John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from Bev

Hi John,

I just arranged a song which I thought was a pretty good cover of a popular song.  When I applied for a mechanical license, the publisher said it was a derivative.  I've had several people, including a musicologist, listen to the song, they all felt it was a cover.  My cover is similar to the Billie Jean cover done by Chris Cornell--no lyric changes, just slower tempo.  I'd like to know if Chris received a mechanical license  or was his version also treated as a derivative.

Thanks,

Bev

What Would John Doe Do?

Hey Bev,
   This is a tough one to figure out. It's similar to guessing whether or not I might like the arrangement that you've done, OR even like the song.  Chris Cornell is still really handsome but Billie Jean is sort of predictable & not the greatest song. At the same time, MJ did have a GREAT arrangement; wonder if that arranger got a writer's credit & share?  I've never proclaimed that I was a publishing maven, simply someone who knows the basics & has been to a few county fairs.
  If yr publisher & several others have deemed this a cover, it probably is, sorry. And to be honest I don't know where that dividing line is.  I would say that arranging a song while it's first being recorded is the easiest way to get a writing credit. Or to arrange a song that is public domain, that's a given.
   This is a similar situation as a drummer who creates a great part to a song & then wants credit for writing.  That is entirely up to the songwriter or courts.  I have heard that just recently musicians have been given been given writers' shares for a "musical hook" that didn't involve the chord changes or lyrics. That's an entirely different subject and seems very subjective.
hope this helps and as always, thanks for writing.
good luck, Jd  

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from Ed

Hi John,

  I've been a big fan of your music since the "X" days and recently enjoyed your performance in the tribute to Gram Parsons live DVD. You’re one of the greats in versatility.

 I saw you perform many years ago at The Skeleton club in San Diego. I was out there to attend "The Bozo School of Lutherie". Flip Scipio was my roommate. Are you familiar with him? "Talking Guitars" was a really good film about his work with acoustic instruments.

 My question is where was that in the "X" timeline around April 1980? Also at that point were you also pursuing interests in acoustic/country music?

    Thanks,

      Ed Markiewicz

What Would John Doe Do?

hey Ed,
  Most musicians that I know have much greater knowledge of music than the music that they create would display. The trick to making a convincing band is to narrow those influences into something that is focused & makes a clear musical statement. All of the X members were fans of all types of music from psychedelic rock to R & B to old timey folk. You might recall Exene & I singing a version of Hank Wms. Rambling Man in "X The Unheard Music" (filmed circa 1982?) and The Knitters first record was released in 1985. Also, you may or may not know that in the '60s folk music (Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Burl Ives) was considered "kid's music", records sold to adults for their kids.  So, I guess you could say we knew & loved that kind of music from when we were young'uns.
thanks for writing,
Jd

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A question from an indie artist who wishes to remain anonymous:

Dear John Doe,

Say you signed with an indie label that had major distribution. Say, that for about a year things were fine. Sure, you thought that they could have been doing more, but who doesn't think that way? Say, that after about a year and a half, suddenly you can't get them to print up albums for you to take on the road... something about not selling enough for the major distributor to reprint the album. Say, you discover that the indie has been sending promo copies of the record out on the road with you, and despite the fact that you were supposed to be able to buy promos for less than cleans, you ignored the annoyance/injustice because you desperately needed product on the road, but later discover that the promos didn't count towards the final number your album needed to hit in order to be reprinted (per some strange rule you were unaware of). 

Say that after repeated attempts to communicate with this now-almost-defunct label, no one will return your phone calls or emails, as you attempt to figure out what is going on.

Say you learned all of that, and finally said, "fuck these guys, I'm going to print this up myself. I wrote the songs, I produced it. They have digital distro, and I'll never be able to touch that, and that's where the majority of the sales are going to come from. I'm going to print up some copies on my own for the road."

So my question:

If this fantastically hypothetical situation existed, is this what John Doe would do?

