Secrets of Negotiating a Record Contract: The Musician's Guide to Understanding and Avoiding Sneaky Lawyer Tricks (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The concept of this book is simple: that the key to success in the record business game lies in learning a new language that I..." (more)
Key Phrases: audio royalties, loophole creator, ind sing, United States, Royalty Base, Commitment Album (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Moses leaves you with a broader understanding and deeper sympathies for all involved." - Gig"

Product Description

To help artists avoid hidden agendas, this book exposes the multi-layered language of recording agreements crafted by major label lawyers. Clause by clause, it deconstructs actual contracts and translates them into "real English," presenting the original and decoded versions side by side. Focusing on artistsÕ issues, such as advances, royalties and distribution, this revealing handbook explains the need for each clause, offers advice on negotiating fine points, and outlines alternatives for developing new contracts. User-friendly, it clarifies common terms uniquely redefined by the music industry, and has entertaining inside stories.

"Considerable wit and wisdom on this festering snake pit of a business."

- New Times

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Product Details

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (August 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087930636X
• ISBN-13: 978-0879306366
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #586,401 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #48 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Law > Business > Entertainment
  #49 in	Books > Nonfiction > Law > Business > Entertainment

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real World Advice from a Real Guy - Highly Recommended, September 20, 2003

By	JM (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Not only is this book (and it's prequel, "Confessions of a Record Producer") the real deal, so is the man who wrote it. I was so impressed by his first book that I contacted him as a consultant on a producer/artist agreement I was negotiating (I am a producer). My goal was to come up with something that was actually fair to both parties and Moses got us to that point quickly. His suggestions were works of innovation that surprised and satisfied everyone.

I also attended his 2-day seminar which dissects recording contracts. Here he dispelled the many misconceptions I had about record companies and their contracts AND he helped me to understand what is really being said in these contracts (and it's scary!).

He is not a lawyer, but one of the most insightful men I've met. Lawyers pay HIM for his advice. He REALLY understands contracts and explain things in a manner no one else seems to be able to do - it must be a sixth sense.. Highly recommended reading. Both his books should be permanent reference books for anyone in the music business. Besides, they're fun reads, unlike most other "how-to" music-biz books.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely perfect., May 25, 2002

By	Michael M. (Thornhill, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

Avalon fills the books with plain text translations of virtually every major clause in a standard record deal and makes it very easy to understand. He puts in plenty of narration and real world examples to let you see how each of these clauses can come into play and where loopholes lie so you won't just have to take your lawyer's word for really anything. Great book. Will save you tonnes of cash in legal fees and might end up saving your career. My only complaint is that he uses false names for all the stars he talks about in his examples to protect himself from being sued. But a lot of them are really famous so if you think about it you can figure a few out (I found the Michael Jackson one quite an eye opener). Definitely recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic!!!!!!!!!, July 2, 2006

By	Maeson (Greenbelt, MD) - See all my reviews

As soon as I bought the book I could not put it down I read it from top to bottom non-stop. This book is an easy read and very applicable. I highly recommend this book to gain greater insights in the Music business or any business. It was a great buy along with a couple of manuals purchased from Musicbrains.net entitled the Indie label Kit on Amazon, Music business 101, future of music and Guide to releasing an independent record by Tim Sweeney.