All You Need to Know About the Music Business

11th Edition

By: Donald S. Passman

Narrated by: Gibson Frazier

Dubbed “the industry bible” by the Los Angeles Times, All You Need to Know About the Music Business by veteran music lawyer Donald Passman is the go-to guide for everyone in the music business through ten editions, over thirty years, and over a half a million copies sold. Now with updates explaining why musicians have more power today than ever in history; discussion of the mega-million-dollar sales of artists’ songs and record catalogs; how artist access to streaming media, and particularly TikTok, has completely reshaped the music business; the latest on music created by AI; and a full update of the latest numbers and trends.

For more than thirty years, All You Need to Know About the Music Business has been universally regarded as the definitive guide to the music industry. Now in its eleventh edition, Passman leads novices and experts alike through what has been the most profound change in the music business since the days of wax cylinders and piano rolls: streaming. For the first time in history, music is no longer monetized by selling something—it’s monetized by how many times a listener streams a song. And also, for the first time, artists can get their music to listeners without a record company gatekeeper, creating a new democracy for music.

The “industry bible” (Los Angeles Times), now updated, is essential for anyone in the music business—musicians, songwriters, lawyers, agents, promoters, publishers, executives, and managers—and the definitive guide for anyone who wants to be in the business.

So, whether you are—or aspire to be—in the music industry, veteran music lawyer Passman’s comprehensive guide is an indispensable tool. He offers timely information about the latest trends, including the reasons why artists have more clout than ever in history, the massive influence of TikTok, the mega million dollar sales of artists’ songs and record catalogs, music in Web3 and the Metaverse, music created by AI, and a full update of the latest numbers and practices.

Detail detail, detail and more detail

I'm not in the business, my daughter is a business manager, and I was curious. It explains it all.

If you don't know, you need too!

A lot of information. Great stories. A great source on what you need to know and how to move in the industry. I plan on reading again, but this time taking notes.

EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR

If you're an independent record label/publishing company in the music space. This book provides exact details on how to get sync deals where it counts and a ton more related to business and artists.

A major hit

Thoroughly informative. This is the toe of book you can refer to for answers when you feel a bit lost.

Very thorough!

The author did a great job explaining tedious subjects without boring your socks off. Thanks!