(I'd rather leave my name out, since I'm clearly trying to fly under the radar on this one)

What Would John Doe Do?

Dear Hypothetical,
   Funny how things just don't seem to change & believe me I can empathize.  A "friend of mine" is experiencing the very same thing w/ a different, or maybe not, label.  I have suggested that they print their own CDs since the label is being unresponsive & generally shitty, but another member of the group thinks that it's simply wrong. Both have a point since since once ethics are breached you're no better than them. The fact that they have used very shady business practices, that has directly hurt your ability to sell records, to me, allows you to "go forth & sell". I don't think we're crossing into Wall Street territory here. If they were supplying the CDs that you requested in the first place, they would have reached the re-print number and everyone's ethics would be in tact. It's also very wrong that they are selling you promo CDs, period and worse that they're passing them off as retail copies.
   If I were you I'd print the records and deal w/ the consequences if they happen. Those consequences can't be very harsh if they're in a near state of collapse. In all likelihood they'll never know what yr selling @ gigs 'cause they never come to them & probably won't read this.
hope this helps and, as always, thanks for writing
yrs in solidarity,
Comrade Doe

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from Ed:

Hi John,

I've been a big fan of your music since the "X" days and recently enjoyed your performance in the tribute to Gram Parsons live DVD. You’re one of the greats in versatility.

I saw you perform many years ago at The Skeleton club in San Diego. I was out there to attend "The Bozo School of Lutherie". Flip Scipio was my roommate. Are you familiar with him? "Talking Guitars" was a really good film about his work with acoustic instruments..

My question is where was that in the "X" timeline around April 1980? Also at that point were you also pursuing interests in acoustic/country music?

Thanks,

Ed Markiewicz

What Would John Doe Do?

hey Ed,
  Most musicians that I know have much greater knowledge of music than the music that they create would display. The trick to making a convincing band is to narrow those influences into something that is focused & makes a clear musical statement. All of the X members were fans of all types of music from psychedelic rock to R & B to old timey folk. You might recall Exene & I singing a version of Hank Wms. Rambling Man in "X The Unheard Music" (filmed circa 1982?) and The Knitters first record was released in 1985. Also, you may or may not know that in the '60s folk music (Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Burl Ives) was considered "kid's music", records sold to adults for their kids.  So, I guess you could say we knew & loved that kind of music from when we were young'uns.
thanks for writing,
Jd

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A question from Sophia in Los Angeles

Dear John Doe,

My name is Sophia and I am 13 and looking forward to coming to your show at McCabes on the 11th. I’m from Montana but now we live here in Los Angeles. I play guitar, sing, and write songs.  I listen to all kinds of music but I love old country like Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, and John Prine. Keeping that in mind, Do you know of any other artists that you could recommend?   

P.S will you please play take #52 at your show?

Thanks so much!
-Sophia

What Would John Doe Do?

hey Sophia,
  sorry didn't get yr note about Take #52 before the show but next time I'll do it. Yr definitely on the right track to get all the c & w greats.  How about Jeannie Sealy, Wanda Jackson, Lefty Frizzel, Sammi Smith, Roger Miller, Earnest Tubb, Donna Fargo, Lynn Anderson (great songwriter as well), Delmore Brothers, Emmett Miller & Bob Wills? to name a few. If you have a chance to see Merle Haggard live, DO IT ! He's one of my favorites & probably the greatest of the greats who's still performing.
best of luck & thanks for writing,
Jd  

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from Scott in Maine

Hi John, First off I'm a huge fan of X, and your solo albums/CD's.
'Forever Hasn't Happened Yet' is a favorite.
Now, I'm a drummer and have only been included in songwriting
percentages on 2 or 3 occasions by generous and realistic, non
egocentric individuals. The rest of the time I'm told to forget it,
you're just the drummer. I feel the drums add a vital and even
essential part to most songs you hear on the radio, and beyond. Why
has the system been set up to not include drum parts ?
Realistically, the drums are almost always 'Written' by the drummer
with his past experiences that led him to a particular session/gig or
whatever. I have been playing most of my life, gigging and recording
for 25+ years. Now, again, I'm in a dilemma. I was verbally told I
would be cut in on publishing/songwriting for a debut CD, then after
recording is over, I'm out. We mutually parted but no mention of
previous verbal agreement. (with two members). They want to pay me a
small fee for the recording, and that's it. Any suggestions?

