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Review by Michele Sensale

I just finished reading Music Industry 101: BT Style: Balancing Your Way Through the Industry by Ms. Barbara Tucker. This book provides an in-depth and comprehensive look at the music industry from someone who is a legend in her own right. 

Ms. Tucker’s book is a treatise on the music business. For anyone who is in the business or is thinking about getting into the business, this book is essential. In fact, if “Music Industry 101” were a course, Ms. Tucker would be a phenomenal professor, and this book would be all the course material you’d need.

Ms. Tucker breaks down different aspects of the music business. Throughout the book, she reminds the reader that the “business” aspect of the music industry is just as important as the artistic side. For example, she advises against being one’s own attorney/booking agent/promoter/assistant. Instead, to not only survive but thrive in the music industry, one must surround oneself with professionals. She says it is for your own protection, and she is right: you cannot undertake a music career alone. You need allies. 

Ms. Tucker’s book effectively references various musical artists to prove her points. When she talks about being careful with family members getting involved in one’s music career, she invokes the case of Britney Spears as an example of how it could go wrong. Pointing to a celebrity’s very public issues is a great way to drive home her message, and she does so repeatedly and successfully throughout her book. 

Her book is full of personal anecdotes, which drive home key points in a personal, relatable way. When Ms. Tucker talks about being a woman in the industry, for example, she talks about staying safe by bringing a friend to a studio full of producers and recounts her own experiences. Attention to such detail is what makes this book special. Even seasoned veterans of the industry could benefit from her wisdom and her experience. A new artist might not think of such things, but Ms. Tucker leaves no stone unturned when talking about the triumphs and pitfalls of this industry. 

I especially admired the layout of the book. Each chapter is short and focused. When discussing a topic in detail, she uses lists and bullet points to make her point. At the end of each chapter is her “soundbyte,” which is like a mantra — a quote to remember on each topic.

Lastly, Ms Tucker shares her spirituality throughout the book. She is clearly a person of faith, but is careful not to exclude those who do not share those beliefs. This book is her testament. She is clear about it, but she does not preach: she shares. She is generous. It is something that makes this book both personal and special. In addition to her spirituality, she offers advice on confidence, courage, creativity, tenacity, and focus — essential qualities for any artist. 

This is an engaging and informative read. I highly recommend Ms. Tucker’s book to anyone and everyone, whether you’re just starting out in the industry or you’re a veteran looking for advice from a seasoned professional. You can find Ms. Tucker’s book on Amazon. 

 

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