Ever received a letter from HillTop Records?

Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:43 pm

Hello RO,
just an FYI, I walked out to my mailbox the other day and as I was walking back to the house I noticed I received a letter from a outfit called "HillTop Records".

Now when I was walking into the house I was curious who on earth Hilltop Records is and why would they be contacting me?

I opened the letter and it read:

Dear Bret Norman,

HillTop Records is an independent label in Los Angeles, and we are contacting you regarding your compositions. We would like to consider them for possible arranging, recording and distribution on our new CD Album project.

Our award winning professional musicians, arrangers and producers have worked with many of the giants in the music industry. Players on our talented team have recorded tracks for Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Trisha Yearwood, Natalie Cole, Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond, Bette Midler, Joe Feliciano, Chuck Berry, The Four Tops and many, many more. We have played some of the greatest songs of all time with the artists who made them famous, and now we want to carefully consider some of the songs you have written.

Our professional team is well into production on a special new music project, and we would like to review your material for the CD album. To increase your chances for acceptance, send us three or four of your very best compositions. You may send completed songs, lyrics only, poems or instrumentals. If one of your compositions is chosen, it will be arranged and recorded by some of the best in the business. Your song will then be professionally packaged, shipped nationwide to stores and radio stations, and you will be paid a royalty for every recording sold.

If you send your songs on cassette or CD, please include lyric sheets. We will review all of the songs that you send very carefully, and you will receive our decision promptly. Your songs will not be used without your written permission, and your material will be returned upon request if postage is provided.

The music industry continues to grow world wide, and there is a constant demand for fresh, new songs. Stars search for catchy new lyrics. Radio stations look for the latest recordings. The explosion of satellite and cable television with hundreds of new channels and special music programs has created still a greater demand for new music. HillTop Records wants to help meet that demand; we are searching for great new songs for recording and distribution.

Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson were once unknown songwriters. Their songs, maybe like yours, were once heard by only a few close friends. Then they got a break. They got a chance to professionally record their music. And now their songs are a big part of the multi-billion dollar music industry. This could be a tremendous opportunity for a talented songwriter. HillTop Records could be your first big break in the music industry.

All the best,
Tom Hartman

Well, as you can imagine my first reaction was one of wonder.

How on earth did they get my address, where did they hear me?

I called a couple friends and then did the google search.

Scam!

I did a simple search and here is the first result:

Hilltop Records Scam
They somehow get your mailing address when you submit your music to the copyright office. They write back and say they may want to use your song on an album and ask you to pay them so they can record a demo which will then be reviewed. I've seen TOO many negative stories about HILLTOP RECORDS and did a search on Amazon for products/albums they released. I only found work from the 1960's!

I recommend working with a label you can physically go to and record your work there for demo purposes, rather than give money to one that is likely duping you. After I recorded my first song is was licensed to a major record label that paid me $1300 up front and a percentage of sales for the 125,000 copies that were sold. I collaborated with a producer that already paid for studio time so studio costs were low.

And guess what? I submitted a Album to the Copyright office so go figure.

So FYI, if its too good to be true, chances are that your being had!

jamm Cool

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:10 pm

jammster wrote:

We will review ass of the songs that you send very carefully, and you will receive our decision promptly.

Typo or Freudian slip?

Trust your feelings young Jedi, it's a standard form letter. LOC records are available to anyone who knows where to look.

asking for money, or wanting you to sign away the rights to your work = song shark.

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:21 pm

dvdhawk wrote:

Typo or Freudian slip?

I think its the latter one.

Its been a while since I got a letter like this, I thought I get it out there so you folks can see what kind of flattery letters are capable of. Wink

Its true, as I was typing it I wanted to insert all the BS I was thinking.

There's a sucker born every minute, I really don't want to jump on that wagon!

BTW, the word was supposed to be all not a**! Funny how i missed that.

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:23 pm

I fixed the typo.

Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:39 pm

bigtree wrote:

I fixed the typo.

Sorry, I guess I should have done that. Embarassed

Its easy for me to laugh about it. Wink

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