My point in listing all those books (and there's plenty more) is to illustrate that it's always been rough for artists to re-coup.
On a
positive note I'll add that there's plenty of avenues where one
can collect monies that isn't always advertised or discussed because it's 'not exciting'. If you write music make sure you copyright your music, register with a licensing agency (BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, GESAC, ICMP) and maybe even set up your own publishing company. If you want to sell and/or license to TV or film you can not only collect an initial fee but then accrue residual or re-use money (mailbox money). It's not a hard thing to do. The more you write, the more you submit, the better your chances for 'placing' something. You just need to have your paperwork together.
What's the nastiest experience you have lived in respect to remuneration issues and the sort?
When I first started doing
real recording sessions I actually worked (briefly) 'on staff' at a small record company (Total Experience Records). After not getting paid for a particular session - I complained a little. An exec at the Rec Co. asked me into his office, pulled a .45 out of his top desk drawer, laid it on the desk and asked me if I still had a problem with the payment schedule?
I know he wasn't gonna shoot me but I was probably 21 and easily intimidated. Needless to say that was also my last session for TE records, lol!
It's also pretty normal for the
entire band to 'convince' a club owner or manager that he needs to pay you after you've played. *Lots of great stories about bands unplugging and packing up
the club's mixing board and power amps in lieu of payment.
There have been many times where I just haven't been paid for services rendered or paid less than the agreed upon rate or paid 3 to 6 months after the gig, etc. All businesses have to deal with client non-payment occasionally. The music biz in no different. I haven't had hundreds of thousands of dollars in royalty payments denied to me for stupid reasons or band contracts so I consider myself fortunate. I also don't get bent out of shape when I have to chase down payment - it's not a big deal to me (I consider it normal).
I read those books I mentioned so that I don't make the same mistakes and more importantly for my circumstances - stay away from artists that are making those mistakes.