
The Realist's Guide to a Successful Music Career
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $19.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Gavin Fitzgerald
About this listen
"Listen to these words and take them to heart." (Jeff Coffin, Dave Matthews Band; author of the book's foreword)
So you want to be a rock star. Or the next pop sensation. Or a country music artist. Or perhaps you’re more intrigued by vital roles behind the scenes. The Realist’s Guide to a Successful Music Career reveals all the ins and outs of building a viable career in today’s ever-changing music business. With blunt honesty paired with expert insight and encouragement, this empathetic guide covers everything from building your brand and expanding outreach, to finding and playing gigs and smart touring, to critical marketing and developing your sound. Packed with practical, real-life guidance and avoidable missteps, the book vicariously takes you both onstage and backstage, into the recording studio, and on the road. And because experience is the best education, The Realist’s Guide to a Successful Music Career contains exclusive interviews and wisdom from a wide range of all-stars and music insiders, including:
- Huey Lewis
- Susan Tedeschi
- Chuck Leavell
- Victor Wooten
- Taylor Hicks
- Ivan Neville
- Jake Cinninger
- Nikki Glaspie
- Pete Shapiro
- Alicia Karlin
- Vince Iwinski
- Kevin Browning
- Syd Schwartz
- Chris Gelbuda
- Robbie Williams
Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking to grow or an emerging talent looking to break out, The Realist’s Guide to a Successful Music Career is the right note mentorship you need to take your gifts and passion to the next level.
©2019 Matthew DeCoursey (P)2019 Matthew DeCourseyListeners also enjoyed...
-
How to Make It in the New Music Business (3rd Edition)
- Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician
- By: Ari Herstand
- Narrated by: Ari Herstand
- Length: 19 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How to Make It in the New Music Business, since its first publication in 2016, has become the go-to resource for musicians eager to make a living in a turbulent industry. Widely adopted by ambitious individuals and music schools across the world and considered "the best how-to book of its kind" (Music Connection), this essential work has inspired tens of thousands of aspiring artists to stop waiting around for that "big break" and take matters into their own hands.
-
-
If you have anything to do with music...READ THIS!
- By Phillip and Leslie T. on 08-27-23
By: Ari Herstand
-
Run Your Music Business
- How to License Your Music, Negotiate Contracts, Pay Business Taxes & Work Full-Time in Music
- By: Audrey K. Chisholm Esq.
- Narrated by: Nader Nejad
- Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Run Your Music Business is the second book in the Music Law Series written by experienced entertainment lawyer Audrey K. Chisholm, whose clients have been featured on MTV, American Idol, and VH1. Run Your Music Business picks up where her first book, Start Your Music Business, left off.
-
-
Exceptional book series, bad narration
- By J Hernandez on 12-23-18
-
The Creative Act
- A Way of Being
- By: Rick Rubin
- Narrated by: Rick Rubin
- Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many famed music producers are known for a particular sound that has its day. Rick Rubin is known for something else: creating a space where artists of all different genres and traditions can home in on who they really are and what they really offer. He has made a practice of helping people transcend their self-imposed expectations in order to reconnect with a state of innocence from which the surprising becomes inevitable. Over the years, he has learned that being an artist isn’t about your specific output, it’s about your relationship to the world.
-
-
Rick is Art
- By Ira Henke on 01-17-23
By: Rick Rubin
-
Making Money with Music
- Generate Over 100 Revenue Streams, Grow Your Fan Base, and Thrive in Today's Music Environment
- By: Randy Chertkow, Jason Feehan
- Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon
- Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Making Money with Music gives you over 100 revenue streams and the knowledge on how to tap them. Whether you're a solo artist, band, DJ, EDM producer, or other musician, this book gives you strategies to generate revenue, grow your fan base, and thrive in today's technology-driven music environment. Plus, it lists hundreds of services, tools, and critical resources you need to run your business and maximize income.
-
-
When practical logic and experience collide
- By Steve Almond on 12-29-23
By: Randy Chertkow, and others
-
You and the Music Business: Empowering Independent Artists
- A Self-Care Guide to Finding Balance and Joy in Today’s Music Industry.
