How do I set up a Publishing / production co. for songs?

[donreynolds]

I see many songs that say produced by "such and such productions" or songs published by "such and such company".

I know many people do this themselves and are not "real" big companies.

Any advice on how I can go about setting this up for my recorded projects and compositions?

thanks,
Don

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Call BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) in NY (212) 586-2000 and say you want to become a BMI publisher. You can also join ASCAP, but not both - at least not under the same name. You can have more than one publishing company (one ASCAP and one BMI) but there is no advantage to doing so unless you are publishing a lot of music in many areas - geographical and genre/venue, etc.. (Not being an ASCAP publisher, I don't know their # off the top of my head.)

You register the name with BMI or ASCAP and start using "Published by...<your name here> and that's about it.

You need to file Music Cue Sheets for TV and register works with the respective agency you join in order to collect on air play etc. They'll tell you everything you need to know.

basically, if you do more broadcast work (radio or TV) I'd go with BMI (and did). But ASCAP has some distinct advantages as well and might be better for you. Do the homework BEFORE you sign up. Once you join as a writer and/or publisher and have works out there, it is a major PITA to change ships.

Oh, go to their websites: BMI.com and I am guessing ASCAP.com.

[donreynolds]

Thanks MDL crisis.
Is there any forms that I should fill out to be able to produce my own music? Example:
Don Reynolds productions

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Thanks MDL crisis.
Is there any forms that I should fill out to be able to produce my own music? Example:
Don Reynolds productions

That's a very big question. Depends on what you mean by produce. BMI or ASCAP can answer all that for you.