In today's rapidly changing music landscape, entrepreneurship is a natural interest for people who pursue a creative blend of music and business. My book's subtitle, The Art of Entrepreneurship in Today's Music Business, explains my unique approach: I see entrepreneurship as an art just as vital as musicianship--an art I want to help musicians to master. This is why many chapters in the book are devoted to the personal successes and challenges of musicians and other creatives who are also highly successful entrepreneurs. There are a multitude of books written on musical techniques and many on business matters and the mindset of entrepreneurs, but I found very few written by musicians or music business leaders themselves, world-class artists who could share invaluable insights on their careers. So, I sought out artists and other professionals to provide insight and answers from every career angle and in a variety of voices. I share conversations about leadership and business, always asking the questions I think are uppermost in musicians' minds. I interview legendary working musicians as well as industry leaders such as record executive Mike Curb, former Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher, and former Secretary of Education Richard Riley. I think the book's most unique features--setting it apart from all other music business texts--are these extensive interviews, which give readers a chance to consider a range of creative solutions to the problems they encounter and learn from others' experiences.
The founder of Contemporary Music Center in Haymarket Virginia, Menzie Pittman has worked in the music industry as a drummer, music educator, clinician, music business owner, entrepreneur, writer, speaker, board member, and music advocate for more than 35 years. He won the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Dealer of the Year award in 2016 and also served on the NAMM board of Directors from 2012 to 2015.
"This book is chock full of valuable insights and anecdotes from a wide array of legendary and working musicians, as well as music business professionals. It provides a modern blueprint for navigating the business and its many challenges. Menzie Pittman has pulled back the curtain to give new musicians the best possible tools for success. I wish I had this book when I was starting my career as a drummer." --John DeChristopher, drummer, creator & host of Live From My Drum Room Podcast
