This Business of Artist Management

Rating:
Summary: The obvious in 250 pages
Review: This book is about as pointless as majoring in Sociology. Its the most obviously basic stuff that anyone with even half a working brain can figure out. Each line in this book is like a greeting card of lame industry superficial insights like "there's always a possibility that hard earned success will disappear as quickly as it materializes." (pg107) and "Every artist is only as sucessful as the most recent accomplishment." (the very next line on pg 107)
All of this would be OK, in fact I expect it in a book about the music industry. But this book is really just 250 pages of THOSE TWO LINES written in different verse and/or syntax. I think the writers of this book said to themselves "instead of writing a book about management, lets see if we can figure out how to write the same thing in more than two thousand ways." Honestly, these guys should be in the Guiness Book Of World Records, but NOT writers of a useful, helpful, artist management book.

Rating:
Summary: Not that great.
Review: A decent primer for a completely inexperienced beginner, but it hardly goes past what anyone with basic perception & common sense would already know. And the new edition is deceptive, too - the guy still talks about sending "demo cassettes" - it's pretty sad that they can't even update that basic of a detail. I'd STRONGLY recommend opting for 'All you need to know about the music business' by Donald Passman - it's infinitely more detailed & helpful, and is a very easy, yet informative read - you can get as much or as little out of it as you need.

Rating:
Summary: Not that great.
Review: A decent primer for a completely inexperienced beginner, but it hardly goes past what anyone with basic perception & common sense would already know. And the new edition is deceptive, too - the guy still talks about sending "demo cassettes" - it's pretty sad that they can't even update that basic of a detail. I'd STRONGLY recommend opting for 'All you need to know about the music business' by Donald Passman - it's infinitely more detailed & helpful, and is a very easy, yet informative read - you can get as much or as little out of it as you need.

Rating:
Summary: THE BUSINESS OF COMPLICATING ARTIST MANAGEMENT
Review: During many of my seminars and workshops, people often ask me what is a good book to get on the subject of artist management. I always assume that "good" means beneficial. I also assume that it means easy to read and comprehend.

This book lacks those qualities. Because the subject of artist management is so misunderstood, many books that attempt to clarify and explain the subject tend to complicate it in the process.

So what is the one book should you read on artist management?

As an educator and industry professional I've read most books on the subject and I'm still not satisfied, and thus not comfortable with making a recommendation; however, I will encourage anyone who really wants to know about the business of artist management to contact someone who actually does management for a living and invite them out to lunch (that you pay for) and pick their mind as much as you can about what "real life" managers do versus "paperback" managers.

The section on management in author Lee Wilson's book, "Making It In The Music Business," does a wonderful of discussing the role of the manager in the music business in relation the success of the artist, which is critically important.

Rating:
Summary: THE BUSINESS OF COMPLICATING ARTIST MANAGEMENT
Review: During many of my seminars and workshops, people often ask me what is a good book to get on the subject of artist management. I always assume that "good" means beneficial. I also assume that it means easy to read and comprehend.

This book lacks those qualities. Because the subject of artist management is so misunderstood, many books that attempt to clarify and explain the subject tend to complicate it in the process.

So what is the one book should you read on artist management?

As an educator and industry professional I've read most books on the subject and I'm still not satisfied, and thus not comfortable with making a recommendation; however, I will encourage anyone who really wants to know about the business of artist management to contact someone who actually does management for a living and invite them out to lunch (that you pay for) and pick their mind as much as you can about what "real life" managers do versus "paperback" managers.

The section on management in author Lee Wilson's book, "Making It In The Music Business," does a wonderful of discussing the role of the manager in the music business in relation the success of the artist, which is critically important.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: I have been in music industry business for a while now and I would recommand this piece of art to anyone who's new and seriously wants to become familiar with this industry. Whether you're an artist or manager, this book will help you to understand the basics. I also like the fact that the authors are so honest and give you a real piece of advice if you want to be a successful artist manager, and that is to get education (especially in business). As a recent business graduate it has helped me to be a lot more successful in this industry.

Rating:
Summary: "A realistic view of the industry and the artist."
Review: I thought it was a good reference for the beginner. I felt that for such an extensive topic, the authors were able to convey the subject matter objectively and precisely without inundating the reader with meticulous explainations. I have referenced this book countless times since I purchased it, and I feel that it is an asset to my library.

Rating:
Summary: This Business of a great useful tool for the industry
Review: I'll start off by saying I've been working in live sound for years and been a performer for longer. On top of being a very good describer of roles and key issues around industry careers the author (Xavier) explains in very precise detail what is involved from the start of a band to the high points. It is realistic and not out there in the clouds about managing "The Rolling Stones." Although this deals with management it is great for people interested in the industry. I speak highly of this book because I've had paid (at amazon.com) for books with 10% of the information in this book for [money]. Get this book and "This Business of Music" M. William Krasilovsky, these are great resources for the beginning to advanced people of knowledge of the industry. Also I must mention (what the description doesn't) that the book has sample contracts in the back that are very good.

Rating:
Summary: Great information
Review: This book is great for anyone trying to gain a better understanding of just what artist management involves. I had only a limited knowledge of the subject and learned a great deal from this book.

I would definitely recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is an excellent resource book. It gives you all the information you need to know to effectively do your job.