or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
or
Amazon Prime Free Trial required. Sign up when you check out. Learn More
Sell Back Your Copy
For a $1.40 Gift Card
Trade in
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
What They'll Never Tell You About the Music Business: The Myths, the Secrets, the Lies (& a Few Truths)
 
 
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

What They'll Never Tell You About the Music Business: The Myths, the Secrets, the Lies (& a Few Truths) [Paperback]

Peter M. Thall (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

List Price: $19.99
Price: $16.03 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $3.96 (20%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it delivered Friday, February 3? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Hardcover --  
Paperback $16.03  

Book Description

January 12, 2010
“For someone on the way up, this book is a must; for everyone else, it’s a bible.”—Danny Strick, co-President, SonyATV Music Publishing, Inc.
 
This completely revised and expanded edition of What They'll Never Tell You About the Music Business is a must-have reference not only for aspiring songwriters, record producers, and performing artists but also for record company executives, personal and business managers, agents, and attorneys. You’ll learn: 

*How the Internet has affected every aspect of the music business, from copyright and royalty issues to censorship

*How many musicians have seized do-it-yourself Internet opportunities to create successful business models

*How satellite radio, digital jukeboxes, and video games are affecting the music market

*How artists can maximize their chances for long-term financial health

*How the royalty pie is sliced—and who gets the pieces

*What snares and pitfalls to avoid when signing an employment contract
*And much more.
 
“The music business is complicated, and this book is very helpful in deciphering its pitfalls, opportunities, and challenges.”—Clive Davis, Chief Creative Officer, Sony Music Entertainment Worldwide
 
“Thall’s book simplifies a complicated business, and it provides the reader with knowledge that otherwise is available only to those on the inside.”—Scott Francis, President, Warner/Chappell Music and Chairman & CEO, Warner/Chappell Music U.S.
 
“Whoever reads this book is getting expert advice from one of the most respected and knowledgeable players in the music industry today. I wish this book was available when I was looking to begin my career in the music business.”—David Renzer, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Universal Music Publishing Group
 
"Intelligent and accessible--rich in references, but easily understandable."—David Geffen
 
“A clear contender for the one indispensable work on the topic, this book delivers the goods. There is no one involved in the music business who will not learn and benefit from this ambitious work.”—New York State Bar Association

Frequently Bought Together

What They'll Never Tell You About the Music Business: The Myths, the Secrets, the Lies (& a Few Truths) + All You Need to Know About the Music Business: Seventh Edition + Start and Run Your Own Record Label, Third Edition (Start & Run Your Own Record Label)
Price For All Three: $50.81

Show availability and shipping details

Buy the selected items together
  • In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • All You Need to Know About the Music Business: Seventh Edition $19.85

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Start and Run Your Own Record Label, Third Edition (Start & Run Your Own Record Label) $14.93

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details



Editorial Reviews

Review

"Intelligent and accessible." -- David Geffen

About the Author

Peter M. Thall has more than 40 years experience of practicing law and has represented many of the world's greatest artists, such as Simon & Garfunkel, Barry Manilow and ABBA.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Billboard Books (January 12, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0823007081
  • ISBN-13: 978-0823007080
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

19 Reviews
5 star:
 (16)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars DO add it to your collection..., April 9, 2005
Peter Thall's book at first struck me as a good book to have in the collection.

When I started reading it I thought, OH NO, its gonna put me to sleep. Perhaps at times, but mostly I found myself realizing I had not asked myself certain essential questions...which woke me right up!

It IS thick with legal issues. But, we are at this moment budgeting a tour and also negotiating with a manager...and the book made me think of things I would not have thought of. It looks like the book may have saved us from running the tour in the red (at a loss)! We will see how it all works out soon.

Gives a good view of how the money moves in the music business. It gives you ideas you can try to use in negotiations for a better arrangement. Lots of things to avoid and to think about that often get overlooked. What to think about before you sign that contract.

We are negotiating a deal and I pulled out this book and looked through the chapter corresponding to our deal. I got a whole page of questions and things to discuss BEFORE we finalized.

That IS one of Thall's goals with this book. If you forget to discuss it before you sign, then it is too late to talk about it later.

I have read "All You Need to Know About the Music Business" by Donald Passman and I recommend this as a Compliment to that excellent tome on the biz. If you are looking at them both trying to decide...you will have to decide what the application is. If you are an Indie artist/Manager at the early stages of your career then I would say, though "All You Need" is a more comprehensive overview, this may be more easy to take in and applicable to the issues you will be facing right now.

I do recommend them both as Passman discusses many issues not covered here.

Mr. Thall has done us a service. He has forewarned us of many of the pitfalls.

Already, it has helped immensely.

Not a replacement for good legal representation...but it may just save your behind!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars New York State Bar Association Praise, February 14, 2003
By 
New York State Bar ASsociation (New York, New York United States) - See all my reviews
"What They'll Never Tell You About the Music Busienss" is a clear contender for the one indispensable work on the topic. An extremely useful, thorough and very practical guide to both the legal and business aspects of our industry. There is a wealth of information that will illuminate and educate the music industry population at all levels of experience. There is something in this book-a lot of something-for everyone. This book delivers the goods. There is no one involved in the music business who will not learn and benefit from this ambitious work.
Excerpted from Book Review of The New York State Bar Association, Committee on Entertainment, ARt, and Sports Law. Originally published in Winter 2002-2003, Volume 13, No. 3 issue, a publication of the Entertainment, Art, and Sports Law section: New York Bar Association. Used with permission.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars GOODNESS GRACIOUS! Bless the Messenger!, May 27, 2003
Reading the preface got me motivated then, I hit the first 6 chapters, which put me in check real quick. Looking for a meal with no fat...this is it! Thall...levels the playing field, which should enable all parties involved on a project better serve each other. Fortunately for players, this book was released.

This information can evoke essentials that you may not even know exist, and help hedge against potential trouble like heeding regulations and scrutinizing your assembled team bridging your weaknesses with your strengths.

It is rare...or nearly impossible to be given legitimate sincere advice on the ins/outs of the music industry via published works. "Confessions" is one, and this is definitely another!

Looking at the artist's net earnings after all expenses, and the standard recording agreement most companies draft up, no wonder some artist's are labeled sell-out's and are criticized for their envisions and protuberances.

If you're 100% serious about making a living working in the music recording industry, and looking to save time and money, "What They'll Never Tell You About The Music Business" is a major fundamental. It's a Prerequisite, expressive and totally educational, no-holds-barred. One of the most unnerving experiences about being in the music business is getting ripped off. Read this so you won't!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews











Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence:
Everyone has an idea; everyone has talent; everyone thinks that they can write or play or sing a song better than much of what they hear on the radio. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
administrating publisher, black box income, tour merchandiser, suggested retail selling price, classical managers, classical music industry, statutory license, packaging deduction, neighboring rights, major music publishers, independent promotion, popular music business, royalty base, recording costs, mechanical rights, producer agreement, royalty provisions, recording agreements, record royalties, personal manager, royalty account, mechanical royalties, merchandising company, record company, promotion people
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, New York, Copyright Office, Harry Fox Agency, United Kingdom, Licensed Territory, Rolling Stones, Los Angeles, The Odyssey of the Song, Tower Records, Leonard Bernstein, Lincoln Center, Garth Brooks, Irving Berlin, Madison Square Garden, Wall Street, Warner Bros, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Digital Performance Right
New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:

Citations (learn more)



What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums





Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject