Hot Line Gives Timely Information on Industry Opportunities--for a Price

There’s never been any shortage of songwriters “looking to hit the charts,” according to Keith Edwards, a 32-year-old songwriter and producer. And what often makes the difference for both new and veteran artists is access to timely information.

Edwards isn’t talking about those brief moments when Madonna or Paula Abdul might be looking for new songs, dancers or backup singers. “Everybody already hears about that,” he said.

The information Edwards and other songwriters seek comes mostly through word-of-mouth and in the industry tip sheets, which alert subscribers to the needs of producers and record companies. But now Edwards is offering another source of news with TIPS, a 900-number telephone service launched three months ago in Venice.

Callers to TIPS, which costs $7 for a three-minute call, hear a recording telling of opportunities--usually four--from a variety of sources.

“Originally, it was going to be exclusively for songwriters,” Edwards said. “But I found so many of the production companies were asking me to put up things for artists, bands and songwriters.”

Inspiration for the service came from Edwards’ own experience with tip sheets, which sometimes carried information already outdated by the time it reached him. The TIPS line is updated every two weeks, but can be changed within an hour if an important item surfaces.

One example was a recent report that a producer was looking for “a young female rock vocalist/instrumentalist” to join a Japanese recording artist on her international tour, since she speaks no English.

“That’s a great opportunity for some unsigned singer to get out there with a signed band on an international tour,” said Edwards. “You’d never find that in another tip sheet in a million years because it’s here and gone already.”

Edwards has been at his craft for seven years and has worked in licensing old songs for use in films and elsewhere. It is this experience, earned while collecting a long list of industry contacts, that guides him in choosing the information that would best serve music business hopefuls.

Prospects included on the TIPS line, he said, are open to unestablished artists. “I make sure they are accepting material from free-lance songwriters.”

The TIPS telephone service: (900) 329-3667, Ext. 847.

TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD: Another 900 number, this one sponsored by Sire Records in Burbank, is geared toward fans, while raising money for local and national AIDS groups.

The nationwide project offers callers a mix of new songs, interviews and gossip about Madonna, Ice-T, Morrissey, k.d. lang, Depeche Mode and other Sire and Warner Bros. artists.

In recent months, the Sire Records Hotline has also recorded messages on the flag-burning issue from rapper Ice-T, and safe sex, recorded by Madonna during the “Justify My Love” sessions. Added to this are regular features on concert dates, upcoming albums and contests. The programming is changed weekly.

The Sire Records Hotline: (900) 999-SIRE. Callers are charged $1.25 per minute.