INDUSTRY OF THE WEEK: Bradley Collins

Bradley Collins is a Writer-Publisher Relations Director at BMI in Nashville, Tennessee. He’s always looking for new songwriters and ways to help them. Check out is his profile on American Songspace.

Bradley Collins is a Writer-Publisher Relations Director at BMI in Nashville, Tennessee. He’s always looking for new songwriters and ways to help them. Check out is his profile on American Songspace.

What is a typical day at your job?
Typically, I start the day with songwriter meetings. These writers are looking for a referral to a music publisher or they seek an opinion on their material. Lunch is spent with people in different aspects of the
music business, but usually a publisher or songwriter. Throughout the day I field phone calls regarding anything from “What does BMI do?” to “How do I set-up a publishing company?” At night, I go to showcases and
songwriter nights. I jokingly say that I’m in the office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then at shows from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

How did you get started in the music business?
My first real job in the music business was at Acuff-Rose Music. I worked in the creative department burning copies of writers catalogues, making writer comps and every so often they’d let me pitch
songs. Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, Roy Orbison, Lefty Frizzell and Dean Dillon were just a few of the great songwriters who wrote for Acuff-Rose.

Any advice for folks who want to work in the music business, but aren’t songwriters or artists?
Know the market. Regardless of what genre of music you’re in, you should be able to talk intelligently about not only the top half of the singles, download and album charts, but you need to know the bottom half as well.

What advice do you have for amateur and aspiring songwriters who don’t know a thing about publishing?
Set up a meeting with your Performance Rights Organization and request an evaluation of your writing. Each PRO has a Writer Relations department that works with songwriters on every level. Typically I
meet with writers three to five years before they have anything going on.

Who are your favorite songwriters of the moment?
Jamey Johnson, Scotty Emerick, Brandon Flowers and Casey Beathard.