https://www.sold4asong.com My mission for the $old 4 a $ong Brand is to pull back the curtain of the music and technology industries and reveal the structures that have historically kept creators at a disadvantage. I aim to demystify the business and tech side of music so that music creators can reclaim control over their careers. At the core, I guide creators how to: • Own their art and intellectual property rather than give it away. • Leverage their music and data to create opportunities and income streams. • Streamline their creative and business processes so they can focus on making art while staying profitable. • Sustain their careers by building long-term models of independence, resilience, and growth. This mission is about evening the playing field—shifting the power back into the hands of the creators. It’s not just guidance, but empowerment: giving artists the tools, frameworks, and mindset to thrive in an industry that often undervalues them. What’s the true worth of a songwriter or artist? For too long, artists have been selling themselves short —  and today, the challenge has only grown with AI. $old 4 a $ong podcast reverse-engineers the ways creatives have been undervalued — and reveals how to build a sustainable career in the chaos. Hosted by Billboard #1 multi-platinum songwriter and producer Terrance Sawchuk, this show is about reclaiming ownership and streamlining a sustainable creative life. Each episode brings real conversations with legendary hitmakers, executives, and disruptors who confirm, It’s time to start playing the game above the game. Welcome to the Escape Hatch, Now Let’s Begin... Music Interviews en Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:52:23 +0200 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:37:03 +0200 30 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss iono.fm 2.5.2.0 Terrance Sawchuk no Terrance Sawchuk Weekly feeds@iono.fm (Feed Manager) https://cdn.iono.fm/files/p4170/logo_9517_20250909_155229_1400.jpeg https://www.sold4asong.com My mission for the $old 4 a $ong Brand is to pull back the curtain of the music and technology industries and reveal the structures that have historically kept creators at a disadvantage. Terrance Sawchuk episodic Terrance Sawchuk info@sold4asong.com true US https://iono.fm/e/1654232 https://iono.fm/e/1654232
I also discuss the early book release, the official launch before SXSW 2026, upcoming projects like a docu‑series called The True Value of Music, workshops, and how I plan to help creators streamline their careers so they can focus on making art.

Join me as I break down the problem, the path to self‑worth, and actionable steps for creators to thrive in a changing industry.

Resources & Next Steps

Pick up your copy of my new book, $old 4 a $ong (How Music Creators Lost Their Worth, and How to Take It Back)
sold4asong.com

Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help this message reach more creators

Share this episode with a songwriter who still believes “someone else is watching out for them”

About the Host

Terrance “Terry” Sawchuk is a Billboard #1, multi-platinum songwriter, producer, engineer and now author with over three decades in the trenches. Sold for a Song exists to challenge the systems that undervalue creators—and to offer real pathways back to ownership, leverage, and sustainability.

Sold 4 a Song™ Podcast
Hosted by Terrance Sawchuk, Billboard #1 multi-platinum songwriter, producer, artist, mixer, and entrepreneur.

The Book (How Music Creators Lost Their Worth, and How to Take It Back) is a living exploration of creative worth, ownership, and the true value of music—inside the systems that monetize it.

