This Business of Music: The Definitive Guide to the Music Industry

by M. William Krasilovsky, Sidney Shemel, John M. Gross, et al.

Book Overview

This revised guide to the music industry has been expanded to look at today's growing market for music videos and compact discs, DAT technology and changes in the copyright laws. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823077284
• ISBN13: 9780823077281
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Billboard Books
• Length: 526 Pages
• Weight: 2.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Essential Legal Reference... ! ! !

Performing, Promoting and Producing music is one thing. Music Law is another - - and when you're not a million dollar record company but just another guy trying to make and promote music, and you can't afford $200.00 an hour for *multiple* legal consultations, you might be at a disadvantage, especially when you're dealing with slicksters who do. This book for long has been one of the few serious resources available to individuals who need to really understand "the industry" and the laws relating to you and it (including how to protect your own work and performances as well as making agreements with other people, and not infringing copyright law.) About 5 years ago it underwent a major make over to deal with the digital revolution and other chages in the industry (including the Digital Millenium Copyright Act of 1998) and now even has a CD rom with plenty of printable legal documents, including 23 sample agreements.The book might not have any cute picures and rock and roll stories, but if you need a serious understanding about everything fo contracts, agreements, performing rights, protecting ideas and titles, agents and managers, various legislation and so on and so forth, this is an essential work of reference. It is defitely *not* just another "Cheesy Wannabe Pop Star Magazine Presents : How To Get Your Demo Heatf and Become a Big and Groovy Recording Artist" type book, nor is it written in such legalese, that you need a lawyer to disencipher it... it is basically the definitive reference manual for any individual involved or getting involved in the music industry to have on hand.

Best Reference on the Subject: Owning This Book Is a Must

As the grandson of the prominent composer Nathaniel Shilkret, who left a legacy of several hundred works--many published by the company bearing his name, I was in need of information about the music business, with a presentation that is understandable by the layman. After obtaining several books about the music business, I found that this book uniquely fitted my needs. It is comprehensive, completely up-to-date, clear and very well organized . My relation to the composer placed me in an unusual situation not addressed in other books, but all the details of the recent (1998) relevant law were included and easy to find in "This Business of Music." This information saved me from losing royalty income. This book is not a page-turner novel for an easy night's entertainment; it is a quality reference book to be used over the years by anyone who has a serious need for information about the BUSINESS of music. Also, when I bought the book, I found it included a useful bonus: a CD with relevant laws and, more importantly, relevant sample contracts. I have many useful books in my library that are five or more times the price of this book but do not contain as much information.

Mainstay Of The Music Business

As a musician, composer, arranger, producer, recording engineer, audio studio owner, video production chief, theatrical sound designer, record label owner, and university educator, I have been using Krasilovsky's book as a reference since 1971. This is not a book for the casual reader. It requires serious inquiry. This tome is a no-nonsense, meat and potatoes, let's dig in and get the goods resource for the professional, as well as the dedicated wannabees. And now, it comes with a CD which makes life so much simpler for those who want to cut and paste their contracts and agreements with ease. Highly recommended, you would be doing yourself a favor if you use "This Business" to achieve your dreams.

A Must for Music Professionals!

I have been using this book since 1979. Each new edition keeps up with the current trends in the music Industry. I actually negotiated 2 record contracts and a song writers contract using the suggested guidelines out of this book. It is the most accurate book on the music industry I have found. The best money I ever spent on myself!

A REFERENCE MUST FOR PERSON ENTERING THE MUSIC BIZ

I'VE BEEN FAMILIAR WITH THIS PARTICULAR INDUSTRY REFERENCE SINCE 1990 (FIFTH EDITION). THEREFORE I FIND IT VERY INFORMATIVE FOR THE NEW BREED AND PROFESSIONAL ALIKE. IT COVERS SO MUCH ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY THAT ITS A MUST HAVE IN ANY MUSICIANS/PUBLISHER LIBRARY.