Meet Industry Veteran Publisher/Manager LeAnn Phelan
LeAnn currently runs her own artist/songwriter/producer management, publishing and consulting company - LP Creative Management. Phelan jointly lead the ASCAP Nashville Creative team from 2010 - 2015 where her passion was creating opportunities for Nashville's diverse creative community. Phelan previously worked with 19 Entertainment as a Writer/Producer Manager and served as a preliminary judge for American Idol auditions seasons 6-9. Before joining 19, Phelan was Sr. Director, A&R at Sony Nashville and VP at Combustion Music. She started in music publishing at Windswept in 1996.
LeAnn has been a part of the careers of ASCAP Song of Year songwriter/producer Jimmy Robbins, 8x ASCAP Songwriter of the year Ashley Gorley, BMI Songwriter of the year Luke Laird, SESAC Songwriter of the year Catt Gravitt as well as #1 hit songwriters Gordie Sampson, JT Harding, Steve McEwen, Jerry Flowers, Blair Daly, Barry Dean and Dan Couch. She has previously provided A&R services for Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, Jessie Alexander and The Band Perry as well as Talent Scouting for American Idol and America’s Got Talent.
"Hey guys! I've been developing songwriters my whole career and I'm excited to give you a feel for what publishers behind the desk are looking for when signing new writers, producers, and artists in the current Nashville market. I'm glad you're here, so let's get started!"
Meet Grammy Nominated Producer/Songwriter Forest Glen Whitehead
When I first moved to Nashville I had no idea where to start. I moved at 18 years old with no plan, no money, just my guitar case full of hopes and dreams. I've made a lot of mistakes but have also had many wins throughout my career here in Nashville. I have produced 5 number one songs with breakthrough country star Kelsea Ballerini as well as co-producing Mickey Guyton's 2021 grammy nominated song "Black Like Me" among other songwriting credits with country stars Dylan Scott, Maddie And Taye and Brantley Gilbert. I've navigated through multiple publishing deals and have learned so much I would like to share with you. After you go through this course you will learn what publishers in Nashville are looking for and exactly what your value needs to be and what to ask and expect out of your first (or second) publishing deal! Knowing your true value is crucial before you put the pen to paper. Let me show you how to up that value and get the right deal for you.
Example Curriculum
- HOW DID I GET MY FIRST PUB DEAL? (2:09)
- WHAT DO PUBLISHERS LOOK FOR WHEN SIGNING SOMEONE? (2:24)
- WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GET A PUB DEAL? (1:28)
- WHAT INCREASES YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING A PUB DEAL? (1:38)
- HOW MUCH DID I MAKE FROM A PUBLISHING DRAW? (4:34)
- WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF GETTING A PUB DEAL? (2:35)
- HOW DO YOU GET A WRITE FROM A PUBLISHED WRITER? (3:26)
- WHO DO I NEED TO KNOW TO GET A PUB DEAL? (1:27)
- WHAT IMPRESSES A PUBLISHER? (2:07)
- HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR PUB MEETING DID NOT GO WELL? (1:43)
- HOW DO I PREPARE FOR A PUB DEAL? (1:49)
- HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR PUB MEETING WENT WELL? (1:36)
- WHAT WAS THE BEST THING ABOUT MY PUB DEAL? (1:19)
- WHAT WAS THE WORST THING ABOUT MY PUB DEAL? (3:29)
- WHAT IS THE QUICKEST WAY TO GET A PUB DEAL? (2:23)
- WHAT SHOULD YOU ASK FOR ON YOUR FIRST DEAL? (3:42)
- SHOULD I STAY INDEPENDENT OR LOOK FOR A PUB DEAL? (3:57)
- WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM A PUBLISHER? (3:21)
- ARE THERE CERTAIN PUBLISHERS THAT ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS? (1:46)
- WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT FROM A PUBLISHER (1:49)
- HOW DO I KNOW WHERE TO SIGN? (1:38)
- WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO FIND YOUR CHAMPION/BELIEVER? (2:29)
- HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SIGN A PUB DEAL? (1:13)
- HOW DO I KNOW I FOUND THE RIGHT PUBLISHER? (1:38)
- DO YOU NEED A PUB DEAL TO BE SUCCESSFUL? (3:10)
- WHY IS PUBLISHING OWNERSHIP IMPORTANT? (2:15)
- WHAT SHOULD YOU ASK FOR YOUR NEXT PUB DEAL AFTER SUCCESS? (3:02)
- INTRODUCING 4 STEPS TO A PUB DEAL (0:57)
- STEP 1 CONNECTION (3:34)
- STEP 2 THE MUSIC (3:11)
- HOW I LISTEN TO MUSIC AS A PUBLISHER (2:19)
- WHAT HAPPENS IN A PUB MEETING? (2:29)
- STEP 3 ALIGNMENT (4:19)
- STEP 4 CAN I TRULY HELP THIS WRITER? (3:22)
- THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO FURTHER YOUR CAREER TODAY (2:53)
- TIP 1 - PUT DOWN THE SMART PHONE AND TRULY CONNECT (0:51)
- TIP 2 - WORK ON YOUR PEOPLE SKILLS (1:14)
- TIP 3 - BRING YOU TO THE TABLE (0:48)
- TIP 4 - LEARN YOUR CRAFT! (0:52)
- TIP 5 - BE GRATEFUL AND SAY THANK YOU (0:32)
- TIP 6 - A CHAMPION IS WORTH A LOWER DRAW (0:33)
- HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOU'VE FOUND A CHAMPION! (0:40)
- TIP 7 - LEARN TO TAKE CRITICISM (0:45)
- TIP 8 - FIND YOUR PEOPLE (1:44)
- TIP 9 - TAKE 100% RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR CAREER (0:45)
- TIP 10 - WRITE FROM AN HONEST PLACE (0:29)
- BONUS TIP - REPLENISH YOURSELF CREATIVELY (0:58)
- ARE YOU REALLY THINKING ABOUT MOVING TO NASHVILLE? (2:13)
- DO I HAVE TO BE IN NASHVILLE TO GET A PUB DEAL? (1:44)
- HOW CAN I CONNECT WHEN I DONT LIVE IN NASHVILLE? (1:18)
- DOES MY SONG HAVE TO BE PROFESSIONALLY RECORDED TO PLAY FOR A PUBLISHER? (1:01)
- HOW CAN A PUBLISHER HEAR MY SONGS? (2:45)
- WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF PUB DEALS? (1:51)
- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PUBLISHER AND A WRITER MANAGER? (2:54)
- AS A DEVELOPING WRITER, HOW MUCH SHOULD I EXPECT FOR A PUBLISHING ADVANCE? (0:23)
- AS A SUCCESSFUL WRITER, HOW MUCH SHOULD I EXPECT FROM A PUBLISHING ADVANCE? (0:52)
- WHAT IF A PUBLISHER DOES NOT LIKE MY MUSIC? (1:05)
- HOW TO HANDLE REJECTION FROM A PUBLISHER (1:42)
- WHY CAN'T YOU PITCH MY SONGS TO AN ARTIST? (2:10)
- WHY IS MASTER OWNERSHIP IMPORTANT? (0:46)
- WHAT IS A PRO (1:17)
- WHY IS FINDING A MENTOR IMPORTANT? (1:38)
- GOOD LUCK WITH THESE TOOLS! (0:44)
- CLOSING (1:13)