Secrets of Negotiating a Record Contract: Revised and Updated Edtion

by Moses Avalon

The ultimate guide to understanding and avoiding, in the author's words, sneaky lawyer tricks, Secrets of Negotiating a Record Contract helps artists recognize hidden agendas by exposing the multilayered language of recording agreements crafted by major label lawyers. Clause by clause, the newly updated book deconstructs actual contracts and translates them into "real English," presenting the original and decoded versions side by side. Focusing on artists' issues, such as advances, royalties, and distribution, this revealing handbook explains the need for each clause, offers advice on negotiating fine points, and outlines alternatives for developing new contracts. User-friendly and offering entertaining inside stories, Secrets of Negotiating a Record Contract clarifies common terms uniquely redefined by the music industry to put power back into the hands of those who make the music. * Explains the entire recording contract line by line in plain English * Reveals over 100 key loopholes and double-dips that will cost artists money * Includes a glossary of major label recording-contract jargon

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Andre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like for his first book, I'd caution readers to take Moses Avalon's writings with a huge grain of salt. Having said that, I would still recommend this to anyone who will be dealing with recording contracts (in whatever capacity). If nothing else, it will give you an idea of how complicated and treacherous things can be.

[MÉYO · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like how Avalon explains the legality of the music business in very simple English. His straight-forward, no-nonsense approach to explain how you can get screwed over in the music business made this book VERY memorable and captivated unlike other music industry books.