Peppered with comments from numerous music moguls, The Music Business: An Insider's Guide to Breaking In aims to teach Joe (or Jane) Somebody how to get a foot in various doors of the music industry. Divided into sections--"How to Get In," "The Art of Music," "The Business of Music" and "Inside a Record Company"--the program features artists, such as Sting and Elton John, talking about their initial ventures into the business; looks at songwriting, creating demos, and practicing in a recording studio; offers advice on striking the most suitable record deal; and suggests ways to get your music into the mainstream through major media and other promotional outlets. Various famous folks who help illustrate these points include Nelly, Rob Zombie, Tommy Mottola, 3 Doors Down, Russell Simmons, Samantha Mumba, and Enrique Iglesias. Although the 111-minute slog is loaded with star power, excessive detours into personal opinions and stories (i.e. Sheryl Crow's love of Bob Dylan and Fred Durst's faltering love life) detract from the usefulness of the program. Still, those looking for gentle guidance, creative stimuli, or simply a glimpse of their favorite showcased celebrity are sure to welcome this somewhat unfocused "how-to." A strong optional purchase. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Williams)
The Music Business: An Insider's Guide to Breaking In
(2001) 111 min. VHS: $19.95, DVD: $24.95. Inside Sessions (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 17, Issue 2
The Music Business: An Insider's Guide to Breaking In
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