Business Basics for Musicians: The Complete Handbook from DIY to the Majors

by Bobby Borg

Overview

Unleash your music career and conquer the dynamic new music industry! In a high-tech world overflowing with ever-changing information, don’t let the business side of music be your downfall. Business Basics for Musicians is the ultimate layperson’s handbook to mastering the industry. The third edition provides:

• Cutting-edge insights into AI, NFTs, and the limitless potential of the metaverse
• Comprehensive knowledge on traditional and emerging music royalties to ensure fair compensation
• New and captivating pro interviews and compelling anecdotes that ignite inspiration
• Updated information on social media, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube
• Major-label record, publishing, and merchandising deal updates that can propel your global presence
• Game-changing DIY strategies that skyrocket your career and bring success on your terms

Writing in an engaging tone and easily digestible format, music industry veteran Bobby Borg provides a comprehensive resource that expertly simplifies complex concepts into actionable steps. He addresses five vital areas: pursuing a successful career, building powerful relationships, assembling a winning team, unlocking lucrative deals and dollars, and paving your path to success to 2030 and beyond.

Test questions and answers, assignments, and projects are available for instructors. Please email [e-mail].

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538182550
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/31/2024
Series:	Music Pro Guides
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	446
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Bobby Borg MCM, is a former major label, independent, and DIY recording/touring artist. He also served as the VP of Special Events for the American Marketing Association and Interim Chairman of Music Business at Musician’s Institute. He is an assistant professor of practice in music industry studies at University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. He is the founder of Bobby Borg Consulting and author of The Musician's Handbook, Music Marketing for The DIY Musician,Business Basics for Musicians, Introduction to Music Publishing for Musicians, and Personal Finance for Musicians. Visit bobbyborg.com.

Table of Contents

Contents

Foreword by Michael Garcia, Chair of Music Industry, University of Southern California

Welcome Fam—both New and Existing. Here’s What’s Updated and Improved

Preface

Acknowledgments

Part 1: Career Execution

1.Pursuing a Career in the New Music Industry: 16 Tips (and then Some) for Career Success

Q&A with Michael Levine: Attributes of The Super Successful

Part 2: Business Relationships

2.Band Membership, Part 1: Formation and Self-Management

How and Where to Look for Musicians

Criteria for Choosing Band Members

The Day-to-Day Operating Rules of the Band

3.Band Membership, Part 2: Partnerships, Trademarks, and Business Entities

Band Membership Agreements

Q&A Jeff Cohen: Trademarks, Business Entities and More

4.Contract Employment or Self-Employment, Part 1:Gigs and Unions

Getting the Gig: How to Be a “Working” Musician

Seeking Fair Treatment and Guidance via the AFM

Seeking Fair Treatment and Guidance via SAG-AFTRA

5.Contract Employment or Self-Employment, Part 2: Employment Agreements and Negotiations

