Background:
Name: Ree Guyer Buchanan
Website: www.myspace.com/wrensongpub
Q: What has been your role in the music industry?
A: I am a music Publisher. I own my own boutique independent company. I specialize in developing writers and artists. I work on making them Hit songwriters and artists.
Q: How/when did you get your start?
A: I grew up in St. Paul Minnesota and worked with many talented writers there who wrote mainly commercials for top brands. I used to sing on commercials as a kid. I graduated from College and knew I wanted to be in sales. So my Father and I started Wrensong/Reynsong to help these writers. I began by taking trips to Nashville and setting up meetings with Top Publishers. I thought they would want to co-publish my songs. I quickly realized that I would have to find homes for the songs myself. So I began meeting producers, they were the decision makers at the time regarding what songs artists put on their albums. I was fortunate enough to meet Billy Sherrill, he was producing George Jones, Tammy Wynette and others and he was running CBS Records. This opened many doors for me.
Q: Who have you worked with?
A: Jon Vezner, who wrote our song of the year in 1990 "Where've you Been", was my first writer I signed, Blair Daly, Will Rambeaux, Jaime Kyle, Sherrie Austin, Burton Collins, Aaron Benward, Jon Randall, John Wiggins and Ashley Monroe.
Q: Do you have a mentor? If so, who?
A: Yes, Billy Sherrill, Pat Higdon and Karen Conrad
Q: What types of projects do you enjoy working on?
A: I love developing a writer/artist. I love putting together a team for an artist.
Q: What have been your most meaningful successes?
A: It is most meaningful to me when a writer becomes successful and remains humble and loyal. I have enjoyed working with Jon Randall and seeing him become a worldclass writer.
Q: What are you working on right now?
A: I am excited about Ashley Monroe. I signed her when she was 17 and she is 23 and having her first #1 record. The songs I have owned over the last 5 years, I have always known they were great,now the industry knows they are great and she is having great success.
Your Career:
Q: It’s one thing to get one hit song, but what does it take to make a career out of it?
A: Hard work. persistance persistance persistance. I am always thinking about my songs and who I can get them too. The writer and artists I know that are successful work harder. Everyone we deal with has a measure of talent, but a work ethic is key.
Q: How did you “break in” to the music industry?
A: Making cold calls to producers and publishers.
Q: What has been your most difficult challenge as an indie publisher?
A: There is power in numbers. The big corporations have deep catalogs and they can live off of their base. With a small catalog you always have to get new activity.
Thoughts on music today:
Q: How has the music industry changed from the beginning of your career until now?
A: When I came to town in 1995, there were about 8 producers. It was smaller and easier to get answers. Now most artist projects involve huge committees to decide on the music. This waters it all down.
Q: How has a your role changed over time?
A: The music business is all about who you know and your network of contacts. This is the most valuable thing you own. Today when I have a great song, I go directly to the source to get answers on the song. This is because my network is very deep and wide.
Q: How has technology had an effect on your career (home studios, digital distribution, etc.)?
A: Technology has made my job easier. Making a cd for a meeting takes seconds. I do not miss the days of reel to reels to cassettes in real time. It took forever to get ready for meetings. The one thing that I do not like about technology is the I pitch songs now by MP3. Many producers want to get MP3's instead of taking a meeting with you. It takes the salesmanship and fun out of the process for me.
Q: What are your thoughts on 360 deals?
A: I think they are a good idea, but it is hard to get paid by the labels right now, labels are holding 50% reserves on our royalties, what will happen when they control all the money. Little scary to me.
Advice:
Q: What advice can you give the young songwriters and musicians today?
A: Network, Network, network. Everyone you meet in the business is important, even the assistants. One day they will be A&R people or producers.
Q: Is there a formula to a hit song?
A: We are selling emotion period.
Lyric Financial:
Q: How did you find out about Lyric Financial?
A: thru Kurt Denny
Q: How has Lyric Financial played a role in your life?
A: Lyric Financial has stepped in and supported me in a time when banks cannot give a service anymore. As a small publisher Lyric Financial is essential for our business.
Q: What opportunities or needs has it fulfilled?
A: Eli interviewed me when he was first developing his business plan. He has done very thing he set out to do. It is a great time for Lyric to succeed.
Q: Based on the challenges of the music industry today, what advice would you give other royalty earners if they have financial need? (either for living expenses or professional development)
A: I would highly recommend Lyric Financial because they are filling in a gap that is desperately needed in the creative business today. They help you base only on activity, not pie in the sky deals.
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