Recommended Books

because everything you need to know is out there.

Guerilla P.R.: This is at the top of my list for a reason. How to get lots of attention for very little money. Read it and brainstorm. Take it to heart, and the world will know your name.
Indie Bible: A directory of 8000 contacts that will help you to promote your music! David Wimble has personally visited every music website possible, found out if they're help promote music from indepedent musicians, and if so, lists them in his directory, organized by style of music, geography, and more. An incredible resource. Click that link to get it at a CD Baby members' discount.
Musicians' Atlas: They contacted and qualified more than 24,000 US and international music industry contacts in over 28 music business categories for The Musician's Atlas volume 2006. The Atlas delivers the details that other resources leave out - details that save you time and money. Click that link to get it at a CD Baby members' discount.
Making it in the New Music Business: THE BEST step-by-step idea book that walks you through the whole process from rehearsing your band to signing a record deal. I can't emphasize enough how amazing this book is. Unfortunately it's 10 years old and out of print, but Amazon has a few used copies for sale.
How NOT to Destroy Your Career in Music: Full title: “How NOT to Destroy Your Career in Music: Avoiding the Common Mistakes Most Musicians Make”. Written by Bruce Haring, who puts on the D.I.Y Convention.
The Music Phone Book: The Music Phone Book is a very accurate and in-depth music guide available for independent musicians and music pros. 50,000+ total music contacts from 29 music industry categories - each one confirmed by phone. Thousands of the contacts aren't listed in any other magazine, making the Music Phone Book a tool no independent musician or music pro should pass up.; CONTACT: David Codr 402.932.1456 x 10 402.551.3064 fax cdbabyinfo@musicphonebook.com
Everything You'd Better Know About the Record Industry: If you REALLY have to have one of those books about the music industry itself (contracts, deals, publishing, money, percentages, etc.) - then this is by FAR the best one I've ever seen. Written by a cool current music producer who knows what's up.
How to Make & Sell Your Own Recording: This book has been a much praised guide and copies have been sold to more than 150,000 musicians, producers, engineers, and owners of small recording labels. You'll find valuable information about setting up a label independent of major-label networks. It guides readers through the steps of starting a recording company. This is the revised 5th edition and includes a new section devoted to the Internet.; CONTACT: Diane Rapaport (928) 634-8894 jhpress@sedona.net
Life is a Contact Sport: Ken was the manager of Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, and more. Even if those artists aren't your style of music - he has a bunch of great advice and philosophies on networking, honesty, career planning, and more.
Guerrilla Marketing Excellence: Again - a real brainstormer. ANY book in the “Guerrilla Marketing” series will do. There are 5 of them. I like this one. It will spark 1000 good ideas. The fact that these AREN'T written about music is great, because you won't be taking any ideas directly. A success story about a dry-cleaning business will inspire an idea in you that no musician had thought of before.
How to Be Your Own Booking Agent: Jeri has interviewed hundreds of people in all parts of the business of live performance. There is SO much wisdom in this book, it's going to blow your mind. Buy it. Read it. It's amazing. Reading it makes you want to go hit the road this minute, and every page will help you do it. Click that link, and read her descriptions of the chapters. You'll see what I mean.
The Musician's Business & Legal Guide: The Musician's Business & Legal Guide In this book, prominent entertainment lawyers and business experts provide easy to understand information on vital legal and business issues. Current recording, publishing, production, and management contracts are analyzed clause-by-clause.; CONTACT: Diane Rapaport (928) 634-8894 jhpress@sedona.net
Power Schmoozing: Power Schmoozing is a terrible title (that word “schmooze”) for a surprisingly good book about how to make business contacts, and how to be comfortable talking to people you don't know. I've read it a few times, and recommended it to many friends, who all loved it too.
The Future Of Music: A primer all about the digital future of the music business.