Music Business Vocabulary

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360 Deal

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In the music industry, a contract in which a record label, which traditionally acquired only recording rights, gains a share of other
artist revenue streams such a touring, publishing, movies, books and merchandise, etc.

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501(c)3 Organization

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A provision of the united States Internal Revenue Code, listing types of non-profit organizations exempt from some federal income
taxes. Many states reference Section 501(c)3 for definitions of organizations exempt from state taxation as well.

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AAA

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Adult Album Alternative/Triple-A/AAA/Adult Alternative. A spin-off from AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) format. AAA is a radio format
broadcast mostly on FM.

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Ad Mat

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Reusable advertising artwork suitable for print media such as newspapers and/or posters and/or flyers and/or online use.

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Advertising

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The public promotion of a product or service.

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A & R

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Artist & Repertoire - the department in a record label/company that finds and/or signs and/or develops acts including solo artists,
bands, duos, trios, etc.

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A/C or Adult
Contemporary

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Adult Contemporary music, also referenced as A/C, is a radio format. A broad music genre made up of mainstream and modern rock
and classic hits from the past.

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ACM

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Academy of Country Music. ACM's mission is to promote and support the country music industry and engage country music fans from
coast to coast.

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Advance

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A prepayment of monies against future royalties or fees. An advance is like a loan. It allows the artist or songwriter to have money to
live and record with until their record is released or their songs are cut.

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Affiliate

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In the area of broadcasting, an affiliate is a station that airs programming from a specific network. Can refer to radio or television.

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AFM

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American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada…the union that most musicians belong to. The largest
organization in the world representing the interests of professional musicians. The Union's mission includes negotiating fair
agreements, protecting ownership of recorded music, securing benefits such as health care and pension, and lobbying legislators.
Read more: http://www.afm.org/about/mission-statement

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AFTRA

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American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. A performer's union that represents a wide variety of talent, including actors in
radio and television, as well as radio and television announcers and newspersons, singers and recording artists, promo and voiceover
announcers and other performers in commercials, stunt persons and specialty acts.

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AGAC

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American Guild of Authors and Composers...now known as the Songwriters Guild (SGA). Founded in 1931 to help "advance, promote,
and benefit" the profession of songwriters. Originally founded as the "Songwriters Protective Association." They issued the first
standard songwriters contract. AGAC, along with the RIAA, was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Copyright Act of
1976.

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Agent/Booking Agent

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The person who obtains work for an act or artist securing and booking gigs.

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Air personality/DJ

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Disc Jockey/Deejay/DJ. On-air talent at a radio station. The person who mixes music, usually pre-recorded, at nightclubs. Backup
musician for spoken word or hip hop performers.

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Airplay

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Radio broadcasting of commercially released music recordings. A song which is being played (spins) several times each day would be
recognized as receiving a large amount of airplay. For commercial broadcasting, airplay is usually the result of being placed into
rotation, also called "adding" it to the station's playlist by the music director and/or program director. For student radio and other
community radio or indie radio stations, it is often the selection by each disc jockey, usually at the suggestion of a music director. \

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Alternative Music

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Alternative Rock/Alternative Music/Alt-Rock/Alternative - a radio format. Youth-based genre of rock music consisting of various
subgenres including grunge, punk, Britpop, gothic rock, indie pop, new wave and techno styles.

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Arbitron

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1.) The Arbitron company, a supplier of radio and television ratings research. The leading radio audience research company in the
U.S. that collects listener data on radio audiences. 2.) Home electronic device monitoring consumer media usage

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Arrangement

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The adaptation of a song for a performance or recording

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ASCAP

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American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers. ASCAP is the only performing rights organization in the U.S. owned and run
by songwriters, composers and music publishers. ASCAP is a membership association of more than 400,000 U.S. composers,
songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP is the only U.S. performing rights organization created and
controlled by composers, songwriters and music publishers, with a Board of Directors elected by and from the membership. ASCAP
protects the rights of its members by licensing and distributing royalties for the non-dramatic public performances of their
copyrighted works. ASCAP's licensees encompass all who want to perform copyrighted music publicly. ASCAP aids both creators and
users of music in giving and obtaining permission to perform music.

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Assignment

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The transfer of ownership rights from a songwriter to a publisher or other owner.

