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Introduction It all seems so easy: you record a couple of songs, play some gigs, sell CDs, get your face on a TV quiz and the bucks, groupies and fame come rolling in. That’s what you see all around you, right? Well, yes – but what you don’t get to see is what’s going on behind the scenes: the years of hard work, the exhausting studio sessions, the months of promotional touring away from home and family, insecurity, doubts, financial trouble and boring meetings with accountants and lawyers. The things that may not exactly fit in with your immediate idea of an artist’s life.
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Okay, occasionally a really wild party is thrown. And, okay, stepping onto a stage with thousands of people screaming your name – and flashing naked body parts at you – is rather satisfying. And, admittedly, selling millions of CDs is a real ego booster. But then, there is the flip side. There’s a whole bunch of legal, administrative and business stuff going on behind the scenes of any successful pop artist. Since you, too, will need to know about these things if you want to become a successful artist – and if you want to prevent those people working behind the scenes to go off with all the profits of your hard work – this booklet gives you the low-down in easy, practical steps. No jargon.
Still with me? Still reading? Good. That means I haven’t frightened you off yet. It probably also means that you’re willing to do what it takes to succeed in the music industry. Simply put, not being informed of the stuff that goes on behind the scenes of an artist’s life would be a waste of your talent. I know that you’re good and that you’re willing to prove it to anyone who wants to listen. Well, take good care of your talent. Respect it, protect it, treat it like a baby – because raw, ignorant talent can easily be exploited or wasted.
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Introduction 01