IndieHQ / Article Detail

March 9th, 2007

Book Club: All You Need to Know About the Music Business

My buddy Seth from Negative Progression recommended that I read this book, All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald S. Passman. He said that he was recommended the book by a number of people and that he just started reading the book. He said that it was well written and covered quite a bit of information that would be helpful for people in bands, labels, or in any part of the industry. After discussing this, I wrote down the book title and author and the next day, I ordered the book. It showed up yesterday and I just began reading. Upon reading, I thought that this would be a great book for any IndieHQ visitor to read and I thought why not start an informal Book Club. The rule for IndieHQ’s Book Club is pretty simple. From time to time (hopefully once a month), I will recommend a book that I am reading and suggest that everyone else read along. After I am done reading, I will post some thoughts on the book and hope that everyone chimes in with their thoughts. I hope that some of you will consider reading the suggested books as well as suggest books from time to time.

If you decide to pick up this book, make sure you pick up the latest version, the 6th edition which was printed in 2006. As things change so much every year, older editions will have pretty obsolete information.

All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald Passman

Book Description
For fifteen years, All You Need to Know About the Music Business has been universally regarded as the definitive, essential guide to the music industry. Now in its sixth edition, it has been completely revised and updated with crucial, up-to-the-minute information on the industry’s major changes in response to today’s rapid technological advances and uncertain economy. Veteran music lawyer Donald Passman is in the thick of this transformation and understands that anyone involved in the music business is feeling the deep, far-reaching effects of it. This latest edition of what the Los Angeles Times called “the industry bible” will lead novices and experts alike through the fundamental practices as well as the new, uncharted territory of one of this country’s most dynamic industries.

In the music business, the key to success lies in knowing how to protect yourself. To do that, you need the best and most up-to-date advice available. Whether you are — or aspire to be — a performer, writer, or executive, Passman’s comprehensive guide to the legal and financial aspects of the music world is an indispensable tool. Drawing on his unique professional experience as one of the most trusted advisors in the industry, Passman offers authoritative information on 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 copyrights
• Maximize concert, touring, and merchandising deals

This latest edition also includes information on:

• Music downloads, webcasting, streaming-on-demand, and podcasting
• The new video streaming services
• How royalties are computed in the digital age
• The latest developments in deals with independent labels, including upstream deals
• Updates on all the traditional industry matters, such as royalties, advances, video budgets, and copyright law

In All You Need to Know About the Music Business, one of the industry’s most influential figures shows you how to thrive in the most exciting business in the world. It’s a book that no musician, entertainment lawyer, agent, promoter, publisher, manager, record company executive — anyone who makes their living from music — can afford to be without.

All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald Passman

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Written by Virgil Dickerson