The Band
- Finalize band name : Stewart Hampton Project ( S H P )
- Finalize and sign band agreement
- Finalize CD cover graphics, related texts, etc.
- Decide what will be on the web site (contact info, lyrics, stories, pics, etc.) and what will be on bandcamp site.
- Design bandcamp site. 9-1-25 almost finished
- Create social media presence (facebook, instagram, youtube, tiktok) - John
- Band dinner meeting:
-- Print and sign writer split sheets
-- Discuss band members, etc. (sign documents for all that)
-- Sign contract(s) with record company for releasing first album
Publishing Companies
- Each publisher should register with either the county you live or the state of IN as a dba or LLC.
- Each publisher needs to register with MLC (mechanical licensing collective)
-- then subsequently register each song with MLC
- Register each song with ASCAP
Record Company
- Pick a name : Allen Creed
- Start the business - LLC registered 08-22-2025
-- LLC needs an operating agreement, only for us, but spelling out all the details.
- Open a checking account done 08-29-2025
- Open a paypal account. started 09-01-2025
- Gather and sign contracts (band for release, Darren for artwork, etc.)
The Product
- finalize album cover art in printable format
- figure out what metadata is a must and how it correlates to Reaper metadata names
Contracts (UGH)
- album release with record company
- sound recording royalty split sheets?
- register copyrights
- master ownership - the record company
- record co. will need a mechanical license for each album pressed
Things To Consider
Songwriters and independent publishers might join:
NMPA represents and litigates for all music publishers and songwriters $100/year based on sales
AIMP represents independent music publishers $60/year for online only
Songwriters of North America. We defend songwriters. $50/year
Independent artists and labels join:
American Association of Independent Music which serves as a central voice for a diverse community of over 600 independently owned record labels operating within the United States. No cost to join as artist.