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ings to play songs for various artists,
producers, managers, A&R personnel, and
others, and what type of songs those individuals
want. During the course of a day,
Bomar often meets with writers looking for
songwriting deals and may begin negoti-
ating terms. He also meets with the firm's
staff songwriters to listen to a newly
written tune, hear their pitching suggestions,
or simply lend an understanding ear
when they are discouraged. Throughout the day
he interacts with the business,
administration, and legal departments, and
handles a variety of managerial and ana-
lytical tasks.
POINTERS FOR THE JOB SEARCH
Bomar suggests that a good way to get into
music publishing is through the music
business program at a university or college. In
Nashville, the two top schools are
Belmont University and Middle Tennessee State
University in Murfreesboro. "Not
only do you get a good education, but through
the internships, you make a lot of
contacts, and over the years I've hired many,
many people that I met through their
internship at my company." Internships give
students a chance to get inside a
company, where the staff gets to know them and
sees how they work. "If you're the
kind of person they'd like to have on an
ongoing basis, many times, after the intern-
ship is over, it turns into a job when there is
an opening."
Another good way is to attend writers' nights
to meet songwriters and publishers,
and begin to network within the industry.
Through those contacts, you may hear of
an opening or meet someone who can give you a
recommendation.
Read Billboard, Music Row, American Songwriter,
and other trade
magazines to become familiar with the industry
players.
"Be a friendly face. Don't be too pushy.
Remember the Golden Rule and
treat other people like you want to be treated.
Be the kind of person you
would like to encounter if you were the person
in the hiring or signing
position."
"There are going to be a lot of ups and downs
in publishing. You have to
be committed for the long haul. Don't let
yourself get discouraged when
you're in those valleys, just keep working
towards that next hill."
CAREER
TIPS
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