Making It With Music ...by Kenny Rogers and Len Epand

Making It With Music

...by Kenny Rogers and Len Epand

Comments by: Stephen Robbins

Making It With Music is an outstanding book, geared toward the all-important business end. I acquired this copy shortly after its publication in 1978. It's abundant information still holds true today.

Making It With Music is an absolute must-have for serious musicians. The information applies to all musicians of all genres.

I'm not sure if the publisher (Harper & Row) still has copies, but it can be found at amazon.com, ebay, and other places.

Be sure to read the contents below if you are wondering just how thorough Making It With Music is. The book includes many photographs and sample contracts. Kenny and Len leave nothing out.

1. GETTING STARTED : 1
Come, Gather Now, Musicians. Musical Style. Equipping. Rehearsing. Arranging Your Material. Live Presentation. Onstage Patter. Mistakes. Setting Up.

2. TAKIN' CARE OF BUSINESS : 33
Choosing a Name. Internal Setup. Getting Band Jobs. The Musicians Union. Making It to Your Gig. Checking Your Sound. Gauging Your Audience. Handling Requests, Fights, Etc. Dealing with the Club Owner. "How Did We Do?". Do-It-Yourself f Publicity. Up from the Little Clubs. Getting a Manager. Finding a Booking Agency. Forming a Partnership. Incorporating. Little Business Practices with Big Long-term Benefits. Handling Investors.

3. MOVING UP : 79
It's the Song, Not the Singer. Songwriting. Co-writing Songs. Copyrighting. The Music Publisher. Music Publishers and Record Companies. Making a Demo. Submitting Your Demo. Publishing Deals.

4. THE BIG BREAK : 111
Approaching a Record Company. What a Record Company Can Do for You. The Record Contract — Advance and Royalties. The Term of the Contract. Promotional Budget. The Fine Print. The Reserve Clause. The Free-Goods Clause. The Packaging-Costs Clause. The Assignment Clause. The Licensing Clause. Safeguards. What Is Fair? Producers. Making a Record. The Jacket Art. Performance Rights Societies.

5. BUILDING SUCCESS : 137
Planning a Tour. The Road Manager. Rehearsing. The Tour Proposal. The Booking Agency. Booking Showcases. Performance Contracts. Road Life. Promoting Your Show. Press Coverage. Interviews. Television.

6. FAME : 177
After the First Hit. Your Next Release. Business Considerations. Being Your Own Publisher. Recording. Renegotiating Your Contract. The Star Syndrome. Fans. Groupies. Fan Clubs. Staying Alive. Breaking Up (Is Hard to Do). Going Solo. Back on Top. Retiring.

APPENDIX I. A Union Performance Contract Form : 203
APPENDIX II. A Sample Publishing Contract for One or Several Songs : 204
APPENDIX III. An Extract of Terms for a Typical New Artists' Record Contract : 208
APPENDIX IV. An Extract from a Performance Contract Rider : 212
INDEX : 221