Q. What is a publisher?
A publisher is the link between a songwriter, who creates the song, and an artist, who records the song. The publisher shares in the copyright of your song. Their job is to market it.

Q. Why do I need a demo?
A demo allows the artist you are pitching your song to, to hear it as their audience might hear it. A song demo should capture the emotion of the song and “sell it” to the artist.

Q. Why do I need a publisher?
You may not. If you have the contacts and skills to promote your song to record label A&R departments, producers, artists and others who decide which songs to record, release and promote to the public; if you understand and are capable of executing mechanical licenses, title registrations, tracking and distributing royalties and fully exploiting copyrights you can act as your own publisher. If not, you need a representative to handle the business side of songwriting to allow you to focus on the creative side of it.

Q. Can I be my own publisher?
Of course; if you are capable of and interested in handling all of the above mentioned duties associated with publishing. Remember what they say about a lawyer who represents himself though.

Q. Do I need a full band demo or just a guitar/vocal demo?
It depends on your song and your audience. You need a recording that showcases the strengths of your song and makes the listener feel the emotion of it. Sometimes that is best accomplished by less instrumentation and a strong vocal. Sometimes you need the rhythm section to establish the groove. You also need to know what your competition is pitching. Is your audience (publishers, etc) used to hearing demos that sound like records. Are they capable of imagining what your song could sound like if fully produced or do you need to show them? How will your recordings stand up against others they are listening to?

Q. I write Pop, Rock or Christian music. How will working with a Nashville producer help me?
It won’t; unless you work with the right Nashville producer. Kim Copeland is a classically trained vocalist with an extensive background in music theory and arranging. She has performed opera, written and performed Christian music, toured as half of a Pop duo and fronted a Country/Rock band. She plays guitar and writes several styles of music.
Nashville is a hotbed of music. Even though it is most renowned for Country, there is an amazing array of musicians here who play on top selling albums for artists of all genres. Kim’s goal is NOT to mold your project into her style, but rather to capture the uniqueness of your songs and artistry. She casts everything specifically for your session and surrounds you with musicians, singers, and equipment that will bring out the best in you and your music and give you a competitive edge.

Q. Can I play on my demo?
Not on group demo sessions. It is recommended that you allow Kim to cast the musicians and observe your session, although you are welcome to interact with the musicians and offer suggestions to them as to what you’d like to hear. If you are doing a private session and are willing to pay for any extra studio time you might incur, then you can play. (You need not only great playing skills, but also the ability to read number charts and communicate your ideas to the other musicians.)

Q. Why should I hire someone else to sing my demos when I can sing?
There is a huge difference between being a good singer and being able to “sell” a song. Demo singers know how to deliver a song in such a way that the audience is “hooked” on the emotion of it. It is also a great growing experience as a songwriter to hear someone interpret your song. If you want to hear your voice on your songs, you may ask that they be tracked in your key. Kim always provides you with a track mix (minus vocals) and the audio files, so you may record your vocals over the same tracks. Or if you prefer, you can have Kim produce only the music tracks and take them to your own studio to record your vocals and mix at your leisure.

Q. How many musicians will play on my demo?
Group demo sessions include drums, bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar and keyboards. The electric guitar will always do at least two tracks. The acoustic usually records two tracks as well and the keyboards may include piano, strings and/or Leslie B3. Overdubs (multiple tracks) are used to make the recording sound full and big – basically like a record. Fiddle, Steel, Mandolin, Banjo are also available, but not included in the basic demo cost.

Q. Will I get a track mix (vocals only) of my song?
Absolutely! Every Kim Copeland Productions package includes a full mix, a track only (karaoke) mix, a DVD of the audio files (for use with ProTools or any other digital format), a copy of the number chart used by the musicians and a receipt showing all of the players who played on your song.

Q. Can I put my demos on my Myspace page?
Yes, you can.

Q. Can I sell my demos?
No, you may not. Demos are recorded for the purpose of pitching your songs to artists who would then re-record them and properly compensate the musicians, producer, etc. If you want to offer your recordings for sale, they need to be recorded as union “limited pressing” sessions. This will protect you and all parties involved. This costs slightly more, but also offers you many more options for usage of the recordings, such as pitching the recordings to movies and television, leasing your tracks to other vocalists to record their vocals over, pressing and selling your own CD’s.
*NOTE: You may not use a vocalist’s performance of your song for sell or profit without written permission and proper credit.

Q. Do I need to be present for the session?
No, you do not have to be there for the session. Kim will correspond with you via phone and e-mail to exchange ideas and discuss your goals for the demo before recording. Rest assured that during the recording process, your song will receive the same treatment as one of her own. All you need to do is send your rough work recording of the song, a clean lyric sheet and payment.

Q. How long after the session before I get my demo?
You will receive an mp3 of your song the morning after the demo session. You will receive your full package (CD’s, audio files, chart, receipt) in priority mail 3-4 days after the session.

Q. What all do I get for the flat rate demo cost?
You get a full mix CD, a track only (karaoke) mix CD, a DVD of the audio files (for use with ProTools or any other digital format), a copy of the number chart used by the musicians and a receipt showing all of the players who played on your song.

Q. How often do you offer group demo sessions?
There are usually 2-3 group demo sessions per month. You can jump on a group demo session with as little as one song or as many as 4. If you have 5 or more songs ready to record, you may schedule a private session. It is best to allow 3-4 weeks to plan a session, but it can be pulled together faster if need be.

Q. What is the difference between a private session and a group session?
A group session is shared by several songwriters. Each writer has the full attention of Kim during the recording of their song. You will be assigned a time for tracking, vocals and mixing. You are welcomed to sit in as other’s songs are recorded as long as they don’t mind.

A private session gives you the full attention of Kim during the entire session. It also allows you more time and opportunity to interact with the musicians, vocalists and engineer giving you a fuller experience.

Q. Are there discounts if I have more than one song to record?
No; because the expenses for the recording session are the same whether they are divided by several songwriters or not. Because she works with these people daily, Kim is able to bring you (has made special arrangements with) these top players, vocalists, studios and engineers to provide you with an A-session experience for a reduced rate.
In order to offer discounts she would have to raise the prices for single song demos. She would rather offer you the opportunity for the same great sound and experience whether you have one song or five.