With over three decades of experience in publishing, licensing, and songwriter advocacy, Susan Fontaine Godwin has seen the music industry from the inside out. From launching the publishing department at Integrity Music to founding Christian Copyright Solutions, Susan has been at the forefront of protecting songwriters’ rights and ensuring artists get paid fairly.

In this episode of The Hatch Podcast: Music Accelerator, host Chris Estes sits down with Susan to unpack her journey, the evolution of music publishing, and the lessons indie artists need to know about copyright, licensing, and revenue collection.

👉 Apply now for the Hatch Music Accelerator: 119collective.hatchfairhope.com

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How Integrity Music’s Hosanna! tapes sparked a movement in worship publishing
• The founding of Christian Copyright Solutions and the need for simplified blanket licenses
• Why churches and songwriters must understand copyright exemptions—and where they end
• The rise of independent artists and church-based publishing collectives
• International publishing pitfalls: what to know if your songs find an audience overseas
• How fraudulent copyright claims happen—and what policing your catalog really takes
• The importance of having the right administrator to protect your global rights

Key Episode Highlights

• From 70 songs to 4,400: building a catalog from scratch at Integrity Music
• How blanket licensing made it possible for churches to legally perform 20 million songs
• Stories from the “Wild West” of international publishing—like a $10,000 cash payout in Brazil
• Why indie songwriters today have more opportunities than ever—but also more responsibility

We’re proud to support Alabama music and the next generation of artists through the Hatch Music Accelerator — a free 12-week program helping artists grow as performers and professionals. With studio time and industry mentorship, musicians gain the tools they need to share their songs with the world.

Apply here: 119collective.hatchfairhope.com.