Comments on: Get It In Writing

By: Airomee Wind

Airomee Wind — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:08:34 +0000

I like your article very much! This stands so true in the music business today. If you don’t signatures on written paper contract, you’ll be so sorry later on.

I’ve always required all my artists to sign contracts. it’s been a pretty good deal. It keeps both side happy and it really helps business go quite smoothly.

By: Tshidino Ndou

Tshidino Ndou — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:06:56 +0000

Really, get it in writing. Talking from experience we got together with friends and recorded an album. We “verbally” agreed that I will pay the production costs and they will pay for all post production costs. When we finished recording they said thy do not have money so the project was put on hold.
Well, realizing that I wasted my money I decided to proceed with the release of that album and the pirated it citing that it is also their product. My only regret was that I did not write our agreement down. I learned a great deal from such verbal agreement.

By: Wade Bassford

Wade Bassford — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:01:38 +0000

I’m glad that somebody knows what they are doin. It seems that when a serious person comes along to a talented person it would seem likely they team up right? Wrong. Most musicians want to “Put their city on the map” so to speak, and aren’t aware of the advantages of teamwork.

By: Jenny Langer

Jenny Langer — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:41:18 +0000

Hey Jeff,

Great question! I did a little research for you guys and found a few resources:

-Many cell phones offer Voice Memos, where you can record a message to yourself. Most allow you to create a voice memo during a phone conversation. Check out your phone’s features for more info.

-Affordable software ($30 or so) for setting up your computer to record phone calls is available at http://www.nch.com.au/software/callrec.html

-Personal tools for recording VoIP calls- http://voip.about.com/od/voipcallrecording/a/PerCallRecTools.htm

-Lastly, I should point out that there are definitely laws associated with recording your telephone calls. If you’re going to record a conversation, politely tell the other party that you like to keep a copy of the conversation just to keep the details straight. If they have an issue with this, legally you’ll need to cooperate with their wishes (though if everything is copacetic, they shouldn’t have an issue, right?). Please take a look at http://www.callcorder.com/phone-recording-law-america.htm

By: Jeff F

Jeff F — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:46:34 +0000

This is so true.

Even if you are working with friends, it is always best to get things in writing.

I think a lot of musicians, having more laid back attitudes and whatnot, really don’t get on this as much as they should.

It often takes getting screwed to realize that it is a must.

I really like the idea of recording your conversations with booking and promoters, or anyone music related when working out agreements.

Do you have any specific resources on how to do this? Or maybe show us how to set up something with our providers?

Thanks!