Up Close with Julie Gold: Networking and persistance, keys to success
by Scott McCormick, Winter, 1999

"When your answering machine blinks, it can change your life," says songwriter Julie Gold. Such was the case for her one night in 1986. A secretary at HBO, Julie came home to a message from Nanci Griffith who had fallen in love with one of her songs and wanted to request a hold on it. The song was "From a Distance," and not only did it eventually appear on Griffith's Lone Star State of Mind (MCA), but it was performed by The Byrds, Judy Collins, and a dozen Irish and English acts before Bette Midler scored a huge hit with it in 1990, earning Gold a Grammy Award for Song of the Year. But even with a Grammy, Gold still has to struggle for each and every sale.

"My Mantra Is, 'They're Wrong'"
- Julie Gold

She first arrived in New York in 1978 to pursue a record deal. She had management, steady gigs, and strong material, but got nowhere. "I was making a sincere effort,"she recalls. "I had all the how-to books, all the guides, even all the celebrity addresses.

I used to pitch my songs in the most naïve way, writing letters directly to the artists, like 'Dear Ms. Streisand,' but, of course, my efforts were fruitless. Even 'Distance' received rejection after rejection."

What led to her first big break was her involvement with the New York music community. "I'm lucky to be part of the scene that includes Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, John Gorka, and Christine Lavin," she says. Gold got to know these and other aspiring musicians as they'd sit in smoky nightclubs, waiting for their chance to sing two songs. It was Christine Lavin who, as a friendly gesture, sent "Distance" to Nanci Griffith.

When she got the call from Griffith, Gold ran out and published the song with BMI so she could collect on the revenue from the song. It wasn't long before it became a regular part of Griffith's repertoire. "Nanci used to call me from the road to tell me the response my song was getting. It became a kind of anthem in Ireland."

The song's stature grew steadily, but after Bette Midler recorded it, the success became overwhelming. There were marching band versions, choral versions, and even music boxes. Other artists soon performed the song, including: James Galway, Jack Jones, and Patti LaBelle. "It was incredible," she says, "beyond my wildest dreams. I didn't even write it as much as channel it ­ I can't believe I get the credit for it."

Not that she's complaining. To date she's won a Grammy; a Minute Man Award, given to her by the United States Army for inspiring our troops during the Persian Gulf War; a citation from the Governor of Pennsylvania (her home state); and an award from BMI, certifying her song has been played on the radio over two million times.

In spite of the tremendous success of that one song, Gold, now a full-time songwriter, estimates she pitches a song about one hundred times for every sale she gets. "Believe me, there are so many records I wish I was on and I'm not; but not for the lack of trying," she says, "I write songs, I pitch them, I pray, and I get rejected. Over and over and over. And every now and then my answering machine flashes with a beautiful message."

Now that she has a network of people in the industry, at least she's finally pitching her material to the right people. "It's that first call you have to make that's so tough. 'Distance' at least gets my foot in the door, but that just means I can send in a tape and maybe someone will listen to it."Then comes the hard part of following up. "We're writers," she says, "We're sensitive, but at the same time we have to be able to take criticism and rejection. But if you believe in your music, then it's all so worth it."

Through Disc Makers, Gold recently made a CD of her early demos ­ the very ones she used to send out ­ which contains the original version of "From a Distance. "Go to Christine Lavin's Web site, www.christinelavin.com for ordering information (also, check out her "31 Helpful Tips For the Performing Songwriter"). In December, Gold and comedian Julie Halston will be putting on a regular show at Eighty Eights in Greenwich Village, called Julie2. She's also just completed a musical called, The Perfect Day and is beginning the process of
pitching it.

Her advice to songwriters: "If you're a songwriter, it's the world's greatest privilege, so handle it with dignity and responsibility. Realize you have the potential and power to touch and affect millions of people. Remember above all, if you believe you're right, then you are and your critics are wrong."



For more information, contact Tobie Grama at 212-366-5854.

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