EXPERT TRIO BILL O’HANLON, NANCY DECKANT, AND LESLIE BOWE RELEASE THE SONGWRITER’S GUIDE TO PROTECTING YOUR SONGS AND COLLECTING YOUR MONEY

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 3, 2024) — The Songwriter’s Guide To Protecting Your Songs and Collecting Your Money is an essential addition to any songwriter’s library. From managing your music business to navigating newly established royalties, this comprehensive guide is a must-have for aspiring and established songwriters alike.

Available now in eBook format with paperback pre-orders open until May 3rd on Amazon, this “how-to” book demystifies the complexities of the songwriting business in a clear and accessible format.

The book is available for purchase at online retailers and can be ordered at Amazon HERE. 

Authored by a trio of industry insiders, Bill O’Hanlon, Nancy Deckant, and Leslie Bowe, this book is more than just a guide; it’s a labor of love born from their own experiences and struggles in the world of the songwriting business.

Each author brings a unique perspective to the table, from Bill’s extensive literary background to Nancy’s hands-on experience as a songwriter, songplugger, and publisher, and Les’s dedication to research and insight.

To celebrate the launch of The Songwriter’s Guide To Protecting Your Songs and Collecting Your Money, a special book launch party and writers’ round will be held at the Commodore Grille in the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt on April 13th from 7 to 11 pm.

Hit songwriters including Tom Douglas (“House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert) and Jason Sever (“Seein’ Red” by Dustin Lynch), and Jenny Tolman (Married In A Honky Tonk), among others, will be playing to support the launch of this important book.

“Becoming a songwriter doesn’t come with a manual for safeguarding your songs and ensuring you receive your rightful earnings,”

“If you’re a self-administered songwriter or independent artist, chances are you’re missing out on potential revenue.”

BILL O’HANLON

“The book is a roadmap to collecting thirteen royalties, some of which were non-existent before the enactment of the MMA,”

“ensuring that songwriters stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the industry.”

NANCY DECKANT

“Our goal was to consolidate the essentials into one easily accessible resource,”

“It clocks in at just 100 pages, offering a concise and straightforward read for all.”

LESLIE BOWE

The book has garnered high praise from respected music industry publishers who understand the challenges and intricacies of the songwriting business.

Shar’n Clark, Publisher at Shake ‘Em Up Music, emphasizes the book’s indispensability, stating, “This book is so inclusive in material that any self-administered songwriter should have it a part of their library. It should be required reading before anyone considers themselves a songwriter.”

Reflecting on her own experiences, Debbie Zavitson, former A&R with Sony and Publisher at Debbie Z Entertainment, remarks, “I wish I would’ve had this book when I started in the business!”

Zach Green, Founder of the Red Door Hang, lauds the authors’ expertise, describing the guide as “a great read for any songwriter written by some formidable industry vets.”

The book is infused with practical advice, real-world anecdotes, and step-by-step guidance. Readers can expect to find answers to burning questions such as the basics of  “Where exactly should I register my songs to collect all the royalties due to me?”, “When should I copyright my song with the Library of Congress?” and “What is sync, and what royalties can you expect to earn from it?”  Also included are samples of essential agreements that all songwriters need.

ABOUT BILL O’HANLON

Bill O’Hanlon is a seasoned musician and award-winning songwriter with over 1,700 recorded songs in his music catalog. He is also a prolific author, having written over 41 books, including Do One Thing Different, which earned him a spot on Oprah’s show. Bill has secured over 100 artist cuts, and his music has been featured in more than 14 TV and film projects, including Busch Family Brewed (MTV), Call Me Kat (Fox), and Love in Tahiti (Indie). His great hooks, fresh song ideas, and generosity have earned him recognition among his noteworthy co-writers including Tom Douglas, Gary Burr, Marty Dodson, Clay Mills, Phil Barton, Mark Irwin, Jason Duke, Georgia Middleman, Bobby Tomberlin, Lee Thomas Miller, Keesy Timmer, Tim James, Marti Jane Dodson, and many other.

ABOUT NANCY DECKANT

Nancy Deckant is a songwriter and publisher with two decades of invaluable experience in the music industry. Her songwriting achievements include top 40 Billboard hits such as “Princess” by Dallas Remington, “Hangin’ Moons” by Cody Clayton Eagle, and Trinity Wiseman’s “Little Too Late,” among others. Additionally, her co-written song “We Are The Stars” with Anelda Spence won the Independent International Songwriters Competition for Pop. Nancy is the Founder/CEO of DiscoverSooner.com a platform designed to help songwriters make lasting relationships with publishers. Since launching in 2020, Discover Sooner has connected 1,000+ songwriters with music professionals.

ABOUT LESLIE BOWE

Leslie Bowe is a passionate singer and songwriter who is steadfastly pursuing his dreams in the vibrant music scene of Nashville. Leslie’s song “I Can Drink in This Bar,” recently cut by the Darrin Morris Band, achieved Top 20 status, peaking at #11 on the American Country Music Chart (ACM) and #16 on the Texas Country Music Chart (TCM). Leslie has independently released five CDs: Wings of Your Dreams, Through My Eyes, Gypsy, Color of Sound, and most recently, the EP, Something Right. He has opened or shared the stage with such artists as Ben Harper and Patty Griffin. His songs can be found on all available streaming platforms. He received the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s (NSAI) prestigious 2020 Song of the Year Award for his song “Been.”