SHERMAN OAKS, CA (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — For 15 years, Don Passman’s book All You Need To Know About The Music Business has been universally regarded as the definitive, essential guide to the music industry. And as the music industry continues to be immersed in the broadest and most important changes of its history, Passman has updated the book for its sixth edition, in stores November 14, 2006.
“These are by far the most extensive changes I’ve made to the book since it was first published,” says Passman, a well-respected Los Angeles-based music industry lawyer who has represented such icons as Janet Jackson, REM, Green Day and many others. “There have been more changes in the recording industry in the last three years than in the 30 years I’ve been in this business. We’re stumbling around in the new technologies, trying to figure out what everyone should get paid.”
New topics in the book include digital sales, audio on demand, streaming videos, podcasts and ring tones. The entire book has been updated and revised with other extensive changes covering record deals, songwriting, merchandising and touring.
“There’s also been a massive change in the way the record companies compute royalties: they’ve actually gotten…simpler. I never thought I’d use that ‘s’ word with royalties, but hallelujah,” says Passman. “Piracy is running rampant, CD sales are slipping, record companies are panicking. Just the things you need for a fun picnic!”
All You Need To Know About The Music Business is broken down in easy-to-understand language with personal anecdotes peppered throughout. The book breaks down the industry into eight sections: Your Team of Advisors, Record Deals, Songwriting and Music Publishing, Group Issues, Touring, Merchandising, Classical Music, and Motion Picture Music.
A graduate of Harvard Law School, Passman is listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” and has lectured at USC Law School, Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, the American Bar Association, the Practicing Law Institute, the USC Entertainment Law Institute and the Los Angeles Copyright Society.
Passman’s other books include two novels, The Visionary and Mirage. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and four children. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