Working for Employers with Limited Budgets

Working for Employers with Larger Budgets

Working for Employers Who Offer a Salary and Percentages

6.Contract Employment or Self-Employment, Part 3: Income Taxes and Insurance

Understanding Your Income Taxes: Ten Common Questions

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

The IRS: Qualifications for Employment

7.Solo Artist and Employer: Pros, Cons, and Responsibilities

The Advantages of Going Solo

The Disadvantages of Going Solo

Leaving Member Clauses: The Record Company’s Rights to Solo Artists

The Business and Legal Responsibilities of Solo Artists

Q&A with Justin Paul: Solo Artists and DJ Entrepreneurs

Part 3: Pro Teams

8.Entertainment Attorneys: What They Do and What They Cost You

The Role of an Attorney in Your Career

Hiring Your Attorney

Attorney Fee Structures

Getting The Most Out of Your Attorney

A Conflict of Interest

Changing Your Legal Representation

DIY Spotlight: Low- To No-Budget Tips For Handling Legal Matters

9.Personal Managers: Roles, Options, and Agreements

The Role of a Personal Manager in Your Career

Management Options

Management Agreements

DIY Spotlight: Self-Management Checklist For Fledgling Artists

Q&A With Michael Kaminsky: The Future State Of Management

10. Business Managers: Bills, Investments and More

The Role of a Business Manager in Your Career

Hiring Your Business Manager

Important Terms of Your Agreement

DIY Spotlight: Self-managing Your Finances and Your Life

11. Talent Agents: Work, Scope, and Contracts

The Role of an Agent in Your Career

Hiring Your Agent

Terms of the Agreement

DIY Spotlight: Methods For Being Your Own Booking Agent

Q&A With John Pantle: Words From A Seasoned Agent

12. Record Producers: Creativity, Budgets, and Fee Structures

The Role of a Record Producer in Your Career

When and How a Producer May First Get Involved

Additional Responsibilities of the Record Producer

Hiring a Record Producer

The Record Producer’s Compensation Structure

DIY Spotlight: Examples of How DIY Artists Pay their Producer

Part 4: Deals and Dollars

13. Making and Selling Records, Part 1: Types of Record Deals and Companies

Do-It-Yourself Recording Companies

Independent Labels

Production Companies

Major Labels

Q&A with Tim Yasui: The Future and Relevance of Labels

14. Making and Selling Records, Part 2: Key Deal Issues in Recording Contracts

Issue #1: Who Is the Label?

Issue #2: How Much Will I Get to Make My Record?

Issue #3: Can I Make the Record I Want to Make?

Issue #4: How Do I Know They’ll Release My Record?

Issue #5: Will I Get Guaranteed Marketing Support?

Issue #6: Do I Have a Say in How the Masters Will Be Exploited?

Issue #7: Artist Royalties: Will I Ever Make Money from the Label?

Issue #8: Controlled Composition Clauses

Issue #9: 360 Rights in Deals

Issue #10: How Many Records (Or Singles) and for How Long Is the Deal?

Issue #11: Can I Record Other Projects?

Issue #12: Everything Else Artists Should Be Concerned About

Issue #13: What Does the Label of the Future Look Like?

DIY Spotlight: How To Start And Run Your Own Record Label

15. Music Publishing, Part 1: Copyright Essentials

Copyright: Definition, Formation, and Benefit

Copyright and Work Made for Hire

Compulsory Licensing for Songs on Records

Copyright and Joint Works (aka Collaborations)

Duration of Copyright

16. Music Publishing, Part 2: Even More Copyright Essentials

Copyright Registration

The Copyright Notice

Copyright Infringement

More on Copyright: Sound Recordings Are Copyrights, Too

Q&A with Steve Winogradsky: Foreign Copyright

Q&A With Michael Eames: The Music Modernization Act

17. Music Publishing, Part 3: Income Streams—Mechanicals and Performances

Shares of the Publishing Pie

Types of Publishing Income

Mechanical Royalties

Performance Royalties

18. Music Publishing, Part 4: Income Streams—Synchronization and Print

Synchronization Fees

Print Royalties

19. Music Publishing, Part 5: Sources of Income Streams— Electronic Transmissions and Foreign Subpublishing

What Are Electronic Transmissions?

Foreign Sub-publishing Income

What Is Foreign Subpublishing Income?

Bonus Section: Subpublishing And the Mighty Subpublishers

20. Music Publishing, Part 6: Publishing Companies and Types of Deals

What Established Music Publishers Can Do for Your Career

Types of Publishing Deals

Other Contract Deal Points

Q&A with Neil Gillis: DIY-Level Synch Exploitation

21. Music Publishing, Part 7: DIY Publishing: Starting Your Own Company

Step 1: Affiliate with ASCAP or BMI

Step 2: File a DBA (Doing Business As)