- By: Tara Shannon
- Narrated by: Tara Shannon
- Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Introducing You and the Music Business: Empowering Independent Artists, the ultimate self-care guide designed to help you find balance, joy, and success as a music creator in today's dynamic and demanding music industry.
-
-
Interesting, Insightful, and Inspiring
- By Beachmom on 11-06-23
By: Tara Shannon
-
Creative Quest
- By: Questlove
- Narrated by: Questlove, Fred Armisen, Tariq Trotter, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Creative Quest, Questlove synthesizes all the creative philosophies, lessons, and stories he's heard from the many creators and collaborators in his life, and reflects on his own experience, to advise listeners and fans on how to consider creativity and where to find it. He addresses many topics - what it means to be creative, how to find a mentor and serve as an apprentice, the wisdom of maintaining a creative network, coping with critics and the foibles of success, and the specific pitfalls of contemporary culture.
-
-
Questlove once again is my fairy godmother
- By Richard on 04-26-18
By: Questlove
-
How to Make It in the New Music Business (3rd Edition)
- Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician
- By: Ari Herstand
- Narrated by: Ari Herstand
- Length: 19 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How to Make It in the New Music Business, since its first publication in 2016, has become the go-to resource for musicians eager to make a living in a turbulent industry. Widely adopted by ambitious individuals and music schools across the world and considered "the best how-to book of its kind" (Music Connection), this essential work has inspired tens of thousands of aspiring artists to stop waiting around for that "big break" and take matters into their own hands.
-
-
If you have anything to do with music...READ THIS!
- By Phillip and Leslie T. on 08-27-23
By: Ari Herstand
-
Run Your Music Business
- How to License Your Music, Negotiate Contracts, Pay Business Taxes & Work Full-Time in Music
- By: Audrey K. Chisholm Esq.
- Narrated by: Nader Nejad
- Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Run Your Music Business is the second book in the Music Law Series written by experienced entertainment lawyer Audrey K. Chisholm, whose clients have been featured on MTV, American Idol, and VH1. Run Your Music Business picks up where her first book, Start Your Music Business, left off.
-
-
Exceptional book series, bad narration
- By J Hernandez on 12-23-18
-
The Creative Act
- A Way of Being
- By: Rick Rubin
- Narrated by: Rick Rubin
- Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many famed music producers are known for a particular sound that has its day. Rick Rubin is known for something else: creating a space where artists of all different genres and traditions can home in on who they really are and what they really offer. He has made a practice of helping people transcend their self-imposed expectations in order to reconnect with a state of innocence from which the surprising becomes inevitable. Over the years, he has learned that being an artist isn’t about your specific output, it’s about your relationship to the world.
-
-
Rick is Art
- By Ira Henke on 01-17-23
By: Rick Rubin
-
Making Money with Music
- Generate Over 100 Revenue Streams, Grow Your Fan Base, and Thrive in Today's Music Environment
- By: Randy Chertkow, Jason Feehan
- Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon
- Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Making Money with Music gives you over 100 revenue streams and the knowledge on how to tap them. Whether you're a solo artist, band, DJ, EDM producer, or other musician, this book gives you strategies to generate revenue, grow your fan base, and thrive in today's technology-driven music environment. Plus, it lists hundreds of services, tools, and critical resources you need to run your business and maximize income.
-
-
When practical logic and experience collide
- By Steve Almond on 12-29-23
By: Randy Chertkow, and others
-
You and the Music Business: Empowering Independent Artists
- A Self-Care Guide to Finding Balance and Joy in Today’s Music Industry.
- By: Tara Shannon
- Narrated by: Tara Shannon
- Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Introducing You and the Music Business: Empowering Independent Artists, the ultimate self-care guide designed to help you find balance, joy, and success as a music creator in today's dynamic and demanding music industry.
-
-
Interesting, Insightful, and Inspiring
- By Beachmom on 11-06-23
By: Tara Shannon
-
Creative Quest
- By: Questlove
- Narrated by: Questlove, Fred Armisen, Tariq Trotter, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Creative Quest, Questlove synthesizes all the creative philosophies, lessons, and stories he's heard from the many creators and collaborators in his life, and reflects on his own experience, to advise listeners and fans on how to consider creativity and where to find it. He addresses many topics - what it means to be creative, how to find a mentor and serve as an apprentice, the wisdom of maintaining a creative network, coping with critics and the foibles of success, and the specific pitfalls of contemporary culture.
