Legal Question in Entertainment Law in California

Re: What contracts do I need and how do I get them

I am a big advocate of those that are getting in the music business knowing as much as possible. There are a couple of books that could explain it better than I ever could. Read these, and keep them as references, and it will help you answer these questions in particular, and give you a great sense of the "big picture" in general so that you will be armed in your dealings. Then, you'll know what to look for in everything from the studio you deal with to the lawyer you hire. The books are:

Don Passman's All You Need to Know About the Music Business; Moses Avalon's Confessions of a Record Producer; and Brabek's Music, Money and Success.

When you get to the point where you understand what your vision is, what you're looking for in all of your team members, and why, feel free to get in contact with me by e-mail or to send some "heat" my way. I rep artists, producers, and companies, among other things.

Best advice: Take your time and find out as much as you can, and don't sign anything without consulting a lawyer you trust. Good luck.