Print This Article Post Comment Add To Favorites Email to Friends Ezine Ready

Exploring Music Contracts

By: Home | Arts-and-Entertainment | Music


Music contracts are complex little things, aren't they? It is many an artist's dream to be offered incredible music business contracts! Understanding them when they do come along is crucial to the survival of your career. The ins and outs of recording contracts can be reviewed by an entertainment lawyer, but why not understand everything on your own in addition to this.

There may be a place in music contracts that talk about Tour Support or something along that line. Well, what exactly is tour support you ask? This is basically the funding that the label will advance to the band, group or artist. This is meant to pay for any losses that occur from touring. This may typically apply to new artists because tours sometimes cost more than the artist earns from the tour.

Unfortunately though, tours are absolutely necessary to promote CDs, acquire exposure and sell merchandise. The label will often have to front the money so that the tour is possible. Recording contracts usually state that tour support money is reimbursable from royalties. So, in the end the band will pay the entire cost of the tour.

Another important question that is covered in recording contracts is whether or not you can appear on other albums. While you will not be able to record solely for other companies, you will be able to make a guest appearance, no problem.

Guest performances are usually called sideman performances in music contracts. The Record Label usually always benefits from their artists doing sideman performances. Your record company will require a courtesy credit on the album that acknowledges you are signed exclusively with their label. Different rules many apply to groups when it comes to recording contracts and guest performances. It all depends on whether or not your label has included it in the music business contracts or not.

Recording contracts are complex but you can gain a firm understanding of them and all that the entail. Having an entertainment lawyer is completely and totally up to you as an artist. But let me warn you, they can get expensive. But if you are going to hire one, then make sure you pick them and you pay for them. You want them on your side no matter what. Either way, it is important that you have a good idea what is going on as well so you aren't a sitting duck.



Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

About the Author:
Online music industry's most recognizable voice-the former owner of an Indie label-current owner of Platinum Millennium Pub. & music industry seminar speaker/panelist. Author/creator of 40+ best-selling music biz materials & other "How to" resources, that helped 1000s of people. Visit http://www.order-yours-now.com/ for more information on music contracts, recording contracts & music business contracts.

Tags: , ,

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Music Articles Via RSS!

Recent Related Articles From Music

  • Music Contracts 101: Exploring Recording Contracts
    By: Ty Cohen | Jan 21st 2007
    In the music industry, there is an insane amount of variety in the types of music contracts out there. If you are thinking of busting into the music industry, then it is a good idea to explore the business side of it. Read

  • How To Save Money On Music Contracts

    How much would you estimate an entertainment lawyer would charge hourly to draft music contracts for you? Would you guess $50, $150, $100 or even $200 per hour? Think again! Read

  • Who Needs Music Contracts?

    Whether you are a newbie to the music industry or a seasoned professional, you are going to run across music contracts, no matter what! Read

  • Music Contracts 101: Two Key Parts

    In relation to music contracts there are often two areas, the amount of produce and advancements, that artists need explained. Read

  • Music Contracts & Royalties Defined

    Artists often wonder how their royalties are going to be computed when they sign music contracts. This is truly an important question because basically determines how much money is going to end up in their pockets. Read

  • Music Contracts And Clauses

    There is no perfect music contract for every single situation. First and foremost, it is important that you have a wide variety of music contracts to choose from and that you and all parties involved understand the content within each specific music contract. Read

  • Avoid The Burn Of A Bad Music Contract

    If you are involved with any aspect of the music industry, then you will run across a time where music contracts will be involved. But you have to be very careful in the music industry. Read

  • Can You Write A Music Contract From Scratch?

    The real question is do you know how to write music contracts from scratch or even at all? I am going to assume that your answer is no and that is why you are here. Read

  • Know The Industry

    Some artists and musicians are dying for recording contracts but do they really know how the music industry works? Before signing any music contracts, you need to educate yourself on the industry itself. Read

  • Exploring Demo Deals

    Demonstrational recording deals are not to be confused with actual recording contracts. These deals are made with either an investor or usually a record label itself. They can be considered a prerequisite to music contracts Read


Copyright © 2005-2011 eArticlesOnline, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy