From Library Journal
Garrett and Wilson both provide practical guides for songwriters and performers. Entertainment lawyer Wilson primarily focuses on such music law topics as copyright, naming a band, booking agents and managers, and selecting an entertainment lawyer. She also includes samples of copyright registration forms, a useful glossary of terms, and a sketchy list of references. Garrett has self-published a more ambitious guide that addresses the legal, financial, and marketing concerns of the music business. Despite a breezy, sometimes sensationalist tone, he uses clear illustrations to introduce readers to creating a song company, securing financial sponsors, copyright, contracts, marketing plans, producers, managers, tax issues, and studio and recording costs. Though providing useful information, the authors deliver a more limited examination of the music industry than their titles suggest. For a more comprehensive look at the same topic, refer to Jeffrey and Todd Brabec's Music, Money and Success: The Insiders Guide to the Music Industry (Schirmer: Macmillan, 1994).?David Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Back in the 1950s and 1960s, artists would have number-one smash hits and then barely see any profits because of unscrupulous song promoters. That situation is not as common these days, but it does happen, along with copyright infringement and song ripoffs. Music lawyer Wilson has put together a terrific handbook that outlines all the information a fledgling musician or songwriter needs to know, from basic copyright law to how to get a legitimate agent or booking manager. There's even a chapter on how to organize a rock band, which takes into account the legal rights of all members of the group allowing for later "creative differences." Most importantly, Wilson writes in a friendly, clever style that acknowledges the "rigmarole" of the legal system while using the necessary arrows to direct even the novice musician to the road to success. Joe Collins
Review
This legal guide for songwriters and performers provides an important key to understanding the music industry; from copyright law and its protection for musicians and writers to booking agent activities, manager roles, and how music lawyers can help or hurt a business. A "must" for any professionally involved. -- Midwest Book Review
About the Author
Lee Wilson is a Nashville writer and lawyer. In private practice since 1984, she writes on intellectual-property law topics for a variety of publications, has served on the boards of several arts organizations, and is a frequent speaker to arts and academic groups. She is the author of six books on intellectual-property law, all published by Allworth Press.
