Moses Avalon - Million Dollar Mistakes: Steering Your Music Career Clear of Lies, Cons, Catastrophes, and Landmines

W riting the acknowledgments is my favorite part of the book-making process for two reasons: first, its the last thing I do and means that I can sit back and light up that Romeo y Julieta Churchill Ive been saving. But the second reason is far more enlightening. Its where I get to take stock of everyone who helped make this book what it is. If you enjoyed Million Dollar Mistakes then take a minute to learn who is responsible.

First and foremost, those whose names are listed in the Who We Are Hearing From appendix should be acknowledged and acknowledged over and over. These are great people who really care about the business and the future. They gave their stories and their names to add credibility to this project. I am very grateful to each.

The same thanks go to the many who gave comments to this book only if I agreed to keep their names out of it. I would like to thank them, even though I cannot acknowledge them publicly. You know who you are.

Those who work to educate tomorrows music business deserve our deepest gratitude: Jim Porgris, Keith Hatschek, Catharine Moore, Jeff Weber, and Phil Burks. Then there are a few lawyers I really like who have acted on an advisory capacity to me over the years: Neville Johnson, Philip Lyons, Cheryl Hodgson, Ken Abdo, Leon Bass, Matt Greenberg, the Wolfeman, Darryl Cohen, Andy Tavel, and Don Passman. Also Id like to thank Irving Azoff for returning my emails so promptlyon Grammy night.

Some cool new friends, Norman Chesky, John Lanac, Samm Brown, John Braheny, Don Sundstrom, Monica Wild, and Griff Morris at NARAS, all of whom lent some form of help, tangible or otherwise. Also, two old friends, Jay Frank at Yahoo! and Pat Cameron, whose value to me cannot be easily quantified. Your contributions to music and the business are inspirational.

Tradition has it that youre supposed to thank your agent in this section, but I have none. However, I would like to thank all the literary agents who have rejected my work or jerked me around. You saved me 15 percent.

The entire crew at Backbeat Books all deserve mention: my editor, Richard Johnston, headhoncho Matt Kelsey, production editor Amy Miller, and those who work the sales end, Nina Lesowitz and Kevin Becketti. Weve been through much together these years and have survived to both complain about the experience and enjoy the results.

Finally, my family, for putting up with mood swings that are common during deadline. Everything I do, I do for them. And my personal assistant, Lisa, who is efficient, sage, and a great asset to my organization.

Thank you all for making this project and my life a better place to spend my time.

Moses Avalon