If this episode resonates, you can follow the work at sold4asong.com. ]]> Music Interviews Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:36:00 +0200 0 0 #24: Reclaiming Creators’ Worth 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 11:14 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1654231 https://iono.fm/e/1654231
The episode outlines practical steps and a mindset shift: stop relying on third-party platforms that monetize your data, create unique fan experiences on your own site, and use tech to streamline and sustain a real music business. ]]> Music Interviews Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:33:00 +0200 0 0 #23 Stop Using Spotify. Build Your Own Private Portal 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 12:46 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1643484 https://iono.fm/e/1643484 In this episode of Sold for a Song, Terry Sawchuk breaks down a truth that shocks many creators: songwriters are legally prohibited from forming a union in the United States. Not discouraged. Not frowned upon. Illegal.
Drawing on 30+ years in the music industry, including real-world examples from his own Billboard #1 career, Terry explains:
• How U.S. labor and antitrust law classify songwriters
• Why owning a song and controlling it are two very different things
• How compulsory licenses strip songwriters of the right to say no
• Why publishers, PROs, and Congress—not creators—set the rules
• Where live performance royalties break down (and often disappear)
• And why the future of creator power depends on direct ownership, private portals, and cutting out intermediaries
This episode is about clarity, leverage, and practical survival in a system that was never designed to favor the inventor.
Key Topics Covered
• Why songwriter unions are illegal under U.S. antitrust law
• The difference between copyright ownership and price control
• What a song actually is (before publishers enter the picture)
• Advances vs. income, and why publishing deals behave like credit cards
• How administrative fees quietly eat up royalties worldwide
• The real story behind compulsory licenses
• A firsthand case study: pulling unauthorized uses of a #1 hit
• Why live concert royalties are one of the least transparent systems in music
• How Congress, the Copyright Royalty Board, and PROs shape songwriter income
• Elon Musk, platform leverage, and the future battle over music pricing
• Why artist-owned “home bases” are the most powerful path forward
• How education changes your leverage with labels and publishers
Key Takeaways
• Songwriters are independent rights holders, not employees, which blocks collective bargaining
• Once a song is released, key rights are permanently restricted
• Publishers and PROs do not equal songwriter representation
• Transparency failures aren’t accidental, they’re structural
• Ownership without control is not freedom
• The future belongs to creators who own, leverage, streamline, and sustain from their own platforms
Memorable Quotes
“Owning your song and controlling your song are two very different things.”
“The inventor is the only one in the system who isn’t allowed to set the price.”
“If you don’t like the cost of music, don’t use music. Don’t over-leverage it.”
“Spotify and TikTok should be billboards, not the destination.”
Action Steps for Songwriters & Artists
• Understand your rights before releasing music
• Stop confusing advances with income
• Audit where your royalties are actually coming from
• Build a private, artist-owned home base
• Use platforms as traffic, not dependency
• Educate yourself before signing your next deal
Resources & Next Steps
• Join the Sold for a Song community:
TerranceSawchuk.com
• Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help this message reach more creators
• Share this episode with a songwriter who still believes “someone else is watching out for them”
About the Host
Terrance “Terry” Sawchuk is a Billboard #1, multi-platinum songwriter, producer, and industry veteran with over three decades in the trenches. Sold for a Song exists to challenge the systems that undervalue creators—and to offer real pathways back to ownership, leverage, and sustainability.
Sold 4 a Song™ Podcast
Hosted by Terrance Sawchuk, Billboard #1 multi-platinum songwriter, producer, artist, mixer, and entrepreneur.
Sold 4 a Song™ is a living exploration of creative worth, ownership, and the true value of music—inside the systems that monetize it.
If this episode resonates, you can follow the work at sold4asong.com. ]]> Music Interviews Sat, 07 Feb 2026 05:17:00 +0200 0 0 #22: When Music Stopped Being The Product 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 8:29 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1643483 https://iono.fm/e/1643483 In this episode of Sold for a Song, Terry Sawchuk breaks down a truth that shocks many creators: songwriters are legally prohibited from forming a union in the United States. Not discouraged. Not frowned upon. Illegal.
Drawing on 30+ years in the music industry, including real-world examples from his own Billboard #1 career, Terry explains:
• How U.S. labor and antitrust law classify songwriters
• Why owning a song and controlling it are two very different things
• How compulsory licenses strip songwriters of the right to say no
• Why publishers, PROs, and Congress—not creators—set the rules
• Where live performance royalties break down (and often disappear)
• And why the future of creator power depends on direct ownership, private portals, and cutting out intermediaries
This episode is about clarity, leverage, and practical survival in a system that was never designed to favor the inventor.
Key Topics Covered
• Why songwriter unions are illegal under U.S. antitrust law
• The difference between copyright ownership and price control
• What a song actually is (before publishers enter the picture)
• Advances vs. income, and why publishing deals behave like credit cards
• How administrative fees quietly eat up royalties worldwide
• The real story behind compulsory licenses
• A firsthand case study: pulling unauthorized uses of a #1 hit
• Why live concert royalties are one of the least transparent systems in music
• How Congress, the Copyright Royalty Board, and PROs shape songwriter income
• Elon Musk, platform leverage, and the future battle over music pricing
• Why artist-owned “home bases” are the most powerful path forward
• How education changes your leverage with labels and publishers
Key Takeaways
• Songwriters are independent rights holders, not employees, which blocks collective bargaining
• Once a song is released, key rights are permanently restricted
• Publishers and PROs do not equal songwriter representation
• Transparency failures aren’t accidental, they’re structural
• Ownership without control is not freedom
• The future belongs to creators who own, leverage, streamline, and sustain from their own platforms
Memorable Quotes
“Owning your song and controlling your song are two very different things.”
“The inventor is the only one in the system who isn’t allowed to set the price.”
“If you don’t like the cost of music, don’t use music. Don’t over-leverage it.”
“Spotify and TikTok should be billboards, not the destination.”
Action Steps for Songwriters & Artists
• Understand your rights before releasing music
• Stop confusing advances with income
• Audit where your royalties are actually coming from
• Build a private, artist-owned home base
• Use platforms as traffic, not dependency
• Educate yourself before signing your next deal
Resources & Next Steps
• Join the Sold for a Song community:
TerranceSawchuk.com
• Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help this message reach more creators
• Share this episode with a songwriter who still believes “someone else is watching out for them”
About the Host
Terrance “Terry” Sawchuk is a Billboard #1, multi-platinum songwriter, producer, and industry veteran with over three decades in the trenches. Sold for a Song exists to challenge the systems that undervalue creators—and to offer real pathways back to ownership, leverage, and sustainability.
Sold 4 a Song™ Podcast
Hosted by Terrance Sawchuk, Billboard #1 multi-platinum songwriter, producer, artist, mixer, and entrepreneur.
Sold 4 a Song™ is a living exploration of creative worth, ownership, and the true value of music—inside the systems that monetize it.
If this episode resonates, you can follow the work at sold4asong.com. ]]> Music Interviews Sat, 07 Feb 2026 05:12:00 +0200 0 0 #21: Wht It Is Illegal For Songwriters to Form A Union 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 25:30 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1643482 https://iono.fm/e/1643482 Mark shares the untold story behind writing “Rhythm of My Heart,” his lifelong relationship with dyslexia before it was understood, and how neurodiversity became a creative advantage rather than a limitation. From CBC transcription sessions and LA studio legends to publishing blind spots and royalty realities, this conversation explores how value is created—and often lost—inside the music industry.
This episode goes beyond hit songs. It’s a deep, human conversation about creative identity, confidence, ownership, and the quiet cost creators pay when their work outpaces their self-worth. It also examines music’s healing power through Mark’s work in music therapy with first responders, reminding us why music matters far beyond charts and market share.
Takeaways
• Dyslexia and neurodiversity can be powerful creative strengths
• Writing a hit does not guarantee understanding or ownership of value
• Publishing systems often separate creators from awareness and control
• Creative confidence is shaped early—and can be reclaimed later
• Music’s value extends far beyond commercial success
• Direct creative integrity leads to longevity
• Industry myths often hide structural inequities
• Ownership and self-worth are deeply connected
• Music has measurable healing and therapeutic impact
• True success comes from alignment, not just accolades
Titles
• Writing “Rhythm of My Heart” & the Hidden Cost of a Hit
• Dyslexia, Creativity, and Reclaiming Artistic Worth
Sound Bites
• “Dyslexia isn’t a flaw—it’s my superpower.”
• “You can write a worldwide hit and still be disconnected from your value.”
• “Music heals people long before it pays them.”
Chapters
00:00 Writing “Rhythm of My Heart”
05:48 Dyslexia, Confidence, and Creative Identity
12:30 Early Career, CBC, and Learning by Ear
20:10 LA Studios, Publishing, and Industry Blind Spots
31:40 Rod Stewart, Hits, and the Cost of Success
41:55 Music Therapy and Healing Through Song
53:20 Reclaiming Worth, Ownership, and Longevity
Keywords
music industry, songwriting, Rhythm of My Heart, Mark Jordan, dyslexia, neurodiversity, creative worth, publishing, ownership, royalties, music therapy, artist sustainability, creative confidence, Sold 4 a Song
Sold 4 a Song™ Podcast
Hosted by Terrance Sawchuk, Billboard #1 multi-platinum songwriter, producer, artist, mixer, and entrepreneur.
Sold 4 a Song™ is a living exploration of creative worth, ownership, and the true value of music—inside the systems that monetize it.
If this episode resonates, you can follow the work at sold4asong.com. ]]> Music Interviews Wed, 07 Jan 2026 05:03:00 +0200 0 0 #20: The Rhythm of My Heart with Marc Jordan 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 57:53 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1632460 https://iono.fm/e/1632460
music industry, artists, copyright, AI, sustainability, ownership, creativity, fan relationships, digital age, music therapy

Summary

In this episode of 'Sold for a Song', Terry Sawchuk discusses the evolving landscape of the music industry, emphasizing the importance of artists owning their copyright and data. He reflects on the past year, highlights key guests, and addresses the impact of AI on music creation and artist-fan relationships. Looking ahead to 2026, he shares his upcoming projects aimed at empowering creatives and raising awareness about the true value of music.

Takeaways

Artists must own their copyright and data to thrive.
Monetizing directly and leveraging art is crucial.
Empowering artists is essential for creative success.
AI will significantly impact the music industry.
Direct relationships with fans are vital for artists.
Ownership and sustainability are key for future artists.
The true value of music is often undervalued.
Feedback indicates a broader appeal for my upcoming book.
New projects aim to highlight music's societal value.
Building a community of support for artists is important.

Titles

Empowering Artists in the Digital Age
Reflections on 2025: A Year in Review

Sound bites

"AI will transform the music industry."
"Thank you for joining me today!"
"Let's build this movement together."

Chapters

00:00 Empowering Artists in the Digital Age
02:48 Reflections on 2025: A Year in Review
06:09 The Future of Music: AI and Artist Relationships
08:50 Ownership and Sustainability for Creatives
11:45 Looking Ahead: New Projects and Goals for 2026 ]]> Music Interviews Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:30:00 +0200 0 0 #19: 2025 Year In Review 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 13:59 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1632459 https://iono.fm/e/1632459
They break down how music actually engages the brain, why rhythm can restore movement in Parkinson’s, how songs can “wake up” memory in dementia, and how music therapy helps veterans and trauma survivors access what words can’t. Then Terry connects it back to the core mission of Sold 4 a Song: the painful irony that the people who create the world’s most powerful healing tool are often the ones least valued inside the ecosystem built around it — and why access to music therapy should be reimbursed and available to everyone.

To go deeper, join Terry at TerranceSawchuk.com

👉 Watch for announcements for my Free Webinar coming in January 2026.

