Other Great Music Business Books
- Ruthless Self-Promotion in the Music Industry; Jeffrey P. FisherGood tips but hardly “ruthless” ones. Fisher clearly knows the PR routine, but he’s not giving away any great secrets that I can see here. Still, worth checking out for your self.
- Hit Men; Fredric DannenThe most eye opening expose’ on the biz ever written.
- Music Publishing: A Songwriter’s Guide; Randy PoNeat, clean writing and easy to understand examples. The best explanation of this complex subject, rivals even the publishing chapter in Confessions.
- They Fought the Law : Rock Music Goes to Court;Stan SoocherA chronicle of famous and not so famous cases where stars were sued and sued back. Studying real cases is the only way to learn how things really work.
- Rolling Stone’s Rock & Roll EncyclopediaThis is not merely an A to Z of pop. These guys dig in deep for useful dirt. Avoid the first edition (not in print anymore anyway).
- Hip Hop America; Nelson GeorgeGeorge has some expert inside info on the nexus of the Hip Hop industry and how it still operates.
- Tim Sweeney’s Guide to Releasing Independent Records; Tim Sweeney, Mark Gelle
- All Area Access : Personal Management for Unsigned Musicians; Marc DavisonGood tips and interesting insight.
- Music Law : How to Run Your Band’s Business; Richard StimI know, I usually hate books written by attorneys. This one is an exception.
- How to Make & Sell Your Own Recording -The Complete Guide to Independent Recording; Diane Sward RapaportGood stuff regarding the Internet and how to use it.
- Making It In the Music Business; Lee WilsonHas some useful examples if you can stay awake. Small print. No pictures.
- Career Opportunities in the Music Business; Shelly FieldReads like she interviews several people and played connect the dots with her typewriter. Ms. Fields is a respectable writer of several “Career Opportunities in the ____” books but her lack of personal experience hurts this very outdated installment of her franchise.
- This Business of Music; Krasilovsky & Shemel An exhaustive reference on the legalities of music written by lawyers and best used by lawyers. Called “The Industry Bible.” The Holy Bible is easier to read and more up to date.
- The Musician’s Business and Legal Guide; Mark HalloraYawn.
- The Real Deal : How to Get Signed to a Record Label from A to Z; Daylle Deanna Schwartz (This review applies to the 1st edition) Wish it Was. Contains commentary from people like: Chuck D., Phoebe Snow and other greats of 20 years ago. Many beginners have found this book extremely helpful. The books’ author has asked that I review her new edition which took my criticism above to heart. I have not had time to do so as yet.
- Start and Run Your Own Record Label; D. SchwartzAsks more questions about the business than it answers. It’s most useful for data on manufacturing and self distribution.
- 2004 Song Writer’s Market; Tara Horto A great resource of all the companies that won’t return your calls, have disconnected telephones or have moved out of State.
- Getting Radio Airplay : The Guide to Getting Your Music Played on College, Public & Commercial Radio; Gary HustwitNeeds updating.
