Music Business 101: Literature

I knew for sure that I wanted nothing else then to have a career in music. From the get-go. Right out of school. The Music Industry isn't anything like others (Retail, Service, Finance, etc.). It's based solely upon networking and chance. And it's somewhat unfortunate in that respect. But it's also what makes it so unique. So whether you are a young professional wanting to delve into the business, an artist looking to educate him or herself on the need-to-knows, or already knee-deep wanting to actually see what you've been doing all this time, here are my literary recommendations:

1. All You Need to Know about the Music Business - Donald S. Passman

The first one I read when I decided Music was going to be my career. Recommended to me by a good man, Bruce Burch. This book touches on just about every subject you can think of related to the business. It's an insightful, witty, and cautionary summation written by a veteran entertainment lawyer in the business. It explains how what you thought you had a handle on, you actually don't and educates you thereon.

If you're going to get any of these books, this is the one to get (in my humble opinion).

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2. The Plain and Simple Guide to Music Publishing - Randall D. Wixen

With the majors shifts that are currently abound in the industry, only two sectors are bound to survive: Management and PUBLISHING. And the latter is the subject which (I would guess) 90% of the folks in this business are still hazy on. It's boring, and dull, with a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo. But it is the sole reason why: a) Madonna can write Guy Ritchie a $60 million dollar check and not have to call her bank about it and b) Joe Satriani is able to sue the hell out of Coldplay for allegedly stealing his melody. Publishing is the artist's greatest tool for defense and potentially his/her most lucrative sector. Publishing sees that the artist receive his/her financial due for their creative works.

This book is written by Randall Wixen, President and Founder of Wixen Publishing (if you need a publishing rep, hire them!). He breaks it down into just a few simple parts. It's not as fun to read as #1, but it's straight to the point and clarifies all the gray areas that exist in an industry that is defined by percentage breakdowns. This is also a great book to reference down the line for clarifications and to tell your fellow industry professionals "I told you so".

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3. Music, Money, and Success - Jeff and Todd Brabec

Sure. The title might make you immediately think "Oh this was written by a couple of money-hungry bastards." No... Well, maybe. I don't know them personally.

M, M, and S is an expansion upon the ideas expressed in #1 and #2. It's all you already read about, but in greater detail. When you've got all your ducks in a row with your career, read up this book to see that you're getting the most out of what you're putting in.

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4. This Business of Music - Krasilovsky, Shemel, Gross, and Feinstein

Now, I have not read this one. But my boss has. It sits first on his bookshelf, and he is a very smart man. So there.

If I could guess it probably falls somewhere between #1 and #3 in terms of information and detail. There are also a series of other volumes by the same title focusing on specific fields such as "Marketing and Promotion", "Record Labels", "Publishing", "Tours", etc.

Don't feel pressure to read all four of these books. These are purely a la carte recommendations. But, if you want to work in the business, read up on the biz! If you're a musician, read up on the biz! Prepare and protect yourself from not knowing what goes on in this sometimes nasty, but inevitable scene which you must eventually deal with: The Music Business.