Hi all, I'm new here to the boards. I am hoping someone could give me some in sight on a project I am working on. I am compiling a Christian book-autobiography/journal/anthology. Music and Jesus are my passions and put them together it's like fireworks in my soul. Through out my book I would like to incorporate songs that have encouraged and inspired my life. In my book I want to quote lyrics from about 12 music artists. I also had an idea about including a dedication CD for the book with all the songs mentioned in the book which would probably have to be an after thought. I know I have to get permission to use the lyrics and then each artist would get royalties which is understandable, and with the CD it gets more costly and complicated unless I can find a publisher that would take interest in this project. I am not looking to profit off of the project it's only to minister. Does anyone know of a company or publisher that might be interest in backing a project like this? Another musician told me to check into ASCAP or BMI in Nashville for my lyrical poetry which could be made into songs which is another route to look into. I was looking into Paramount Group in Nashville, but I'm a little apprehensive about sending out my work to them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Please give me some feedback on this.
This is an email I received from one of the artist's managers:
Hi Leigh,

Thanks for writing. It's exciting to hear that you are working on a
book! I would be happy to try to answer your questions and provide any
help that I can.

First, on the issue of quoting from XXXX and other artists' songs. It
would be an honor to have XXXX's lyrics included in the book and I'm
sure the other artists would feel the same way. In order to receive
authorization to reprint their words, you'll need to contact the music
publisher handling the administration of each the songs you would like
to include. In most cases, the publisher is listed within the liner
notes of the release the song appears on. To provide the permission
you need, they'll issue a print license for the use and negotiate a
rate at which you will compensate the author/artist - a percentage of
the income generated from the book's sale. The print license will
include a number of other stipulations on the song/lyrics' use - most
often that the rate be applied on a "favored nations basis" (that you
pay the publisher/licensor a royalty that is equal to the others you
obtain licenses from), the royalties be due and payable on a quarterly
schedule, and that you include text clearly identifying the songs
author, copyright date & protection, publisher, and you are using it
"by permission." If you're working with a publisher, they should be
very familiar with this process and be able to walk you through or just
handle it on your behalf.

Putting a CD together to accompany the book will be more involved. Its
a similar situation, but in this case, you'll need to request a license
to use the recording (the master) from the owner of the copyrighted
sound recording. The owners for each of the recordings will be their
respective record labels. The master-use license will cover the
provisions for the song's use - royalties, payment of mechanical
licensing fees, territory where the title can be distributed, etc.
This, again, is something that I would talk to your publisher about.
It can be a lot of work (and a lot of money) to put together and
manufacture a CD - and as you can probably tell - a lot of little
details can go into it when it comes to a compilation CD.

I hope this helps provide an introduction to all this. Let me know if
I can help with anything further.

Wishing you the best in this endeavor!
Blessings,
XXXXXX

I could do self publishing (www.lulu.com), but I don't think I would be able to include the lyrics then.
Thank you~Leigh
_________________________
" The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller