I was Scammed as well by Hilltop Records starting with a letter "About The Company", then another with all their " Star " recognition and what stars they recorded tracks for. After reviewing, In Dec. I sent them a demo cd with 4 or 5 songs on it. They sent me back letters for three of them... They are "I'm Changing My Life" & "Devil In Blue Jeans" written by me in November. (They used them on thier "America" cd. I then sent them "I Think I Met Jesus" in January. (which They sued on thier "Heaven Is My Home" cd.
At supposed "Screening Costs" of $429, $399, and $445, this unemployed homemaker was taken for a "glory ride", one that cost my family $1273. At the time, I wanted to check with a lawyer about the legality of the contract, but couldn't afford one, so I gave in. Yes, they make it sound sooo good, but what I found out through my own research was... The songwriter who buys their Cd's from the "Songwriter Wholesale Order Form" is pretty much paying thier OWN royalties!
The songs were okay, but not awesome, I was just happy to have them published, Clearly I wasn't thinking! I ordered copies of the cd's (not many), got 2 checks one for around $11, and one for $30. That was 2 years ago. None since. I have also "Written" and asked for an "actual list" of companies they sent the promotional info for those Cds to. I got NADA!.
Truth is, every time you send ANY song lyrics to the Library of Congress, Hilltop is there waiting to get you on the hook. They send you a letter about your song and you know the rest... Sad truth is they Do "publish" your song, Take your Money, and it is legal. Because they "Published" your song on a Cd. I have Yet to find Those particular cd's any where in the last 2 years.By the way, the progress letters you get are just generic letters they keep and fill in your song in the title space. They sent the same letter to me for all 3 songs... They did not change the wording on any of them.
Now About the CD Titles & Those nice posters they send you, I'm not sure where i heard this, but they "Recycle" the titles of thier Cd's after a few Years, so if you can't find your name on the "writers list" on a Cd, it's probably an older version of the same cd title. Look more into it... But don't feel bad, I can't find mine either!
A few months back, I sent them a letter about royalties, and heard nothing... Since then, they have moved to a new address which is listed at the top of my comment, along with a phone #. (which I have not tried to call yet). Any how to ALL of you up & coming songwriters with a dream... Don't fall for the "Glory" of thier letter, Shop around & check all companies out. NO ONE is an OVERNIGHT SUCCESS, but don't give up, I am still sending other song demo's out... Be careful... Trust no one without checking them out!
0 comments