Keywords

music therapy, neuroscience, mental health, creativity, neurodiversity, music industry, healing, brain function, emotional connection, artist empowerment

Summary

In this episode of 'Sold for a Song', host Taren Saczek engages with Dr. Concetta Tomeino, a pioneer in music therapy, discussing the profound impact of music on mental health and neurological function. They explore the evolution of music therapy, its applications in treating various conditions, and the importance of recognizing the value of music creators in society. The conversation delves into the neuroscience behind music, the therapeutic techniques used in music therapy, and the challenges faced by artists in the industry. Dr. Tomeino emphasizes the need for greater accessibility to music therapy and the economic value of music in enhancing well-being.

Takeaways

Music therapy needs to be accessible to everyone.
The field of music therapy originated in the 1950s.
Music engages almost every part of the brain.
Music can help individuals with PTSD and cognitive impairments.
Therapeutic music experiences can enhance recovery and function.
Neurodiversity plays a significant role in creativity.
Music can evoke strong emotional responses and memories.
The economic value of music creators is often undervalued.
Music therapy can improve mental health and well-being.
Artists have a unique role in nurturing creativity in society.

Titles

Unlocking the Healing Power of Music Therapy
The Neuroscience Behind Music and Healing

Sound bites

"We need to get the word out."
"Music therapy is a profession."
"Music has power in healing."

Chapters

00:00 The Value of Music Therapy
06:07 Introduction to Dr. Concetta Tomeino
11:46 The Evolution of Music Therapy
20:04 Understanding Music's Impact on the Brain
30:11 Music Therapy Techniques and Applications
40:07 Neurodiversity and Creativity
50:03 The Economic Value of Music and Artists ]]> Music Interviews Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:08:00 +0200 0 0 #18: Dr. Connie Tomaino, Music Therapy and Neurologic Function 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 56:08 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1632458 https://iono.fm/e/1632458
Takeaways

Empowering artists is crucial for redefining creative success.
Musicians must awaken their self-worth to thrive.
AI is changing the landscape of the music industry.
Session musicians are facing unprecedented challenges due to AI.
Technology should be leveraged to benefit creators.
Musicians need to create their own platforms for lessons.
The music industry is monopolized by a few major players.
AI companies are profiting from the work of musicians without compensation.
Musicians should reverse engineer technology for their advantage.
Building a community of empowered creators is essential.

Titles

Reclaiming Value in the Music Industry
The AI Revolution: Threat or Opportunity for Musicians?

Sound bites

"Why am I on your website?"
"AI is an absolute game changer."
"Let's build this movement together."

Chapters

00:00 Empowering Music Creators
01:46 The Impact of AI on Musicians
08:38 Leveraging Technology for Musicians

Keywords

music industry, songwriters, AI, musicians, technology, empowerment, creativity, copyright, session musicians, music lessons

Sold 4 a Song™ Podcast hosted by Terrance Sawchuk, Billboard #1 multi-platinum songwriter, producer, artist, mixer, & entrepreneur.

Sold 4 a Song™ is a living exploration of creative worth, ownership, and the true value of music — inside the systems that monetize it.

If this episode resonates, you can follow the work at sold4asong.com. ]]> Music Interviews Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:06:00 +0200 0 0 #17: Panic at The Music Row 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 10:50 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1632457 https://iono.fm/e/1632457
Terry exposes how AI platforms like Suno allegedly trained their models using music scraped from YouTube without permission, reached billion-dollar valuations, and were ultimately rewarded with licensing deals from major labels like Warner Music. Meanwhile, actual songwriters and artists are told by PROs that using “too much AI” could disqualify them from performance royalties.

This episode confronts the glaring double standard: AI companies can profit from creators’ work at scale, but creators themselves remain restricted, underpaid, and over-controlled. Terry explains how market power, ownership concentration, and pro-rata payment systems continue to suffocate artists — and why the flood of AI-generated music only accelerates the problem.

He closes by teasing artist-first solutions designed to reverse-engineer the system — where creators own their data, control their IP, and finally reclaim leverage in an industry built on undervaluation.

Takeaways

AI companies are being rewarded for actions artists would be penalized for

Major labels prioritize market share over creator protection

PRO rules around AI create a double standard for songwriters

AI is drastically increasing music saturation on DSPs

Artists are more lost in the shuffle than ever before

Ownership and leverage — not exposure — determine power

Major labels control most IP, limiting artist agency

The industry is designed to extract value from creators

Artist-owned platforms are no longer optional

The future belongs to creators who control data, IP, and audience

Titles

The AI Wild West: Who Really Wins in Music’s New Gold Rush?
Why AI Companies Get Paid — and Songwriters Don’t

Sound Bites

“We’ve got value going once, truth going twice.”
“They stole the music, built the platform, and got rewarded.”
“It’s okay for AI companies — but not the creators they took from.”
“Artists are always the ones being over-leveraged.”
“Welcome to the Wild West.”

Chapters

00:00 Value, truth, and the mission of Sold 4 a Song
02:39 How AI music models were trained
05:02 Warner’s deal with AI and what it signals
07:25 Why artists are more buried than ever
08:45 Reclaiming leverage through artist-first systems

Sold 4 a Song™ Podcast hosted by Terrance Sawchuk, Billboard #1 multi-platinum songwriter, producer, artist, mixer, & entrepreneur.

Sold 4 a Song™ is a living exploration of creative worth, ownership, and the true value of music — inside the systems that monetize it.

If this episode resonates, you can follow the work at sold4asong.com. ]]> Music Interviews Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:04:00 +0200 0 0 #16: Welcome to the AI Wild West — Why Artists Are Being Left Behind (Again) 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 9:21 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1632456 https://iono.fm/e/1632456
Terry explains how intermediaries — from Live Nation and Ticketmaster to DSPs and social platforms — control market share, inflate costs for fans, and extract the lion’s share of revenue while creators earn fractions of a penny. He walks listeners through how streaming royalties actually work, why songwriters make hundreds instead of tens of thousands where they once did, and how record labels reshaped streaming economics in their favor before Spotify was even allowed into the U.S. market.

The episode also explores a rarely discussed issue: the absence of a songwriter union, the centralized power of the U.S. Copyright Board, and how government-controlled royalty rates eliminate true market dynamics for creators. Terry contrasts this with how songwriters are paid internationally, particularly for live performances and film music.

At its heart, this episode is about bridging artists and fans directly — restoring connection, transparency, and value by bypassing gatekeepers. Terry closes by expressing gratitude to listeners and reaffirming that the future of music depends on ownership, direct relationships, and creator-controlled platforms.

Takeaways

There is no true free market for songwriters in the U.S.

Fans and artists both want connection — intermediaries disrupt it

Live Nation operates as a near-total monopoly in live music

Streaming payouts heavily favor master owners over songwriters

A million Spotify streams can earn songwriters only hundreds of dollars

Major labels reshaped streaming economics before launch

Social platforms monetize artists and fans as the product

Songwriters lack union protection unlike other entertainment roles

Many U.S. performance royalties never reach creators

Direct artist-to-fan relationships restore value and sustainability

Titles

Why Songwriting Isn’t a Free Market — and Never Has Been
A Thanksgiving Thank You to the Fans (And the Truth About Music Money)

Sound Bites

“There is nothing free market about being a songwriter.”
“Fans and artists are both looking for connection.”
“The middlemen control the experience — and the money.”
“You can’t cash likes at a bank.”
“Nobody leaves the driveway until someone writes a song.”