Sincerely,

Scott 

What Would John Doe Do?

Hey Scott,

Hmmmm . . . this is somewhat of a moral dilemma.
First, I would suggest that you write words, music & melodies; that way you would be assured your writing & publishing percentage. That's sort of the legal bottom line.
Many bands, early on, split writing & publishing money to keep all the band members afloat. When they're more established, the non-writing members forego their cut because the gig money, recording fund, whatever, is paying their bills. IF, you were told your contribution was important enough that you deserved a credit, then they should keep their word & you have every right to speak up & demand your share.
I'm quite certain that, legally, even if an instrument has the "hook" to a song; they are not considered a writer and do not share that credit or publishing. Unless the writer gives them a share. We all play our instruments & develop the song the best we can. That's why people get paid for recording sessions and if they're great players, the pay reflects that ability or creativity. But if there was no structure (melody, words & music) then there would be no song to contribute your part to. For instance, would Greg Leisz be considered a writer for playing his amazing pedal steel parts on kd lang records? There were X songs that I wrote entirely but included Exene as writer because she either edited or inspired the song. On the other hand if it's a "jam" that turns into a song, I would say that everyone playing that jam deserves a writers' credit & therefore publishing.

Hope this helps. thanks for writing & as always,

best of luck,
JD

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde

Question from Chris in Austin, TX

Hello Mr. Doe,

My name is Chris, and I am a struggling hack in Austin, Tx. Recently I have been involved in extensive songwriting with my chums, and the notion of publishing has come up repeatedly.

Here are my questions:

Is it worth the effort to wrestle through the stacks of paperwork required to maintain complete control over your works, or is it viable to give a publishing house 50% of your money to have them do the legwork?

If you were in my shoes... with a really strong band, really strong material, financial wherewithal and a vehicle, with no exposure outside of Austin, how would you start your assault on the masses?

Thanks for any advice.

Sincerely,

Chris B. Ware, Owner
Branham Amplifiers
Austin, Tx

What Would John Doe Do?

Chris,

Yes it is worth it to control the publishing. If you read any material on the subject (something every musician should do but most don't), they will all say the same thing. You don't have to worry about it until you release something & the publishing royalty actually matters. Some record companies don't even pay "mechanical" royalties any more, but they all are supposed to. If you are completely inept at working through the paper work you can register your song through a publisher as an administrator who normally takes only 10%.

First I question your phrase "assault on the masses". How about trying to create a small buzz in your own town? Continue to build your fan base in Austin, using all the usual means to do that. Play as many shows as possible. Stay away from small town politics. Try to get opening slots on shows w/ touring/national acts. And above all, make friends w/ other bands/singers etc. As you may already know this biz is built on relationships w/ others. Having strong attendance is the only way you'll have a chance at getting a booking agent, which is the best way to get out of town. Obviously you can start by playing in cities nearby. If you have some sort of buzz in more than one area, so much the better.

good luck always. life is struggle.

Yrs,

JD

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from Renee in New Orleans

Hi John,

My question is a little weird maybe but......who cares. My 7 year old son, who happens to be a HUGE fan of yours and got to meet you here in New Orleans a couple of years ago at an in-store, LOVES to sing. He sings everything & all the time and has a pretty good voice. He goes to an arts based school here and we have had teachers tell us what a great singing voice he has (he sang in a local rest. with some musician friends of ours recently). So, my question, when do you think it is too early or just the right time to start with voice lessons? Obviously I know it's different for each kid and I haven't really talked to him about it but just wanted to get your thoughts.
Thanks for answering all these questions on so many varied topics! You're the best and COME BACK TO NEW ORLEANS SOON! PLEASE!!! =)
Renée

Renée Borie Blanche
Covenant House New Orleans

www.covenanthouseno.org

 What Would John Doe Do?

