Customer Reviews

What They'll Never Tell You About the Music Business: "The Myths, the Secrets, the Lies (and a Few Truths)"

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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!

"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.

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!

From beginning to end, this extremely informative book is filled with music industry tips, anecdotes, and reality checks from one of the most respected entertainment lawyers in the country. As an entertainment lawyer myself, I have benefited greatly from Mr. Thall's straight talk on the way the industry actually works. I have recommended this book to all of my music clients and their managers, all of whom have reported that they have found the book easy to read, eye opening, and well worth their time.

If you are currently in or thinking about getting into the music industry, make the modest investment and purchase this book---to get this much advice, guidance, and perspective from a qualified attorney, particularly one with Mr. Thall's impressive resume, you will easily spend hundreds or thousands more than the cost of this excellent book.

It reads like a music biz "Who done it?" or "Who's doing it?"
suspense. It's dense with information and uniquely revealing about
all the player's agendas. Couldn't put it down - best music business
book there is.

The New York State Bar Association calls this book "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." Exerpted from the Winter 2002-2003 Volume 13, No. 3 issue, publication of the Entertainment, ARt, and Sports Law Section: New York Bar ASsociation. Used with Permission

This is by far the most informative book on the business of music I have read to date. It is imperative that anyone considering a career in music gain as much knowledge as possible about the business. Sorry Donald, but this book is it. An invaluable education for just a few bucks. This one I'll refer back to regualarly.

An awe-inspiring, often hair-raising, insider's look at the music industry that's as good as having a friend--and one hell of a knowledgable friend--in the business. Except that a friend would be hard-pressed to convey the depth, breadth and sheer mass of information presented here.

Thall's credentials are impeccable, and his sometimes-lawyerly tone doesn't detract from the surprisingly compelling material. In its way the book is as much of a page-turner as any horror story, possibly because--given the pitfalls awaiting musicians that Thall describes (and points out ways to avoid)--that's exactly what it is.

Destined to be a classic.

I looked forward to this book when I first heard about it, and am not disappointed. It approaches the music industry from angles no other book is even aware of. It is a must read for everyone planning a career in the music industry, from artist to managers to record label staff to company presidents. I've headed up numerous successful companies in my 40+ years in the music industry, and I learned things I didn't know, and that are important!

the music business is a very compelling indusry which it has rules and regulations unlike any other business. it is so mcuh to digest and to take in. Politics within Politics and still undercurrent Politics that isn't ever fully talked about. Artists are always the Lowest Person in the whole picture talk about the Irony? how and when you get paid? it is a monopoly within a Monopoly and at least with Monopoly you do get a chance to to get around the board and win, however in the Industry very few ever come close to Winning, it is about survival and balancing things out.

you learn how radio and these labels work and the internet and how other things have come into full view. One of the Most complete books that I have ever read on the Music business very detailed and informative.