Chapters

00:00 The myth of the free market for songwriters
02:37 Bridging artists and fans
04:55 Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and market control
07:18 Streaming economics explained
11:55 Why songwriters earn the least
14:23 Copyright control and government-set royalties
16:45 Why U.S. songwriters miss live performance pay
18:30 Gratitude to fans & closing reflections

If today’s episode lit a fire in you, don’t let it fade.
Subscribe to Sold 4 a Song, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
Sold 4 a Song™ Podcast hosted by Terrance Sawchuk, Billboard #1 multi-platinum songwriter, producer, artist, mixer, & entrepreneur.

Sold 4 a Song™ is a living exploration of creative worth, ownership, and the true value of music — inside the systems that monetize it.

If this episode resonates, you can follow the work at sold4asong.com.

Keywords

songwriters, music industry, free market, Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Spotify, royalties, artists and fans, music monopolies, copyright board, PROs, streaming economics, creative ownership

I ]]> Music Interviews Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:01:00 +0200 0 0 #15: How Fans Can Change Everything (And Why Artists Need You More Than Ever) 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 18:32 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1626334 https://iono.fm/e/1626334
To go deeper, join Terry at TerranceSawchuk.com 

👉 Watch for announcements for my Free Webinar coming in January 2026. 

#songwriters, #musicindustry, #livenation, #ticketmaster, #streaming #royalties, #independentartists, #musiccreators, #fanconnection, #artistfanrelationship, #musicbusinesstruth, #copyrightboard, #Spotifypayouts, #Thanksgivingspecial, #behind themusicindustry, #Sold4aSong

What really happens when the mafia, major labels, and radio money all collide?

In this episode of $old 4 a $ong, Terry sits down with legendary investigative journalist Fredric Dannen, author of Hit Men: Power Brokers and Fast Money Inside the Music Business—the book that pulled the curtain back on payola, the mob, and the hidden forces shaping what makes it onto the airwaves.

Fredric shares the real story behind the infamous Pink Floyd “Another Brick in the Wall” experiment, how a handful of “independent promoters” (with documented mob ties) could stop a hit record cold, and why labels willingly fed tens of millions of dollars into a system that often worked more like extortion than promotion.

They dig into:

How Hit Men nearly got blocked by Clive Davis—and why that backfired spectacularly

The mafia-connected “Network” that controlled Top 40 radio in the late ’70s and ’80s

Stories of Morris Levy, Michael Jackson’s team, and artists like Pink Floyd, The Who, Earth, Wind & Fire, and more

The uncomfortable truth about race records, R&B, and how genre labels tracked skin color, not sound

Fredric’s work freeing an innocent man from a Texas prison and why that fight for justice led him to live in Mexico

How his reporting helped inspire Eliot Spitzer’s modern payola crackdown

If you’ve ever wondered why truly great music doesn’t always rise to the top—or why the people who create the value get paid last—this conversation is mandatory listening.

👉 If this episode lights a fire in you, don’t let it fade. Follow/subscribe to $old 4 a $ong, leave a review, and share this with one artist or songwriter who needs to hear it.

To go deeper into ownership, leverage, and building an artist life on your terms, visit TerranceSawchuk.com and join the movement. ]]> Music Interviews Sun, 07 Dec 2025 21:08:00 +0200 0 0 #14: Fredric Dannen, New York Times Best Selling Author of The Hitmen. The book that shook the music industry. 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 57:31 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1626333 https://iono.fm/e/1626333
To go deeper, join Terry at TerranceSawchuk.com 

👉 Watch for announcements for my Free Webinar coming in January 2026. 

💡 Episode Description:
In the first video episode of $old 4 a $ong™, host Terry Sawchuk pulls back the curtain on the rise of AI-generated music — and just how easy it’s become to create a “hit” in minutes. Using Suno AI, Terry builds a complete Motown-style song (about his cats, naturally) right before your eyes.

You’ll learn:

How over 20,000 fully AI-made songs are uploaded every day to DSPs like Deezer and Spotify

The difference between AI-assisted and fully AI-generated songs — and why it matters for royalties

Why SOCAN, ASCAP, and BMI have ruled against paying performance royalties on songs with no human input

The creative and ethical crossroads artists now face: adopt AI or get left behind?

This episode isn’t about replacing artists — it’s about understanding the tools reshaping music’s future.

🎧 $old 4 a $ong™ isn’t just a podcast — it’s a revolution for undervalued creatives. Hosted by Terrance Sawchuk, Billboard #1 writer & multi-platinum producer, each episode helps you rewrite your story from undervalued → unstoppable.

👉 Watch for announcements for my Free Webinar coming in January 2026. ]]> Music Interviews Sun, 07 Dec 2025 21:06:00 +0200 0 0 #13: Let's Create a Song With AI In 1 minute 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 9:53 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1626332 https://iono.fm/e/1626332
To go deeper, join Terry at TerranceSawchuk.com 

👉 Watch for announcements for my Free Webinar coming in January 2026. 

Episode Title: Nobody Is Coming To Save You

In this episode of Sold 4 a Song, Terry Sawchuk gets brutally honest about one of the biggest truths in today’s music industry: nobody is coming to save you.

Record labels, managers, and agents are no longer in the business of building artists — they’re looking for creators who have already done the work. The followers, the streams, the analytics — those are just reflections of something deeper: how much your music actually moves people.

Terry breaks down why many artists are focusing on the wrong things — buying playlist placements, chasing social media numbers, and skipping the real work of becoming better songwriters, performers, and entertainers. He challenges creators to ask the hard questions:

Are you collaborating with people better than you?

Are you delivering performances that truly move an audience?

Are you creating art worth following?

From Dave Chappelle’s comedy insight to JFK’s timeless wisdom, Terry connects the dots between self-reliance, artistry, and ownership. This is your reminder that the real metric isn’t your follower count — it’s how deeply you move people.

💡 Key Takeaway:
Stop waiting for someone to discover you. Do the work. Move people. The rest will follow. ]]> Music Interviews Sun, 07 Dec 2025 21:04:00 +0200 0 0 #12: Nobody Is Coming To Save You 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 10:08 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1626331 https://iono.fm/e/1626331
To go deeper, join Terry at TerranceSawchuk.com 

👉 Watch for announcements for my Free Webinar coming in January 2026. 

Episode Title: Entitlement vs Accountability

In this episode of $old 4 a $ong, Terry Sawchuk dismantles one of the most dangerous traps holding artists back — entitlement. With 30+ years in the trenches of the music industry, Terry shares raw stories of sacrifice, failure, and resilience — from cashing in his retirement savings to spending nearly $20K just to chase a dream in the U.S.

Drawing on Russell Brunson’s Hook–Story–Offer framework, Terry breaks down the truth most creators avoid: if your music isn’t connecting, often it’s accountability. He explains how to find the missing link between attention, emotional connection, and conversion, and why success always favors the artist willing to be brutally honest with themselves.

This episode is a wake-up call for every musician who’s ever said “I’m not lucky like you.” It’s not luck. It’s courage. Because, as Dan Sullivan says, confidence is the byproduct of courage.

🎧 Tune in to uncover:

The difference between confidence and entitlement

Why exposure means nothing without mastery

How to audit what you're putting out there

The mindset that separates lifers from complainers

💡 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with a fellow creator who needs to hear the truth.
Join the movement at TerranceSawchuk.com and sign up for the $old 4 a $ong Journal at SoldForASong.com — where artists turn accountability into empowerment. ]]> Music Interviews Sun, 07 Dec 2025 21:01:00 +0200 0 0 #11: Entitlement vs Accountability 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 16:01 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1626330 https://iono.fm/e/1626330
To go deeper, join Terry at TerranceSawchuk.com 

👉 Watch for announcements for my Free Webinar coming in January 2026. 

