The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting a Band [Mass Market Paperback]

Mark Bliesener (Author), Steve Knopper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 2004 | Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide

Take your sound from the garage to the studio.

Expert authors Mark Bliesener and Steve Knopper show musicians how to start a band, keep it together, get gigs and promote them, afford equipment, avoid scams, deal with alcohol and drugs, and even make a CD and video. The book will help readers choose their look, their sound...and even a name!

€ Written by music industry insiders
€ Excellent complement to The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Songwriting
€ A unique source for the wisdom that bands usually gain only through painful experience

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bliesner and Knopper do a good job laying out the possibilities for beginners and wannabees in simple and comprehensible terms. -- Miami Herald, August 30, 2004

About the Author

Mark Bliesener is the president of Mark Bliesener Consults, a firm specializing in advising bands on all areas of international and domestic personal management, touring, and talent industries. He has over 30 years of experience in the music industry including 10 years recording, touring, and performing as a drummer and vocalist for several well-known bands between 1966 and 1976. He taught the nation's first course in rock and roll history at the University of Colorado and was named director of publicity for Feyline Presents-a nationally recognized promoter. He was most recently vice president of Morris, Bliesener, and Associates helping numerous artists score Grammys, CMA, ACM, Gold and Platinum records and directing all aspects of the musical careers of clients such as Lyle Lovett, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Leo Kottke, Suzy Bogguss, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

Steve Knopper is a freelance music business writer with more than 10 years experience covering the music industry. He writes regularly for Rolling Stone, Spin, the Chicago Tribune, and Newsday. His articles have also appeared in Esquire, Entertainment Weekly, Details, Wired, New York, Musician, Guitar World and more. He has edited two books: Swing: The Essential Album Guide and Lounge: The Essential Album Guide to Martini Music and Easy Listening.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (April 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592571816
• ISBN-13: 978-1592571819
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,048,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Info, July 30, 2007

By 

G. Christy "Quality Eyes" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting a Band (Mass Market Paperback)

Easy to read. Many clear ideas about the steps and process of becoming a rockstar. Well worth a read. You can jump to certain sections. Marketing, promotions, etc.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book ever for new bands, January 7, 2009

By 

David A. Barber "Commotion Pro" (Denver) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting a Band (Mass Market Paperback)

Mark Bliesener (of bandguru.com) and Steve Knopper take you through every major aspect of starting up a new band. They help you avoid the most common mistakes and put you way out ahead of the pack with real world insights and tips. A must read for any young musician thinking of starting up a band.