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Audience Share

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Comparative popularity of a broadcast program, determined by dividing the program rating (expressed as a percentage) by the
percent of sets in use at a particular time. In the world of advertising, audience share refers to the portion of the group of people
who might receive an advertising message, or who are of interest to the advertiser, and who actually do receive the message.
Audience share can be calculated electronically, as with the Nielsen ratings, or through personal, telephone, or direct-mail survey, as
is commonly done by magazine publishers.

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Baby Boomers

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Americans born between 1946 and 1965, courted by entertainment media and advertisers because of their large discretionary incomes.

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Bed

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In the area of advertising, a bed is the musical background for a commercial announcement.

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Bio

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Biography of artist or act. A written summary of an individual's professional background, most commonly used in press kits and for
other publicity and public awareness purposes.

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BMI

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Broadcast Music Incorporated. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) collects license fees on behalf of the more than 475,000 songwriters,
composers and music publishers it represents and distributes those fees as royalties to members whose works have been publicly
performed. As a performing right organization, or PRO, BMI issues licenses to various users of music, including television and radio
stations and networks; new media, including Internet services and websites and mobile technology businesses such as ringtone and
ringback providers; satellite audio services like XM and Sirius; nightclubs, discos, hotels, bars, restaurants and other businesses;
digital jukeboxes; and live concert venues.

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Booking Agent

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Individual responsible for seeking and soliciting work for entertainers

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Bootlegging

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The unauthorized selling of records, tapes, CDs, videos, merchandise, etc.

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Branding

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Entire process involved in creating a unique name and image for a product (good or service) in the consumers' mind, through
appearance, behavior, style, and campaigns with a consistent theme. Branding aims to establish a significant and differentiated
presence in the market that attracts and retains loyal customers.

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Breach

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The breaking or violating of a law, right or duty either by commission or omission.

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Breach of Contract

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Failure, without legal excuse to perform any promise which forms the whole or part of a contract.

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Bundle of Rights

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The five exclusive rights in copyright ownership vested initially and exclusively in the author of the work.

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Business Manager

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The individual who oversees financial obligations and responsibilities of an artist or group, I.e. tour budgets, payroll, etc. This
individual may also handle personal finances for an artist or individual group members,

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Buyout

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The purchase of rights in a property (usually for a lump sum), rather than the payment of royalties for the use of the property.

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Cartage

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1. The act of moving heavy or bulky equipment, particularly musical instruments. 2. The union scale
reimbursement for same.

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Catalog

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The collection of songs to which a publisher owns the rights. The collection of songs to which a record label owns the rights. The
collection of songs to which a writer/author/creator owns the rights.

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CD

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Compact Disc

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Channel

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1. The frequency of transmission for a broadcaster. 2. A
program service feeding programming to one or more stations, cable systems, satellite services or web sites. 3. A mode of
product distribution, e.g. rack jobber channel.

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Chargeback

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An expense assessment, e.g. a charge by a recording company against an artist's royalties.

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Chart Action/Activity

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The movement of a specific record on the charts

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Chart

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1. List of the current hits, found in the trade magazines…the most popular recordings on radio or at retail in calculated and/or rank
order.

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Classic Jazz

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The pure traditional jazz sound; predominantly instrumental, rarely vocal, largely improvised rather than arranged, performed
primarily on acoustic, not electronic instruments.

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Classic Rock

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The enduring music of such rock and roll trendsetters as Elvis Presley and the Beatles, originating in the 1950s and 1960s.

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Classical Music

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The repertoire associated with symphony, opera, ballet, chamber, and some choral music.

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Click Path

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A report on specific user web actions which may be aggregated to draw conclusions about consumer behavior

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Cluster Programming

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Radio broadcast of several recordings uninterrupted by announcements

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CMA

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Country Music Association. Organization's mission is to heighten the awareness of country music and support its on-going growth by
recognizing excellence in the genre, serving as a repository for critical and timely information and communication, while providing a
forum for industry leadership dialogue toward its goals. www.cmaworld.com

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Collective Work

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For purposes of copyright: A work, such as a periodical issue, anthology, or encyclopedia, in which a number of contributions,
constituting separate and independent works in themselves are assembled into a collective whole.

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Commercial Load

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The proportion of a broadcast station's or program's time that is given to spot announcements

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Commission

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A percentage of money paid to an agent, manager, etc. for services

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Contractor

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The person who hires session members for a recording session

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Co-publish

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Agreement whereby two individuals or companies own the publishing rights to a song

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Copyright

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A legal protection granted to an author or composer for the exclusive rights to his or her works. The exclusive right to exploit a work.

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Copywriter

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A person employed to write advertising or publicity copy

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Country

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A music genre traditional associated with Nashville, now ranging from traditional country/western and bluegrass to pop-flavored
styles.

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Cover Record

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A song that has been rerecorded by other artists after a first recording by the artist who introduced it received significant
recognition.

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CPA

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Certified public accountant

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CRB (2)

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1. The Copyright Royalty Board. Comprises three Copyright Royalty Judges who determine rates and terms for copyright statutory
license and make determinations on distribution of statutory license royalties collected by the United States Copyright Office of the
Library of Congress. 2. Country Radio Broadcasters.
Craft Services

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Craft Services

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In film, television or video production, crafts service refers to the department which provides food services to the other departments,
or "crafts" (camera, sound, electricians, grips, props, art director, set decorator, hair and makeup, background, etc.).

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Creative Services

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A department of a recording company (label, imprint) that provides marketing concepts, graphic art, sales aids, copywriting services,
and advertising materials.

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Crossover
Record/Recording

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A recording targeted at one market segment where it becomes significantly popular that achieves sales and/or airplay in one or more
additional markets of music (I.e. a song that becomes a Top 40 hit and then becomes a hit on the country and/or R&B charts)

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Cut

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1. A specific selection on an album or CD. 2. To record a
song

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Day Parting Radio

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programming that divides the broadcast day into segments, such as "morning drive," "midday," "afternoon drive," etc.

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DBS

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Direct Broadcast Satellite

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Deal Breaker

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Issue that, if not settled, terminates contract negotiations.

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Deal Memo

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A summary document that covers term, commission, and other major points of the contract, often prepared before the full contract
is drawn up.

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Demo

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1. Demonstration product used for selling a record, a song, or an artist. 2. Demographic - a
statistic characterizing human populations (or segments of human populations broken down by distribution and/or density, and/or
age or gender or income, etc.)

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Derivative Work

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For purposes of copyright: a work based on one or more preexisting works, such as a translation, musical arrangement,
dramatization, fictionalization, motion picture version, sound recording, art reproduction, abridgment, condensation, or any other
form in which a work may be recast, transformed, or adapted.

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Digital Transmission

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The transfer of music encoded as digital data. This transfer occurs by means of the Internet, satellites, cables, phone lines, or other
means.

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Display

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To show a copy of a work

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Distributor

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Individual or company who moves CDs or other recorded product from the manufacturer to retail outlets. Wholesale source of a
retailer's goods, often an intermediary between the manufacturer and the retailer.

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DIY

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Do-It-Yourself. A DIY label is a record company in which one person (or very few persons) performs most functions.

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Draw

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A prepayment, usually by a publishing company to a staff songwriter, of monies against future royalties or fees. A writer's draw from
a publishing company might be $200 each week. Once royalties begin, the publishing company recoups the writer's draw from the
writer's portion of the royalties.

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DRM

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Digital Rights Management. DRM protects intellectual property either by encrypting the data so that only authorized users can access
it, or by embedding a digital watermark so that the content cannot be freely distributed.

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DVR

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Digital Video Recorder

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Easy Listening

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Primarily instrumental music genre, gentler in sound than adult contemporary and notably popular in elevators

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End Cap

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Retail display at the end of an aisle

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Editorial

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Legitimate mass media, presumed to be unbiased, which reaches a large, anonymous audience. "Anonymous" is defined as available
to anyone in the coverage area.

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EP

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Extended-Play record

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EPK

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Electronic Press Kit

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ESP

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Electronic Sponsorship Package

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Executory/Executory
Provision

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A requirement of performance to be rendered following disengagement from/termination of a contract.

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Exploit

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1. The process of finding the legitimate uses of songs or other copyrights for income.
2. To promote, advertise, publicize, display, distribute, license, sell or advance an artist or a property

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Extended Use

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A copyright used for a period longer than the one initially paid for.

