managers/booking agents?

  • Thread starter Thread starter camn
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camn

camn

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Anybody know anything aboot these guys??

We're really getting to the point where we cant handle all the biz end of our orginization. Too many shows, CDs, shirts... all that shit. Radio rotations, promo shit. GAWD..

SO, we're thinking of getting hooked with one or both.

HOW do they work?

Can you get a Booking agent who takes a percentage of the shows they book? and if so, what per cent? If not, what do they charge?

Managers... are they even worth it? and what do they charge?

and lastly.. any recommendations? Managment should be local.. Seattle. We play nation wide.. so booking could be anywhere.. but the NW would be nice.

thanks you all!

xoxo
 
A good booking agent can help, but if you're national you need to be with one of the biggies. (NYC/L.A.) Their cut depends on the genre, venues, etc. Are you a B.M.I. or A.S.C.A.P. affiliate? They can help with this sort of thing. As for a manager, get a friend of the band to do that, and pay him/her. I've known quite a few, and none of them were worth a damn!


Bob
 
we are ASCAP.. who do you mean when you say "biggies"? just someone out of LA or NYC? Do I just call them and hire them, or do they have the cards in this deal?

and do they always take cuts, or are they ever hourly-like?

xoxo
 
Whe I say "biggies", I mean someone who is booking top acts nationally, not a local guy booking weddings and bar mitzvas! This is too complex an issue to be dealt with fairly here. Short of signing a record deal it's the most important aspect of your career. A good agent can open doors for you, and a bad one can hold you back. Do some homework- get a copy of "This Business Of Music" published by Billboard. This book is the industry bible and an absolute necessity! Lots of luck!

Bob
 
Already you're in silk! What Mr.c7sus didn't tell you is that you'll be farting because you'll be living on burritos for years!



Bob
 
most booking agents take around 15%.
The pros are that you can work on music more, a good agent should book you some good shows, bigger than what you can do yourself, the "ins" with some people to get larger show/tours which equals more $$$$ for you, save some major $$$$$ on phone bills trying to book a tour

The Cons: Might make you sign contract making him the person incharge of your creative future. Might not have the "ins' Has a number of acts and gives you shit gigs that don't help the music

It's a tough one!
 
A "local" booking agent can get you into bigger clubs, corporate functions and summer festivals that you can't get access to on your own. "Agents" normally get 15-20%. If the agent is well connected he may also be able to get you some regional "tours". But, local agents loss "clout" as they get out of their region - although most "good" agents have certain booking agreements/partnerships with agents in other regions.

A "manager" can also "book" shows for you, but if the manager is not connected he can't get you into the high profile, big money gigs (in your area). The real function of a manager is normally to shop your demo to labels, find you a good entertainment attorney (to make sure those contracts you sign don't ruin you) and in general act as your "business manager". Although you can pay a manager a "fee", most managers want 10-20%. - But for that amount they should be willing to make certain "investments" into the band.

Don't have a "friend" act as a manager, unless you really believe he/she has business, accounting and markerting skills. Learn to manage (or have cetain jobs assigned to each memeber of the band). If you do the math, you could give 20% to a manager and 20% to an agent - leaving only 60% to pay the "band".

In my opinion, based on a whole lotta years in this business: 1) I've yet to see a "manager" that was worth their "percent" and 2) Your're much better off learning how to manage yourself - why trust your furture to someone else?
 
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