Why in the World Would You Want to Start a Band covers many of the basic fundamentals needed in order to run a band and how to navigate a career in music. Intended for novice and experienced musicians alike, this book is also recommended to music fans interested in the music industry and how it all works.

Who is this book for? In my forty-plus years working in and around music, I’ve been fortunate to see the music industry from many different perspectives. With this experience, I have created a simple, easy to read book with some solid advice and tools that will help you reach your idea of success and give you the confidence needed to make well-informed decisions.

This book is intended for budding musicians and songwriters who are considering a career in music as well as the hobbyist covering some of the basic fundamentals needed in order to work in the music industry at any level. This book is not intended to be a complete study of the music business, but rather a portal for all musicians working in a band and the possibilities available to them.

Even veteran musicians might find inspiration throughout this book that might help them jump-start a sluggish career. But you don’t have to be a musician to enjoy this book either. If you have a musician in your life, you might find some of this information helpful in understanding your loved one’s passion and gain more insight on how the music business operates.

Enclosed are some basic methods that have served thousands of musicians before you. You will learn:

• How to organize your practice and rehearsal sessions for optimum productivity

• Ideas for booking gigs and creating a promotional package that will get attention

• Tips on songwriting, copyrights and publishing.

• Basic information needed in order to have a fun, creative and successful experience in music.

I was born into music. My father, Harry Peterson was a working musician (lap and pedal steel) and a published songwriter. He performed live and recorded professionally from the 1940s through the 1960s and worked with some notable artists. My father has without a doubt has been one of my strongest influences.

As a guitarist, singer and songwriter, I began my professional career in 1973. I have also worked many jobs within the music industry like music stores, a record pressing plant and eventually went to work for Capitol Records at the Hollywood tower. This was a great learning experience where I was able to see how the big guys operated from the inside. I gained so much insight and experience from these jobs which has been crucial for the success of my own record companies and bands. I eventually went into record retail and managed several stores for Wherehouse Records in Southern California.

During the 1980s I worked with Don Harrison (Atlantic/Mercury) and RB Greaves (“Take a Letter Maria”) among other talented songwriters. It was a great opportunity to see how these guys approached the craft of writing songs and more importantly, how they handled their position as band leaders.

I started writing poetry and short stories when I was ten years old and wrote my first song at around 16. During the mid 1980s I began to write at a profound rate and started playing at open mic nights. I formed the Rhythm Lords in 1988 touring throughout the U.S. and Canada

My first record company, Rebecca Records produced four commercial releases with the Rhythm Lords and my solo début CD, “Full Circle”. I created my publishing company, Elad Music and joined ASCAP in 1992 which led to my music being placed in several television programs and major motion pictures.

Root 66 Recording Co. is my current record company releasing my solo projects, “Bandera” and “Son of Harry” as well as “Time Machine” with the band, Trouble No More.

I am truly grateful for the experiences I've had during my long journey playing music. It has been a great opportunity and honor for me to work in so many different aspects of the music business. I always felt it was very important for me to understand the inner workings of my chosen field in order to fully appreciate the music industry. I have followed music to wherever it has taken me. And I haven’t been disappointed yet!

- Dale Peterson