You've finally made it. A record label recognized your exceptional talent and offered you what seems like the deal of a lifetime. But before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you actually understand what you're signing so your dreams of fame and fortune don't turn into a nightmare like it did for Robert Henderson (you never heard of him and there's a reason for that, as he could have been bigger than John Cougar). Here are five tips every artist should consider before signing their first recording contract. 1. Watch out for contracts with an initial term lasting...