show that doesn’t require writers, but hey, thats progress, right?

Songwriting is all I do. No day job, no school, just writing songs. I wake up, I get clean, I eat and then I get to work. Some songs almost feel like they write themselves. Some are like pulling teeth. But, they require real work and a passion to do that work. And this work is done 9 – 12 hours a day. Every day.

One must be talented to do this work. It’s not something you can go to school to learn. You are born with it or you’re not. It’s just that simple. Couple that with all the years of sacrifice we put into our craft to actually turn our natural talents into a honed skill, and you have something that should be compensated for. And our compensation should be handsome.

Without us, there literally would be no music. Of course there are artist who can write for themselves. But most cannot. As a matter of fact, a lot of artists who you think are writing their own material, aren’t. They have ghost writers. And those ghost writers are paid well because they are giving up the rights to their compositions. If I’m going to be paid a one time fee for my work, it’s going to have to be in the six figures per song. Which, if one thinks about it, isn’t a lot. Some writers only have one or two good songs in them. So, if a songwriter gets one hit and that brings he or she $100,000, but that person has been writing for 10 years and never has another hit, that writer has really only made around $10,000 a year. Less after taxes.

Contrast that with the artist that records that song who will continue to make money from it through touring and what not. Why would I except some measly one time fee, while the person who didn’t write it continues to make money as long as they are able to perform it? In other words, the artist makes a living, but the writers starves. I don’t think so.

Writing songs isn’t writing code or assembling a car. I’m not trying to down anyones job or abilities. But, if one goes to school, make decent grades, and is a reasonable hard working person, he or she can get a job and make a nice living. And, can expect to do better as that person gets older and more experienced. As long as one is healthy, the average person can work well into their old age.

Songwriting is the exact opposite. Some of the best songwriters I’ve ever known can’t get arrested let alone a hit record. These are men and women you may never hear of because they don’t “know” the right people. So, if you are lucky enough to get your song(s) covered by a chart topping artist, you have a huge problem; time. As you get older, styles change, and your songs begin to loose their appeal. Your still good, but you begin to sound “dated.” A prolific songwriter can expect a span of 10 years in the “game.” Maybe less.

Songwriters step out on a wing and a prayer. We take a huge chance with our lives while everyone else takes the “safe route.” No health insurance, no 401k matching funds, no severance pay or unemployment “net” should things not work out. That’s why we get royalties. That’s our retirement plan. So, to all those saying we should get a one time payment for our work, I say to you; quit your job and leave your security blanket behind. Step out on faith and struggle for a few years for no other reason than believing in your talent. No school, no day job, no back up plan. Do that for 5 years. Be a real artist for 5 years. Then, come back and we’ll have this conversation.

See, this is what’s wrong with the music biz. Too many people who, are not artist and don’t understand or respect the art of making music run the industry. Just a thought.