🎙️ Episode Title: I Just Want to Be Unique… Like Everyone Else

Description:
There’s an ancient music industry haiku that perfectly sums up the madness of chasing trends:

“Who is this Bob Dylan?
Find me this Bob Dylan.
We’re looking for more of a Bob Dylan.
We’re looking for a younger Bob Dylan.
Who the hell is Bob Dylan?”

In this week’s Sold for a Song, Terry Sawchuk breaks down how the industry’s obsession with replication has crushed originality—and how true freedom as a creator begins when you stop competing and start remembering who you are.

Drawing inspiration from Dr. Bruce Lipton’s insights on subconscious programming and epigenetics, Terry explores how our environment and beliefs shape not just our creative habits but our entire DNA expression. What if the real act of rebellion for artists isn’t fighting the system, but deprogramming it from within?

Tune in to discover:
🎧 Why “market share” thinking kills creativity
🧠 How subconscious programming affects your artistry
🔥 The secret to building a sustainable career through authenticity
💡 Why your unique blueprint—not algorithms or trends—is your biggest leverage

If today’s episode lights a fire in you, don’t let it fade. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with a fellow creator who’s been “sold for a song.”

👉 Go deeper at TerranceSawchuk.com for exclusive content, the upcoming Artist Accelerator course, and updates on Terry’s new book, $old 4 A $ong. ]]> Music Interviews Sun, 07 Dec 2025 20:53:00 +0200 0 0 #10 I Just Wanna Be Unique Like Everyone Else 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 10:24 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1614744 https://iono.fm/e/1614744
Take the free Artist Worth Quiz, join the $old 4 a $ong Journal, and join the waitlist for the $4$ Artist Accelerator™  course all at www.sold4asong.com

Sold for a Song — My Origin Story & Why Creators Must Take Back Their Worth

We’re at a pivotal moment: streaming and AI have squeezed creators harder than ever. In this first solo episode, host Terrance “Terry” Sawchuk (Billboard #1, multi-platinum songwriter/producer) shares his personal journey—from a basement piano in Northern Ontario to Nashville writing rooms, from near-misses to Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” and the hard lessons that shaped the Sold for a Song movement. You’ll hear how ownership, leverage, and streamlined process unlock a creator’s freedom—and why the phrase “sold for a song” has undervalued artists for centuries.

In this episode:

The mission: put power back in the minds, hearts, and hands of creators

Early years: Harris Institute, Arnyard Studios, and demos that became Our Lady Peace sessions

Nashville grind, visas, and the turning point with “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (demo secrets and production choices)

Film/TV phase, burnout, and rediscovering purpose through service

The real history behind “sold for a song” (Shakespeare → Queen Elizabeth I → Lord Burghley)

The framework: Worth → Leverage → Streamline → Sustain

What’s next: the book and the Artist Accelerator for creators who refuse to be undervalued

Approx. timestamps:

0:00 Mission: a creator uprising
3:03 Why tech should leverage art (not the other way around)
5:10 Origins: from Espanola, ON to Toronto studios
11:51 Moving to Nashville & earning stripes
14:04 Writing “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (+ the broke-but-bold demo that changed everything)
20:32 After the hit: pivots, placements, perspective
22:43 The centuries-old meaning of “sold for a song”
24:30 The playbook: Worth, Leverage, Streamline, Sustain + what’s coming

Links & extras:

Join the community & updates: terrancesawchuk.com

Waitlist: Sold for a Song Artist Accelerator (details inside the portal)

If this episode lit a fire in you:

Subscribe, leave a quick review, and share it with one creator who needs to hear it. Let’s build this movement together.

TAGS:

#musicindustry #songwriter life #musicproducer #Nashville stories #recordingstudio #hitsongwriting #BarefootBlueJeanNight #AlanisMorissette #artistempowerment #independentartist ]]> Music Interviews Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:31:00 +0200 0 0 #9: From Rejection to Revelation: What Are They Gonna Say-No? 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 25:22 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1614743 https://iono.fm/e/1614743
Take the free Artist Worth Quiz, join the $old 4 a $ong Journal, and join the waitlist for the $4$ Artist Accelerator™  course all at www.sold4asong.com

Oscar-nominated, Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Dennis Matkosky (Diana Ross, Flashdance, Al Jarreau, Boz Scaggs, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes) sits down with host Terrance Sawchuk to drop a masterclass on creative longevity and business ownership. From writing “Maniac” in 15 minutes and tailoring it for Flashdance with Phil Ramone, to the long road behind Keith Urban’s “You’ll Think of Me,” to discovering and championing HARDY, Dennis shares hard-won lessons on belief, persistence, and treating yourself like the CEO of your art. We get into LA vs. Nashville, film/TV cuts, admin vs. ownership, AI and streamlining, and the new “blue ocean” model where artists own code, data, and distribution.

If you’re a songwriter, artist, or producer who’s ready to stop waiting for permission and start running your career like a business, this one’s a gem.

What You’ll Learn

The real story behind “Maniac” and how lyrics were reshaped for Flashdance

Why great songs are timeless—but cuts are all about timing

Admin deals vs. publishing ownership (and when each makes sense)

How Dennis evaluates and develops talent (and why HARDY bends genres)

The mindset shift: artists as CEOs—and how to build leverage

How AI can streamline the boring stuff so you can create more

Blue-ocean strategies for an artist-owned future (own your portal, data, and distribution)

Guest

Dennis Matkosky — Oscar-nominated, Grammy-winning songwriter/producer. Credits include Diana Ross (“Mirror, Mirror”), Michael Sembello (“Maniac”), Al Jarreau, Boz Scaggs (“Heart of Mine”), LeAnn Rimes (“I Need You”), Keith Urban (“You’ll Think of Me”), Chicago, and more. Co-founder at Relative Music Group.

Follow Dennis:

https://www.relativemusicgroup.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dmatkosky

https://www.instagram.com/dennis_matkosky/

Links & Resources

Relative Music Group: relativemusicgroup.com

Pull Quotes

“You’re the CEO of your company. Don’t hand away the 2% you can control.” — Dennis

“Great songs are timeless; getting them cut is all timing.” — Terrance

“Own the code. Own the data. Own the distribution.” — Terrance

Chapter Guide (optional)

00:00 Opening riff — Artists as CEOs
02:55 Dennis’s early years (Philly roots, Sembello, jazz)
05:50 “Maniac” genesis → Flashdance with Phil Ramone
12:10 Grammy/Oscar season and stiff competition
13:00 Writing/producing for Boz Scaggs, Al Jarreau, Chicago
18:45 LA sessions → film/TV → Nashville move
20:20 “I Need You” (LeAnn Rimes) and pitching strategy
23:40 “You’ll Think of Me” (Keith Urban) — the long game
26:05 Spotting HARDY and bending the genre
30:35 Ownership, leverage, and the artist-as-CEO mindset
37:20 Algorithms, radio, and the new release reality
39:40 Blue-ocean playbook for artist-owned futures
44:20 AI for streamlining creative businesses
45:55 Dennis’s upcoming book & parting wisdom

Tags

Songwriting, Music Business, Ownership, Publishing, Sync, Nashville, Flashdance, HARDY, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, Creativity, AI for Creators, Independent Artists, Relative Music Group, Terrance Sawchuk ]]> Music Interviews Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:27:00 +0200 0 0 #8: He's A Maniac On The Floor. Oscar Nominated, Grammy Award Winning Songwriter Producer Dennis Matkosky 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 48:03 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1614742 https://iono.fm/e/1614742
Take the free Artist Worth Quiz, join the $old 4 a $ong Journal, and join the waitlist for the $4$ Artist Accelerator™  course all at www.sold4asong.com

Fred Mollin Unplugged: Hits, Heartbreak, and the Art of Producing Legends
with host Terrance “Terry” Sawchuk — terrancesawchuk.com

What does it take to produce the greatest songwriters on earth—and still love the work decades later? Grammy-nominated, Juno Award-winning producer Fred Mollin joins Terrance Sawchuk to talk about building trust with legends (Jimmy Webb, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Mathis, Billy Joel, James Taylor), surviving label bankruptcies, composing for film/TV, and why great producers are often great reducers.

