Get YOUR song to a legit Music Publisher!
Only $15 for Songwriting Pro members (check your email or private FB Group for the discount code) and $25 for members!
The Play For A Publisher online event exists to connect you and your music to a real, active music publisher. It's your opportunity to be heard by real professionals in the industry.
How would it feel to watch a publisher as they listen to your best song - and to get their personalized feedback in real time? How would it feel to KNOW you've been heard? And what if they love your song? That's more than just validation that you're doing good work. It's more than just a sense of relief that comes with "well, maybe I'm not crazy for having this dream after all." It's more than just knowing that you belong with the pros.
It's an open door to a real relationship with a music publisher.
Nobody will ever believe in you and your music... until someone finally does. Back before I ever had a song on the radio, back before I ever landed my first staff songwriting deal, back before I'd even written with any hit writers... I had a relationship. I had a champion. I had ONE music publisher who believed in my song. And he got it into the right hands. That song went on to become a top 5 hit for legendary country artist, Alan Jackson. The song is "Monday Morning Church," and it was my first major cut.
I brought that song with me from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Nashville, Tennessee. And nobody believed in me or that song... until a publisher finally did. And it changed my life.
The Play For A Publisher event is an opportunity to find your believer. It's a chance to get respect in the industry. It's a chance to get discovered.
Tony Harrell is General Manager of MV2 Entertainment, a music publisher and indie record label. MV2 is focused on Country Music. Harrell works with songwriters including Grant Vogel, Forrest Finn, Saint Chevelle and more. And New Lost City Records is the label for artists including Johnny McGuire, True Youngblood, Blake Henderson & more. And he wants to hear YOUR best Country song!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What does a Music Publisher do?
In simple terms, a publisher connects great songs (and songwriters) with hit artists and labels. You have the songs; the publisher has the connections.
Can I send in a full demo or worktape? Or an A.I. demo?
Either is acceptable. Our guest is looking for a great song. It doesn't have to be a radio-ready recording. Regarding A.I. demos, they are acceptable- as long as a human wrote the melody and lyric. As long as a human wrote the song, I don't care how it was demoed.
If the publisher likes my song, will he sign it to a contract?
If the publisher loves your song and thinks they can get it recorded, they'll definitely want to have that conversation. But just sending in a song does NOT lock you into any sort of deal. You and any co+writers still retain all of your rights until you decide otherwise. Just sending in a song submission is not agreeing to a publishing deal or single song contract.
What if my song already has a co+writer on it?
That's not a problem at all!
What kind of song is the publisher looking for?
Our guest is looking for great Country songs.
When is the Deadline to send in my song?
Sunday, February15 (at the end of the day).
Where do I send my song?
You'll receive instructions on the after-purchase "Thank You" page and via e-mail.
What does it cost?
Each song submission is $25 for non-SongwritingPro.com members.
Each song submission is only $15 for SongwritingPro.com members.
Where can I get more details?
Just keep on reading!
"Play For A Publisher" Is YOUR Chance To Get Noticed.
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"1st single Song Agreement!"
Naomi signs her first Single Song Publishing Agreement!
"heard it on the radio!"
Ave hears his song on the radio!
"HOLDS & Co-WRITES!"
Patrick is getting attention for himself & his songs!
Chelsey earns a Publisher Meeting!
"Publisher meeting!"
Terri earns a Publisher Meeting!
"single song agreement offer!"
Bill earns a Single Song Song Contract offer!
"Let's meet next time you're in town"
Joe Dan Cornett of Daywind Music...
"sounds like a hit"
John Ozier of Ole Music...
"Really good song"
Woody Bomar of Green Hills Music...
- Be Heard: Pitch your song(s) for a Music Publisher who is actively looking for hits.
- Genre: Our guest is mainly seeking great Country Songs.
- Make A Real Connection: Have a face-to-face conversation with a real Music Publisher.
- Join From Anywhere: Join the event online on Zoom, from anywhere you have an internet connection.
- Every Writer Wins: Every writer who enters a song gets exclusive access to the video replay of this event, which will be full of amazing insights and info!
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Event Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
- Deadline to Enter: Sunday, February 15, 2026 (end of day)
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Songwriting Pro Members get a discount: Check your email, the website Member Area, or the private Facebook Group for the Discount Code!
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Winners Announced: Songwriters who will join the live event will be announced at SongwritingPro.com on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
- Enter as many songs as you want. Only one song per ticket purchased. Enter as many times as you want.
- Simple work-tapes & full demos (including A.I. demos) are acceptable. We're listening for great songs, not great recordings. If it's an A.I. demo... just make sure HUMANS wrote the song.
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Song Submission instructions will be available on the "Thank You" page after your purchase.
Don't Miss Out On This Opportunity!Time Is Running Out...
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Why You Should Join Play For A Publisher:
Connect to a Publisher who WANTS songs!
Get yourself and your music in front of a hit Music Publisher who is actively seeking great songs!
Get Feedback from an Industry Pro!
Get face-to-face, real-world advice & feedback directly from an active Music Publisher. Learn what it takes to succeed in TODAY'S Music Biz.
