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Breaking Into Sync Licensing: How Country Songwriters Can Land Music in Film & TV

Anthony Bonnette
Mar 9

The Wild West of Sync Licensing—And How to Get Your Songs in the Game

There was a time when getting a country song placed on a record was the golden ticket. But the industry has shifted, and the smartest songwriters are adapting. Sync licensing—the art of getting your song placed in TV, film, and advertising—has become a massive opportunity for country and Americana artists who know how to play the game.

On this episode of Come And Pick It, I sat down with Nancy Peacock and Queenie Mullinex, two music industry pros who’ve built careers helping songwriters land sync deals. They run Washington Street Publishing and created Country2Sync, a course designed specifically for country, folk, and Americana artists who want their music featured on screen. They’ve done it all—from securing placements in Yellowstone to helping songwriters navigate the maze of music supervision. If you’ve ever wondered how a song makes it onto your favorite TV show, this is the episode for you.



Watch & Listen

📢 Listen to the full episode:


Why You Should Listen

If you’re a songwriter trying to break into the film, TV, and advertising world, this episode is a masterclass in how to make your music work for sync licensing. Whether you’re a country artist, indie songwriter, or producer, this discussion lays out exactly how to pitch, clear, and structure songs for success.


What Is Sync Licensing, and Why Does It Matter?

Sync licensing (short for synchronization licensing) is when a song is paired with a visual medium—TV, film, commercials, video games, trailers, you name it. If you’re watching a slow-motion breakup on your favorite show, and a heart-wrenching ballad is playing in the background, that’s sync licensing in action.

The catch? Getting a song placed isn’t as simple as sending an email to Netflix. It’s a business, and like any business, there are gatekeepers, strategies, and a whole lot of industry know-how involved.


Chapters & Timestamps

(00:00) Welcome to Come And Pick It! 

(02:12) Nancy’s Journey: From Classical Piano to Publishing 

(05:27) Queenie’s Musical Background & Early Songwriting 

(09:54) The Emotional Inspiration Behind Songwriting 

(13:54) What Makes a Song Stand Out? 

(15:53) Nancy’s Big Break: The 1996 Paralympics Song 

(24:54) Nancy & Queenie’s First #1 Hit in Australia 

(26:44) Queenie’s Personal Song “20 Years” & Breast Cancer Awareness 

(32:26) From Songwriting to the Business of Sync 

(35:50) Sync Licensing Explained: The Difference Between Master & Publishing Rights 

(39:06) How a Song Gets on Yellowstone: A Real-Life Sync Success Story 

(44:47) What is Country2Sync? 

(49:50) What’s Different About a Sync-Friendly Song? 

(54:03) How Music Supervisors Choose Songs for TV & Film 

(56:26) The Power of Unexpected Song Placement (Creepy Happy Songs!) 

(1:05:18) Getting Country Music Into Film & TV 

(1:16:38) The Yellowstone Effect: Why Country & Americana Are Thriving in Sync 

(1:24:00) Final Thoughts & Advice for Songwriters


From Songwriting to Sync: The Nancy & Queenie Playbook

Nancy Peacock’s journey started with classical piano—a far cry from the music publishing world she leads today. After a pivotal songwriting moment in Atlanta, she dove into the business side, founding Washington Street Publishing. Queenie Mullinex took a different route—playing in bands, working in commercial music, and ultimately landing in sync through Nashville’s music scene. Their combined experience is a masterclass in how to pivot in the music industry and thrive in the sync space.

So, what does it take to turn your country song into a sync placement?

1. Understand the Difference Between Artist Cuts & Sync Songs

Country songwriters are used to storytelling. They paint vivid pictures—characters, settings, emotions tied to a clear, linear narrative. But in the sync world, that level of detail can actually hurt you.

“A song for an artist is about who and what,” Nancy explained. “A song for sync is about feeling.” Music supervisors aren’t looking for a fully fleshed-out story—they already have one playing on screen. What they need is a song that enhances the moment without distracting from it.

2. Your Song Needs to Be Easy to Clear

A great song won’t get placed if it’s a licensing nightmare. Music supervisors move fast. If there’s confusion about who owns the rights, they’ll move on to the next track. If you want to make your music sync-ready, you need clear rights, great production, and a straightforward licensing process.

Want a song on Yellowstone? Own your master and publishing rights. That’s the key. If there are co-writers, make sure you all agree on terms ahead of time.

3. Follow the Money—TV & Film Placements Are Booming

Thanks to streaming services, social media ads, and massive content production, the demand for sync-ready songs has never been higher. Major networks, indie films, YouTube creators, even Hallmark movies—they all need music.

And get this—sync licensing pays. While album sales have dwindled, a well-placed sync track can generate steady income for years.


The Yellowstone Effect: Why Country & Americana Are Thriving in Sync

Not long ago, sync licensing was dominated by pop, indie, and electronic music. Country? Not so much. Then along came Yellowstone. The show’s use of gritty, authentic country and Americana tracks created a surge in demand for roots-driven music in film and TV. Suddenly, sync wasn’t just an indie rock game—it was an opportunity for songwriters with twang, grit, and storytelling chops.

“Yellowstone changed everything,” Nancy said. “For years, music supervisors didn’t really ‘get’ country music. Now, they’re actively searching for it.”

That shift has opened doors for songwriters who might have been struggling to land artist placements but have the perfect sound for film and TV. Sync licensing has become a lifeline for independent musicians.


How Country2Sync Is Helping Songwriters Break Into the Sync World

Nancy and Queenie saw the writing on the wall and created Country2Sync, a course specifically designed to help country, folk, and Americana songwriters navigate sync licensing.

“We kept getting the same questions,” Queenie said. “How do I get my songs into TV and film? What makes a song sync-friendly? How do I even start?”

Country2Sync answers all of that. It’s a step-by-step guide on writing, recording, and pitching music for sync. It even includes a live listening session where participants can pitch their music directly. For songwriters looking to break into the sync world, it’s one of the best resources out there.


How to Make Your Music Sync-Ready

Ready to get started? Here’s a quick checklist:

  • Strip Down Your Lyrics: Make your song emotional, not overly detailed.

  • Own Your Rights: Make sure your master and publishing are easy to license.

  • Produce with Sync in Mind: High-quality, mixable stems, and clean versions.

  • Think Like a Supervisor: Ask yourself, “Where could this song fit in a film or show?”

  • Network in the Right Circles: Attend sync conferences and film festivals to meet supervisors.


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Final Thoughts: Sync Licensing is the Future for Country Songwriters

The music industry is always evolving, and songwriters who adapt will thrive. Sync licensing isn’t just a backup plan—it’s a legitimate, lucrative career path for country and Americana musicians.

If you’re serious about getting your music placed, start learning the business of sync. Whether it’s through Country2Sync or getting involved in the sync community, now is the time to make your move.


Want to learn more?

Check out Washington Street Publishing at WashingtonStreetPublishing.com and explore Country2Sync at https://country2sync.mykajabi.com/.

Listen to the full episode of Come And Pick It on Spotify or watch on YouTube.


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