How to Get Songs on TV Shows Like the Fray

Many songs gain the majority of their popularity due to their association with television shows. Seemingly unknown bands catapult into the spotlight when a network picks their song to represent a hit show. The Fray experienced this with their song "How to Have a Life" when producers chose it to play on several television shows, including one episode of "Grey's Anatomy."

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Write songs culled from your personal experiences. Lead singer of The Fray, Isaac Slade, wrote "How to Save a Life" after working with troubled youths. Fans from across the world have commented on the lyrics and how they felt the song describes their life. Television shows that write about the drama of life want theme songs that describe the essence of the show.

2. Set up free, online music players. Slade credits MySpace and YouTube as being helpful sources in promoting The Fray's music. Fans are able to listen to your music without worrying about copyright infringement.

3. Play live concerts where potential network executives are likely to attend. "How to Save a Life" actually became a small hit after a music supervisor of the show "Superstition" heard the band play live in Los Angeles.

4. Re-shoot videos of songs to better fit the message of your music and to include footage from the television show. The Fray has several versions of "How to Save a Life."

5. Be persistent. The Fray existed for 5 years before being showcased on television.