The Future of Music

Rating:
Summary: Indispensible
Review: A stunningly candid source of concentrated, up to date insight about the music business and its turbulent transition into the digital era. This book tells it straight and will make the dinosaurs of the music industry very unhappy.

Like Martin Luther's '95 Theses' nailed to the door of Wittenberg Cathedral, Kusek and Leonard drive nail after nail into the sclerotic heart of the old-fashioned music business. Their rational vision of the future of music rests on the idea of unshackling music from the hardcopy product business in a yet-to-be-realized era of open content licensing, facilitating sharing and communication among users, and growing the business to its full potential.

It provides as clear a vision of the future of the music industry as you will find, from two writers with a rare combination: a solid grounding in the traditional practices of the music business, an up-to-the-minute knowledge of the new technologies that are changing it, and the ability to think through the consequences.

I've dreamed about a book like this, but thought it would be impossible in today's hyperdynamic environment where every week seems to bring a breakthrough technology, device, or service. But by digging out the underlying trends and principles Kusek and Leonard get under the news and illuminate it. Along the way they provide a brilliantly concise history of the evolution of digital media.

I can't think of any book more important for artists to get the full re-orientation they need to survive and prosper in the digital era. It's no less critical for members of the music and broadcasting industries who need to consolidate their thinking into a coherent roadmap for the future.

In a word: indispensible.

Rating:
Summary: a positive voice!
Review: Reading the "Future of Music," I was heartened to hear a positive voice amidst the cries and screams coming from the from the recording companies' sinking ship. Being a producer and author of digital information, I was encouraged to learn that there are and will be new and exciting ways to distribute my material. It's always good to be reminded in the friendly and positive manner of Leonard and Kusek how important it is to stay flexible and innovative in today's world.

John Tarr, author of the "Dynamic Musician Series, Dynamic Stability and Breath, Vol. 1"
www.dynamicmusician.com

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic resource -- buy this book!
Review: Written by two veterans who have decades of experience in the music industry, this book is a "must read" for those who want to be informed and stay ahead of what's coming in terms of trends in the industry. These guys know what they're talking about - - first hand -- and it shows. If you don't own a reliable crystal ball, and want to know what's coming, buy this book and keep it handy on your reference shelf!

-- KR, Cupertino CA