You’ll hear the true story behind “Sometimes When We Touch,” how a label collapse wiped out life-changing royalties, why U.S. theatrical runs don’t pay performance royalties to composers (but Europe does), and the making of Jimmy Webb’s intimate classic Ten Easy Pieces—including the version of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” that Bob Dylan singled out in his book The Philosophy of Modern Song. Fred also shares an email that nearly led to producing Dylan himself.

If you care about songs, studios, and the humans who make them, this one’s a masterclass.

Highlights

Trust, taste, and the producer as “reducer”

The crash course: label bankruptcy and lost producer royalties

TV/film back-end vs. U.S. theatrical: what pays and what doesn’t

How Ten Easy Pieces was really recorded (and why it feels live)

Calling in favors: building a Rolodex that gets legends to say “yes”

Modern albums, mega-tracklists, and the algorithm era

Trauma, truth, and why autobiographical songs hit harder

Timestamps

00:49 Intro: Why Sold for a Song exists

02:00 Who is Fred Mollin?

06:45 Dan Hill, Matt McCauley & producing a global hit

10:50 When the label goes bankrupt (and your check vanishes)

12:30 Film/TV royalties 101 (U.S. vs. Europe)

13:30 The Clive Davis “yes-sir” moment

17:45 Becoming the “duets” guy & calling legends

21:20 Making Jimmy Webb’s Ten Easy Pieces

25:30 Standing on the shoulders of great players

26:50 The Bob Dylan email (and what might have been)

29:10 Working with Lamont Dozier & the Motown wellspring

32:30 The algorithm era vs. live, charted studio magic

34:15 Creativity, trauma, and writing what hurts

37:50 Fred’s book, tour, and new Jimmy Webb project

Resources & Links

Fred’s book (signed): FredMollinUnplugged.com

Fred’s site: FredMollin.com

Host: Terrance Sawchuk — TerranceSawchuk.com

www.fredmollin.com

👉 Subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
👉 Join the movement at TerranceSawchuk.com. ]]> Music Interviews Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:24:00 +0200 0 0 #7: In Fred We Trust. Hits, Heartbreak and the Art of Producing Legends with Fred Mollin 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 41:56 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1614741 https://iono.fm/e/1614741
Take the free Artist Worth Quiz, join the $old 4 a $ong Journal, and join the waitlist for the $4$ Artist Accelerator™  course all at www.sold4asong.com

Summary

In this episode, the conversation explores the challenges and triumphs of artists in the music industry, focusing on the importance of self-worth, the impact of personal struggles, and the evolving landscape of music distribution and fan engagement. The guests share their experiences navigating the complexities of the industry, the role of social media, and the significance of authentic connections with fans. They also discuss the power of music to heal and the future of technology in the music world.

Takeaways

You can't ignore the pain of your audience.
The music industry undervalues its contributors.
Self-worth is crucial for artists.
Crowdfunding can empower artists financially.
Social media is a tool for connection, not just promotion.
Authenticity resonates more than perfection.
Music has the power to heal and connect people.
Building a community is essential for artists.
Navigating the industry requires resilience and adaptability.
Personal struggles can enhance artistic expression.

Titles

The Pain Behind the Music: A Deep Dive
Navigating the Music Industry: Insights and Strategies

Sound bites

"You can't get sent 52,000 messages in a year."
"There's so much work involved in everything."
"I made like 30 grand each album."

Chapters

00:00 The Pain Behind the Music
02:42 The Journey of an Artist
05:54 Navigating the Music Industry
08:43 The Role of Social Media in Music
11:34 The Impact of Personal Struggles
14:32 Creating Meaningful Connections
17:35 The Evolution of Crowdfunding
20:36 The Importance of Authenticity
23:42 The Power of Music to Heal
26:26 The Future of Music and Technology

Keywords

music industry, songwriters, artists, mental health, crowdfunding, social media, personal struggles, authenticity, connections, healing

For more go to www.daphnewillis.com

Listen To Somebody's Someone NOW!!!

https://open.spotify.com/track/5E4rKYrMy59ie5eBEhZbzJ?si=36527d7b40284ee7

👉 Subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
👉 Join the movement at TerranceSawchuk.com. ]]> Music Interviews Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:19:00 +0200 0 0 #6: Somebody's Someone, The Pride of Chicago Daphne Willis 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 46:19 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1614740 https://iono.fm/e/1614740
Take the free Artist Worth Quiz, join the $old 4 a $ong Journal, and join the waitlist for the $4$ Artist Accelerator™  course all at www.sold4asong.com

Legendary songwriter Roger Cook joins host Terrance Sawchuk on Sold for a Song to share untold stories behind hit records, the realities of Nashville’s music machine, and the future of music ownership. From Bono bar stories to Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill sessions, this episode is packed with songwriting wisdom, industry laughs, and lessons every creative needs to hear.

Full Show Notes

Episode Summary
In this powerful episode of Sold for a Song, Terrance Sawchuk sits down with Hall of Fame songwriter Roger Cook (You Got Your Troubles, I Just Want to Dance with You) for an unfiltered conversation about:

The highs and lows of songwriting success

Crazy stories with Bono, The Beatles, and Roy Orbison

Alanis Morissette’s intellectual intercourse lyric inspiration

The Nashville writing grind vs. creative freedom abroad

Music industry greed, market share royalties, and blockchain’s future

Why the simplest songs often hit the hardest

This episode isn’t just music history—it’s a roadmap for songwriters, artists, and anyone navigating creative ownership in today’s industry.

Key Takeaways

“Write one for the radio, one for yourself.” Roger’s simple but powerful philosophy on staying authentic.

Market share vs. fairness: Why songwriters often lose money despite millions of streams—and how Web3 could fix it.

Creative freedom matters: Why some of the best songs come from outside the pressure cooker of Nashville.

The hit songs that changed everything: From You Got Your Troubles to I Just Want to Dance with You.

Lessons from legends: Stories involving Bono, The Beatles, John Prine, and Alanis Morissette.

