All You Need To Know About The Music Business

A guide to the music business and its legal issues provides real-world coverage of a wide range of topics, including teams of advisors, record deals, songwriting and music publishing, touring, and merchandising.

No one understands the music industry--from the technology, to the legalities, to the new industry practices--better than veteran music lawyer Donald Passman. In this completely revised and updated seventh edition of All You Need To Know About the Music Business, which the Los Angeles Times called “the industry bible” and which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies, Passman offers executives and artists, experts and novices alike the essential information they need not only to survive in these volatile and exciting times, but also to thrive. Drawing on his unique, up-to-the-minute experience as one of the most trusted advisors in the business, Passman offers advice concerning: - The Copyright Royalty Board’s latest decisions regarding online transmissions. - The developing new customs concerning new technologies such as streaming on demand, ringtones, and digital downloads. Passman also gives guidance on other fundamental issues such as how to: - Select and hire a winning team of advisors--personal and business managers, agents, and attorneys--and structure their commissions, percentages, and fees in a way that will protect you and maximize these relationships. - Master the big picture and the finer points of record deals. - Navigate the ins and outs of songwriting, music publishing, and copyright law. - Maximize concert touring and merchandising deals. Almost everyone in the music business, from musicians and songwriters to entertainment lawyers and record company executives, are scrambling to sort out what is going to happen next, and Passman is right in the thick of these changes. Here is a book for anyone interested in a music career: a comprehensive and crucial guide to making it in one of the world’s most dynamic industries.

All You Need to Know About the Music Business by veteran music lawyer Don Passman—dubbed “the industry bible” by the Los Angeles Times—is now updated to address the biggest transformation of the music industry yet: streaming. For more than twenty-five years, All You Need to Know About the Music Business has been universally regarded as the definitive guide to the music industry. Now in its tenth edition, Donald Passman leads novices and experts alike through what has been the most profound change in the music business since the days of wax cylinders and piano rolls. For the first time in history, music is no longer monetized by selling something—it’s monetized by how many times listeners stream a song. And that completely changes the ecosystem of the business, as Passman explains in detail. Since the advent of file-sharing technology in the late 1990s to the creation of the iPod, the music industry has been teetering on the brink of a major transformation—and with the newest switch to streaming music, this change has finally come to pass. Passman’s comprehensive guide offers timely, authoritative information from how to select and hire a winning team of advisors and structure their commissions and fees; navigate the ins and outs of record deals, songwriting, publishing, and copyrights; maximize concert, touring, and merchandising deals; and how the game is played in a streaming world. “If you want to be in music, you have to read this book,” says Adam Levine, lead singer and guitarist of Maroon 5. With its proven track record, this updated edition of All You Need to Know About the Music Business is more essential than ever for musicians, songwriters, lawyers, agents, promoters, publishers, executives, and managers—anyone trying to navigate the rapid transformation of the industry.

Entertainment and copyright lawyer Peter M. Thall presents inside information for musicians on royalties, catalogue valuation, touring contracts, copyright issues, and other legal concerns, presenting examples from his years representing various artists.

The completely revised and expanded edition of What They’ll Never Tell You About the Music Business is a must-have reference. You’ll learn: - How many musicians have seized do-it-yourself internet opportunities to create successful business models, - How the royalty pie is sliced—and who gets the pieces, - How the fundamentals of music publishing, producing, managing, touring, and the record industry apply more than ever, - Why this book is the indispensable guide to the worldwide music industry, - How corporate general counsels can educate their employees (and themselves) to understand the strictures of copyright law and to avoid trouble, - And much more.

The music industry and you - Your band: working with other musicians - Defining and refining your sound - Managing, performing, and booking gigs - Solo or band touring - The music business plan - In the recording studio - Fundraising and investors - Your band is the brand - Music marketing and promotions - Your career in the music business of today.

Aimed at songwriters, recording artists, and music entrepreneurs, this text explains the basics of digital music law. Entertainment attorney Gordon offers practical tips for online endeavors such as selling song downloads or creating an Internet radio station. Other topics include (for example) web site building, promoting through peer-to-peer networks, etc.

The Insider's Guide to Making Money in the Music Industry. Millions dream of attaining glamour and wealth through music. This book reveals the secrets of the music business that have made fortunes for the superstars. A must-have for every songwriter, performer and musician.

My cousin Rick helps musicians navigate the complicated path to success in the industry. Author Dave Rose's lifelong experience in all facets of the music business offers unique insight into the obstacles, complexities, and triumphs that are crucial to a musician's ability to thrive. Rose teaches practical and relevant tactics on how to properly gauge and monitor success, and wisdom on how to avoid and quickly correct common - yet often detrimental - mistakes.

Mike Warner is an independent artist, curator and the go-to person when it comes to playlist strategies on music streaming services. This book teaches artists at any level how to grow their audience on streaming services through profile enhancement, data analysis, automation and creating value as a curator. In this book Mike sets the record straight what playlists really can do for artists' careers. You will learn how to customize your artist profiles on popular streaming services; build a playlist and grow it's following; pitch to independent curators; grow your network; release music catered to playlists. The book also has numerous helpful tips and tricks to show you along the way.