Chapter 11: Legal Issues And Your Business Team
I’ve mentioned this several times and it bears stating again, especially for this chapter.
Whether you like it or not, your act, whether solo or a group, is a business. Since you’ve
gotten this far into this book, you’ve understood that it’s more than just being a great
player and putting on a good show. It’s also about being successful from a business point-
of-view. There are plenty of other resources to help with developing your talent, musical
abilities, theory, etc.
Establishing your act as a business means acting like a business, tapping into tried
and true best practices for marketing, promoting and managing the money and your musi-
cal enterprise. It also means becoming “official.” You have several options for that. Some
might be better than others for your particular situation. They each offer their own bene-
fits and drawbacks. It’s also going to require the help, advice, and skills of a trusted team
of advisors. These include your manager, agent, accountant, attorney, business insurance
agent or broker, and your business banker. Just being a good solo act or band isn’t enough
to ensure success. It takes business savvy and the aid of a group of knowledgeable, expe-
rienced professionals who you can trust.
How to account for income, expenses, taxes, dealing with contracts and copyrights,
disputes, risk management and your act’s business checking account, loans, and other fi-
nancial services all have a significant effect on the health and smooth operation of your
musical business.
There are lots of small businesses, music-related or otherwise, that go it alone without
tapping into the regular advice and help of a lawyer, accountant, insurance agent, or busi-