Music Business Contracts Needed

A personal account of why music business contracts are needed.

Sometime ago I was invited to speak at a music conference. The conference was away from my home market and required that I either fly or drive. It was not terribly far, but far enough to warrant securing a hotel room, so I decided to drive.

In any event I discussed my request with the music conference organizer and they agreed to what I'd requested. Unfortunately, there were other provisions that hadn't been discussed verbally, but were said to have been emailed to me -I'm still checking :-). Honestly, I don't recall getting the correspondence concerning the other provisions as they may have deterred me from attending the event. There was never a written document (music business contract) clearly outlining the expectations of both parties.

After hearing what considerations/accommodations had been provided to other speakers I felt slighted. I contacted the music conference organizer and let them know how I felt in addition to giving constructive criticism about the conference. Feeling slighted was totally my fought as I should have requested more. Let me explain how this works contractually and why having music business contracts are needed. Additionally, I will explain what I consider to be as my mother has taught me "THE PROPER THANG TO DO!"

1. Music Conference organizer contacts JAWAR about speaking
2. Conference organizer and I verbally or over email discuss expectations from both parties
3. We conclude on the expectations, considerations and accommodations
4. My company would email/fax contract to conference organizer
5. The contract would have all of the provisions discussed and a clause that states equal and/or better accommodations shouldxyz were to change
6. The conference organizer would email/fax back the contract with any changes
7. My company would contact organizer about any changes and send the contract back
8. The conference organizer would resubmit the contract signed
9. My company would sign the contract
10. Both entities would receive a copy of the contract

In this scenario we went through the process from conception to completion. Without question both parties then are protected and receive what is considered fair and equitable treatment contractually. Because of this experience my company has upgraded its' policy on having me speak at any event. It has been said over and over again that in business "you get what you negotiate not what you deserve."

Although I hadn't requested certain provisions "THE PROPER THANG TO DO" from the conference organizer's standpoint was to give equal accommodations to all of the speakers, especially the one's who had already demonstrated the value they brought to the conference. The value I'd shown prior to the event was by actively promoting the music conference online.

My goal was to provide you with first hand experience on how miscommunication and not having a music business contract in place may lead to misunderstandings. You'll want to have a competent entertainment attorney to review and draft contracts on your behalf. You may find a list of entertainment lawyers in both the Los Angeles and Atlanta Music Industry Connection Books.

Music Business-Songwriters Slept On

Do you think you're being slept on by the music business as a songwriter?

The question becomes how do you raise awareness for your craft as a songwriter in the music business? How do you make networking in music business forums and social media sites BOOST your music business and career? How do you turn networking in online forums, music showcases and conferences into tangible results? How do you marriage the online word with the off line reality so that you begin to make money doing what you love doing?


Remember to have written music business contracts in place before starting work to ensure you get paid now and later. You'll find a list of entertainment attorneys in the Atlanta and Los Angeles Music Industry Connection Books.

Music Business - Future Business Model

One of the great things about the music industry and the Internet is you truly have an opportunity to work your business model. You know doing something different at the right time and place may make you a small fortune over your lifetime. At one point big-blue (I.B.M.) was the largest computer company in the world.

A young geek decided that he wanted everyone to have a computer in their home or office this was during a time that a computer would take up the size of a medium sized house. People thought this young geek was crazy and maybe he is/was, but it made him during some years reportedly the richest man in the world -his name Bill Gates, his company Microsoft.

Point is keep working new business models, work your plan relentlessly. Market and promote your company as best you can. Whatever your business model you'll need a business plan and music contracts to ensure you give your ideas and vision the best opportunity for success.

Music Business - Is File Sharing Bad?

Below is a response given when asked about the music business and if file sharing was bad for the industry.

The scenario is self-perpetuating. One does all that they can to legally protect their intellectual property indeed. However, technology continues to move faster than the law. More importantly there are opportunities being missed by attempting to fight the end user/consumer/fan. Had it not been for bootleggers/illegal file-sharing there are a number of artist who would have never been able to create such a strong street buzz or build a solid fan base. Remember to have music business contracts on hand and access to music attorneys.

Again I point to a situation wherein their are positives to the bootlegging/illegal downloads at least one should attempt to find them. Major record (media) labels aren't investing the type of monies they use to on new releases and artist development. Illegal file-sharing as much as we may not like it is an alternative to mass-marketing music to potential fans without having to invest large sums of money. Think about it this way. As majors and major-indie labels sign more artist to 360 recording contracts there may come a time sooner than you think were the labels say hey "we have this great idea, why not give the music away as a lost leader and make money from all the other revenue streams." After all since they now participate in all the revenue streams it would make sense.

For the record some of the Music Industry Connection Books have been copied page for page and sold to other people without me receiving a dollar. However, some of those same people that got the bootleg version later bought the original, attended a music conference I spoke at and/or became a client that I consultant. No, I don't want people to copy my work and I not get compensated for it. However, there are positives that may come from it. Sometimes these positives come in a residual situation later on.