Dear Renee,
   As a parent, I think you already know the answer to yr question.  You give the kid an opportunity to do something he/she might enjoy & make sure that in the earliest stages, it remains fun.  I wouldn't say "OK, 'Bobby' we're going to singing lessons today & every Thursday for the rest of your life, so get in the car!"
  You might talk to a teacher that someone at his school knows & recommends.  Then see what kind of a vibe you get from the teacher & go from there.  There should be a small commitment from the kid; maybe try it for three lessons & if there's no connection then let him wait.
  If he's going to sing, he'll do it regardless of lessons or no; but lessons can teach better mechanics & technique.
best of luck, I hope this helps, and as always, thanks for writing.
yrs,
Jd

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from Ronquaise in Atlanta

Hi John,

I would like to say thank you so much for all of your help. You have really answered allot of my questions just reading and studying your site.  I do have a question, I am a solo artist pop/ R&B I want to know if I should try and put together a backing band or just get backing vocals and dancers? I know it would be easy to travel and allot cheaper, but would I be taken seriously in the music business using backing tracks even with dancers and backing vocals. I am new, and I hope to release my Self released album next spring. I don't want to start out wrong starting out. What happens when it’s not a band but just a solo artist? Please tell me what you think

Thanks,

Ron

What Would John Doe Do?

Hey Ron,

   Regardless of how you present yr songs or what style the performance takes; getting music to the people is most important thing. If you can't afford something, don't go into debt at the start of a project.  Though my field isn't R&B, I'm sure that now-a-days many artists w/ complex backing tracks use pre-record. Are you sure that you need dancers? If the audience in the clubs where yr performing expect that, then bring them. 

  Have faith in the material & make every effort to get to the audience that will understand yr style of music. Stripped down versions of good songs can be very compelling but you don't want to waste time at singer songwriter clubs if yr record is very slick & produced. Try to find yr gut feelings & trust them.

I hope this helps, best of luck & as always, thanks for writing.

yrs, 

JD

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from Chris in Chicago

Mr. Doe,

My bandmates and I are struggling to decide if we should replace our bass player and would like to get your opinion on our situation. I was recently approached by a well known and very talented bass player in our area who expressed interest in playing with us "if we ever had an opening". Our existing bass player is a capable player and good guy but clearly doesn't have the chops, experience or contacts of the other interested player.

It seems like it would be a good business move to bring the more experienced player in but it seems pretty cold hearted to throw the existing guy out. So...what's your take on improving the band's overall chances of quitting our day jobs vs. destroying a personal relationship with an existing band member and friend? This is tough. We would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks,
Chris

What Would John Doe Do?

Hey Chris,
  Yr right, this is the toughest of decisions but it doesn't have to be "cold-hearted".  First you must be as sure as possible that yr current bass player, even though he's not the greatest player, isn't key to yr sound.  The most common mistake producers make is to replace the drummer during recording.  Then they wonder why the "spark" or uniqueness  has gone out of the band's sound.  Next, be sure that you like to hang w/ yr perspective replacement, since "hangability" is probably much more important than contacts (likely won't mean very much) & "chops".  Then, ask yrself how enthusiastic are either of the bassists?  Especially in the beginning, drive & a positive outlook can make a huge difference in the life or soul of a band. Finally, if you do decide to replace the old w/ the new, do it in a kind, diplomatic way. no reason to be a jerk & create hard feelings.
hope this helps & as always, thanks for writing.
yrs,
JD

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com.