As The World Tunes
Knowledge Is Power
by Steve Bussey
GeoSynchronous Records
They say that knowledge is power, and there are thousands of sources out there to empower you with knowledge! Here are just a few books that may help you in your musical pursuit.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MUSIC BUSINESS
Donald S. Passman, Prentice Hall Press
Passman is an entertainment attorney in Los Angeles and has worked with entertainers, publishers, producers, record companies, songwriters, industry executives, and film companies. This book lives up to its title, and is a must read for anyone seriously interested in the music business. It is easy to read, and Passman thoroughly explains managers, attorneys, agents, record deals, royalties, music publishing, band issues, touring, merchandising, and motion picture music. If you are in a hurry, Passman has written the book so you can skip thru on a fast track.
DOING MUSIC AND NOTHING ELSE
Peter C. Knickles, Music Business Seminars, Ltd.
This is actually an educational seminar, but the book and audio cassettes are available by mail order, 800 448 3621. This is the best how-to manual for getting your music to support you full time that I have seen. Knickles explains setting up shop, sales cycles, profit pillars, "sucker" record deals, how to get a good record deal, promo kits, trademarks, merchandising, sponsorship, and much more.
RELEASING AN INDEPENDENT RECORD,
Gary Hustwit, Rockpress Publishing.
Hustwit walks you thru starting your own label, recording and producing, copyright forms, publishing and performance rights, press, distribution, sales, advertising, getting radio airplay, and touring. He even includes a directory of 657 record labels, 101 CD manufacturers, 66 music publishers, 224 music publications, 230 record distributors, 552 record stores, 900 radio stations, 247 booking agents, and sample record contracts.
WRITING BETTER LYRICS
Pat Pattison, Writers Digest Books.
Pat Pattison is a professor of music and songwriting at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. In this book he discusses various techniques, tools, and concepts to help you write the best lyrics you can. Chapter 4, "Clichés: The Sleeping Puppy", can be read for free online at http://www.lyricist.com/bookshop/.
THE COMPLETE RHYMING DICTIONARY AND POET'S CRAFT BOOK
Clement Wood, Doubleday and Company, Inc.
This book discusses poetry and versification, rhythm, rhyme, stanza patterns, divisions of poetry, as well as the dictionary of rhyming words. The dictionary is arranged by sound, and is divided into one, two, and three syllable words that rhyme. This is a great book to get you out of writer's block, and help you avoid clichéd, predictable rhymes in your song lyrics.
About the author: Steve Bussey is a singer/songwriter/guitarist and is currently the owner and general manager of GeoSynchronous Records (http://www.pan.com/geosync, Listening Line 800 235 9193, ask for a free catalog), an indie label handling artists such as Les Dudek, Mike Pachelli, Bong Water Taffy, and Big Red & The Bus. Prior to this, Steve earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering and Acoustics from Georgia Tech, designed sound equipment and guitar amps for Fender, and supervised design of communication systems for the Space Shuttle at Kennedy Space Center.
