Making a Living in Your Local Market

by Weissman, Dick

• ISBN13: 9780634099243
• ISBN10: 0634099248
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-10
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corp

Summary

You can survive happily as a musician in your local music market. This book shows you how to expand and develop your skills as a musician and a composer right in your own backyard. Making a Living in Your Local Music Market explores topics relevant to musicians of every level: Why should a band have an agreement? How can you determine whether a personal manager is right for you? Are contests worth entering? What trade papers are the most useful? Why copyright your songs? Also covers: - Developing and packaging your artistic skills in the marketplace - Dealing with contractors, unions, club owners, agents, etc. - Producing your own recordings - Planning your future in music - Music and the Internet - Artist-operated record companies - The advantages and disadvantages of independent and major record labels - Grant opportunities for musicians and how to access them - College music business programs - Seminars and trade shows - Detailed coverage of regional music markets, including Austin, Atlanta, Denver, Miami, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	xiii
INTRODUCTION BY MARV MATTIS	xvii
CHAPTER 1 Can a Musician Make a Living Outside the Major Music Centers?	1	(16)
Finding the Right Place	3	(1)
Developing and Packaging the Product: You!	4	(2)
House Concerts	6	(2)
Tips for Composers and Songwriters	8	(1)
The Multi-Dimensional Musician	8	(1)
Financing and Marketing CDs	9	(3)
CDs	12	(1)
Dealbreakers	13	(1)
Other Opportunities in Local Markets	14	(1)
Dealing with Rejection	15	(1)
Chapter 1 Resources	15	(2)
CHAPTER 2 Getting It Together: Developing Your Talent	17	(12)
Getting the Group Together	20	(1)
Starting a Band	20	(4)
Band Agreements	24	(1)
Band Names	24	(1)
Equipment	25	(3)
Chapter 2 Resources	28	(1)
CHAPTER 3 Taking It to the Street: Packaging Your Talent for Potential	29	(8)
Making Demos—Audio Tapes	29	(2)
Making Video Demos	31	(2)
Stylists	33	(1)
Publicists	34	(1)
Sample Press/Promo Kits	34	(1)
Chapter 3 Resources	34	(3)
CHAPTER 4 Selling Your Act in Places You Never Dreamed Of	37	(16)
Booking Yourself	37	(1)
Setting a Price	38	(1)
The Alan Remington Price Formula	38	(1)
Booking Agents	39	(3)
Dealing with an Agent	42	(2)
Personal Managers	44	(1)
The Expansion of Management Roles	45	(1)
Sunset	46	(1)
Business Managers	46	(1)
Other Creative Opportunities	46	(1)
Other Sources of Employment	47	(1)
Artist-in-Residence Programs	48	(3)
Chapter 4 Resources	51	(2)
CHAPTER 5 Developing Versatility	53	(10)
Teaching	54	(2)
College Teaching	56	(1)
Private Teaching	56	(5)
Chapter 5 Resources	61	(2)
CHAPTER 6 Making Use of the Union and Other Organizations	63	(16)
Radio and Television Commercials	65	(1)
The Musicians' Union as a Source of Work	65	(3)
Making Contacts Through the Union	68	(7)
Arts Councils and Grants	75	(2)
Specialized Casual Work	77	(1)
Open Mikes and Jam Session	78	(1)
Chapter 6 Resources	78	(1)
CHAPTER 7 Expanding Your Recording Opportunities and Developing	79	(10)
Jingles	80	(5)
Hiring a Sales Representative	85	(1)
Writing to Pictures	85	(2)
Final Thoughts on Advertising and Film	87	(1)
Chapter 7 Resources	87	(2)
CHAPTER 8 Working in Multiple Contexts	89	(6)
Working for "The Door"	91	(1)
Contracts	92	(1)
Leaders and Side Musicians	93	(1)
Chapter 8 Resources	94	(1)
CHAPTER 9 Producing and Marketing Your Own Record	95	(20)
Today's Record Business	95	(1)
Independent Labels	96	(1)
Other Models	96	(1)
Record Distribution	97	(2)
Singles	99	(1)
Getting a Record Deal	100	(1)
Finding a Producer and an Engineer	100	(2)
Recording Formats: Cassettes, Compact Discs, and Vinyl	102	(1)
Mastering Records	102	(1)
Budgets	103	(2)
Financing Your Project	105	(1)
Choosing a Studio	105	(2)
Time Lines	107	(1)
Promoting and Selling Your Album	107	(4)
Web Sites	111	(1)
Bar Codes	111	(1)
Publishing and Performance Rights	111	(3)
Chapter 9 Resources	114	(1)
CHAPTER 10 POLISHING YOUR SKILLS	115	(8)
Studying Music	115	(1)
Sight-reading	116	(1)
Songwriters' Organizations	117	(2)
Improving Your Skills as a Songwriter	119	(2)
Chapter 10 Resources	121	(2)
CHAPTER 11 Making Inroads on the National and Regional Scene	123	(12)
Regional Geography	124	(1)