Quotes from the Episode

“The easiest thing you’ll ever do in this business is sign a record deal. The hardest thing? Keeping it.” – Roger Cook

“At some point, you might as well fail being you.” – Terrance Sawchuk

“Write for love first. Let the hits take care of themselves.” – Roger Cook

Resources & Links

Join the Sold for a Song community: TerranceSawchuk.com

Follow Terrance on Instagram: @terrancesawchuk

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your podcasts

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:03 – Nashville beginnings & signing record deals

05:07 – Stories about Bono, The Beatles, Roy Orbison

08:45 – Songwriting with Alanis Morissette

12:30 – Nashville co-writing culture & royalty frustrations

16:20 – Writing hits vs. personal songs

19:30 – Chances Are and the power of simplicity

24:30 – You Got Your Troubles: Roger plays his biggest hit

28:00 – Nashville then vs. now: 1970s to the streaming era

34:18 – Market share, streaming, and blockchain’s promise

36:50 – Publishing splits, admin deals & music business lessons

40:00 – Closing thoughts & future conversations

Call to Action

Join the movement: TerranceSawchuk.com

Subscribe, rate, and review $old 4 a $ong to help more creators reclaim their worth.

Want to go deeper? Watch for the $old 4 a $ong Academy + 1:1 mentoring inside the private portal.

Credits

Host: Terrance Sawchuk

Guest: Roger Cook

Production: $old 4 a $ong / Terrance Sawchuk

Music/Editing: Terrance Sawchuk

Location: Nashville, TN

SEO Keywords (paste in Podbean “Tags”)

songwriting, music business, publishing splits, masters vs publishing, Nashville, George Martin, The Beatles, Roger Cook, Terrance Sawchuk, ASCAP, royalties, country songwriting, catalog sales, investor catalogs, 1000 true fans, ukulele, John Prine

👉 Subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
👉 Join the movement at TerranceSawchuk.com. ]]> Music Interviews Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:14:00 +0200 0 0 #5: Hall of Fame Legendary Songwriter Roger Cook Part 2 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 41:10 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1608439 https://iono.fm/e/1608439
Take the free Artist Worth Quiz, join the $old 4 a $ong Journal, and join the waitlist for the $4$ Artist Accelerator™  course all at www.sold4asong.com

Legendary songwriter Roger Cook—the only British citizen inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame—joins Terrance Sawchuk to unpack six decades of craft, business, and integrity. From “Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)” and “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” to “Talking in Your Sleep,” Roger shares how to write songs that outlast trends, the reality of publishing splits, why masters vs. publishing changed the game, and how artists can build direct, sustainable careers with 100 true fans.

You’ll hear frank stories about George Martin, The Beatles, UK/US publishing practices, live performance royalty gaps, demo culture, co-writing integrity, and why Roger still writes two to three days a week at 85—with a Guild ukulele John Prine gifted him.

What You’ll Learn

Craft: How to write for the listener (and widen your cutability from 3 artists to 33)

Business: Why historic publishing deals siphoned value—and how to negotiate smarter today

Royalties: The uncomfortable truth about US live performance payouts vs. other countries

Strategy: Masters vs. publishing, why investors buy catalogs, and what “uncorrelated assets” mean

Career Design: Portals, community, and the “100 fans x $1,000” model

Chapter Timestamps

00:00 Spiritual payment: why one great line is its own paycheck

01:00 Terrance’s intro + mission of $old 4 a $ong

03:20 Roger at 85: perspective, gratitude, longevity

05:40 Choirboy roots → harmony, melody, first groups (The Harmonettes → The Sapphires)

08:09 The Kestrels, first co-write: “You’ve Got Your Troubles (I’ve Got Mine)”

09:35 When The Fortunes “got the song” and raced it to a hit

11:00 George Martin, “Michelle (ma belle),” and becoming artists

12:43 The publishing math: 70 years after death & the 50/50 (that wasn’t really 50/50)

14:21 US live performance royalties vs. Canada; forms no one files

16:02 Cook & Greenaway: integrity over easy credits

17:49 Modern split creep: how a writer can end up with 5%

19:17 Why investors buy catalogs: undervaluation & uncorrelated assets

21:44 Masters vs. publishing: the big shift with streaming scale

23:40 100 true fans; ASCAP averages; building direct value

25:18 Roger’s routine: still writing 2–3 days a week

27:18 First meeting in Nashville (golf, AIR Studios, Beatles orbit)

31:30 “Love Don’t Let Me Go,” Hillary Lindsey demo, Gordie Sampson

33:15 Coming to Nashville “cocky,” learning to write for the ears here

34:47 “Talking in Your Sleep” and leaving the “English bits” out

36:13 Lyrics first: mixing for words (carving 1 kHz), pop vs. country sensibilities

37:41 Computers, programming, AI voices—and protecting “soul”

39:02 The ukulele from John Prine

40:08 The Beatles’ shockwave; Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Orbison, Everlys

42:35 Work ethic vs. entitlement: Hamburg, clubs, and stagecraft

43:50 Closing: claim your worth, build your portal, own your career

About Roger Cook

Roger Cook is a member of both the American Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. His songs have been recorded by The Hollies, Don Williams, Crystal Gayle, George Strait, John Denver, and many more. Notable works include “Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress),” “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” and “Talking in Your Sleep.” He has collaborated with the greats on both sides of the Atlantic and helped shape pop, country, and rock for over five decades.

Notable Quotes

“I get paid in my soul as a writer.” — Roger Cook

“Change one word and 33 artists can cut your song.” — Roger Cook

“We need a new norm where creators keep leverage.” — Terrance Sawchuk ]]> Music Interviews Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:45:00 +0200 0 0 #4: The Legend To The Legends. Hall of Fame Songwriter Roger Cook Part 1 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 44:07 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1608422 https://iono.fm/e/1608422
Take the free Artist Worth Quiz, join the $old 4 a $ong Journal, and join the waitlist for the $4$ Artist Accelerator™  course all at www.sold4asong.com

Summary

In this episode of 'Sold for a Song', legendary songwriter Eddie Schwartz shares his journey in the music industry, detailing the struggles and triumphs of being a songwriter. He discusses the creation of his iconic song 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot' and the challenges he faced in getting it recognized. The conversation then shifts to the Fair Trade Music initiative, aimed at ensuring fair compensation for music creators and promoting ethical practices in the music industry. Schwartz emphasizes the importance of education and accountability for modern songwriters, advocating for a shift in how artists manage their careers and rights.

Takeaways

The journey of a songwriter is often filled with challenges and rejections.
'Hit Me With Your Best Shot' faced initial criticism but became a hit.
Fair Trade Music aims to create a more ethical music industry.
Songwriters must educate themselves about the business side of music.
Being fearless in creativity and business is essential for success.
The music industry is currently dominated by corporate interests.
Songwriters need to monitor their rights and compensation closely.
Fair Trade Music provides a framework for fair compensation.
Modern songwriters must write undeniable songs to succeed.
Collaboration and support among music creators are vital for change.

Titles

The Struggles of a Songwriter
Creating 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot'

Sound bites

"You can't stop an idea whose time has come"
"The industry is mostly run by the industry"
"Fair Trade Music is a tool that we can use"

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of a Songwriter
20:15 Fair Trade Music Initiative
29:23 The Modern Songwriter's Mindset

Keywords

songwriting, music industry, Fair Trade Music, artist rights, music creators, songwriter journey, music value chain, creative empowerment, music royalties, songwriter education

👉 Be fearless in your creativity, and fearless in your business.

You can contact Eddie Schwartz at:

https://www.eddieschwartzmusic.com/

https://www.fairtrademusicinternational.org/

👉 Subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
👉 Join the movement at TerranceSawchuk.com.

https://www.eddieschwartzmusic.com/biography/ ]]> Music Interviews Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:25:00 +0200 0 0 #3: Hit Me With Your Best Schwartz, Fair Trade Music with Hit Songwriter Eddie Schwartz 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 39:36 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1608413 https://iono.fm/e/1608413
Take the free Artist Worth Quiz, join the $old 4 a $ong Journal, and join the waitlist for the $4$ Artist Accelerator™  course all at www.sold4asong.com

Summary

In this episode of $old 4 a $ong, host Terrance Sawchuk goes behind the scenes of the touring world with Neville Drew Shende — veteran entertainer coach driver, Director of Tour Relations at Pioneer Coach, and founder of CDL Platinum.

