Application Deadline
August 8, 2024
Publisher Writer Experience
Summer 2024
3 Meetings With A Major Publisher!
Songwriters and artists who aspire to have their songs cut by major label artists or become major label artists themselves need a relationship with a major music publisher. Establishing these relationships is hard work, even when you already have amazing songs.
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Major publishing companies are extremely selective about whom they choose to work with, and developing these relationships can literally take years.
The Publisher Writer Experience changes everything! You'll work one-on-one with a major publisher who will provide career guidance, help you make your songs more cuttable, and advise you just as they would any songwriter at their company.
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Our next publisher is TC Courtney, A&R Manager at Universal Music Publishing.
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At UMPG Nashville, TC is responsible for scouting and developing new talent. He also plays a key role in building opportunity and value for the existing roster of songwriters by placing songs with major country acts like Bailey Zimmerman, Morgan Wallen, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Nate Smith, Blake Shelton, Tucker Wetmore, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown, William Beckmann and more.
Program Overview
1 Zoom 1-on-1 with the Publisher
2 In-Person Meetings with the Publisher
Through the Publisher Writer Experience (PWE), you'll meet an amazing publisher who will guide you just as they would any songwriter at their company.
Program activities include the following
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One (1) 30 minute 1-on-1 meetings with the publisher over Zoom
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One (1) 40 minute individual in-person meeting with the publisher in Nashville or Zoom
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One (1) 1 hour group meeting at the publisher's Nashville office or Zoom​
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There's been a change to this program: The PWE still offers the same total hours with the publisher. To minimize rescheduling, we extended the length of each meeting and reduced the number of meetings by one.
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Program Details
Application Deadline
Sun Aug 4, 2024
Aug 12 or Aug 28: Select one of these dates for your 30-minute 1-on-1 Zoom meeting with the publisher. During this get-to-know-you session, you'll get comfortable, learn about the publisher, share your goals, and play 1 or 2 of your best songs. Schedule your upcoming 40 minute in-person (or Zoom) at a time that works for both of you.
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Date TBD: 40 minute 1-on-1 meeting at the publisher's office (or via Zoom).​
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September 27 Group Meeting: Visit to the publisher's office in-person (or Zoom). We'll delve into the world of the publishing company, gaining insights from the perspective of the publisher. Expand your knowledge of the music business and uncover the truths behind the scenes as we get all of your questions answered during our Q&A session, "Music Business: Fact or Fiction?"
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*Dates are subject to change depending on publisher's availability.
Publisher Bio
TC Courtney us Manager, A&R at Universal Music Publishing Nashville reporting to CEO Troy Tomlinson.
At UMPG Nashville, TC is responsible for scouting and developing new talent, as well as helping build opportunity and value for the existing roster of songwriters with contemporary country artists such as Bailey Zimmerman, Morgan Wallen, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Nate Smith, Blake Shelton, Tucker Wetmore, Josh Ross, Lauren Alaina, Riley Green, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown and William Beckmann.
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​TC Courtney hails from Massachusetts. After moving to Nashville in 2013, he quickly immersed himself in the songwriting community. Just two months after arriving in Music City, he secured his first job at Brentwood Benson Music, a renowned Christian music publisher within Capitol Christian Music Group.
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In 2015, TC accepted a position at Broadcast Music Inc (BMI), where he spent four years deepening his understanding of the legal and administrative aspects of publishing. In 2020, he joined the A&R team at Big Machine Music. During his four-year tenure at Big Machine, the roster of songwriters achieved nearly 30 #1 hit songs, three CMA Song of the Year wins, and back-to-back Songwriter of the Year Grammy nominations.
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In January 2024, TC joined Universal Music, focusing on expanding their business with new talent and creating opportunities for their existing roster of hit songwriters.
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Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville’s roster includes writers and artists Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Sam Hunt, Maren Morris, Kane Brown, Chris Young, Brad Tursi, Ingrid Andress, Caylee Hammack, Shania Twain, Caitlyn Smith, Rachel Wammack, Hunter Hayes, Sara Evans, Ian Munsick, Danielle Bradbery, Catie Offerman, Dan Smalley, Josh Melton, Laci Kaye Booth, Darby, Striking Matches, Natalie Hemby, Chase McGill, Ray Fulcher and more.
TC Courtney
"I believe that the best publishers are those who prioritize the development and support of songwriters above all else!"
A Champion for You!
Discover Sooner builds long-term connections between writers and publishers. Multiple writers have taken giant steps forward and are now writing with at publishing companies.
Whether that happens to you right away or not, we are your champion long after the program is over. We keep that connection between you and the publisher going.
At-A-Glance
Program Overview:
Participants: Limited to 9 writers
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Location:
Location: Zoom and In-person in Nashville (or all Zoom)
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Save These Dates:
Time zone converter here.
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Application Deadline
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Sun Aug 4, 2024
Applicant selection notification
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Monday Aug 5, 2024
Songwriter orientation
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Thur Aug 8 (5-6pm ct)
Zoom Meeting (30 minute)
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Aug 12 (4-630pm ct) OR Aug 28 (4-6pm)
40 minute 1-on-1 In-person or Zoom Meeting with publisher
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To Be Scheduled at your Zoom 1-on-1
Group Meeting at Universal Music Publishing Group (or Zoom)
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Sept 27, 5-6pm ct
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Price:
Application: $20
Program Price: $357
1. Prepare a link to 3 songs on SoundCloud, Songspace, Dropbox, etc. OR If you're in the Sooner Community: just use a link to a song in your Music List.
3. Receive email with your acceptance status 7 days before the program begins. If accepted, you'll receive additional program details and a payment link ($).
What Songwriters Say...
What Writers Say About Publisher Writer Experience
Application Deadline
Sun Aug 4, 2024
Testimonials
PWE FAQs
Do I need to be a member of Discover Sooner to attend?
No. Learn more about Sooner programs>>
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What if I can't make it to one of the scheduled meetings with the publisher?
We'll schedule a make-up session.
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I don't live in Nashville. What do I do about the in-person meetings?
You can do all of your meetins on Zoom. Consider coming to Nashville on the day of the group meeting. You can set up your 40 minute with the publisher on that date and make it a "2fer". ​
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Is there an orientation?
Yes. We want you to set you up for success. If you've never met with a publisher before, there's an art to it! At orientation we will go over: time management, what to talk with the publisher about, pitfalls to avoid and get your ready to share your music. And we'll go over how to share your songs so it sound great on Zoom.
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What should I talk with the publisher about?
A mentoring session is not about pitching songs; it's about making a relationship. Be ready to play some songs, but talk about your career in music, get advice on the challenges you face as a writer or artist and most importantly, get to know this publisher.
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I'm in a duo. Can we be in the same mentoring sessions together?
Yes.
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Upon selection notification, what does it mean to be "waitlisted"?
If there's not enough room in this group, you'll be invited to the next group with no need to apply again.