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Fan Club

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A club made up of people devoted to a specific artist or act.

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FCC

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Federal Communications Commission

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Format

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The style of programming that a radio station uses (I.e., all talk, country, Top 40, etc.)

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Gig

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A job for musicians

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GMA

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Gospel Music Association

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Gold

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A single or full CD that has sold 500,000 units as certified by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America)

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Grammy

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One of the most prestigious awards in the music business. Given by NARAS.

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Headliner

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The main act people come to see in a concert

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Hip-Hop

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Musical style combining rap, R&B, and disco music

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Hit

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A record that is popular and sells a lot of copies

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Hook

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1. Noun - The repetitive part of a song that is most remembered when people think about that tune. 2.
Verb - Reference to whether an artist truly captured the essence of a song to the fullest extent.

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Hype

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Extensive publicity used to promote acts, new records, etc. Not necessarily recognized as a "positive" reference to the practice of
publicity. Term often implies puffery…the use of overblown adjectives, etc.

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IEBA

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IEBA was founded in 1970 as a non-profit trade organization for talent buyers, concert promoters, agents, managers, artists and
other related entertainment professionals. IEBA provides networking, showcasing and educational opportunities to strengthen
relationships, foster growth and increase revenue for the live entertainment industry.

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IAFE

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International Association of Fairs and Expositions.

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Jingle

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Commercial/Advertisement with music

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K.J.

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Karaoke Jockey

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Label

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Record company. Record label. Imprint.

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Lead Sheet

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Written version of a song containing the melody, lyrics, and chords, etc.

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Log

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The list of music played by radio stations used to determine performance royalties; logs also contain additional programming
information.

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Lyrics

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The words of a song

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Market

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1. Can refer to geographical location, such as the East Coast market, the West Coast market, etc. 2. May refer to
a type of musical market, such as Top 40, R&B, country, etc. 3. May refer to a demographic,
such as women 25-54, etc. 4. DMA - Distinct Market Area
5. ADI - Area of dominant influence.

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Master

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The finished tape that is turned into a record

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MD

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Music Director. The individual at a radio station who controls the station playlist and determines which music is played on the station.

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Mechanical License

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A license obtained from a song publisher or other copyright owner, needed to record the song.

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Mix

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Putting all the different tracks for a record together electronically

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MOR

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Middle-of-the-road music, also called easy listening music

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Music Video

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A video used by musical acts and singers to promote their songs on television

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Muzak

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Canned music such as that heard in dentist's offices, department stores, elevators, etc.

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NAB

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National Association of Broadcasters

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NACA

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National Association for Campus Activities

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NAMM

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National Association of Music Merchants

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NARAS

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National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

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NARM

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National Association of Record Merchandisers

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NFMC

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National Federation of Music Clubs

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NMPA

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National Music Publishers Association

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Oldies

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Songs that were hits some years ago

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One-Stop

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Wholesale distributor of records and video products and accessories

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Overdub

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Adding another part (vocal or instrument) to a basic multi-track recording

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Payola

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Money or other "gratuities" given to D.J.'s, program directors, or music directors in order to have certain records added to a station's
playlist or played more often each week. THIS IS ILLEGAL!

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PD

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1. Public Domain 2. Program
Director

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Performing Rights

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The right to license music and collect monies for use by anyone playing that music.

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Personal Manager

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Person who oversees and directs all aspects of the career of a performer or act, including record label negotiation, record label
relations, booking agency, fan club, business management, image design and control of brand. Personal manager is charged and
challenged with foraging for opportunities through relationships in all areas of the music industry that will develop and expand the
brand of his/her client.

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Platinum

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A single or full CD that has sold 1,000,000 units as certified by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America)

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Playlist

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A list of songs that a radio station compiles designating which songs it will play. Playlist is usually limited to a finite number of songs
determined by the station music director and/or program director and/or station chain or conglomerate.

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PR

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Public Relations

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Press Kit

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A promo kit (a.k.a. Tool Box) containing publicity materials, photos, and other promotional materials on an act.

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PRO

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Performing Rights Organization. There are three in the United States…ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.

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PSA

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Public Service Announcements. Air on radio or television given to not-for-profit organizations.

