Book Review:  Mary Dawson

How To Get Somewhere In The Music Business

by Chuck Dauphin

In my almost two decades of being involved to some extent in this business, the question of “What do I need to do to make it in music?” never fails to come up.  To be honest, I don’t know if there is any clear-cut way to make it….but there are always a few tips that can help one out.  A lot of those are covered in this new book by songwriter and talk-show host Mary Dawson.  Taking the approach of someone who doesn’t live in a music mecca such as L.A, New York, or Nashville, Dawson covers the basics. 

What if you’re a writer, and you don’t have experience in writing music? Dawson covers it.  You don’t play a musical instrument? There’s still hope.  That’s just the first chapter.  Later segments of the book cover such topics as the role of a publisher, making your demo sound professional….but not spending a million dollars to do it, and the correct way to submit your material.  After all, first impressions are critical.  She also covers the business of music.  You sign a contract with the label, and you get the check. 

It’s all easy money from here on out, right? Think again.  Advances…..Recoup….those are just two words that come up here that might make some people think twice about the decision they have made….or at least question the way it’s been done before.  Dawson makes a lot of valid points about the changes in the music business….from recording at one’s home sounding just as good as a major recording studio…..to how the internet has revolutionized the way we market music----forever.  While there are no clear-cut ways to stardom, I think that novices to the business would be well served to pick up a copy of this book….and maybe some of us that aren’t novices….You just might learn something, too!