I Got A Major Movie Placement!!


So here’s the back story.  

I had just moved to L.A. and was doing my best to promote my music the best way I knew how.  I was going to open mics, playing live gigs all over the city and meeting as many musicians and fans as possible.  I was getting some great feedback on my latest tunes and thought that maybe I should get these songs recorded. As a songwriter, you always have doubts about how good your songs are.  Even so, I decided to record them with a great local producer named Rye Randa.  He has recently won the USA Songwriting Competition and had the winning song “Overground” recorded by legendary rock band Three Dog Night. Rye really captured what I wanted from these songs and

I recorded an EP that I was amazingly proud of!

One of my musician friends recommended that I sign up for a service to get the songs placed on T.V. shows and in movies. My doubts still lingered.  Were my songs good enough to place in television shows and movies?  I decided to give it a shot. What the hell!

I found a site called TAXI and submitted music for many, many opportunities…with no luck.

One day on the Taxi site, I saw an opportunity to submit a song for a contest that would be decided at their national songwriter’s convention in Hollywood and decided to submit one of my songs.  I didn’t  expect much. After all, I had had no luck submitting for other projects.

Several weeks later I got a call from TAXI telling me I needed to show up for the convention because I was one of the 5 finalists for the contest.  I was psyched to say the least!

The convention was held right next to the Kodak Theater where the Academy Awards are hosted.  At the finals, I stood on stage with the other finalists.  My palms were sweaty and my heart was pounding as our songs were played in front of several hundred songwriters and industry professionals who chose the winner by applause….

I WON!!!

As the winner, I got to work with legendary producer Micheal Lloyd and remix the winning song.  What an awesome experience that was.  But, that is another story altogether.

That same day I gave my CD to a music placement company and hoped to hear from them about film and T.V. placements very soon.  After all, my song just won a national songwriting competition. I waited and I waited and … nothing.

Cut to five years later.  I hadn’t heard a peep from that company. I had moved to Austin, Texas and continued to write and perform.

Then, an email arrived.  I had to read it several times before it sank in.

“We placed your song  Right Behind The Rain in a Warner Bros film called Something Borrowed starring Kate Hudson and John Krasinski.”

YES!!! I got a song in a major motion picture!! I was so psyched. I couldn’t believe it!  I went to see it on opening weekend and heard my song played…and I watched as my name scrolled down the screen during the closing credits.  There it was, for all to see!!

I will never forget that feeling!  It washed away all the doubts I had about my music.  It showed me that I could really do this! After all these years, my songs were validated, at least in my mind.  I know that all the great feedback from other musicians, winning that song contest, even selling a bunch of my debut CD “See The World” should have been enough.  But it wasn’t.  Seeing that credit on the “Big Screen” was the key.  I knew that my music mattered.

I hope it matters to you!!

If you like what you’ve heard so far, you can get my most recent EP “Right Behind The Rain” by clicking here! Because Creative Loafing Atlanta describes my music as “Passionate Performances Of Some Truly Catchy Songs!”

26 Comments

  • Susan Thompson says:

    Congratulations Phil. That’s wonderful.

  • Paula Welch says:

    Congratulations, Phil!!

  • CONGRATULATIONS Phil on having your song Right Behind the Rain being used in the Hollywood movie “Something Borrowed” what a blessing, HALLELUJAH!Am so very happy for you doors are opening for you and will continue! Stay positive and lifted up!

    • Phil Dutra says:

      Thanks so much, Barbara Jean!! It was all very exciting! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment!! Talk to you soon!!

  • Linda says:

    CONGRATULATIONS Phil.

  • Barbara James says:

    I just read your blog Phil Dutra and Im very proud of you!You have got what it takes to be a great singer!! Congratulations to you and I will continue to keep you in my prayers!!I want your dreams to come true for you!You deserve all good things in life!Your songs will probably be played on the radio soon and possibly T.Vlater!God bless you and I hope you have a blessed night! Love the pictures of you and your family that was in the C.D.s you sent to me!!!They were beautiful and you are handsome!!!