Learn what Publishers REALLY want!
Enjoy exclusive access to the video replay of the event. See for yourself what it takes to impress a Music Publisher- in their own words!
Meet our Publisher Guest!
Tony Harrell, General Manager, MV2 Entertainment
Tony Harrell is a veteran studio musician appearing on many top records. Harrell has recorded with such superstars as Jason Aldean, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Eli Young Band, Joe Nichols, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, Luke Bryan, Parmalee, Kenny Chesney, Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw, Frankie Ballard, Chris Young, Brett Eldredge, Dustin Lynch, Thompson Square, Thomas Rhett, Alabama & Tracey Lawrence. He has also laid down tracks for country royalty Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Hank Williams Jr. and Ray Price. Harrell’s name can also be found in the liner notes of roots musicians Rodney Crowell and Will Hoge, crooners Johnny Mathis and Peter Cetera, and folk guru Art Garfunkel. Harrell’s skilled musicianship has earned him multiple Academy of Country Music nominations in the piano/keyboards category. In 2011, he was awarded Music Row’s Keyboard Player of the Year. As General Manager of MV2 Entertainment, Harrell draws on his experience and continues to push the creative envelope by focusing on artist development and building successful music content with a diverse roster of talent.
Meet the Host!
Brent Baxter: Hit Songwriter
Brent is an award-winning songwriter with songs recorded by Alan Jackson (the top 5 Country hit "Monday Morning Church"), Randy Travis, Lady A, Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Lonestar, Gord Bamford (the #1 hit and CCMA Single Of The Year "When Your Lips Are So Close"), The Sound (the #1 hit and Dove-nominated Southern Gospel Song Of The Year "Can I Get A Witness"), Wilburn & Wilburn (the #1 hit "Hallelujah Homecoming"), The LeFevre Quartet and more.
He helps songwriters turn pro by teaching how to write like a pro, do business like a pro, and he connects you to the pros through his website, SongwritingPro.com. He also co-hosts "The C.L.I.M.B. Show Music Business Podcast."
Songwriting Pro Members Get A Discount
Songwriting Pro Member Subscribers get a special $10-per-song discount on this event!
If you're a Member, be sure and check your email and our private Facebook Group for the Discount Code to save $10 on each song you enter.
If you're not yet a member join TODAY and get a 14-day FREE trial!
Here's How It Works
After you purchase your "ticket" to this event, you'll see the instructions on where and how to submit your song. You will also receive an email that allows you to download the instructions.
Each entry will be evaluated, and the "top 10" songs that we think have the best chance to catch the Music Publisher's ear will be chosen. Our guest is looking for COUNTRY MUSIC.
I guarantee that we will listen to each song you enter. (Purchase one ticket for each song you wish to enter. Enter as many times as you like.)
You can submit demos or work tapes in .mp3 or .wav format. Either one is fine! It just needs to be something you can upload to us. You'll get the submission instructions after you purchase. Please, no videos.
The top 10 songwriters will be announced through my website, SongwritingPro.com on TUESDAY, MARCH 10, and they'll receive an exclusive invitation to our Zoom.us web-videoconference. During the 1 1/2 hour conference, the writers will be "face to face" with our Publisher guest as they listen to your song and provide honest, valuable feedback. Our guest will be able to see and hear you- and even answer a followup question or two.
And this is a REAL pitch opportunity! The bar is high, but you'll get a fair listen.
The Play For A Publisher event itself will be an intimate, open, and honest time of sharing songs, feedback, and discussion. Therefore, it'll just be me, our Music Publisher, and the top 10 songwriters during the event. Everyone else who enters a song will be able to watch the replay.
We'll meet with our guest on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, on the Zoom videoconference platform.
Enter A Song, Watch The Replay
EVERY writer who submits a song will be able to WATCH THE REPLAY of the event. A day or so after the event, I'll make the replay available (for a limited time) for each writer who submits a song.
This alone is worth the entry price! Our Publisher guests always share a lot of valuable insight and information. If you want to know how a pro thinks and what it's like to have a meeting with a Publisher, the replay is an excellent way to do that!
Let me be clear. Submitting a song does NOT guarantee that it will make the top 10 or that the Publisher will hear it. Due to time constraints, our guest will ONLY hear the 10 songs that we think have the best chance to impress him or her. They will also be given a copy of the 10 "Top 20" songs. These are the next ten songs we think have the best chance of catching their ear.
Also, just because the Publisher hears your song- even if he or she likes it- don't come in expecting to be offered a publishing deal or be promised a cut on the spot. This event is a door opener, not a deal closer. The purpose is for you to get valuable professional feedback- for your growth as a songwriter. The event may also result in the seed of a real, personal relationship with a Music Publisher. But I can't promise a publishing contract or a cut or anything else. That just isn't how the music business works. But if you knock our guest out with your songs... that's a great way to begin a relationship.
Also, we won't have time to give our personal feedback on every song that is entered. But we will listen. If your song is awesome, it'll get our attention. And probably our guest's, too.
Here's A Look At Some Previous Play For A Publisher Events!
A hit Music Publisher is willing to hear YOUR song. Don't let this chance slip by!
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