Dan Galen Hodges, Jr., D.b.a. And Eric M. Griffin, J.d. The Profession Of Publishing Music ((link)) May 2026

Here is how you start treating it like one. Most songwriters think they are artists. I think I am a small business.

The romantic myth of the starving artist is bankrupt. Worse, it’s expensive. Here is how you start treating it like one

Based on the unique byline you provided— Dan Galen Hodges, Jr., d.b.a. and Eric M. Griffin, J.D. —the phrase “The Profession of Publishing Music” reads as the title of a definitive, hybrid guide. It bridges the gap between (Hodges, operating as a business) and legal/business affairs (Griffin, an attorney). The romantic myth of the starving artist is bankrupt

Dan Galen Hodges, Jr. (d.b.a.) will tell you to incorporate yesterday. Eric M. Griffin (J.D.) will tell you to read the fine print three times. and Eric M

Together, we argue that

We are two professionals who sit on opposite sides of the same desk. One of us (Dan) operates as a "doing business as"—a sole proprietor who knows that a melody isn't art until it clears a sample. The other (Eric) holds a Juris Doctor—a legal tactician who knows that a contract isn't dry text; it’s the only thing standing between a songwriter and their grocery money.