How do studio musicians navigate the precarious and highly structured environment of the Hollywood recording industry? Robert R. Faulkner, a sociologist, examines the professional lives of musicians who operate behind the scenes of major film and television productions. By analyzing the labor market, social networks, and the routine challenges of freelance work, the author provides a framework for understanding the intersection of artistic talent and industrial demand.

Experts frequently cite this work as a foundational sociological study of the entertainment labor market. Readers note the academic rigor of the research, which offers a detailed look at the professional realities of musicians in the mid-twentieth century.