PG Music Home Forums General Discussion Off-Topic Copyrighting - followed by the ever present Hilltop Records letter

I have had this happen twice now, with the EXACT form letter. EXACT. And almost 2 years apart.

Whenever you copyright something, this group allegedly from LA gets your mailing address, since it IS public record when you copyright, and sends a form letter explaining how they are in the middle of a music project and somehow heard your songs and they are the PERFECT fit for their stable or artists, and they name like Celine Dion, Tony Bennett.... They direct you to their web page where for just something like $450 per song they will shop them to these artists they allege to even know and make you a famous songwriting star.

Man, do people really fall for this stuff?

Here is their form letter.
- - - - - -
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


Funnier still, my nephew's name is Tom Hartman.

Eddie,

I know it's public record, but have you contacted the copyright office and gave them this information?

We have gotten about 5 or 6 of those letters. Every time you copyright a song you will get one. I have no idea why anyone would send them money, just check google to see what I mean.

What do you want me to do?? I'm in GEORGIA!

(from you can't fix stupid)

I just received another copyright in the mail, but didn't receive anything from Hilltop. Should I be concerned?

OOps..... I forgot the smiley face in my post.