The Musician's Guide To The Music Business

There are two ways for an aspiring band to break into the music business these days: 1) move to Seattle (an option which has already been overused), or 2) be familiar with the information presented on The Musician's Guide to the Music Business. Comprised of interviews with music industry insiders, ranging from entertainment lawyers and music magazine editors to A & R reps at major recording labels, this informative program offers solid tips on getting known locally, creating a buzz with a good press kit and college radio airplay, the importance of learning the "business" end of the business, making a recording and submitting it (10-song demos are a big no-no), the differences between the majors and the indie recording labels, and much more. In an onslaught of alliteration, one interviewee points out that today's megastars didn't start at the top, they were once "baby bands who busted their butts." And, if one theme runs throughout the interviewee's comments, it's that good old Protestant work ethic elbow grease coupled with 5th Ave. marketing savvy are just as important as raw talent. In addition to the straight talk, the program points out relevant books, magazines, and national and regional conferences and seminars. Overall, the tape could have benefited from tighter editing (there's some repetition in the interviews), but is otherwise an excellent program. Highly recommended. (Available from: RMD and Associates Inc., 214 State Rd., Media, PA 19063; (800) 220-3385.)