“The IRS can reclassify your music income as a hobby and disallow every deduction you’ve taken — if you don’t document it correctly from day one.”
Most talented retirees never think about the business and legal side of their music — until something goes wrong. An unprotected gig. An unclaimed royalty. A co-writing dispute. A Medicare surprise. A copyright infringement. And by then, the cost is measured not just in dollars, but in frustration, lost time, and second-guessing your dream.
Does any of this sound familiar?
- ✗ You play music but aren’t sure if it’s legally a ‘business’ or a ‘hobby’ — and what the difference costs you in taxes
- ✗ You’ve released songs online but have no idea if you’re actually collecting all the royalties you’re owed
- ✗ You perform cover songs live (and online) but aren’t certain what’s legal
- ✗ You’ve done gigs on handshake deals and something didn’t go exactly as planned
- ✗ You co-wrote a song with someone but never put anything in writing
- ✗ You’ve wondered how music income might affect your Social Security or Medicare premiums
- ✗ You have original songs — and no plan for what happens to them when you’re gone
If you nodded at even one of these, this guide was written for you.
25 Legal Form Templates — Included.
Worth hundreds of dollars in attorney fees. Ready to fill in and use.
Every form includes: A plain-English introduction explaining when and how to use it · Numbered sections with clear sub-clauses · Bold fill-in-the-blank fields · Professional signature blocks · Educational disclaimer footer
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Digital Edition
$47.00
Everything you need to start your music business right now.
- ✓ Full 23-chapter PDF manuscript
- ✓ All 25 legal form templates (PDF)
- ✓ Royalty flow charts and registration checklists
- ✓ 90-Day Music Business Launch Plan
- ✓ Instant download — no waiting
- ✓ Lifetime access
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Deluxe Bundle
$62.00
$77.00 You save $15 at launch pricing
The complete toolkit — everything you need, in every format.
- ✓ Everything in the Digital Edition
- ✓ Editable Word (.docx) versions of all 25 legal forms
- ✓ Bonus: EPK Template & Book Marketing One-Pager
- ✓ Bonus: Printable Gig Day Checklist
- ✓ Bonus: Royalty Registration Quick-Start Guide
- ✓ Priority email Q&A for 30 days after purchase
- ✓ Free updates as the book is revised
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30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
If you read this book and don’t find at least one piece of information worth 10 times the purchase price, I’ll refund you every penny — no questions asked, no hassle. That’s my promise, attorney to musician.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is absolutely written for retirees. Every chapter addresses retiree-specific concerns — Social Security implications, Medicare, fixed incomes, not wanting to complicate taxes late in life. The author is a retired attorney and weekend gigging musician. This is not a book for 22-year-olds trying to get a record deal.
None at all. The entire book is written in plain English. Legal terms are defined when introduced, and every complex concept comes with a plain-language summary. If you can read a newspaper, you can read this book.
They are real, working templates based on standard music industry agreements. Each includes a note to consult your own attorney for high-stakes situations — but for everyday gig contracts, split sheets, and collaboration agreements, they are immediately practical and widely used by independent musicians.
This is the perfect book for someone just starting out. The best time to read it is BEFORE you make the mistakes it describes. The 90-Day Business Launch Plan in Chapter 22 walks you through every step from day one.
The Digital Edition is a PDF download — compatible with every device (phone, tablet, laptop, e-reader). The Deluxe Bundle also includes editable Word (.docx) versions of all 25 legal forms. You’ll receive an email with your download link immediately after purchase.
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