Every year, a rumor goes around that The Smiths will reform to play at that great reuniter of a festival, Coachella, and every year, that rumor proves to be false. The 2009 edition of this story has already surfaced and been debunked. The fact that the oft imagined Smiths reunion has never happened is a good look into the just how contentious band break ups can be. According to Morrissey, the group was offered 40 million GBP (yes, POUNDS, not dollars) to reunited back in 2006, and they turned it down. Keep in mind that this band break-up happened in 1987. If there were a grudge Olympics, I think I know who could take home the gold.

How can you avoid being like Moz and Marr? Handle band break-ups with care. Parting ways can be a tough time emotionally and a complicated time professionally and financially, but you can make it through. Check out this advice about managing a band break-up.

• What To Do When The Band Breaks Up
• Should I Quit the Band?

Can you tell a good deal from a bad one? You're likely to encounter a lot of both when you're trying to get a foot in the door in the music business. Check out these scenarios people run into when they're getting started in the music business and see if you can tell the good deals from the bad ones.

• Good Deal or Bad Deal?
• How to Spot a Bad Deal
• Do I Need a Record Deal?

On Twitter yesterday, Dave Hahn of Musician Wages hipped me to a few don't-know-whether-to-laugh-or-cry music related ads and comments on Craigslist that made me think, hmm, maybe it's time to turn our attention to deals again. A little later in the week, we're going to take a look at a few common scenarios and see what makes a good deal and what makes a bad one, but for now, as a warm up, check out these signs of a bad deal. Of course this list is by no means exhaustive - people are always inventing new and unusual ways to rip each other off in the music biz - but if these red flags are flying in your face, it's time to run the other way.

Incidentally, not everything on Craigslist is bad. Musician Wages has a good article about using the site to land a gig - check it out.

• How to Spot a Bad Deal
• Do I Need a Record Deal?

this position I've held - it pays my way and it corrodes my soul. I want to leave. You will not miss me. I want to go down in musical history.

This lyric by The Smiths always pops into my head when people talk about wanting to leave their day jobs behind to go full time with their music. Your day job may be corroding your soul, but that whole "pays my way" thing is important, too. Now, I don't mean you should sit in your office enduring your own personal Mr. Shankly at the expense your music career. Far from it. What IS important, though, is that you seriously consider how you'll make your money as a musician and create a plan. If you don't, what is likely to happen is that you will leave your job, last a few months, realize you're about to evicted, and then have to take any day job you can find - maybe even one that leaves you less time for your music than you had before. No one wants that.

So, go for it - definitely go for it. Secure your place in musical history. Just be smart about it. Although the path is different for everyone, this article will help you figure out some potential income streams for you as a self employed musician.

Have you made the transition yourself? Let me hear about it. Oh, ok, if you want to hear Frankly, Mr. Shankly, click here.

• How to Make Money as a Musician
• Should You Play Music Full Time?
• Self Releasing Albums: Pros and Cons
• How to Get Paid in Your Music Career
• How to Spot a Bad Deal