Our band is about to get beyond the local scene and start wrestling with the industry for record deals and national tours, so I practically jumped out of my skin when I finally found this book. It completely demystifies the workings of the entire music industry--in a musician-friendly way. A tiny, selfish neuron in me hesitated for a moment about telling the world of this book--but hey, we musicians are all in this together. If everyone negotiating with record companies read and used this book, we'd collectively be better able to get the sort of financial rewards our art deserves. Just so you know this isn't a load of hype, here are the section and chapter titles. Your Team of Advisors How to Pick a Team; Personal Managers; Business Managers; Attorneys; Agents Record Deals Broad-Strokes Overview of the Record Business; Advances and Recoupments; Real-Life Numbers; Other Major Deal Points; Producer Deals; Advanced Record Deal Points; Advanced Royalty Computations; Loan-out, Independent Production, Label, and Distribution Deals Songwriting and Music Publishing Copyright Basics; Publishing Companies and Major Income Sources; Secondary Publishing Income; Songwriter Deals; Copublishing and Administration Deals; Advanced Copyright Concepts; Even More Advanced Copyright Concepts Group Issues Touring Merchandising Tour Merchandising; Retail Merchandising Motion Picture Music Overview of Motion Picture Music; Performer Deals; Film Songwriting Deals; Composer Agreements; Licensing Existing Recordings and Existing Songs for Motion Pictures; Music Supervisors; Soundtrack Album Deals Each and every chapter is full of wisdom, humor, and support, written by an actively practicing Harvard Law grad who has also been teaching music law at UCLA (a stone's throw from the heart of darkness) since 1978.


From Library Journal
An entertainment lawyer whose clients include many from the top of the music charts, Passman has written a book that sets out to give musicians, performers, and songwriters the tools to hire advisers, market their careers, protect their creative works, and generally cope with a complex industry in a state of flux. Passman explains boilerplate language, the complexities of royalties and advances, and label and distribution deals; a section on record deals begins with an overview of the business and works through all the steps. The "Adventures in Cyberspace" chapter is a helpful summary of the way CD-ROMs and the Internet are affecting the business. Included here is information on recent legislation and a look at how digitizing music delivery will continue to change things. Packed with illustrations, sample calculations, and definitions, All You Need To Know is humorous and accessible enough for those who just want to understand the business while being detailed and documented enough for those who make a living from it. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


David Geffen (Jillionaire owner of Geffen Records)
I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the music business.


Review
Michael Eisner Chairman and CEO, the Walt Disney Company An entertaining and professionally written primer on the music business.


Book Description
Universally regarded as the definitive and indispensable guide to the music industry and now in its fifth edition, All You Need to Know About the Music Business has undergone its most extensive overhaul to date. Veteran music lawyer Donald Passman sees a major change in the way record labels are doing business in response to today's numerous technological advances and uncertain post-boom economy. Anyone involved in the business is feeling the deep, far-reaching effects of these changes. 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 fields. 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 want to be -- a performer, writer, or executive, Passman's exhaustive guide to the legal and financial aspects of the music world is an essential tool. Drawing on his unique professional experience as one of the most trusted advisors in the industry, Passman offers authoritative, up-to-the-minute information. You'll learn 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 and streaming How royalties are computed in the digital age Why the record companies are hemorrhaging money New laws of the electronic frontier, including copyright infringement, illegal downloads, and challenges to intellectual property rights Industry strategies to combat piracy The new model of record deals, in which the companies want to share in songwriting, touring, merchandising, etc. In addition, there are updates on traditional industry matters such as royalties, advances, video budgets, and copyright law. All You Need to Know About the Music Business shows you how, by investing a little bit of time in learning the business, you can reap huge benefits.


Book Info
Definitive guide to the music industry. Filled with vital information on the technological advances that are reshaping the business, and how novices and experts alike should manage such changes. Revised and expanded. DLC: Music trade--United States.


Simon & Schuster
Everything you've ever heard about the music business is true. It's a world where the rewards can be enormous, but the risks even greater. The key to success is knowing how the business works so you can protect yourself -- since no one will take as good care of your career as you. That's where Donald S. Passman comes in. Because if you want the best advice, it pays to turn to the best in the business. His star-spangled list of clients shows that his advice is the best that money can buy. Now, from one of the music industry's most sought-after lawyers, here is the third revised and expanded edition of the book that the Los Angeles Times has proclaimed "the industry bible" -- the savvy insider's guide to every legal and financial facet of the business. Whether you want a career as a performer, writer, producer, or executive, or whether you are just curious about the fascinating multibillion-dollar music industry, you will benefit enormously from this fully updated, comprehensive, and easy-to-read overview of the entire business.


About the Author
Donald S. Passman is a graduate of the University of Texas and Harvard Law School. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and four children and practices law with the firm of Gang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown, Inc. Passman has specialized intensively in the music business for more than twenty-five years, and is frequently cited as one of the most influential people in the entertainment industry. His clients include major entertainers, publishers, record companies, songwriters, industry executives, film companies, managers, producers, and other participants in the music industry.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Drawing on his unique professional experience, as well as many humorous and illustrative anecdotes, Passman gives you the music business from the ground up. You'll learn 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 your success; master the big picture and the finer points of record deals, including demos, compact discs, and music videos; understand the ins and outs of songwriting, music publishing, royalties, advances, and copyrights; maximize concert, touring, and merchandising deals; and secure the rights to your band's name - and find out if someone else is using it. You will also learn about the multimillion-dollar megadeals; new developments regarding sampling; how a company called SoundScan is changing the music business; and the 1992 Audio Home Recording Act, which taxes digital tapes and recorders. The New Material covered in this edition includes the most up-to-date financial information about royalties, advances, etc.; the use of music on the Internet; on-line services, CD-ROMs, and other new media; classical music; the Digital Performance Act; and new industry trends in all areas.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal