Music artist table schema: first/middle/last name vs. band name?

I want to create a mini artist bio database, but I'm wondering how best to construct the artist table schema.

method #1: stick everything in one artist name column...

Code:

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CREATE TABLE artist (
  id INT(11) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
  band_name VARCHAR(50),
  PRIMARY KEY(id)
)

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...the above obviously doesn't take first/middle/last name into account, which just seems wrong.

method #2: split up the fields...

Code:

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CREATE TABLE artist_alternative (
  id INT(11) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
  first_name VARCHAR(50),
  last_name VARCHAR(50),
  middle_name VARCHAR(50),
  band_name VARCHAR(50),
  PRIMARY KEY(id)
)

---

...the above would result in a lot of null values because a band_name (eg, Rolling Stones) would have no need for the first/last/middle name fields.

How should this be properly handled?

i doubt you're ever going to want to access first/middle/last separately, so just make it one common column -- name

Since artist to band is a one to many relationship, and in some cases a many to many relationship, you'd probably want to have a separate artist table without a band name, and a band table that contains the band name. Then you'd have a third table that relates artists to bands.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gator99

Since artist to band is a one to many relationship

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i know what you mean, but that isn't always true

how do you record an artist that performs solo? do you create a fictitious band? what name do you give this band? the same as the artist name? and why would you link joe schmoe to a band called joe schmoe? it just doesn't seem right

Quote:

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Originally Posted by r937

i know what you mean, but that isn't always true

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Say the band is the "Rolling Stones", there are several artists, albiet well past their prime, in the band.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by r937

how do you record an artist that performs solo?

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You'd put the band name as the artist name, for example "Celine Dion" would be under the band "Celine Dion". This would be the exception, and would be handled well by the set up I described.

handled, yes -- handled well, i disagree ;)

LOL. I even used a Canadian in the example and you still don't get it. This is my last post on this thread. Undoubtedly, you will post again as you have before simply to get the last word in.