The Art of Business in Music, Second Edition

The Ultimate Music Business Guide

Artist Success

Revelations for navigating your music business affairs effectively.

Expert Advice

Valuable insights from a multi-platinum songwriter and industry veteran.

Memo: To those who create world-class entertainment.

To all creators of art, music, film, and literature: this book was written for you.

Your creativity deserves to be elevated, appreciated, compensated, and celebrated.

As you dive into the pages ahead, do so with the assurance that it is not just another business book that lets you walk away with nothing you can apply today. On the contrary, it’s a blueprint for success, designed to empower you with the tools you need to survive the BS you’ll encounter in the world of entertainment. It's written with one purpose in mind: to give you the insights and strategies that will protect you, elevate your value, and ultimately help you succeed in this competitive industry.

To all executives signing deals: If you plan on achieving your career goals or successfully climbing the corporate ladder (whichever you choose to call it), exemplify your professionalism, business acumen, and high ethical standards to the artist. Express your respect and admiration for their work, then reward them properly by providing a fair and equitable agreement—one that you would sign if you were the artist.

You’ll never reach your goals or get that promotion you’ve set your sights on without producing results. If you don’t bring any hits into the house, you’ve produced no results. Think about that the next time you decide to play hardball with the next superstar and their attorneys that walk through your doors.

- Pete Warner

Drawn from firsthand experience, it offers deeper insights, strategies, harder-earned wisdom, and knowledge that is detailed for a purpose—to help others clearly understand the complex, often unpredictable world of the music business. If nothing else, I want to make one thing clear—there is an art to the business in music.

Within the pages of the book, I share not only the victories that earned me multi-platinum recognition, but the lessons learned from missteps, misjudgments, and missed opportunities. These aren’t theories; they’re real strategies developed and tested in the trenches—tools you can use to create your own blueprint and develop alternative approaches tailored to your journey.

I offer this book as a guide, a mirror, and a map. My hope is that it gives you the clarity, confidence, and context to navigate both the high notes and the harsh realities of the business. The Art of Business in Music is more than a title—it’s a mindset. This is my blueprint. Let this book help condition your mindset to learn everything you can so that your business mindset is just as strong as your artistic mindset. Then you'll command your place in this business like a general.

One of the most incredible feelings you can experience is when you decide to become an artist—musician, producer, or songwriter. It's this overwhelming sense of possibility, where no mountain feels too high to climb. The first step is always the hardest—figuring out what path to take. Do you grab a guitar, a bass, or become a beatmaker? Whatever it is, you start writing songs, experimenting with sounds, and shaping your craft.

In the beginning, it’s just about getting your friends to like your music. But as you grow, so does the hunger for more. You push yourself to write better songs, perfect your sound, and find your unique voice. Then you start sharing your music with the world, whether it's your neighborhood or your city. It’s not about fame at first. It’s about getting accepted into the circle, proving that you're not just another face in the crowd.

Success is something you start to taste, based on your belief that you can make it just like everyone else. And that drive? It becomes a habit—a practice, a dedication to improving. But just because you're putting in the work doesn't mean success will come quickly. It could take months, years, or even decades.

But the key is this: keep pushing. Believe in yourself even when others tell you you're crazy. Keep networking, keep showing up, keep perfecting your craft. One day, someone will notice. They’ll open the door, and you'll step through it—maybe in time you'll achieve superstar status and the spotlight could be shining on you, or maybe as someone so respected that others can't wait to work with you.

There’s no feeling like being on stage and hearing strangers sing your song—whether it’s 2 people, 500, or 10,000. That moment when you're locked in with the audience, connecting through your truth? There’s no feeling in the world like it. Nothing that feels this good.

The Purpose Behind This Book

So, if you’re a dreamer and you’ve taken that first step, don’t stop. Keep pushing. Never give up. And above all, make sure you take care of your business affairs. They go hand in hand with the music. As much as you focus on perfecting your craft, devote that level of drive to study and learn business too so you can fully comprehend how your business affairs are being addressed. The only way you can protect yourself is by understanding your rights.

Get a good lawyer—you're going to need that without question. And learn how to understand the financial aspect of your career. You'll need an accountant that is well versed in entertainment industry finances. These core components should help safeguard the future of your career.

This is where The Art of Business in Music, Second Edition comes in. The new edition is packed with everything I've lived through in this industry. Unlike other books, I don't just tell you what happened—I show you. The contracts. The emails. The conversations. Everything that went down, so you can learn from it. And there’s a new chapter where I break down my fight with the Mechanical Licensing Collective—the MLC—regarding lawful termination and transfer of mechanical rights. This isn’t just about me—it’s about standing up for every artist and songwriter and pushing back—guided by federal law and emotional intelligence every step of the way.

The industry can be tough, but with the right knowledge and the right tools, you can take control of your career. So, if you’re serious about your success, don’t just read this book—use The Art of Business in Music, Second Edition as your tactical guide. Learn from it. And go build your empire.

After nearly five decades and deep reflection of my entertainment industry journey, I felt a powerful responsibility to write The Art of Business in Music, First Edition—to share my knowledge, strategies, and blueprint with fellow creatives and dreamers. But once it hit the shelves, I realized there was still so much more to say. So much, in fact, that it unsettled me I hadn’t said it the first time. That’s when I knew I had to answer the call again—and I had to do it now. The Art of Business in Music, Second Edition wasn’t just a follow-up; it was a necessity. I couldn’t ignore the urgency to pass along everything I’ve learned—because not doing so would be a disservice to artists, producers, and songwriters today, and to future generations who deserve to walk into this business armed and ready. I knew, deep down, this second edition would offer creatives the insight they need to stand tall and push back when it matters most. I had to step up. I had to deliver.

This book was born from that fire.