CAMPUS NEWS AND HAPPENINGS
Quote to Inspire. "But I miss you most of all, my darling, when autumn leaves
start to fall" - Eric Clapton
- Welcome, September Songwriters!
Feeling that exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) 'back-to-school' energy of September? Your SongU mentors are here to support your songwriting goals with live song feedback courses, professional song evaluations, and pitching opportunities. For one-on-one guidance in the music business, songwriting craft, or pitching, book a private session with any of our mentors, including pitch guests. Keep creating! We believe in you.
Pitching Updates:
Several new listings are already posted for the month, and more are on the way. Keep checking back throughout the month! The pitch for Tim McGraw has been extended to September 16th or until we hear that the song search is finished. What makes a publisher stop listening before your song is even over? In our recent Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) Experience, our resident music publisher, Bob Dellaposta, showed us exactly why this happens and
how to improve your chances of getting a "yes!"
General Registration Reminders:
Our mentors and pitch guests are available for Private Sessions by appointment only. You may have two active live songwriting feedback courses (FDBK) at once, but you can add a third if there is still an open spot 24 hours before the class starts. Keep an eye on the live songwriting course schedule in case someone cancels during the week, and a seat opens up. Find your favorite coach for song evaluations in the Activity area. New to SongU? Welcome! Check out the FAQ Quick Start Guide for an overview of how to begin.
Welcome International Members! We've Got Live Courses That Fit Your Schedule
When selecting live courses, check out GMT-friendly times on weekdays and Saturdays.
SONGU SPOTLIGHT
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Featured Pitch. Pitch #2511: Braxton Keith Country Braxton Keith. Veteran music publisher with multiple cuts on major artists is listening to songs for Warner Bros. artist Braxton Keith. About: Braxton is ... View all pitch opps.
Pitch #2511
Braxton Keith. Veteran music publisher with multiple cuts on major artists is listening to songs for Warner Bros. artist Braxton Keith. About: Braxton is a 23-year-old from Midland, TX, who is newly signed to WB Records. He is known for his modern take on 80s country, described as a throwback tonk sound with modern hooks. His music blends traditional country influences, such as those of Merle Haggard and George Strait, with authentic storytelling. But this is not a traditional Country pitch. Before pitching, please read the entire description below to find out what he is currently seeking. Pitch appropriately.
Seeking: Great mid to uptempo country (no ballads, please). Positive lyrics, lyrics with a story, or something with a fresh, new idea that relates to his age group. Stay away from typical narratives about bar scenes, lost love, getting drunk, and so on. Find new ways to approach positive-themed love songs. Melodies should feel youthful, meaning they are suited for the 20-something crowd. Music should be mid-to-up-tempo, but not heavy-feeling driving melodies and tracks. Sing-alongs could be good.
To Summarize: NO ballads or negative style lyrics. Mid to Up's only. Avoid typical story lines. Think fresh, positive-themed love songs. Any "drinking" lyrics would need to be innovative.
Timeline: The current plan is for him to cut songs into the new year and release a new record in the spring of 2026.
AI Guidelines: Based on the current copyright report (https://songu.com/FAQAI.aspx), this guest will only consider songs with entirely human-authored lyrics and human-authored melodies. AI may be used for demo production, but any such use of AI must be disclosed.
In general, here is what this pitch guest is seeking in every song that is pitched to them:
-- Fresh ideas and interesting titles; lead directly to the title in a strong way to make the title stand out.
-- Get your first verse set up much quicker to grab the listener within the first 30 seconds from when it starts. Most of the time, I don't even get to the second verse if the first verse does not draw me in. Your song may not need a pre-chorus. Try to get to the point and make it pay off quickly.
-- Before pitching, please do your research. Really listen to the artist and see what kind of songs they like to cut. Figure out what they like, how they sing, and what songs they lean toward.
-- Please read the description/brief and submit only what we request. For example, if we're looking for uptempo, only send uptempo. If we mention "no drinking songs", then please don't send a drinking song.
-- Read a lot for new ideas and stories. For Country songs, understand the writing of great writers like Shane McAnally, Michael Hardy, Don Schlitz, Bobby Braddock, Lori McKenna.
Pitch Follow-up: If this guest expresses interest in your song, they will pitch it with the understanding that you will be asked to sign a single song agreement with the publishing company if there is interest in the song.
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Featured Pitch. Pitch #2512: Catchy Dance Pop For International Ad Campaign Alternative Catchy Dance Pop For International Ad Campaign. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitc... View all pitch opps.
Pitch #2512
Catchy Dance Pop For International Ad Campaign. A Street Pitch guest is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting and pitch appropriately.
Seeking: Anthemic, confident, hip, bouncy, fun, playful, etc. Male or female vocals. Also accepting stand-alone instrumental tracks with cool melodies and motifs (not tracks just stripped of vocals).
Style and feel: Funky grooves and a playful, confident vibe. Think snap-back beats, light funk bass grooves, handclaps, and a sound that feels cool but radio-friendly.
Genres: Indie electro-pop, disco-pop, or nu-disco tracks.
References:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5zpBVwgH03IFKwW0TiBAoj?si=d0191f3cfaef42b4
Songwriters, important: Songs submitted have to be cleared for sync licensing as per the following guidelines (no exceptions):
AI Guidelines: Based on the current copyright report (https://songu.com/FAQAI.aspx), this guest will only consider songs with entirely human-authored lyrics and human-authored melodies. Since AI-generated tracks and productions (aka sound recordings) are not eligible for copyright protection, they cannot be pitched or placed for sync. Sorry, no AI-generated songs, vocals, or demos for sync pitches.
Also: You must own both your master (recordings) and 100% of your synchronization (publishing). If you do not...
- Then, all master owners, co-writer(s) or co-publisher(s), must also sign our licensing agreement. (No AI-generated material is accepted.)
- Songs must be CLEARED: meaning if you have paid musicians and/or singers, including background vocalists, you must have a signed 'work for hire' OR RELEASE form for each person involved in making your recording so that they have no further claim to the song. Please note that the producer who produced your recording should be able to help you acquire a work-for-hire agreement or release; however, in many cases, there may be a fee involved, particularly if the recording was purchased as a demo. No writers have signed with major publishing companies for major administration deals.
- Submissions must be MASTER/BROADCAST QUALITY recordings (No AI-demos permitted for this pitch). If we express interest, you will need to supply us with a mastered copy of both the song AND an instrumental track.
Pitch Follow-Up: If this guest expresses interest in your song you will be asked to sign an agreement for this project only (non-exclusive); with a 50%/50% split for both the master/sync licenses. Will not take publishing of the song, so the publisher/writers will get all the performance income. If there is no upfront licensing fee, the 'guest' will take 50% of the publishing income for this placement only. The 'guest' will not take ownership of the copyright.
UPCOMING INSTRUCTOR-LED COURSES
Registration for song feedback and mentoring courses (FDBK) begins one-week prior to course time starting at 10:00 am ET. Limit 5 participants per session.
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Tue Sep 02, 2025 01:00 PM (ET)
FDBK 101 Songwriting Feedback Course - Sync, Production, and Country with Benn Cutarelli
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Wed Sep 03, 2025 09:00 PM (ET)
FDBK 320 Music Publisher Songwriting Feedback Course with Debbie Zavitson
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Mon Sep 08, 2025 08:00 PM (ET)
FDBK 275 Songwriting and Production Feedback Course with Dylan Emmet