Music Contract - why you should always have one.

How important is it to have a music contract?

I have surely made this mistake before so I know what I'm talking about. I've been through the fire. I guess it was silly of me to think that because this guy was my friend I didn't need a contract.

And then it happened. He ran away with all the money, and I had nothing to show. No music contract! No written agreement to prove my case. This is so painful that I don't even want to talk about the real details here.

Anyway, enough about me. Let's talk about you. It's very simple. Whenever money, power and responsibilities are involved, you must have a written agreement. It doesn't matter whether you're involved in songwriting, recording, publishing, producing or whatever. Put it in writing!

I'm sure you have experienced or witnessed situations where friendship turned into animosity because of money. In the music business, the only way to protect yourself is by having a contract. Friendship and business are like oil and water. They don't mix.

The music industry is marked by a lot of dishonest people (sharks) who will prey on you (eat you alive) if you're unsuspecting. With a good music business contract, everything is laid out and all roles are clearly defined. Once all parties have read and have signed it, it binds them and they must deliver. If not, they pay the consequences and you're protected.

The only sad thing about getting a music contract is the expensiveness of lawyer fees. A lawyer can cost well over $300 an hour. I suggest that you save yourself some money and check out a contract online.

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