All You Need To Know About the Music Business: 11th Ed

When the first edition of this title was published in 1991, the internet barely existed; American fans watched music videos mostly on MTV; and they could purchase albums at brick-and-mortar stores. What’s remarkable about this new edition of music lawyer Passman’s comprehensive guide is not about how much has changed but how much has not. A team that supports musical artists’ work and won’t cheat them out of their share of the money remains essential. Streaming has destroyed previous ways of buying music, the book shows, but as digital formats mature, artists need to be just as diligent about keeping their share of the pie, even as production and licensing grow more complex. Passman is candid about his own knowledge of newer technologies, and he reveals the ones he thinks artists should pay attention to: TikTok rules, for example, NFTs not so much. The advice Passman gives in this book is as solid, useful, and relevant as ever.