The book pulls no punches when it comes to practical steps to becoming a professional, with testimonials from celebs like Robbie Williams and Huey Lewis. Now in its eleventh edition, Passman leads novices and experts alike through what has been the most profound change in the music business since the days of wax cylinders and piano rolls: streaming.

Music Industry Facts Every Musician Needs to Know - LiveAbout The Music Industry Facts Every Musician Needs to Know - LiveAbout

At a time when no one really knows what’s next, or even if the giant labels will survive, Passman offers authoritative wisdom to keep you focused and make sure your career is on-track. So, in this fickle world, if you want to survive based on making music, you should consider this book by Ari Herstand. Though the landscape has changed significantly since the Nineties, the book effortlessly keeps up with the times. This book is her way of presenting her knowledge and ultimately helping out new music entrepreneurs. It’s a fun and informative read for every artist out there looking to live off their creative craft.

Just because you can list 25 bands that were discovered on Facebook does not mean you should expect it to happen to you, and just because band XYZ ended up being profiled on TV for their off-kilter ad doesn't mean you can repeat their plan with the same result. With an endless pool of talent out there — not to mention countless ways to share and release your music — what does it take to break in? Joel Cummins, keyboardist/vocalist for Umphrey McGee, speaks from experience here, clearly communicating the avoidable traps and setbacks that rookie artists tend to fall into, all while inspiring ideas and driving the point home at the end of each chapter with relevant interviews with stars like Huey Lewis and Susan Tedeschi.

Everything You Need to Know about the Music Industry Everything You Need to Know about the Music Industry

The book has been consistently updated for over 20 years, and offers both current and timeless advice for anyone looking to make it in this fiercely competitive field. Passman cycles through various hobbies, because he’s a serial obsessive, including magic, poker, backgammon, guitar, five-string banjo, and real estate investment. For example, a lot of the percentages have changed and the deals artists are getting have gotten a lot smaller. You can probably think up a long list of musicians and labels who have pulled off great stunts, from getting discovered on a social networking site to a kitschy marketing campaign that exploded like fireworks. You also have to look at the trends and see where you fit into them and what your deepest passions are.With over 20 years as a lawyer in the music industry, his clients include major entertainers, publishers, record companies, managers, producers and other music entrepreneurs. Now, probably you can think of a lot of musicians who have gotten something going on a social networking site. Digital has really experienced the greatest shift, though obviously, there are other elements that have shifted around.