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Rock Star 101: A Rock Star's Guide to Survival and Success in the Music Business

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Any struggling musician that's serious about succeeding in today's music industry would be doing themselves a big fat favor by reading Ferrari's latest book, Rock Star 101! Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. As a bassist who's played in several bands with Marc, it's incredibly interesting to see the world of music through his eyes and perspective. After being a musician for more years than I'd like to admit, I even learned quite a bit from reading his book, as it's virtually impossible not to learn from another musician's point of view anyway. But especially from a guy whom is as seasoned and well respected as Marc is. The ingredients to his success are quite simple; the first is talent; the second is dedication, perseverance and hard work. Period! You'll see that if you believe in yourself and work hard, you stand just as good a chance as any to make it in music!

Marc has done what no other has done before him. He's written a book for the rocker, by the rocker. Finally, a book has been written about what today's musician needs to know in order to succeed in today's music business. This book will surely benefit any musician, no matter what style of music, or what instrument you play. Marc shows you the ins and outs, the ups and downs and the dos and don'ts about working in a band that will surely benefit any rocker who's just starting out, or is well on their way to success as a musician in a rock band. Marc leaves no stone unturned regarding how to conduct yourself in the music business and he writes from his personal experience. For example, early in his career, he was playing in a Lawrence, Massachusetts based rock band and drove an old, beat-up 68 Chevy Malibu that was so completely covered with snow one winter, that it wasn't until spring when the snow started to melt that we realized the city snow-plows had pushed the snow-buried car 20 yards down the street! The only reason he wasn't driving the car that winter, is that we were too broke to afford the 50-dollar carburetor to make it run! In other words, the author, who begins his career from humble origins, flat out leads the musician to success, while conducting himself respectfully, and in a business-like manner, while still retaining the image of a wild and far-out rocker, bent on making it in the music business! No one ever said that you don't have to be smart to be a rock & roller! Marc proves that you don't have to be a square either, in order to conduct yourself in a businesslike and professional manner along the way. You'll see that it's always business before pleasure in Ferrari's world. But once the business is finished, it's time to enjoy yourself and reap in your hard earned rewards, the way only a real rocker knows how! You'll learn about what to look for, what will benefit you and your band, what can help you, harm you, or what can even kill you! You learn from his experience and see the music business and rock & roll lifestyle through his eyes. He knows...he's been there!
One good example and sure fire way to end a talented musician's career is through drug-abuse and crazy women! Marc neither condemns, nor does he preach about the stereotypical "rock & roll lifestyle", however, he does make his point, but lets you, the reader and musician arrive at your own conclusions and decide what's best for you!

The two words music and business are far separated in any typical rocker's world. But the author intelligently and cleverly shows the musician how to separate the music from the business of music, while still combining the two logically into a perspective that you will easily understand. Marc shows you how to survive the rock & roll gauntlet and onto success without loosing your mind in the process. The book provides excellent and practical advise that's absolutely essential for success in today's ever-changing and fickle music industry, where the changes of musical styles and trends seem to have no end in sight. But if you truly believe in yourself and persevere, you stand a good chance to succeed! Marc lets you in on the secrets of the music trade and will prove that if you follow the guidelines that are outlined in his book, there's no way you can fail! He proves without a doubt that some of the smallest and most trivial things that are usually overlooked by most people, can make huge impressions on the folks that you're counting on the most to help you along in achieving ultimate success and the fulfillment of your lifelong dream of being a successful musician!

If you take this book to heart, you will without a doubt succeed as a professional musician. Even if you're not looking to get a record deal, this book will still help you to succeed in anything music, and by also giving you that upper edge that your friend's band hasn't got! However, if you are seriously intent on that elusive recording contract, again, if you follow the path Ferrari sets out for you in this book, you'll without a doubt achieve your goals. So if your serious about succeeding in today's music world, get this book! To not own it would be a talented musician's first mistake!

Don't let the hair band photos fool you. There are enough good stories and pieces of sound advice in "Rock Star 101" to enlighten any type of musician. Author Marc Ferrari was the guitarist for such rock acts as Keel, Cold Sweat and Medicine Wheel. Major label deals, music videos, world tours, major motion pictures ... he's done it all, and he's not afraid to share the lessons he's learned from his experiences.

Ferrari is a friendly and accessible writer who does a good job of explaining how his passion for music drove him from his parents' garage to the stage at Madison Square Garden. Along with his personal stories, Ferrari mixes in plenty of usable advice. Here are a couple of notable nuggets from the book:

- Own your logo and artwork. If you hire a graphic artist, make sure it's on a "work-for-hire" basis, with an agreement that you can use the art as much as you want without any further payments to the artist. Ferrari also recommends that a recording contract state that the band owns its logo. Otherwise, you may have to pay a fee to license your own logo from the label.

- While publishing royalties and other revenues may be slanted more toward the songwriters in a band, Ferrari believes income from merchandise sold at live shows should be split evenly. "As long as all band members are on the road together for the same tour, there's no reason why monies related to touring shouldn't be split equally," he writes.

There are points in the book about which I disagree. For instance, Ferrari recommends giving your demo to everyone you can in hopes that some day it'll get into the hands of that one person who can launch your career. There's some merit to this idea (exposing your music to lots of people is a good thing), but it leaves your success or failure up to someone else -- someone who you may never even stumble upon.

I believe musicians should assume more control over their careers. You shouldn't spend your time and energy seeking out one person who will lead you to the Promised Land. Instead, you should invest your resources into creating great music and building relationships with a growing number of fans who support you.

"Rock Star 101" also offers tips for living on the road, how to assemble a business team, the ins and outs of publishing, endorsements, money management and more. All in all, a pretty good read.

-Bob Baker, author, "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook: 201 Self-Promotion Ideas for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands"

Rock Star 101 should be required reading for any aspiring musician seeking a professional career in the music industry. Mr. Ferrari's approach is warm and enlightening. Unlike many books that are couched with cynicism, condescension or scare- tactics, this book illustrates, in simplistic fashion, basic entrepeneurial tactics that musicians should employ. It is the perfect "first book" for musicians to read.