Making National Contacts as a Songwriter	124	(2)
How to Access Artists from Your Home	126	(1)
Making Publishing Contacts by Mail	127	(1)
Small-time Publishers	127	(1)
Contacting Music Publishers in Person	128	(1)
Demos	129	(1)
Tip Sheets	130	(1)
Performing Rights Organizations	130	(2)
Accessing the Major Songwriters' Organizations	132	(1)
Music Print Publishers	132	(1)
Summer Music Festivals	133	(1)
Chapter 11 Resources	134	(1)
CHAPTER 12 The Urge for Going: Staying or Leaving	135	(10)
Personal Managers with National Clout	136	(2)
Finding a Manager	138	(1)
Agents	138	(1)
Other Paths to a Record Deal	139	(1)
Music Business Attorneys	139	(1)
Staying or Going Summary	140	(1)
Going but Coming Back	140	(1)
Money Isn't Everything	141	(2)
Living Outside the Mainstream	143	(1)
Developing Local and Regional Music Scenes	144	(1)
Chapter 12 Resources	144	(1)
CHAPTER 13 Playing Music Part-Time	145	(8)
Specialized Performing Group	149	(1)
Songwriting	149	(1)
Performing Full-Time, Part of the Time	149	(1)
Dedicated Amateurs and Semi-Professionals	150	(1)
Technology, the Composer, and the Schools	150	(1)
Musical Literacy	151	(1)
Where Do You Fit In?	151	(1)
Chapter 13 Resources	152	(1)
CHAPTER 14 The History and Development of Regional Music Markets	153	(20)
Detroit	153	(1)
The Philly Sound	154	(1)
New Orleans	155	(1)
Memphis and Points South	156	(2)
Miami	158	(1)
Atlanta, Macon, and Athens	159	(1)
San Francisco and the Bay Area	159	(2)
Boston	161	(1)
Austin	162	(3)
Minneapolis	165	(1)
Houston	165	(2)
Bloomington, Indiana	167	(1)
Chicago	167	(1)
Portland, Oregon	168	(1)
Other Scenes	169	(1)
Local Markets Ebb and Flow	170	(3)
Chapter 14 Resources	173	(1)
CHAPTER 15 Seattle and Denver: A Tale of Two Cities, with Excursions to Atlanta and Georgia	173	(12)
Seattle	173	(3)
Recording Studios	176	(1)
Personal Managers, Agents, Etc.	177	(1)
Live Music	177	(1)
Other Aspects of Seattle Music	177	(1)
Record Companies	178	(1)
General Ambiance	178	(1)
Can It Continue?	179	(1)
Denver: Some Would Rather Be in Colorado	179	(4)
Atlanta and Georgia Today	183	(1)
Conclusion	184	(1)
Chapter 15 Resources	184	(1)
CHAPTER 16 The Music Business in Canada	185	(8)
Staying or Going	186	(1)
Government Aid	187	(1)
FACTOR Awards	188	(1)
The Bad News	189	(1)
The Canadian Record Market	189	(2)
Festivals	191	(1)
Performing Rights	191	(1)
More Aspects of the Music Business in Canada	191	(1)
Major Label Interest	192	(1)
Chapter 16 Resources	192	(1)
CHAPTER 17 Songwriting Income	193	(4)
Blanket and Per Program Licenses	194	(1)
Legal Controversies	194	(1)
Some Tips to Local Composers	194	(1)
Common Fallacies	195	(1)
New Income Streams	195	(1)
Chapter 17 Resources	196	(1)
CHAPTER 18 Music and Technology Futures	197	(14)
Short-Term Technological Hurdles	198	(1)
Copyright Protection	198	(1)
Electronic Commerce/E-Cash	198	(1)
Bandwidth	199	(1)
Music on the Internet	199	(1)
Online Retailing	199	(1)
Web Pages	199	(1)
Internet Cybercasts	200	(1)
Greenhouse Channels	200	(1)
The Evolution of Traditional Music Distribution	200	(1)
Beyond the Internet	201	(1)
The Store Strikes Back: Retail's Revenge	201	(1)
Themed Environments	201	(1)
Desktop Filmmaking	202	(1)
Architectural Entertainment	202	(1)
New Developments	202	(1)
Final Thoughts by Dick Weissman	203	(1)
Blue Sky and Free Music	204	(1)
New Formats	205	(1)
New Revenue Sources	205	(1)
Summary	205	(4)
Chapter 18 Resources	209	(2)
CHAPTER 19 Questions and Answers	211	(4)
AFTERWORD	215	(4)
APPENDICES
State Arts Councils	219	(4)
Regional Arts Organizations	223	(1)
Canadian Arts Councils	224	(1)
State Humanities Councils	225	(4)
Young Audiences	229	(3)
National Arts and Humanities Councils	232	(1)
Arts Organizations Dealing with Special Populations	233	(1)
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Groups	233	(3)
American Federation of Musicians Locals in U.S. and Canada	236	(1)
Songwriters' Associations (U.S.)	237	(2)
Songwriters Associations (Canada)	239	(1)
Performing Rights Organizations (U.S. and Canada)	240	(1)
Other Music Business Organizations	241	(2)
Information about College Degree Programs in Music Industry, Music Merchandising, and Audio Engineering	243	(1)
Music Trade Papers	244	(1)
Songwriters' Tip Sheet	244	(1)
Magazines for Songwriters	245	(1)
Radio Tip Sheet	245	(1)
Magazines: The Best and Most Interesting	245	(1)
Bibliographies	245	(18)
INDEX	263