If you create music, you need a performing rights organization. In the United States, the two PRO’s are ASCAP and BMI. A performance rights organization (PRO), also known as a performing rights society, provides intermediary functions, particularly collection of royalties, between copyright holders and parties who wish to use copyrighted works publicly in locations such … Read moreYou need a PRO
I’ve spent something like 30 years in and around the music business now. I love it more today than I did when I started. There is so much happening. Technology is simultaneously creating both opportunities and havoc. But it’s always been like that, maybe just not ever as dramatic, but it’s been like that as … Read moreYou’re not Taylor Swift
I hear the term, “Put me on” a lot. This is a ridiculous notion. Just take a moment to think about your favorite major artist. They worked their way in and then worked their way up, and if you really pay attention you would see that they work to stay “on”. Along each of their … Read moreYou don’t get ‘Put On’
I work with all sorts of acts, managers, producers, parents, and artists and they all have different challenges. However, almost everyone that comes to us is ill-prepared for one major fact. You have to be patient and work diligently to allow a record or campaign to get its legs. Everyone sees “virality’ as something you … Read moreArtist Development is no Longer a Linear Process
I am genre agnostic. I don’t care what the genre, a great song is a great song, and that’s what I’m looking for. I think the best songs often come out of collaboration. Artist, writer collaboration, multiple writers, writer and producer combo, for me it’s all about collaboration. Take what you know, feel, and want to … Read moreGenre Agnostic
I’m sure you’ve all noticed that over the last few years it has become increasingly important for “indie” distributors to lock up your publishing rights. Most people just blindly opt-in and never ask any questions about it. It’s all you’ve got! Listen, a dream of most musicians is to score a song that catches fire … Read moreThe Music Rights Gold Rush
I recently read a poll of the ‘best’ record label of the century or some b.s. Atlantic came in #1 and Blue Note, Columbia, Warner Brothers, Stax-Volt respectively. Not a bad list and I don’t particularly have a problem with the overall premise of the poll, it’s all about positioning. I do question our need … Read moreThe Best…
I absolutely hate all of the scams and misconceptions out there about the music industry. The one that I see the most is the pay to submit your music to a label. To what end? Anyone could “send” music to a major label email address that they found on the Internet. The fact is that … Read moreThe $50 record deal scam
We’ve heard a lot in past few years about folks vowing to invest in the music business to level the playing field but let’s take a look at that. The majority of these “start-ups” are focused on either tapping into royalty revenue, or music streaming. Is that really investing in music? The idea that investment … Read moreVenture Capital Investment In Music: The road paved with good intentions
So, I have been railing about this for years but realized that I have never really written about it. WHY, are we as an industry (music) so passive about new technology. We shun all of the new development and then when it’s foisted upon us on mass we are forced to deal with it while … Read moreThe Music Industry’s Passive Approach to Tech