Music Contracts Warning – Why These Documents Can Have an Indie Artist Singing Out of Tune?

Ever been in a straight jacket? For your sake (as well as mine) I hope not. Ever been trapped with no where to turn? Well, this is what it will feel like if you’re a recording artist and you sign a music contract containing legal binding legalese you’re not familiar with.

Too often many aspiring hip hop artist ignore the legal-side of their music careers. Most of their energy is spent on the music creation-side of their music. Apart of me agrees with this ideology (maybe this extra time spent creating music might produce a much more quality sound). But I can’t ignore the legal-side of a music career. It plays too much apart in big scheme of things.

For years I worked in a high school. This work experience gave me insight into what teenage fans think about music and the artist. And how some of them even aspired to become popular artist one day themselves. If time permitted or my job priorities didn’t interrupt many of them would give me an earful of everything they were looking to do to break it into the music business. From putting a full band together, making a hip hop mix tape CD, recording and writing songs–you name it these teenagers were doing it. Why am I saying this?

BUT HERE’S THE SHOCKER!

But almost without fail as they were sharing with me their aspiration for music I would ask the simple question (What kind of music contract do you have with you’re fellow band members? or Did you get a license to use that sample loop that’s going on your mix tape CD?) That’s when most of them would either say (curiously) we need a contract between us or what in the hell is licensing?

I’d usually give them the quick dumb-down kindergarten explanation of the legal-side of music and with a sigh of relief they say thanks I had no idea I needed to know. And we both then went on about our day.

I’d walk away feeling a little concerned knowing my ten minutes explanation was no way near close enough to covering the huge amounts of information involved in the legal-side of the music business.

If you’re an aspiring band, rap artist, singer, etc. If you’ve read this far let’s see if I can enlighten you a bit on some of the finer details of a music contract.

Lets say you and your band write, sing, and record an original record (this means the entire recording belongs to your band-though there are legal issues involved in that but for now lets just leave it be.) Again, the entire recording belongs to your band, this also goes for hip hop artist. It’s yours to freely giveaway, sell, duplicate, replicate, or even chop up.

Now lets say you record a 3-song demo (containing two original songs plus the other one we previously mentioned above.) You end up receiving a recording contract with the demo you created. The demo impressed them so much they’ve decided to place those demo songs on your final master copy aka your debut album.

During the signing of your recording contract there was a clause stating that all master sound recordings done by you are exclusively owned by the record label in perpetuity. If you’ve signed that music contract containing that clause you’ve agreed to hand over all of your rights to your music FOREVER. Do you know how long is forever? Well, in case you’ve forgotten let me tell you– FOREVER! NEVER ENDING! Even after the world ends they still own your records.

So when your debut album goes platinum like they and you hope it would they benefit greatly–two fold. The initials sales of records sold once the record is first released. Then there’s the “best of you albums” where all of your number one hits are complied into a single album to be re-sold to the public again. And whoever owns the master sound recording (in this case the label does) the record label gets paid AGAIN–NOT YOU!

For this reason aspiring artist must do their due diligence as it relates to music contracts especially if you are an artist who on a shoestring budget and doesn’t have a million dollar laying around to hire an entertainment lawyer. Here’s a great place to start. This book revolutionized my outlook of the music business. Visit this website to check it out.

By Michael D Henderson

Question by : Where can I find free samples of music industry contracts?
Specifically, I’m looking for contract samples detailing agreement between artist and music producer about royalties and rights to the song.

Best answer:

Answer by Hudson Millar
i used to enjoy free music and songs, royalty free music at “Rocksuresoundz” ..

very good collection of music and songs available online..

Add your own answer in the comments!

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Cortlandt Manor, NY (PRWEB) March 20, 2012

Hudson Valley residents are invited to attend the Hudson Valley Gateway Experience on Saturday, March 24, 2012, from 11am to 5pm at The Mansion on the Hill at Colonial Terrace Conference Center, 119 Oregon Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY.

Residents can attend this fun-filled, jam-packed day to find out how to save money and time, get free information on home and life improvements, and sample foods, beverages, and more. Admission is $ 5 for adults, $ 3 for seniors and young adults (12- 16 years old); children under 12 are free.

The second annual Experience is a regional showcase for vendors to display their best products and services to the local market. Attendees will be able to meet some of the Hudson Valleys top small business owners as well as radio and television personalities like WHUD 100.7 radio personality Kacey Morabito and News 12s Emmy-Award winning In the Greenhouse host Bob Yedowitz.

“The Hudson Valley Gateway Experience is a real opportunity for businesses and consumers to come together in this market place. The demographics of this consumer base are such that any business can find a way to enhance their sales and position their companies as leaders in their industry by exhibiting at this event, said William Dauster, VP, Marketing & Development, Hudson Valley Hospital Center

Come meet favorite radio personality Kacey Morabito and TV personality Bob Yedowitz.
Have questions about Facebook, Twitter & other Social Media? Come get the answers at the Social Media Help Desk.
Bring the kids, to the Balloon Making Clown and Complimentary Face Painting provided by ServPro of Peekskill.
Restaurants and Caterers Division Street Grille, Nellies Caf