WHAT IS MUSIC PUBLISHING?
Music publishing is a business itself within the music industry. It is the business of keeping track and promoting the works of songwriters and producers and maximizing monetization for those works. There is so much that goes into it between royalties, copyrights, deals, administration side, creative side, sync, A&R, and so much more. Soundcharts Blog, linked above, goes into depth on the world of music publishing.
Long story short, this is where the magic of music starts: the songwriters.
Who should go into music publishing? Music publishing is not for everyone. Some in the industry may call this side of the business the most 9-5 job one may have within music, but it certainly pushes those limits. While this can be possible, just like anything, those with a passion for the industry and for the art will work way past this. The best personalities to be in music publishing are those that have a soul-catching love for the music. Songwriters are the heart of the music industry. They are the creators of all the best feelings any music listener may feel when they sing along to their favorite song. They create the soundtracks for our memories and experiences throughout life. Those that are able to feel that enthusiasm and drive for showcasing these creators are the ones that are the best people to walk into a publishing company on Music Row every day.
Just like every other role one could have within in music industry, publishing is unique and incredibly significant to the career of any musician. There are a lot of moving parts within the publishing world. You have your administrative departments, creative departments, songwriters, producers, A&R reps, sync departments, those who work with the royalties and copyrights, and many more. Each one of these jobs contributes to the magic of taking a creation, matching it to the most fitting talent, then showcasing it to the world. It is an assembly line of sorts getting a song to be released for the world to hear.
Music publishing is an art itself. It takes a good ear to know how to match talent with creation and how to cultivate the max potential within a writing room. Publishers do this every day.
Publishers also have to understand the art of feedback. Being able to give constructive criticism to such vulnerability that is shared is a gift in of itself. Having the confidence and the trust built in order to effectively and sensitively accomplish giving feedback can be challenging. It is the trust between a publisher and a songwriter that makes the idea of sharing feedback a more exciting one rather than a more terrifying one.
The best publishers you will hear about from songwriters are the ones that take creatives under their wing and truly listen to and learn who they are and their truth within the music they create and are willing to share.
Below, I have listed just a handful out of so many publishing companies represented here in Nashville. You have the three majors being Sony, Universal, and Warner. The remaining listed companies are the smaller yet emerging companies withing Nashville experiencing great success currently.
You can visit each one’s website by clicking on the links listed. You can learn how each one of these companies operates and showcases their passion for the art of songwriting.
MUSIC PUBLISHERS IN NASHVILLE
- Sony Music Nashville Publishing
- Universal Music Publishing Group
- Warner Chappell Music
- Tape Room Music
- Smack Songs
- Creative Nation
- Prescription Songs
- Big Yellow Dog
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING NASHVILLE
UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING GROUP
WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC
TAPE ROOM MUSIC
SMACK SONGS
CREATIVE NATION
PRESCRIPTION SONGS
BIG YELLOW DOG
