The following books, magazines, and websites may be helpful in answering your general music industry questions:

All You Need To Know About the Music Business, by Donald Passman
What They'll Never Tell You About the Music Business: The Myths, the Secrets, the Lies (& a Few Truths), by Peter M. Thall
Music Business Handbook and Career Guide, by David Baskerville
Kohn on Music Licensing, by Al Kohn & Bob Kohn
Music, Money and Success, by Brabec and Brabec

Billboard - weekly music magazine
Hits - weekly radio magazine
CMJ - weekly college radio magazine
NMPA - National Music Publishers' Association
AIMP - Association of Independent Music Publishers
NARAS - National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (GRAMMY Awards)
RIAA - Recording Industry Association of America