The Music Man stands as one of the greatest achievements in American musical theatre, but few know about its rocky beginnings and the against-all-odds success story of its creator Meredith Willson. Mark Cabaniss steps back into the Golden Age of Broadway and brings to life the origins of this classic show, the music behind it, and the unlikely story of its creator. Interweaving behind-the-scenes accounts of people who worked with Willson, Cabaniss looks at his long and unusual career as a composer, conductor, radio personality, and flutist, which reached its pinnacle in The Music Man. No one initially believed in Willson's "Valentine to Iowa," seeing it as nothing but a corny flop or, worse, a recipe for disaster. But when the curtain fell on opening night, a star called The Music Man was born. Over 65 years later, that star is still marching right to this day, endeared by millions around the world. To understand Willson, his career, and his music is to understand how The Music Man came to be: he was truly the only person who could have ever written this show due to his unique background, talent, incredible persistence, and belief. The show's ultimate success and longevity was anything but inevitable-rather, it was truly a miracle.

Today's music business is more challenging than ever, but music's availability and the consumption of this powerful force offer unprecedented opportunities for those with the desire to succeed. Music Business Essentials: A Guide for Aspiring Professionals takes musicians and beginning business students on a journey full of vital nuts and bolts knowledge as well as practical wisdom from a veteran industry professional. Although the dynamic music industry is always changing, Mark Cabaniss's concise and encouraging, yet realistic approach reveals unchanging principles to guide readers towards successful and fulfilling careers in music. From band dynamics and touring to songwriting and publishing and from branding and promotion to record labels and revenue streams, Cabaniss covers the entire music machine from the talent to the tax returns. Music Business Essentials is an easy-to-read introduction that will prove an invaluable handbook for reference time and again. It is ideal for college students, high school students, and anyone interested in a career in music.

The music business is an exciting, rewarding, confounding, treacherous, and exhilarating way in which to make a living. For those interested in following their dreams to enter this dynamic and ever-changing industry, nothing less than a road map is needed to navigate and strategize the journey. Music Business Essentials will take musicians and beginning business students on a journey which imparts not only vital "nuts and bolts" information about the business of music, but provides inspirational and practical tips from a veteran traveler who has successfully navigated his own music business path to success for over 25 years. This book is the perfect, easy-to-read introduction to the music industry and will be an invaluable handbook for reference time and again.