Music Funding 101
Sponsor Involvement in the Music
A big question facing many bands is how will they deal with anyone (sponsor or otherwise) who wants to "take control" of the music; meaning either the music, lyrics or production. It's the same concern that bands have about record labels (majors in particular.)
Well, with sponsorships, bands can probably put their fears aside; most sponsors are not going to want to tamper with the musical creations. And even if a sponsor did like the idea of having something to do with the music, lyrics or production, they would probably remain un-involved (as they have been up to this point in their lives) so they can focus on the exposure and hopefully new-business that they are going to be receiving as a result of the sponsorship.
This is not to say that a band can't offer up some involvement, however. The key is for the band to view any outside involvement in the music, lyrics or production to be an "extra" or "additional" project, that is separate from and on top of the band's "regular" material. Bands don't have to tell the sponsor this, but if it helps a band to lessen the feeling of losing control of the music, then by all means they should think about it this way.
If a band does end up talking to a sponsor who wants artistic input, the band should just remember to view the sponsor as a vehicle to get the music out to the public. That's why bands are using TalentFunding.com: to get the band name "out there." The band should not care how the music gets to the public, as long as it happens. Bands already have a current crop of fans, and hopefully even more future fans, that will like the next release. Creating a little "side project for the sponsor," which allows the sponsor to be involved with the music (most often) and lyrics (sometimes) or production (rarely) is all that is needed. Forget the thoughts of someone going into the band's almost-complete album and tearing apart verses, bass lines and synth patches. The band should keep the current material for themselves and create something new for the sponsor to work with. Then the new material can be integrated into the overall package so that it looks like one complete presentation to the public.
In film and TV, someone (screenwriter, producer, director) can have artistic input as well have financial input (executive producer, or even "creator"). Music is not that much different. As long as proper credits are given, it should be clear to the fans who did what and who the real artist is.
If the band really has trouble trying to fit someone else's material onto their album (because "it's not them"), then the band should create a separate version of themselves (a "spinoff" or "side project") in order to present this material to the public. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers could have been Tom Petty and the Breakers for the purpose of testing out the new material. If the response to the side project is not what the band wants, then when the sponsor's term runs out, the band can just tell fans that the project was just a jam session or something else. Hopefully, however, the results will be good and can be incorporated into the other material.
Worst case (artistic wise) is that a potential sponsor does indeed want to do major music changes to the band's upcoming album. The band has heard the changes and the situation is not good. But the sponsor is offering a huge payment, so the band does not know what to do. Well, welcome to the world of business (including the music business) where there is always more to consider than just "how good the product is." If a band has been having trouble marketing themselves until now, and this potential sponsor looks like it will take care of most of money concerns, the band should just remember that once the band name is introduced to the public (using the sponsor's money) through radio, TV, print, web, merchandise and larger gigs, the band will be able to come back to the same fans later with their own "real" stuff and show the fans how good they really can be.
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