-
-
Questlove once again is my fairy godmother
- By Richard on 04-26-18
By: Questlove
-
Stop Selling Music
- Career Changing Lessons for Musicians
- By: Damian Keyes
- Narrated by: Damian Keyes
- Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Damian Keyes has written the ultimate guide for musicians to enhance and take control of their music careers! This audiobook is packed full of ideas, tips and stories, alongside a defining 30 Day Challenge, to help you reach your full potential. Stop Selling Music: Career Changing Lessons For Musicians shows you how to build a career you are proud of with foundations that will last a lifetime, whether your goals are to make a living from session playing, songwriting, touring the world or selling out stadiums!
-
-
this Book was a Big Game changer for me.
- By mark on 07-30-20
By: Damian Keyes
-
Produce Your Music 2020 Edition
- The Ultimate Guide to Produce All the Types of Music with 0 Experience. Discover the Secrets of the Best DJs and Start Making Money with Music
- By: Barry Mitchell
- Narrated by: Leigh Ann Haga, Nick ZH
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this audiobook, the author teaches you everything you need to know to become a famous DJ worldwide. If you want to know the types of music that exists and what the best DJs know about producing, then Produce Your Music 2020 Edition is the perfect audiobook for you. Here it is what you will find inside: The start, bases of the music, your first disco show, differences between a DJ now and in the past, and much more!
-
-
Narrator lacks fluency. Hard to listen to.
- By Denny Pehrson on 08-17-21
By: Barry Mitchell
-
How to Write and Release Your First Song
- Songwriting Secrets from an Award-Winning Artist
- By: Chris Greenwood
- Narrated by: Chris Greenwood
- Length: 3 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Chris Greenwood is the man behind Manafest: the globally successful rock and rap musician who’s sold millions of singles and albums world-wide. With over 20 years experience in the industry, both as a signed artist and an independent musician, Chris shares his incredible experience as a song writer and hit-maker in this audiobook.
-
-
In good company
- By Casper P. on 09-22-21
By: Chris Greenwood
-
Prince and the Parade and Sign O' the Times Era Studio Sessions
- 1985 and 1986
- By: Duane Tudahl, Sir Elton John - foreword
- Narrated by: Ron Butler
- Length: 23 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From Prince's superstardom to studio seclusion, this second book in the award-winning Prince Studio Sessions series spotlights how Prince, the biggest rock star on the planet at the time, risked everything to create some of the most introspective music of his four-decade career. Duane Tudahl takes us on an emotional and intimate journey of love, loss, rivalry, and renewal revealed through unprecedented access to dozens of musicians, singers, studio engineers, and others who worked with him and knew him best.
-
-
My favorite era broken down perfectly
- By DeAnna & Brandon on 07-01-22
By: Duane Tudahl, and others
-
This Is All a Dream We Dreamed
- An Oral History of the Grateful Dead
- By: Blair Jackson, David Gans
- Narrated by: Holter Graham, Fred Berman, Oliver Wyman, and others
- Length: 17 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In This Is All a Dream We Dreamed, two of the most well-respected chroniclers of the Dead, Blair Jackson and David Gans, reveal the band's story through the words of its members, their creative collaborators and peers, and a number of diverse fans, stitching together a multitude of voices into a seamless oral tapestry. Capturing the ebullient spirit at the group's core, Jackson and Gans weave together a musical saga that examines the music and subculture that developed into its own economy, touching fans from all walks of life.
-
-
Really Good. Gave me a new appreciation for band.
- By Headhunter on 01-08-16
By: Blair Jackson, and others
-
Texas Flood
- The Inside Story of Stevie Ray Vaughan
- By: Alan Paul, Andy Aledort, Jimmie Vaughan - epilogue
- Narrated by: Alan Paul, Andy Aledort, full cast
- Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Texas Flood provides the unadulterated truth about Stevie Ray Vaughan from those who knew him best: his brother Jimmie, his Double Trouble bandmates Tommy Shannon, Chris Layton and Reese Wynans, and many other close friends, family members, girlfriends, fellow musicians, managers and crew members.
