The authors draw on years of experience as songwriters and performers to highlight practical tips and real-life stories to help illuminate common issues faced by all performers/songwriters.

Introduction Chapter 1: Just Starting Out/Background and Important Information Different Kinds of Composers. Copyrights for Your Songs. Performing Rights Organizations (PROS) Chapter 2: First Steps, Songs and Gigs in Becoming a Working Composer/Performer First Professional Engagements and How Professional Composer/Performers Obtained Them. Insights from Featured Songwriters and Others on Writing Early Songs and How Others Made the Decision to Pursue Composing and Performing as a Career. Putting Together an Effective Demo/Early Album of Your Songs. The Role of Formal Music Education in Being a Successful Composer. Songwriting Influences and Importance of Traditional Music and Melody in Being a Composer Chapter 3: Where do I go From Here? Getting Your Songs Heard ... On Stage and Beyond Performing Using Your Original Compositions. Contracts. Songwriters Associations. The Musicians Union/AFTRA/Other Professional Organizations. Booking Your Own Small Concerts. Turning Points in Artists Careers, and How They Occurred. Arts Council Concerts, Community Concert Series, and Other Cultural Presenters. Recording Your First Album. The Role of Radio and Other Media in Establishing a Career as a Composer; How to Get Your Songs Played. Chapter 4: Today's Album/ CD/ Record Business Chapter 5: The Equipment you Need to do the Job Chapter 6: Next Steps; Moving Forward The Importance of Festivals and Songwriting Competitions in a Composer's Career. The Songwriting Process, Continued; Editing Your Songs; Expanding Your Songwriting Subjects and Horizons. Recording and Distributing Your Own Album or Signing with an Established Company? The Importance of Producers in the Recording Process Chapter 7: Creating an Audience for Your Songs/Making Your Audience Aware Who You Are; Promotion, Booking and Placing Songs The Role of Publicists, Booking Agents and Managers in a Composer/Performers Life. Touring, Domestically and Internationally. Dealing With the Dreaded "Writers Block." MTV, Music Videos and Promotional DVD's. Distribution.....CD Baby, Amazon.com and Other Ways to Sell Your CD's. Chapter 8: Other Opportunities for Songwriters and Musicians Chapter 9: Reasons for it all/ The Lovin'of the Game Reflections by Featured Artists on the Lifestyle of a Composer/Performer. Perspectives by the Authors on a Life in the Music Business From Songwriter/Composers Viewpoint