THE HOTDISC PROMOTIONAL ALBUM
Formed in 1999, Hotdisc has been promoting country music acts for well over 20 years. We have worked with some of the greatest names in country music as well as up and coming and established acts from all over the world.
We have also enjoyed working with major labels as well as independents. Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Toby Keith and Shania Twain are just some of the household names who have appeared on Hotdisc, and we have worked with industry heavyweights RCA, Capitol, Columbia/Sony, Curb and Universal Records among others.
Our key area is Europe although we do extend into other territories such as Australia and New Zealand.
The Hotdisc monthly promotional album is digitally distributed to a massive list of DJs, journalists, promoters, agents and other key people in the business who are willing to listen to fresh talent and new songs and we are delighted to work with them for the benefit of our clients.
Every act on Hotdisc receives feedback on how their track is performing in the Hotdisc Top 40, which is compiled by the DJs themselves. As well as featuring new tracks on the Hotdisc album, there are often interviews, special exclusive unplugged tracks and soundbites with acts talking about their current song, which is particularly attractive to radio DJs for use on their shows.
There is no extra charge for submitting soundbites and generic liners and we encourage every act on Hotdisc to do this.
In short, we can generate airplay and distribute clients’ music for a fraction of the cost of them doing it themselves. We put together the mailing lists and compile the feedback leaving clients to spend time on what they do best – producing music!
The Hotdisc sleeve features full writer and publishing details, direct contacts of all acts, and track timings for DJs making it extremely user-friendly. We also provide DJs with a complete A-Z of every track on every Hotdisc to help them locate music quickly from past editions. Download your copy here.
Every act on Hotdisc is eligible for the Hotdisc Top 40. The prestigious Country Music People and Country Music & Dance magazines in the UK both publish the chart.
THE DEADLINE FOR EACH ISSUE IS 25th OF EACH MONTH, BUT WHAT ABOUT COST?
A REGULAR track on the monthly album is £195 for British and $300 for Overseas acts. A PREMIER track is £245 for British acts and $400 for Overseas acts. Hotdisc PREMIER PLUS is now available for £345 for British acts and $550 for Overseas acts.
We accept Paypal as a means of payment for overseas clients only. For British clients payment is by direct bank transfer. Details will be given to you at the time of booking.
In the first instance if you want to book a track you can contact us via e mail at info@hotdisc.co.uk or by phone, or via our Facebook page – our details are at our Contact page.
Applying for a track on Hotdisc couldn’t be simpler.
You send us the audio of your track preferably as a wave file or as a high quality mp3 (320kbps).
You fill in the form with the details of your track for the album sleeve and your contact details. You can view the form here.
You make payment by Paypal (Overseas acts) or Direct Transfer (UK).
PREMIER SLOTS
Any act wishing to book one of our six Premier slots per month can do so on a first come, first served basis. The act which books the first slot for a particular month will have their track released in position number one on the Hotdisc for that month. Premier acts are slotted into the first six positions on the running order of the album. Other benefits include their photo on the front of the sleeve, their information highlighted in larger type on the sleeve and banner links on our website for one month.
Note that having a Premier space has no bearing whatsoever on your Hotdisc Chart position!
PREMIER PLUS
The new Premier Plus service features all of the above plus a host of extra promotional packages thanks to a tie-up with the newest 24 hour country music station in Europe, ALL COUNTRY RADIO.
For full details download the information pack here.
AWARD-WINNING SERVICE
The man behind Hotdisc, Stuart Cameron, has been working in country music for over 40 years. He was awarded the prestigious “Services To Country Music” accolade at the UK RADIO COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS in 1999.
In February 2002 he won the Lone Star State Country Music Association award which recognises his contribution made to independent music.
The ICMAG (Independent Country Music Association of Germany) honoured him with the “Best Promoter” Award in their poll, and in 2003 he was recognised for “International outstanding services to Country Music” by the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) based in Nashville.
Being based in Europe means that we can offer the best possible coverage in this market. Because we ship direct from Britain to Europe our mailing costs are cheaper and therefore our prices are very competitive. In fact while costs have soared we have kept our prices exactly the same for the last 18 years! Not many businesses can boast that!
We are also delighted to work with agencies and management companies including Django Promotions, So Much Moore (USA) and Scarlet River Management to help promote their acts, and we are the power behind new radio station ALL COUNTRY RADIO programming the music for the station.
PUBLISHING ROYALTIES
It is important to note that while we generate airplay for our clients we are NOT a royalty collecting agent. The PRS in the UK are responsible for collecting royalties on our clients’ behalf. Sadly their efforts in doing so are not fit for purpose, and despite Hotdisc appealing to PRS and writing articles in the media to try and get their system changed, they insist that their ludicrous way of not paying for airplay on 29 days in a month period or bothering with many smaller stations, is the right way. We strongly disagree and will continue to challenge their methods. In the meantime we are pleased to offer a service which is cost-effective, which generates airplay and gives acts exposure they would not normally get from our comprehensive list of DJs in Europe.
REFERENCES – DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD!!
“I have the most respect for Hotdisc and its Top 40 chart and the way it is compiled. It summarises the opinions of a large group of industry people who listen to a great deal of country music and can be expected to be reasonable and impartial judges. I give far more credibility to Hotdisc and the success it can bring.”
Chris Smith, Country Music People magazine.
“Clint Bradley took advantage of promotion through Hotdisc and topped the Hotdisc chart for several weeks. Clint tells me that this has resulted in a wave of interest and some lucrative bookings and that the first pressing of his album has completely sold out!”
David Allan, Ex Presenter of BBCTV & BBC Radio 2 Country Shows.
“I just wanted to compliment you and Hotdisc on the amount of work you do to support the acts. There’s so much professional work that goes on behind the scenes for our benefit. It is appreciated.”
Ron Mahonin, Producer, Allan Markin.
“I just wanted to drop a line and say thank you for all you’ve done for me and to let you know you are doing great work for all acts including myself.”
David Starr, American singer-Songwriter.
“The feedback you send is so helpful. Thank you for giving acts like me the opportunity to get my music out there in Europe. You provide a terrific service!”
Gordon Jensen, Canadian singer-songwriter.
“What you have achieved with Hotdisc is nothing short of fantastic. DJs like me receive terrific music every month without fail and it gives us an opportunity to play new as well as established acts. It is a pleasure to work with you.”
Ray Grundy, DJ on Metro Radio, UK
“This service has totally changed the way I look at promotion”
Nicola Harris, GB Artist
HOW TO GET A COPY OF HOTDISC IF YOU’RE A DJ/JOURNALIST
A lot of effort is put into the infrastructure at Hotdisc to provide each client with an exceptionally professional service which they will benefit from.
If you are a bona fide person working in the country music industry and would like to receive the monthly Hotdisc album please contact us and we will add you to our mailing list. Each edition is available on the 1st of each month. All we ask is for you to send the reaction sheet back to us to pass on to our clients – your feedback is used to compile the weekly Hotdisc Top 40.
ANY QUESTIONS?
We think we’ve covered everything here on this page for acts and DJs, but if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be delighted to answer your queries.
