Savan Kotecha

I had no idea what that meant, by the way, but I was like, oh my gosh, he's gonna publish my song. That just sounded cool. So I went to school the next day and guess what? Guess what? This guy's gonna publish my songs. And I started like saving up money. And I kind of told my parents about it because I needed like them to know I'm going to go to Nashville.

And they had to come, like someone had to drive me and take the long trip. And they were like horrified by this whole thing. But I think they were just humoring me. And they were like, yeah, you earn the money yourself. You do what you want with your money. And a few weeks later, I'm getting ready for school. And the phone rings and I pick it up. And this guy goes, hello, is Savin Kataka there?

And they had to come, like someone had to drive me and take the long trip. And they were like horrified by this whole thing. But I think they were just humoring me. And they were like, yeah, you earn the money yourself. You do what you want with your money. And a few weeks later, I'm getting ready for school. And the phone rings and I pick it up. And this guy goes, hello, is Savin Kataka there?

And they had to come, like someone had to drive me and take the long trip. And they were like horrified by this whole thing. But I think they were just humoring me. And they were like, yeah, you earn the money yourself. You do what you want with your money. And a few weeks later, I'm getting ready for school. And the phone rings and I pick it up. And this guy goes, hello, is Savin Kataka there?

I was like, yeah, this is Savin. He goes, hi, I'm not going to say the guy's name because I don't want to call him out. But he's a great guy. We're still in touch. This guy from Jive Records calls me. He goes, I don't know how your shitty demo got on my desk. Because I think my secretary put it there. But there's actually a song on here I really like.

I was like, yeah, this is Savin. He goes, hi, I'm not going to say the guy's name because I don't want to call him out. But he's a great guy. We're still in touch. This guy from Jive Records calls me. He goes, I don't know how your shitty demo got on my desk. Because I think my secretary put it there. But there's actually a song on here I really like.

I was like, yeah, this is Savin. He goes, hi, I'm not going to say the guy's name because I don't want to call him out. But he's a great guy. We're still in touch. This guy from Jive Records calls me. He goes, I don't know how your shitty demo got on my desk. Because I think my secretary put it there. But there's actually a song on here I really like.

And I had no, again, no idea that this was a big deal. And he was like, well, listen, I just signed this band out of Florida called Backstreet Boys. And I'd love them to try out the song. And I was like, well, it goes as long as it's not published.

And I had no, again, no idea that this was a big deal. And he was like, well, listen, I just signed this band out of Florida called Backstreet Boys. And I'd love them to try out the song. And I was like, well, it goes as long as it's not published.

And I had no, again, no idea that this was a big deal. And he was like, well, listen, I just signed this band out of Florida called Backstreet Boys. And I'd love them to try out the song. And I was like, well, it goes as long as it's not published.

Yeah, this is when he just signed them. So back in the day, it was a company named Zamba on Jive Records. And you couldn't get a cut with a Jive Records artist unless Zamba published the song. So he goes, if the song's not published, I'd love to try it with the band. I was like, well, and he's like, how old are you? I was like, I'm 17. He's like, you write it yourself?

Yeah, this is when he just signed them. So back in the day, it was a company named Zamba on Jive Records. And you couldn't get a cut with a Jive Records artist unless Zamba published the song. So he goes, if the song's not published, I'd love to try it with the band. I was like, well, and he's like, how old are you? I was like, I'm 17. He's like, you write it yourself?

Yeah, this is when he just signed them. So back in the day, it was a company named Zamba on Jive Records. And you couldn't get a cut with a Jive Records artist unless Zamba published the song. So he goes, if the song's not published, I'd love to try it with the band. I was like, well, and he's like, how old are you? I was like, I'm 17. He's like, you write it yourself?

I was like, yeah, I wrote it myself. He's like, okay, is it published? I was like, no, but I'm saving money because this guy in Nashville is saying that. And I was like, and I really want a record deal for my vocal harmony group. And he was like, you know, trying to talk me out. He's like, you're never supposed to pay, you know, money to get your song published. I've never heard of this guy.

I was like, yeah, I wrote it myself. He's like, okay, is it published? I was like, no, but I'm saving money because this guy in Nashville is saying that. And I was like, and I really want a record deal for my vocal harmony group. And he was like, you know, trying to talk me out. He's like, you're never supposed to pay, you know, money to get your song published. I've never heard of this guy.

I was like, yeah, I wrote it myself. He's like, okay, is it published? I was like, no, but I'm saving money because this guy in Nashville is saying that. And I was like, and I really want a record deal for my vocal harmony group. And he was like, you know, trying to talk me out. He's like, you're never supposed to pay, you know, money to get your song published. I've never heard of this guy.

Let me ask my Nashville folks, because if we don't know this guy, he trusts me. He's not legit. I'm with Jive Records. We're like a legit label. I was like, I didn't know what Jive Records was. So I didn't, you know, there was no internet at the time to look shit up. So. I was sort of suspect of this guy. Cause he was kind of like abrasive.

Let me ask my Nashville folks, because if we don't know this guy, he trusts me. He's not legit. I'm with Jive Records. We're like a legit label. I was like, I didn't know what Jive Records was. So I didn't, you know, there was no internet at the time to look shit up. So. I was sort of suspect of this guy. Cause he was kind of like abrasive.

Let me ask my Nashville folks, because if we don't know this guy, he trusts me. He's not legit. I'm with Jive Records. We're like a legit label. I was like, I didn't know what Jive Records was. So I didn't, you know, there was no internet at the time to look shit up. So. I was sort of suspect of this guy. Cause he was kind of like abrasive.

And after, you know, then he kept talking to me and he was like, listen, kid, you're not the greatest singer. If that's you singing on the tape. And he was like, that's not the only problem. He was like, I could tell by your name, you're different ethnicity. I was like, yeah. He was like, you know, look, I'm a black American. So I'm saying this with utmost respect. I just want to be real with you.