Music is a difficult and competitive industry in which to succeed. While there is a minimum talent threshold (read: You have to actually be good), music can be a career like any other profession. A successful career as a performing artist requires business savvy on the part of the artist or someone close to the artist, skill, perseverance, dedication, and the right attitude.

The internet has changed everything. In the past, a very small number of people had songs on the radio and made a large amount of money. Today, the internet and home recording have allowed many more artists to have a career and to reach fans. However, artists have redefined success to mean making a living from their art, as opposed to making millions of dollars and charting on commercial radio stations. I recommend any artist looking to build a career today to read 1000 True Fans and The Long Tail.

Additionally, Matthew Crumpton and Tristan Kinsley, a Nashville musician and writer, are currently writing a book on the topic of "making it in music." The book interviews artists who have had a successful career, asking the question "How did you go from wanting a career in music to having one?" Thus far, the authors have interviewed Guster, Derek Webb, Griffin House, Dave Barnes, Johnny Lee, Gabe Dixon, and Five Times August, with several more interviews planned. The artist interviews will be published and synthesized into a chapters explaining what to do – and what not to do – to have a successful career in music. The book will be published in late 2010.