TIPS FROM A PRO AT SUCCESS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS

How To Be In The Entertainment Business, by Tony Rose (Amber Books, Phoenix, Arizona, 2016, 280 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

September 16, 2016 (San Diego) - Tony Rose, the NAACP Image Award Winning Book Publisher (Obama Talks Back) and a Gold and Platinum Award winning record producer, songwriter, music publisher and recording engineer, has written a book designed to help those wanting to emulate his success; How To Be In The Entertainment Business.

Having earlier written a review of Rose’s book America: The Black Point Of View in the East County Magazine, How To Be In The Entertainment Business, is a continuation of an effort to share his knowledge and success with others.

Coming from humble beginnings in the housing projects of Boston, Massachusetts, Roxbury and the Whittier Street Housing Projects, Rose demonstrates a tenacity and drive in this beginner’s guide to success in the music, film, television and book publishing industries.

Having worked with record producer Maurice Starr in Boston in the late 70’s and 80’s, in what would be called The Boston Black Music Scene, a movement that ultimately led to the movement that ultimately led to the discovery of the international blockbusters Prince Charles and the City Beat Band, The Jonzun Crew and New Kids on the Block, this book by Rose provides the framework and impetus towards success.

The author is meticulous with his instructions in this beginner’s guide to success, going chapter by chapter, explaining How To Be A Record Company, How To Be A Record Producer, How To Be A Music Producer, How To Be A Personal Manager, and giving examples of contracts to solidify these types of arrangements.

Obviously, Rose calls on his extensive experience and success in the entertainment business to write this detailed and well documented book. For example, the author explains the E-Book publishing options with Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, and Kobo, and the benefits of those arrangements. Of note, is the author stating: “The Kindle Owners’ Lending Library allows Amazon Prime members to ‘check out’ your e-book for free (members can only check out one eligible title per month). Obviously, being able to offer your book for free to thousands – or potentially millions of customers – increases the odds you’ll ‘sell’ more books.” This is the type of information that could help readers of this book by Rose make more informed choices.

A noteworthy chapter in the author’s book gives insight and instruction on obtaining acquisition of rights, specifically: “Irrevocable Grant and Acquisition; the Acquired Rights.” This book, from beginning to end, is an invaluable tool and resource for those interested in going into the entertainment business, a book I highly recommend.

Dennis Moore is the book review editor for SDWriteway, an online newsletter in San Diego that has partnered with the East County Magazine. He is also a freelance contributor to EURweb based out of Los Angeles. Mr. Moore can be contacted at contractsagency@gmail.com or you can follow him on Twitter at: @DennisMoore8.