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 In this of Music Row Dealmakers, from composing to closing - the first of Season 2 - your hosts Barry Shrum & Dennis Disney discuss whether certain terms of the traditional recording agreement are unconscionable.  The doctrine of unconscionability is a contract law doctrine that states that a contract can be considered invalid if it is "shocking or unfair" in its wording or application. They explore the definition of unconscionability and how it applies to recording contracts, particularly in terms of leverage and bargaining power between the artist and the label. They also discuss the options an artist has if they feel they are in an unfair position when signing a recording 

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For the holidays, Music Row Dealmakers is rebroadcasting one of our most popular episodes on the Godfather of NIL, Mark Roesler, in which Dealmakers Barry Neil Shrum and Dennis Disney discuss how Roesler negotiated his way into representing the estate of James Dean & Marilyn.  They share their experience with deals involving this lesser-known personal and property right.

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Judiciary Subcommittees consider New Legislation to Amend Copyright Act called the American Music Fairness Act.  Yesterday, December 9, 2025, none other than Kiss’ Gene Simmons testified in support of this legislation at a hearing entitled   "Balancing the Interests of Local Radio, Songwriters, and Performers in the Digital Age," conducted on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

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Join us for the 12th episode of Music Row Dealmakers, where Barry and Dennis continue their exploration of the “Holy Grail” of the music industry, the exclusive songwriting agreement, examining some of the more controversial provisions of the traditional recording agreement and discussing how the paradigm shifts in the industry have affected their application. 

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In Episode 11, Mr. Shrum and Mr. Disney discuss how cases like McGraw v. Curb and Williams v. Polygram shape the language of the recording agreement.

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The dealmakers discuss the importance of the contractual relationship between an artist and their personal manager.  Some of these relationships, such as Col. Tom Parker and Elvis Presley, can last longer than most marriages and often involve more complexities.  Barry and Dennis explore some of the most critical and impactful provisions of the personal management agreements, including the Key-Person provision and the Sunset Clause. 

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The Music Row Dealmakers Barry Neil Shrum and Dennis Disney discuss how the godfather of “NIL” - the modern acronym for rights of publicity - negotiated his way into representing the estate of James Dean & Marilyn.  They share their experience with deals involving this lesser-known personal and property right.

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In this episode, the Dealmakers Barry Neil Shrum and Dennis Glenn Disney explore The Escapades of Iconic Dealmaker Frank Sinatra, a/k/a “The Chairman of the Board” of Reprise Records.   Sinatra garnered the title of "Chairman" when he established Reprise Records, which was later acquired by Warner Bros.  

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In the early 20th century, Sarnoff led RCA to the pinnacle of the radio industry, and later laid the technological foundations for the recording and television industries, ultimately forming entertainment icons such as RCA Victor, RKO and NBC.  His legal battles against Philo Farnsworth, the inventor the image-dissecting cathode ray tube, are legendary.

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The Story of New York's Tin Pan Alley and its role in the evolution of music industry.   The Tin Pan Alley area of New York housed a collection of music publishers and songwriters located on West 28th Street in New York City, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues,  It became the birthplace of the modern music industry, where the concept of the song as a marketable product was developed and where many iconic American songs were written and published.  

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