Creator Spotlight with Singer/Songwriter Grant Collinsworth
This week, we’re pleased to highlight singer/songwriter Grant Collinsworth. After reading his spotlight blog, check out his album “If I’d Only Had a Band.”
What was the inspiration behind becoming a creator? What do you enjoy most about the creative process?
I had many musical influences when I was a kid. I was also partially raised by two artists (painters). I enjoy the creative process much in the same way I enjoy watching beauty unfold. Particularly, I enjoy being the agent who manipulates and asserts change leading toward beauty.
Can you talk through your creative process? How long does it take? Does everything you produce make money?
As a songwriter, if you want to earn money from your music, the most valuable thing to learn is to “NOT wait” around for inspiration. I’m teaching myself how to pound out (songs) and then throw them away. While it suggests that songs (even the hits) are dispensable, at the end of the day, if you can master the principles, you can always write a viable song.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about your line of work?
Glory and stardom do not emerge solely from good songs. They also emerge from good producers and managers with an ability to support the artists they work with. All the rest is fluff and practice.
When did you first become aware of copyright, and why?
I became aware when Napster emerged. People weren’t getting paid for their mechanical rights like they were supposed to … Napster changed the entire face of copyright protection and enforcement.
Have you experienced copyright infringement and, if so, how has it affected you personally and financially?
Yes. It boiled down to a simple case of a very amateur computer geek trying to pass off amateur material from a very amateur creator as his own to an audience of crickets who weren’t aware.
What do you do when you encounter someone stealing something you’ve invested your intellect, time, and money into?
I would reach out to the offender with a takedown notice. Also submit info to ASCAP, BMI, ETC. to make them aware of the offender. Since I don’t really have material revenue loss and damage to worry about; most attorneys would not likely take my case up front. So the best action would be for me to work on a deal with the offender. (Sort of like Tom Petty vs Sam Smith)
What is the best piece of advice that you would give other creators in your field about copyright and how to protect themselves?
Copyrights lend to credible enforcement via litigation. They don’t stop infringement from happening. You can have a copyrighted song and still get ripped off, lose royalties by violators. But when a copyright is officially filed with the U.S. Copyright Office, the work(s) get an official time stamp. File your work before some thief files your work as his/hers, as it will give you the option to claim damages should you need to go to court.
How has AI technology impacted your works and career?
AI has a loooong way to go before it can be implemented as a trustworthy solution to creative processes. I tried making a video using one of my produced songs. The results were amusing but lacked efficient accounting and execution of an artist’s nuance. Again, that’s my own opinion.
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