Making It in the Music Business: A Business and Legal Guide for Songwriters and Performers - Softcover

Wilson, Lee

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0452268486 ISBN 13: 9780452268487

Publisher: Plume, 1995

Synopsis

Identifies keys to success in the music industry, tells how to obtain music copyrights, and describes the legal protection they provide

About this title

Reviews

Back in the 1950s and 1960s, artists would have number-one smash hits and then barely see any profits because of unscrupulous song promoters. That situation is not as common these days, but it does happen, along with copyright infringement and song ripoffs. Music lawyer Wilson has put together a terrific handbook that outlines all the information a fledgling musician or songwriter needs to know, from basic copyright law to how to get a legitimate agent or booking manager. There's even a chapter on how to organize a rock band, which takes into account the legal rights of all members of the group allowing for later "creative differences." Most importantly, Wilson writes in a friendly, clever style that acknowledges the "rigmarole" of the legal system while using the necessary arrows to direct even the novice musician to the road to success. Joe Collins

Garrett and Wilson both provide practical guides for songwriters and performers. Entertainment lawyer Wilson primarily focuses on such music law topics as copyright, naming a band, booking agents and managers, and selecting an entertainment lawyer. She also includes samples of copyright registration forms, a useful glossary of terms, and a sketchy list of references. Garrett has self-published a more ambitious guide that addresses the legal, financial, and marketing concerns of the music business. Despite a breezy, sometimes sensationalist tone, he uses clear illustrations to introduce readers to creating a song company, securing financial sponsors, copyright, contracts, marketing plans, producers, managers, tax issues, and studio and recording costs. Though providing useful information, the authors deliver a more limited examination of the music industry than their titles suggest. For a more comprehensive look at the same topic, refer to Jeffrey and Todd Brabec's Music, Money and Success: The Insiders Guide to the Music Industry (Schirmer: Macmillan, 1994).?David Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Plume
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0452268486
• ISBN 13: 9780452268487
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288