Would this be a good idea or not? (Journey Related)

[Greg]

Now, I am in no means trying to step on any professional musician/song writer's ability to make music and write songs, but would a band like Journey - or any band for that matter - ever consider having a song writing contest amongst their fans, and the winner who had the "best" song lyrics could have an opportunity for their song to be on the next record? I hope this isn't an insult to any song writers of the band Journey, and if it is, I sincerely apologize. I am just looking at this from the stand point of really reaching out to the fans. Certainly, the band has reached out to the fans in many different ways....with Jeff being a perfect example of a guy who reaches out to us on a regular basis here.

While I'm looking at the next record being huge with JSS and his song writing ability collaborating with Jon and Neal, I know that the thought of a fan writing a song to go on their favorite band's album may seem, well, ridiculous. I just wonder if a band would ever consider this or if they have considered this in the past? I mean, with shows like the, now removed Rock Star, or American Idol, we see "fans" of music performing with the band or getting record deals.

Jeff, maybe this is a question you could answer? In your honest opinion, is this something you'd feel, as a professional, would tread upon your ability to write and perform music? Or, would you look at this as just the beauty of recognizing a good lyrical song and having the honor to perform it no matter who wrote it? I realize all the legal ramifications in such a venture, but in black and white terms, would this ever be considered a good idea?

[Marc S]

No chance I would imagine. Why would any if them give up a track on a CD, especially if it moved big numbers for someone else to collect the royalties on a song when they are all such prolific song writers themselves? A bit naive to mention 'American Idol' in the same breath as the writing prowess and history of the writers that make up Journey....

[Playitloudforme]

There'd be legal issues for years to come... even the smallest portion of any new song Journey did would be analyzed to see if it 'matched' any one of the songs submitted, there could be accusations of stealing, etc. Nope... they couldn't risk it. Would be fun if one could erase any possibility of the legal bs... but unfortunately, not feasible.

[Rick]

I think they could play it on tour, but not sell it on a CD.

[Monker]

No chance I would imagine. Why would any if them give up a track on a CD, especially if it moved big numbers for someone else to collect the royalties on a song when they are all such prolific song writers themselves?

Is this not EXACTLY what would happen if they rerecord the 'old' songs? Perry would get royalties, or Gregg, or even Robert Fleischman.

[brandonx76]

Aside from the time involved in genuinely assessing all submissions, and potentially taking 'bits and pieces' that they like, this would be extremely cool...but very time consuming. Legally, I see the potential for Journey to listen to a song, and possibly be influenced, on a subconscious level...I can see the need to carefully word contractual requirements...no doubt

[Marc S]

I really don't think they would entertain it. I buy into Journey for the collective songwriting chemistry between Cain & Schon (and Perry for the old stuff) and possibly JSS in the future, not some would be ditty penned by a would be songwriter. If they were running low on ideas they would collaborate with a Jim Vallance or a Dennis Child or whoever. The whole record a punters song idea cheapens the Journey brand.

[*Laura]

I would see this in a different way...

Maybe someday Journey will do something that no other band did before.
I'm thinking of a song writing contest opened for all the Journey fans.
I'm sure thousands of songs would be submitted.

The band picks 10 or 12,record them and release a CD.
Call it "Fans",in the good tradition of the one-word titled albums.

Royalties would be split between the band and the authors of the songs.It's doable.
( Sherrie Swafford is getting royalties to this day and she didn't even participate to the song writing.)

This would be a fun and unique project and a way to honor the most loyal fanbase a band ever had.


...Then I woke up.

[Greg]

I would see this in a different way...

Maybe someday Journey will do something that no other band did before.
I'm thinking of a song writing contest opened for all the Journey fans.
I'm sure thousands of songs would be submitted.

The band picks 10 or 12,record them and release a CD.
Call it "Fans",in the good tradition of the one-word titled albums.

Royalties would be split between the band and the authors of the songs.It's doable.
( Sherrie Swafford is getting royalties to this day and she didn't even participate to the song writing.)

This would be a fun and unique project and a way to honor the most loyal fanbase a band ever had.


...Then I woke up.

Now that would be awesome! For myself, I'm not THAT musically inclined. I have some small knowledge of music (as I torture my neighbors with my guitar playing each night,) but for me as more of a poet, lyric writer, I'd love to hear how a band of professional musicians would interprete my lyrics. Yeah sure, the royalties would be nice, but hearing my ideas performed by my favorite band would be payment enough for me! Of course, I don't know if Journey would ever consider lyrics I have, as I notice when I tend to write, they're very dark poems.....I'd certainly be miles away from "Happy To Give"...

[*Laura]

Now that would be awesome! For myself, I'm not THAT musically inclined. I have some small knowledge of music (as I torture my neighbors with my guitar playing each night,) but for me as more of a poet, lyric writer, I'd love to hear how a band of professional musicians would interprete my lyrics. Yeah sure, the royalties would be nice, but hearing my ideas performed by my favorite band would be payment enough for me! Of course, I don't know if Journey would ever consider lyrics I have, as I notice when I tend to write, they're very dark poems.....I'd certainly be miles away from "Happy To Give"...

It's a real thrill to hear your lyrics sung by a band!I had the pleasure of hearing many of my lyrics put on some great rock songs and nothing comes close to this experience,especially when you can't write songs!
I can only imagine how any Journey fan would feel if the band would use his/her lyrics on an original Journey song!

Btw,Greggie,I see you are on Myspace...There is a musician there,his name is Marc Eric.Songwriter and producer (ASCAP).
He writes songs on demand for people who send him their lyrics.Sounds really exciting as he has a band and a studio and everything is as professional as it could be!
Check him out: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=13113261

Just an idea for you.

[cyndy!]

i think we should leave the songwriting to the professionals.

[Greg]

Now that would be awesome! For myself, I'm not THAT musically inclined. I have some small knowledge of music (as I torture my neighbors with my guitar playing each night,) but for me as more of a poet, lyric writer, I'd love to hear how a band of professional musicians would interprete my lyrics. Yeah sure, the royalties would be nice, but hearing my ideas performed by my favorite band would be payment enough for me! Of course, I don't know if Journey would ever consider lyrics I have, as I notice when I tend to write, they're very dark poems.....I'd certainly be miles away from "Happy To Give"...

It's a real thrill to hear your lyrics sung by a band!I had the pleasure of hearing many of my lyrics put on some great rock songs and nothing comes close to this experience,especially when you can't write songs!
I can only imagine how any Journey fan would feel if the band would use his/her lyrics on an original Journey song!

Btw,Greggie,I see you are on Myspace...There is a musician there,his name is Marc Eric.Songwriter and producer (ASCAP).
He writes songs on demand for people who send him their lyrics.Sounds really exciting as he has a band and a studio and everything is as professional as it could be!
Check him out: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=13113261

Just an idea for you.

Oh swweeeet! Thank you for that!!!!!