SIXX:A.M. vocalist James Michael shared a revealing story about music industry practices in a recent video on his YouTube channel. A prominent producer had attempted to claim writing credits for Michael’s song, which was written for an American Idol contestant’s album.
“I remember one time I had written a song for one of the ‘American Idol’ contestants who had done very well in that show and was getting ready to release their first album,” Michael said. “And I don’t wanna mention names, but a very well-known artist.”
“The record label and the management company loved it and were very excited about it,” he continued. “Now, there was a big-name producer who was producing this album. And one day I got a call from the producer’s assistant saying, ‘Hey, the producer wants a writing credit on this song.'”
“If you’re the producer, you’re getting paid to produce the song,” Michael explained. “If you have an idea for the song, then by all means, I’m open to you adding your idea to the song, if it makes it better, and then, of course, I would share writing credit with you, but that was not the case in this particular situation.”
Michael retained sole writing credit for his work when the song was released. This incident sheds light on a broader issue within the music industry regarding songwriting credits and creative ownership.
Industry Veteran’s Perspective
Documentation from SIXX:A.M.’s official website highlights Michael’s extensive experience as a producer, songwriter, engineer, and mixer. His collaborative portfolio includes work with major artists such as Halestorm, Meat Loaf, Alanis Morissette, and Kelly Clarkson.
His comprehensive background in music production provides unique insights into the complexities of creative ownership and collaboration in the industry.
The Dark Side Of Success
Blabbermouth published Michael’s observations about “predatory songwriting” in the music industry. This practice emerges when songs demonstrate commercial potential. Various individuals then attempt to claim undue credit for the work.
The modern music industry has seen an increase in this behavior. Successful songs now generate substantial revenue through streaming, licensing, and performance royalties.
Artists’ Rights Advocacy
Gephardt Daily reported on Michael’s emergence as an advocate for artists’ rights. He specifically focuses on fair credit attribution and protecting songwriters from exploitation.
His commitment to creative integrity amid industry pressures has established him as a respected voice for emerging artists facing similar challenges.