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Public Domain (PD)

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Songs or other works that have no copyright or whose copyright has expired

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Publicist

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A person who publicizes, especially a press agent or public relations consultant

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Publicity

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The dissemination of information that concerns a person, group, event, or product through various mass media to attract public
notice, interest, or notoriety.

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Public Relations (PR)

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The management of all information dissemination between an artist, product, or organization and the public. PR provides the client
exposure to its audiences using topics of public interest, news items, events, etc.

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Radio Promotion

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The department at a record company which is charged with getting songs added to a radio stations play list and increasing the
amount of airplay those songs receive. The department members maintain relationships with program directors at radio stations and
attempt to persuade them to maximize the number of "spins" to promote the sale of recorded music product such as CDs, sold by
the record company.

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R&B

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Rhythm and Blues

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R&R

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Rock 'n Roll

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Repertoire

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A list of songs that an act performs or records

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RIAA

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Recording Industry Association of America. The organization that certifies gold and platinum record sales.

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Royalties

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Monies paid periodically for the sales of records, sheet music, etc. or for the performance of musical compositions.

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Royalty Statement

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An itemized accounting of earnings for songwriters or recording artists

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SAG

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Screen Actors Guild

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Scale

Back 145

The minimum union wages

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Self-Contained Act

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A group that has all members included and needs no outside augmentation

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SESAC

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SESAC was founded in 1930 to serve European composers not adequately represented in the United States. Though the company
name was once an acronym (Society of European Songwriters, Authors, and Composers), today it is simply SESAC and not an
abbreviation of anything. SESAC is a Performing Rights Organizations (PRO). PROs (there are three in the U.S.) are businesses
designed to represent songwriters and publishers and their right to be compensated for having their music performed in public.
SESAC will represent the right for your music to be played in public. Songwriters and publishers are paid royalties based upon how
much their songs are played.

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Single

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A song that will be promoted to radio and ultimately the consumer with the goal of the song becoming a "hit" and charting on the
trade charts, increasing notoriety and viability of the recording artist.

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Social Network Service

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A social network service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building social networks or social relations among
people who share interests and/or activities. facebook, myspace, twitter, bebo, tagged, faceparty, badoo, etc.

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Social Networking

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The process of building online communities, often accomplished both through 'groups' and 'friends lists' that allow greater interaction
on websites. Sharing information between two or more individuals on an online community.

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SPARS

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Society of Professional Audio Recording Studios

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S.R.O.

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Standing room only - the point at which all seats for a concert or show are sold out.

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Standard

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A song that becomes popular in all markets then becomes timeless. It may also be known as a "classic."

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Street Team

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A marketing team that operates in less structured settings to promote a product or brand. A group of people who "hit the streets'
promoting an event or a product. Sometimes "hitting the streets" figuratively.

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Superstar

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An act that is selling through across the board. An act that is popular, talented, wealthy and well-known. An act that is maximizing
exposure, ticket sales, product sales, publicity, airplay, appearances and branding opportunities.

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Supporting Act

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An act that opens the show before the main event/headline act.

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TEIA

Back 157

Touring Entertainment Industry Association

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Tip Sheet

Back 158

A newspaper, newsletter, or magazine that lists new records and fast-moving tunes (tip sheets are used by program directors and/or
music directors at radio stations to help make up the station's playlists. There are also tip sheets that circulate throughout the music
publishing community that alerts songwriters and publishers which artists, producers and record labels are seeking material for new
projects.

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Top 40

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The forty songs in the country that are selling the best and/or played the most on radio stations. The Top 40 may be found in the
trades. Often there is a Top 40 for different formats of music including Country, R&B, etc.

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Top 10

Back 160

The top 10 songs on the charts

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Trades

Back 161

Magazines, newspapers, websites or other periodicals that deal with the music/record/entertainment industry as a business/industry.
Content covers the business of doing business in the music/record/entertainment industry and targets the professional leadership
and those who otherwise offer professional services within the music/record/entertainment businesses . These periodicals do not
target, nor do they cater to the music/record/entertainment consumer.

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U/C

Back 162

Urban Contemporary music

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V.J./VeeJay

Back 163

Video Jockey

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Venue

Back 164

A hall, auditorium, club or location where an act performs