  • Hi Phil I just wanted you to know that I received the 2 shirts today and the CDs!!I am so proud that you sent those to me!!I have got to get me a radio with C.D.player on it now since my phone is messed up and then I can listen to them! will probably be able to get me a new phone by Monday!How are you doing Phil? Hope you’re doing well!I am soo proud of the CDs and the shirts!!Do you mind if I send you a Thank you card to the address on the package you sent the shirts and CDs in?Just let me know and I’m glad that I can help you with your music! Hope you have a blessed evening and keep in touch with me! When I do get my new phone it will be the same mobile number!!I put my house phone no.on a site of yours last night! When I get my phone I will take a picture of myself with your shirt on and send it to you!!God bless you Phil and as always you are amazing!I am still sharing your posts and calling the radio station!!I believe in you and you are a great guy and a special friend to me! Keep on singing Phil!!!

  • Congratulations Phil Dutra and I am so happy for you.I am so glad they chose that song Right Behind The Rain and yes all of your accomplishments matter to me.I wrote a post on Facebook about your songs and your great talent last night.I also tagged one of our local radio stations in Georgia about you,yoursongs,and your amazing talent.I believe in you and you are going to accomplish great things in yourlife.I truly believe that with all my heart.God bless you Phil and I’m still your Cheer leader.You can go to my Facebook page if you want to and see the post from last night about your talent and songs.Take care and I hope you have a great day Phil Dutra.You are an amazing guy!I go by Barbara Huey James on Facebook because we have another Barbara James on Facebook too.Just wanted to let you know that!

  • Congratulations Phil Dutra and I am so happy for you.I am so glad they chose that song Right Behind The Rain and yes all of your accomplishments matter to me.I wrote a post on Facebook about your songs and your great talentless night.I also tagged one of our local radio stations in Georgia about you,yoursongs,and your amazing talent.I believe in you and you are going to accomplish great things in yourlife.I truly believe that with all my heart.God bless you Phil and I’m still your Cheer leader.You can go to my Facebook page if you want to and see the post from last night about your talent and songs.Take care and I hope you have a great day Phil Dutra.You are an amazing guy!

  • Congratulations Phil Dutra and I am so happy for you.I am so glad they chose that song Right Behind The Rain and yes all of your accomplishments matter to me.I wrote a post on Facebook about your songs and your great talentless night.I also tagged one of our local radio stations in Georgia about you,yoursongs,and your amazing talent.I believe in you and you are going to accomplish great things in yourlife.I truly believe that with all my heart.God bless you Phil and I’m still your Cheer leader.You can go to my Facebook page if you want to and see the post from last night about your talent and songs.Take care and I hope you have a great day Phil Dutra.You are an amazing guy!

  • Congratulations Phil Dutra and I am so happy for you.I am so glad they chose that song Right Behind The Rain and yes all of your accomplishments matter to me.I wrote a post on Facebook about your songs and your great talentless night.I also tagged one of our local radio stations in Georgia about you,yoursongs,and your amazing talent.I believe in you and you are going to accomplish great things in yourlife.I truly believe that with all my heart.God bless you Phil and I’m still your Cheer leader.You can go to my Facebook page if you want to and see the post from last night about your talent and songs.Take care and I hope you have a great day Phil Dutra.You are an amazing guy!

  • Sheila K. Gault says:

    When we are able to unlock the God given talent within ourselves,, great Joy and perseverance come to head. With that,,,,,Keep your head to the sky and always know ,,, but God. Have a Blessed Day Phil Dutra.<×

    • Phil Dutra says:

      I’m so sorry for not replying sooner. I have not been getting comment notifications! Thanks so much for listening and leaving this comment! Wishing you all the best!!

  • Mary Williams says:

    Congratulations Phil I am so happy for you I can imagine the feelings you have the songs you have given as gifts are awesome thank you and looking at the time you sent this message wow you are excited

    • Phil Dutra says:

      Thanks so much, Mary!! My apologies for not replying sooner. I have not been getting comment notifications! Wishing you all the best!!

  • Andrea says:

    Great Beginning and I say that with feeling for I feel it in my bones that you will go far!

  • Colin Rowley says:

    Congratulations. May there be many more to follow. Great songs always attract an ear.

    • Phil Dutra says:

      Thanks so much, Colin! I really appreciate the comment! I’m sorry that I haven’t replied sooner. I have not been getting comment notifications. All the best to you!!

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