Breakthrough Writers
Monthly Mentorship to Elevate Your Songwriting
You know what it's like. You pitch your best song and they pass. If you're like most of us, they almost always pass. Why? Because we don't know the publisher very well, nor the artists they pitch songs to either. Ugh!
We want to write songs that publishers want to represent, artists want to record and the world wants to sing. Why spend years trying to figure it out on our own when you can get you there faster?
Breakthrough Writers helps level up your songwriting and industry knowledge through personalized mentoring with a major publisher who wants to work with you.
🎵 Breakthrough to Songwriting Excellence!
🌟 Breakthrough to a Network of Like-minded Creatives!
🚀 Breakthrough to Career-Changing Relationships!
Program Overview
Unlock your songwriting potential!
Breakthrough to Your Best Songwriting Self!
🎵 Expert Guidance: Every month your publisher mentor will carefully review your song, offer valuable insight, identify areas for improvement and give constructive suggestions in a small group setting.
💡 Learn What Works: Gain an understanding of what songs publishers really want and get guidance that boosts your confidence.
🤝Belong: Meet other songwriters and potential collaborators.
🚀Form a Lasting Relationship with an industry insider who'll level-up your skills and help you take steps that will move your career forward.
HowItWorks
📚 Publisher chooses the writers they want to work with.
📅 Monthly one-hour group meeting with a top publisher and fellow writers.
🎶 During each session, you play one song and receive feedback to further your song's potential.
🎤 Receive monthly pitch lists of artists currently looking for songs (if applicable).
🤝 Receive a single song agreement if the publisher wants to represent your song.
TheDetails
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Cost: $60/mo, cancel anytime. No refunds
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Small group 4-7 writers
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Play one song and get feedback
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Get a pitch sheet (if applicable) and writing assignment
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If the publisher decides to pitch your song, they'll sign it to an non-exclusive agreement. Details discussed at that time.
Choose a Music Professional
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Butch Baker
SVP A&R / Partner, HoriGlobal Ent.
Genres: Country, Pop, Rock & Americana
When: 2nd Tuesday 5-6pm central
Each month, you will play a song and receive feedback from the publisher, receive a pitch sheet and get to know this Nashville insider.
Butch Baker is the Senior Vice President of A&R and a Partner at HoriGlobal Entertainment. Since joining HoriGlobal (formerly HoriPro) in 2005, Butch has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth. In September 2024, he signed songwriter Adam Wheeler, known for his contributions to Megan Moroney’s Gold-certified Lucky album and tracks by Clay Walker, Tracy Lawrence, Tenille Arts, Zach John King, Scotty McCreery, and The Crabb Family.
With over 37 years in Nashville, Butch began his career as a recording artist, securing four major label deals before transitioning to the business side. He initially worked as an independent A&R representative for Giant and Sony Records, where he discovered his talent for identifying and nurturing talent. Driven by his passion, he expanded his expertise into music production and song plugging before finding his true calling in music publishing, eventually leading Nashville’s Encore Publishing.
Donna Britton Bukevicz
Music Supervisor
Sync Group
This program offers a mix of mentoring and writing opportunities.
Each month, you will either play a song to receive feedback from the music supervisor and/or collaborate with fellow Breakthrough Writers in a team under the guidance of the music supervisor.
If your finished song meets the music supervisor's requirements, it will be represented by a sync agent and signed to both their catalog and the music supervisor's.
Genres :Pop, Rock, Americana, HipHop, Acoustic, Soul, Singer/Songwriter, etc.
When: 3rd Wednesday 4:30-5:30 pm central
Donna Britton Bukevic is an award-winning singer-songwriter and music supervisor.. With over 1500+ TV & Film placements, Donna's music has been heard on Sony Pictures, Fox Sports, Amazon Prime, Peacock, Hulu, Tubi, Rock Band video games, Showtime "The L Word", Access Hollywood, VH1's "House of Consignment", MTV, and TVO's Green Heroes web series.
Donna is an Associate Member of the Guild of Music Supervisors, Voting Member of Hollywood Music in Media (HMMA), a 2022 Silver Telly Award Winner, 2021 HMMA Best Song Nominee. Learn more at IMDB.
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Music
Prepare a link to 3 original songs
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Apply
$20
non-refundable application fee.
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Get Notified
Receive email with your status in 7 days
FAQs
What skill level do I need to be accepted?
This is for beginners, intermediate, or anyone who just wants to know the music professionals better. Most importantly, have an open heart ready to receive advice, and be good to be "in the room" which means be a positive person.
Once I apply what happens?
We send your info to the publisher. Once you are approved, we'll add you to the zoom invite and show you how to submit your song each month.
Can I play voice memos for the publisher or does it have to be a demo?
Getting feedback before recording the song is a smart move. Anything you want to play is fine. Just make sure the lyrics are available.
What is the cancellation policy?
To cancel, simply notify us, and we'll cancel future payments on your subscription. Please note that refunds are not available.
What if I can't make it to one of the scheduled meetings?
If you're unable to attend a scheduled meeting, just submit your song as usual. We'll provide feedback via video. However, if you fail to submit your song by the meeting, you forfeit that opportunity.
What happens if I don't have a song to submit?
Breakthrough Writers is for writers focusing on their songwriting who typically have plenty of songs to work on. We understand this program may not fit into everyone's needs and can explore alternative mentoring opportunities if needed.
Can I share a subscription with another songwriters?
No.
In the Breakthrough Writer's Group for Sync who owns the composition and recording?
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Composition Ownership (C): All writers on the song will equally share ownership of the composition.
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Master Recording Ownership (P): All writers have equal ownership of the recording. However, considering the extensive time the producer/track-writer invests in song production, in case of additional expenses for achieving broadcast quality, the other team members will contribute the initial $200. Beyond that threshold, the entire team will share expenses equally.
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Recording Costs: Each team has a producer responsible for developing the recording at no cost. However, additional expenses such as demo singers for the right "voice," extra instruments, mixing, mastering, etc., may apply.
Q: Who is the Sync Agent in the Breakthrough Writers Group for Sync?
A: Nancy Deckant publisher with Nashville Cool and CEO of Discover Sooner.
Q: What is the Sync Agent's commission?
A: We work on commission, publishing is not requested. The commission is 20% and writers retain 80% on the composition and recording placed in the Breakthrough Writers projects. If you wish your song will be represented for outside the Breakthrough Writers projects, the commission is 40 or 50% depending. Details available upon request.