Navigating the Music Industry

by Weissman, Dick

• ISBN13: 9780634026522
• ISBN10: 0634026526
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-07-01
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corp

Summary

For anyone planning a career in the music business, Navigating the Music Industry is an excellent introduction to all the issues facing artists today. It combines the myriad talents of teachers, lawyers and musicians to provide a comprehensive overview of the industry. The first half of the book, "Controversial Issues," concentrates on the "music" side of this world - everything from censorship to regional music scenes to the future of country music to the debate between indie and major labels. The second half, "Business Models," looks at the "business" side, and contains many tips about the practical side of the music industry - using internet content, budgets and breakevens, tax issues, when to incorporate and why, and much more. Simply put, Navigating the Music Industry is the most complete book on the subject to date. Previously announced as What's Going On?: Current Issues in the Music Business.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
PART ONE Introduction to Part One: Current Issues	1	(170)
Denver: Attempting to Build a Regional Music Scene	3	(40)
Dick Weissman
The Issues
Infrastructure
A Brief History of Denver 1970--2000
Geography
Sports and Recreation
Downtown Development
The Studio Scene
Venues and Promoters
Record Companies
Denver-Based Artists
Musical Genres
The Convention Scene and the City
Jerry Barnett and the Lester Lanin Phenomenon
The Classical Music Scene
Work for Freelancers
Radio, Television, and Print Media
Record Stores
Musical Instrument Stores
Jingles
The Role of the Musicians' Union
Personal Managers and Entertainment Industry Lawyers
Music Education
Music Publishing and Film
Producers, Songwriters, and Those Who Have Moved On
Government Support
Music Associations
Conclusions
Reference
Questions for Further Study
Music Censorship	43	(28)
Dick Weissman
The Issues
Defining Censorship
Music and Patronage
Morality Issues
The Role of the Supreme Court
Feminism and Censorship
The NEA and Government Funding
Music Censorship
Jazz
Studio Work
Rock `n' Roll
Political Censorship
Moral and Religious Censorship
Teenagers, Sex & Violence
Rap
PMRC and Stickering
The Issue of Censorship
Editing
Censorship and Reality
NPR and the Gatekeepers of Economic Censorship
References
Questions for Further Study
Does Country Music Have a Future?	71	(22)
Dick Weissman
Genres
Authenticity
Ralph Peer and the Junction of Country and Folk Music
The Grand Ole Opry, Radio Cowboys
Hank Williams
Elvis and Rockabilly
Chet Atkins, Owen Bradley, and the Nashville Sound
Eddie Arnold and the Everly Brothers
The Country Music Foundation
The Sixties
The Pop Influence
Outlaw, Pop Stars, and Raging Bulls
A Few Notes on the Historical Sketch
Commercialization and Image
Does Country Music Have a Future?
References
Questions for Further Study
The Independent Labels and the Majors: Cliches, Stereotypes, and Realities	93	(24)
Dick Weissman
Contemporary Business and Merchandising
What Large and Small Companies Do and Don't Do
Overview
Rhythm and Blues, Rock `n' Roll, and the Independent Companies
Sun, King, and Chess Records
Jazz and the Independent Labels
Folk Labels
The Independent Scene, Yesterday and Today
Artist-Run Labels
Artist Imprint Labels
Doing It On Your Own
Conclusion
References
Questions for Further Study
Women in the Music Industry	117	(26)
Dick Weissman
Gender and Music-Making
The Swing and Jazz Era
Rock `n' Roll, Gender, and the Fans
The `70s
The New Ethic of Punk Rock
The `80s
The `90s and the Millennium
Riot Grrrls
Behind the Music: Engineers and Producers
History
Women in Film and Television
Conclusions
References
Questions for Further Study
John Phillips: A Case Study in Creativity, Popularity, and Long-Term Careers in Popular Music	143	(28)
Dick Weissman
The Artist vs. the Entertainer
John Phillips: The Songwriter's Songwriter
The Early Mamas and Papas Songs and Career
San Franciso
The End of the Beginning
The Abortive Solo Career
Drugs, Drugs, More Drugs, Records and Films
The Revival of the Mamas & the Papas
John Phillips's Technique of Songwriting
Last Recordings
The Later Songs
Conclusion: Art and the Popular Music Business
References
Questions for Further Study
PART TWO Introduction to Part Two: Business Models	171
Napster's Demise Should Actually Stimulate the Music Industry	173
Gennaro M. DeSantis
Partnerships
Problems
How the Napster Litigation Saved the Online Music Industry
No, That Photograph You Found on the Internet Is Not Free: A Copyright Licensing Primer	177
Gennaro M. DeSantis
Business Planning Issues I. Breakeven	183
Frank Jermance
The Breakeven Model
Profit Potential
Artist Gross versus Net Income on Record Release
Record Company Breakeven
Alternative Breakeven Model
Service-Based Businesses
Determining Breakeven with Mixed Media Formats
Significance of the Breakeven Point
Business Planning Issues II. Budgets	201
Frank Jermance
The Need for Planning and Re-evaluation
Two Types of Budgets
Developing Assumptions for a Budget
Adhering to the Budget or Revising the Budget
Business Planning Issues III. Business Entities	209
Frank Jermance
Proprietorships
Partnerships
Corporations
Limited Liability Companies
Trends in Music Industry Taxation I	221
Frank Jermance
Income
Expenses
Avoiding the ``Hobby'' Classification
Other Tax Considerations
Possible Tax Breaks for the Performer
Write-Off of ``Dual Benefit'' Expenses
Election to Expense Business Assets in Lieu of Depreciation
Leasing
Conversion of Earned Income to Capital Gains Income
Deducting Job Expenses as an Employee
The Performing Artist Exemption
Deducting Educational Expenses
Incorporation
Trends in Music Industry Taxation II. The Employee versus Independent Contractor Dilemma	245
Frank Jermance
Implications and Options for the Studio Owner and the Freelancer
The Twenty Factors Used in Determining Whether an Individual is an Employee or an Independent Contractor
The S Corporation Alternative
Disadvantages of Independent Contractor Status
Section 530 Relief Requirements
Independent Contractor Agreement
Trends in Music Industry Taxation III. The Tax Audit	257
Frank Jermance
Types of Audits
Taxpayer Rights
Tax Consultants
Audit Appeal
The Examination (Audit) Process and the Music Industry
Information the Auditor Will Solicit
How to Avoid an IRS Audit
Tips in Case of an Audit
How Long to Keep Records
How Returns are Selected for Examination
The Market Segment Specialization Program: Confusion About the Music Industry
Unique Music Industry Issues
References
The Changing Face of Music Retail	275
Kim Wangler
History of an American Industry
The Development of Chain Stores
The Independents
Is Bigger Really Better?
How Will the Independents Compete?
Better Management Practices
MAP and the Slowing of Price Wars
Exclusive Franchises
Customer Service
Creating a Niche and Targeted Promotions
Repair Departments
The Vintage Market
Multiple Businesses
Joining Forces with the Enemy
Is There Room for Large and Small in the Retail Environment?
Teaching Studios
Music Retail and the Internet
Foreign Competition
Competition from Other Retail Segments
NAMM and the New National Marketing Initiatives
The Future of Music Retail
References
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Deductible Expenses of Performing Artists	299	(10)
Appendix 2 The MSSP Audit Technique Guides	309	(10)
Appendix 3 IRS Office Audit Guidelines for the Entertainment Industry	319