Neville shares stories from two decades on the road with iconic artists like Prince, Alicia Keys, Aerosmith, Papa Roach, and Disturbed, offering a rare look at life on tour and the lessons that shaped his career. From the discipline and artistry of Prince to the importance of self-worth, hard work, and healthy balance, Neville brings a fresh perspective on what it takes to succeed in entertainment.

Takeaways

Prince was always moving forward, despite industry pressures.
The importance of self-worth in the music industry.
Building relationships is key to success in entertainment.
Understanding the nuances of your craft is essential.
Creativity should not be stifled by external expectations.
The value of hard work and dedication in achieving success.
Positive energy can uplift those around you.
Investing in yourself is crucial for long-term success.
The importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Learning from experiences shapes your professional journey.

Summary

In this episode, Neville Drew Shende shares his incredible journey as an entertainer bus driver, detailing his experiences with iconic artists like Prince. He discusses the importance of self-worth, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the music industry. Neville emphasizes the value of building relationships and understanding the nuances of one's craft, while also introducing his CDL Platinum course aimed at empowering drivers in the entertainment industry.

Titles

Behind the Scenes with a Rock Star Bus Driver
Lessons from the Road: Insights from Neville Drew Shendi

Sound bites

"Let the baker make the bread."
"I fell in love with the guitar."
"I was the smoothest cat."

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of an Entertainer Bus Driver
20:55 Lessons from Prince: The Art of Perfection
45:32 Navigating the Music Industry: Artist Control and Value
49:01 Empowering Drivers: The CDL Platinum Course

Keywords

entertainer bus driver, Prince, music industry, artist control, CDL Platinum, Neville Drew Shende, songwriting, self-worth, creative empowerment, tour management

You can reach Neville Drew Shende at www.cdlplatinum.com

👉 Subscribe, review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
👉 Join the movement at TerranceSawchuk.com.

Neville Drew Shende – Professional Biography

Current Role:

Director of Tour Relations at Pioneer Coach, one of the leading companies handling coach services for high-profile performing artists.

Industry Experience:

Carries approximately 22 years of extensive experience in the entertainment touring industry, including logistics, fleet management, and driver relations

Career Highlights:

Held multiple roles at Pioneer Coach:

Director of Tour Relations (Apr 2023–Present)

Fleet Operations/Safety Manager & Tour & Driver Relations (Feb 2002–Apr 2023)

Entertainer Coach Driver (Feb 2002–Oct 2009)

Clients: Prince, Alicia Keys, Papa Roach, Disturbed, Aerosmith... 

Managed a fleet of over 37 entertainer sleeper buses, coordinating 36 full-time and 48 part-time drivers—a complex logistical operation demanding precision and reliability.

Entrepreneurial & Creative Ventures:

Owner of Nelvis Enterprises LLC (since March 2004):

Published a book titled “The Entertainer Coach Driver: An Inside Look”, offering behind-the-scenes insight into the concert touring world.

Found ]]> Music Interviews Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:09:00 +0200 0 0 #2: The Way You Do Everything with Prince's Bus Driver Neville Drew Shende 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 57:59 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1608397 https://iono.fm/e/1608397
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Summary

In this episode of Sold 4 A Song, host Terrance Sawchuk engages with Patrick Clifford, a veteran A&R executive, to explore the evolution of the music industry, the importance of empowering artists, and the challenges faced by creators today. Patrick shares his journey from the romanticism of the old school music business to the modern landscape shaped by technology and streaming. The conversation highlights memorable experiences with iconic artists, the significance of ownership, and the necessity for artists to be business-savvy in a rapidly changing environment.

Takeaways

The music industry has historically undervalued songwriters and artists.
Empowering artists is essential for their success and recognition.
Old school music business had a romanticism that is often missed today.
Music played a crucial role in societal changes during the 60s and 70s.
Becoming an A&R man was a dream fueled by passion for music.
Early experiences in the industry shaped Patrick's career path.
The 70s music scene was chaotic yet vibrant, akin to the Wild West.
Discovering and nurturing new talent is a rewarding aspect of A&R.
The Neville Brothers' comeback album was a significant project for Patrick.
Artists today must navigate a complex landscape of technology and business.

Sound bites

"I met John Lennon with Harry Nilsson."
"I wanted to be an A&R man."
"Artists today must be business savvy."

Chapters

00:00 The Encounter with John Lennon
00:18 Patrick Clifford's Journey in A&R
01:45 The Romanticism of Old School Music Business
03:42 The Impact of Music on Society
06:27 The Path to Becoming an A&R Man
09:45 Early Experiences in the Music Industry
12:12 The Wild West of the 70s Music Scene
16:12 Discovering New Talent: The Romantics
18:26 Working with Iconic Artists
21:55 The Neville Brothers and Daniel Lanois
25:08 The Evolution of the Artist's Role
27:15 Navigating the Modern Music Landscape
31:05 The Business Savvy Artist
33:31 Ownership and Control in the Music Industry
36:00 The Role of AI in Music Production
36:19 Memorable Moments at the Dakota
40:45 The Currency of Heart and Soul in Music
46:16 The Importance of Serving Others in Music

music industry, songwriters, artists, A&R, empowerment, music history, modern music, artist management, ownership, AI in music

You can reach Patrick Clifford on Instagram @pchollywood.

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Patrick Clifford – Bio

Name: Patrick Clifford
Nickname: “The Pope of Five Points” – a playful title reflecting his gregarious presence and beloved status in East Nashville’s Five Points neighborhood, where locals often greet him with friendly honks and cheers 

Early Career

Began with Nemperor Artists, working closely with James Taylor and Cat Stevens, and notably discovered and recorded The Romantics Served in A&R departments at major labels: Epic, A&M, Chrysalis, and Capitol, working with Miami Sound Machine, Blues Traveler, and The Neville Brothers

As a senior executive at BMG, he collaborated with iconic figures like Etta James and Ziggy Marley

Ten Ten Music Group

Joined Ten Ten Music Group in Nashville in 2005, serving as VP of A&R until 2013 

Disney Music Publishing

In June 2013, Patrick was named Vice President of Music Publishing and A&R for Disney Music Publishing in Nashville.

In this role, he handled creative leadership, expanded the writer roster, and managed the exploitation of Disney’s extensive song catalog.

Recent Work & Local Legacy

After his stint at Disney, Patrick l ]]> Music Interviews Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:43:00 +0200 0 0 #1: New York State of Mind with guest Patrick Clifford 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk full 53:14 Sold 4 a Song https://iono.fm/e/1608391 https://iono.fm/e/1608391
Hosted by Billboard #1 multi-platinum songwriter and producer Terrance Sawchuk, this show is about reclaiming ownership and streamlining a sustainable creative life. Each episode brings real conversations with legendary hitmakers, executives, and disruptors who confirm: it’s time to start playing the game above the game. Welcome to the Escape Hatch. ]]> Music Interviews Tue, 14 Oct 2025 22:54:00 +0200 0 0 Sold 4 a Song Podcast Coming 09/02/2025 0 0 Terrance Sawchuk trailer 0:38 Sold 4 a Song