The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution

The Record Industry is Terminally Ill.

The record industry as we know it is dying. But the music industry is healthier and more vibrant than ever, with limitless possibilities for change and growth due to the Internet and the digitization of music.

The Future of Music will show you cool new ways to find music and connect with your favorite artists. Discover the top-10 truths about the music business of the future and how you can benefit from the explosion in digital music, today and tomorrow.

The Future of Music punches gaping holes through the foundation of a record industry that refuses to adapt.

• The best-selling CDs are blank and recordable.
• The largest music retailer in the world is Apple.
• File-sharing can be the savior of the music industry.
• The artists are the brands, and entertainment is the main attraction.
• Radio is no longer the primary way that people discover new music.
• The record business is NOT the record business.

About the Authors

David Kusek is a musician who has been inventing the future of music for the past twenty-five years. He co-invented the electronic drums, which helped ignite the disco era, and founded the first music software company, Passport Designs, which made it possible for musicians to record and produce music at home. He co-developed the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) standard and in 1993, co- designed and co-developed the first commercially available enhanced CD that connected audio CDs to a personal computer. He is currently Vice President of Berklee Media, the continuing education division of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. An Associate Professor of Music Business at Berklee, he also provides strategic consulting and advisory services to companies and individuals involved in the music and entertainment industries.

Gerd Leonhard is a respected music futurist and well-known music industry executive and music business entrepreneur. He founded LicenseMusic.com, a company that revolutionized music licensing, and is the founder and CEO of ThinkAndLink. As CEO of ThinkAndLink, he serves as senior advisor to Media Rights Technologies, BlueBeat, and ShareTheMusic Networks. A renowned musician, including opening engagements for such acts as Miles Davis, he currently resides in Basel, Switzerland.

Check out The Future of Music book Website

For sample chapters, author tour updates, author blogs, and interactive games, check out the Future of Music book Website by clicking below.

Check out The Future of Music online course

Study online with authors David Kusek and Gerd Leonhard. Explore challenging aspects of the music business and discover the changes, technologies, innovation and powerful trends that are affecting its future.

BUZZ

"A must-read for anyone who owns an iPod, an Xbox or PS2, has ring tones on their cell phone, or has a computer loaded with MP3s."

- Mike Dreese / CEO - Newbury Comics

"The Future of Music clearly and succinctly explains what will happen to the way we consume music. Anyone who is planning to listen to music from shiny pieces of plastic in the future will be in for a big shock. "

-Dave Goldberg, SVP and GM, Music, Yahoo!

"Some may find this book controversial while others will consider it prophesy. No matter where this revolution begins or ends, the industry must learn to respect and react to its consumers. This book contains valuable insights for us all."

-Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music, Electronic Arts

"I know of no other text that as beautifully and concisely presents the fundamental challenge that music now faces. This book is essential for anyone who wants to understand what is at stake in this debate."

-Lawrence Lessig, Professor of Law, Stanford University and founder of Creative Commons

Sample Lessons on Berklee Shares

Samples from this title are available on Berkleeshares.com, where you can download free music lessons and share them with your friends.

• How Money Flows in the Music Business (PDF lesson)
  
• Top Ten Truths of the Music Business (PDF lesson)
  
• Music Like Water (PDF lesson)
  
• What a Major Label Offers (PDF lesson)