-
-
Powerful oral biography
- By Shirley Muhleisen on 08-15-19
By: Alan Paul, and others
-
Outside the Jukebox
- How I Turned My Vintage Music Obsession into My Dream Gig
- By: Scott Bradlee
- Narrated by: Scott Bradlee
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With student loan debt piling up and no lucrative gigs around the corner, Scott Bradlee found himself in a situation all too familiar to struggling musicians and creative professionals, unsure whether he should use the little income he had to pay the rent on his basement apartment on the fringes of New York City or to avoid defaulting on his loans. It was under these desperate circumstances that Bradlee began experimenting, applying his passion for jazz, ragtime, and doo-wop styles to contemporary hits by singers like Macklemore and Miley Cyrus - and suddenly an idea was born.
-
-
PMJ
- By Anonymous User on 11-28-21
By: Scott Bradlee
-
Six-Figure Musician: How to Sell More Music, Get More People to Your Shows, and Make More Money in the Music Business
- Music Marketing [dot] com Presents
- By: David Hooper
- Narrated by: Chris Caldwell
- Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You're in a career where it's considered "normal" to be broke. If you were doing anything else for a living, you'd have given up by now.
And I'm sure there are people in your life who wish you'd do just that... They want you to settle down, get a "real" job, and make music a hobby. Screw 'em. The truth is, if you know what to do, you can make a lot of money as a musician. This book shows you what to do.
-
-
Nothing new
- By Devo Spice on 07-11-15
By: David Hooper
-
Anthem: Rush in the 1970s
- Rush Across the Decades, Book 1
- By: Martin Popoff
- Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With extensive, first-hand reflections from Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart, as well as from family, friends, and fellow musicians, Anthem: Rush in the '70s is a detailed portrait of Canada's greatest rock ambassadors. The first of three volumes, Anthem puts the band's catalog, from their self-titled debut to 1978's Hemispheres (the next volume resumes with the release of Permanent Waves) into both Canadian and general pop culture context.
-
-
What a Biography Should Be!
- By Deborah Bessette on 05-30-20
By: Martin Popoff
-
Strange Beautiful Music
- A Musical Memoir
- By: Joe Satriani, Jake Brown
- Narrated by: Todd McLaren
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Oft-hailed as the Jimi Hendrix of his generation, living guitar legend Joe Satriani has long transcended stylistic boundaries with a sound that raises the bar like a new horizon for the broader genre of instrumental guitar rock. Joe's six-string secrets have astounded listeners around the world for nearly 30 years. Featuring exclusive, firsthand interviews with Satriani, Strange Beautiful Music offers a unique look inside the studio with Joe, giving fans a chance to get up close and personal like never before.
-
-
Very good
- By reviews on 03-29-15
By: Joe Satriani, and others
-
Light & Shade
- Conversations with Jimmy Page
- By: Brad Tolinski
- Narrated by: Robert Fass, John Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
More than 30 years after disbanding in 1980, Led Zeppelin continues to be celebrated for its artistic achievements, broad musical influence, and commercial success. The band's notorious exploits have been chronicled in bestselling books; yet none of the individual members of the band has penned a memoir nor cooperated to any degree with the press or a biographer.
-
-
Production History, FY!
- By Amy Peacock on 02-21-17
By: Brad Tolinski
-
Only Wanna Be with You
- The Inside Story of Hootie & the Blowfish
- By: Tim Sommer
- Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray
- Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1985, Mark Bryan heard Darius Rucker singing in a dorm shower at the University of South Carolina and asked him to form a band. For the next eight years, Hootie & the Blowfish-completed by bassist Dean Felber and drummer Soni Sonefeld-played every frat house, roadhouse, and rock club in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast, becoming one of the biggest independent acts in the region.
-
-
Great story
- By Kimberly Caristi on 03-26-23
By: Tim Sommer
What listeners say about The Realist's Guide to a Successful Music Career
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 11-08-19
An insightful read!
A good introduction to the music business, Joel and Matt bring different perspectives to the discussion and interview a diverse group of musicians and other industry insiders. Very interesting, especially for Umphrey’s fans 🤘🏻
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!