Step 3: Register with the Copyright Office

Step 4: Prepare to Collect Royalties

DIY Spotlight: How to Pitch Your Music in Film, TV and Games

22. Live Performing and Touring, Part 1:Purpose and Opportunity

When and Why to Perform Live and Tour

DIY Spotlight: How and Where to Get Gigs: 9 Tips to Consider

Q&A with Chris Arnstein: The Realities of Live Performing

Q&A Bonus With Kevin Lyman: Music Festivals and DIY Musicians

23.Live Performing and Touring, Part 2: Deals, Negotiations, and Contracts

How You’re Paid for Live Performance Deals

How Live Performance Deals Are Negotiated

Live Performance Contracts and Riders

24.Merchandising, Part 1: Rights, Types, and Companies

Merchandising Rights

Grants of Rights

Merchandising Companies

Types of Merchandising Deals

25. Merchandising, Part 2: Contract Terms for Tour Merchandising

Key Touring Terms in Merchandising Contracts

26. Merchandising, Part 3: Retail Deals and Independent Merchandising

Key Retail Terms in Merchandising Contracts

Q&A with Bob Fierro: DIY Merchandising

Q&A Bonus with Dave Cool: DIY “Online” Merchandising

Part 5: Future Predictions

27.The Music Business 2030: Future Predictions, Inspirations and Warnings

Key Issues of the Future

State of The Music Industry

Tech Advancements and Music Discovery

Deals and Dollars

Team-related Issues

The Artists View's / Creativity

A Global View

Touring and Merchandising

Wait: A Few More Things to Look Towards!

Chapter Review and Discussion Questions

Chapter Activity Assignments

Midterm Test (Chapters 1–14)

Final Test (Chapters 15–27)

Index

Editorial Reviews

Bobby has the ability to make complex topics understandable and instantly applicable and the knowledge and enthusiasm to empower independent musicians with the skills necessary to succeed in the music industry—from the classroom straight to the stage!"

Pascale Cohen-Olivar

"An exceptionally well-written, thorough, and competent book for an author who is a non-attorney. Bobby’s book is extremely valuable to anyone trying to understand the new music business.”

Peter Peterno

"An exceptionally well-written, thorough, and competent book for an author who is a non-attorney. Bobby’s book is extremely valuable to anyone trying to understand the new music business.”” —Peter Peterno, attorney, King, Holmes, Paterno & Berliner, representing Metallica, Dr. Dre, and Pearl Jam

““The new music business is full of ever-changing minefields and challenges. Business Basics for Musicians helps steer you through them in a way that lets you enjoy the journey. It’s packed with clear explanations, and information you'll use time and again."” —Don Gorder, chair Emeritus, Music Business/Management Department, Berklee College of Music

““Bobby has the ability to make complex topics understandable and instantly applicable and the knowledge and enthusiasm to empower independent musicians with the skills necessary to succeed in the music industry—from the classroom straight to the stage!"” —Pascale Cohen-Olivar, UCLA Extension Entertainment Studies Program

“"Business Basics for Musicians provides a solid foundation for understanding the business at large, yet it comes at you from an everyman’s perspective. If you want to learn more about new business essentials from someone who’s survived and thrived the biz, this book is a great read.”” —Neil Gillis, CollectivRights Management, LLC

“Bobby Borg’s no nonsense and honest approach to helping musicians and artists understand the complex dynamics of the music business is extremely valuable and insightful for both beginners and seasoned pros.” —Ryan Farish, Grammy Award-nominated songwriter and top ten Billboard charting artist

From the Publisher

"Bobby Borg’s no nonsense and honest approach to helping musicians and artists understand the complex dynamics of the music business is extremely valuable and insightful for both beginners and seasoned pros. "

Ryan Farish

"Business Basics for Musicians provides a solid foundation for understanding the business at large, yet it comes at you from an everyman’s perspective. If you want to learn more about new business essentials from someone who’s survived and thrived the biz, this book is a great read.”

Neil Gillis

The new music business is full of ever-changing minefields and challenges. Business Basics for Musicians helps steer you through them in a way that lets you enjoy the journey. It’s packed with clear explanations, and information you'll use time and again."

Don Gorder