Negotiating Your Record Deal: What's at Stake?

[rickybergerlive]

Finally, part of my job is to help TRY to come up with great ideas. Part of my job is to represent MANAGERS who have new BRILLIANT ideas about how to break a band out in a new and different way or to make a great living for the band in a new and different way. And, yes, sometimes part of my job is review a 60-page contract because that was put in front of me and it is my JOB to make sure my client the band knows what they are signing and DOESN'T GET SCREWED. That's what I do. Ok?

[rickybergerlive]

Kidding. To continue, it's all about compression technology and size of files (music vs. TV vs. Film). Technology shapes and reshapes industries just like glaciers to continents. The technologies of compression (as well as advanced editing and recording technologies never before available generally) are making HUGE shifts in the industry, with the majors left without a clear direction. But, there will always be musicians and an industry. BRILLIANT PEOPLE will find the $ in the mess. Peace.

[rickybergerlive]

Having a right to speak doesn't mean that what say is persuasive. Also, there is lots wrong with the music business that has nothing to do with lawyers or accountants. Every industry has lawyers and accountants. The film industry is run by lawyers and accountants and they are making BILLIONS in profits. TV is the same, but is floundering although not to the extent that the music industry (which is undergoing the most seismic level of instability). Why? Well, oops I ran of space . . . .

[AngelArtists]

The first thing you need to do is realise that there are hardly ANY major record deals now as there IS no music industry now. It died in the 90s.

It's all run by accountants & lawyers now & if your not definitely gonna earn them a certain minimum amount, you AIN'T getting signed.

It's all bullshit

[righthookmusic]

@AngelArtists The music industry continues to generate BILLIONS of dollars of revenues every year. The industry is changing, not dead. Bright business people (including GREAT innovative MANAGERS) find the way to make money for their bands.

[AngelArtists]

@righthookmusic Sorry, I was in a bad mood when I wrote that. Lawyers do a great job, but then they should seeing as they charge thousands to look over the things. You SHOULD get a good lawyer I agree. You say the music industry makes billions of DOLLARS. I agree, but that's DOLLARS. There are good honest Lawyers about, but its the dodgy Lawyers & Accountants that run the business now that make the money whilst the artist make barely make enough to live. Legalised gangsters most of them.

[AngelArtists]

@righthookmusic Innovation & being a great manager means nothing, unless your either from an "elitist" money background / part of the "secret handshake" society, or your from the criminal element. I find most of the industry "professionals" falsely tell those in less privileged positions that they can achieve greatness if they try. It's BS. So please, with respect, don't try & educate me on "how it works", I've worked in it for 21 years & its one of the most corrupt industries out there.

[AngelArtists]

@righthookmusic Though I respect your views on this matter, we all have the freedom of speech to say what is on our minds, it's a democracy that people fought very hard for us to have. Hopefully you are one of the good guys that we wish there were more of in our business,

[AngelArtists]

What a surprise. A music lawyer telling you the first thing you need to negotiate a record deal is....you've guessed it, f*cking top music lawyer. LoL. Didn't see THAT ONE coming eh??

[righthookmusic]

@AngelArtists. Don't take my advice. Negotiate your own deals without an attorney specializing in entertainment law issues and let's see how to do.  I am sure with your obviously superior intellect and award-winning "win-win" personality you'll do just fine.

[AngelArtists]

@righthookmusic I DO actually specialise in Music Law. For the last 20 years. I've negotiated many major contracts & made a fair bit of money.