Music Management Information
Every day, thousands of music artists vie for the chance to perform for large audiences and have their music heard around the world. It takes a lot of hard work and effort to be a successful music artist, and if it weren't for music managers, none of the success would ever arrive. Artist managers, often underrated and underappreciated, are an absolute necessity to the struggling music artist.
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Description
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Musicians hire artist managers to give them career advice and manage day-to-day needs, which can free up the musician so they can focus on creating music. An artist manager can be the liaison between the artist and everyone else, including record companies, accountants, booking agents, lawyers, publicists and fans. He is also responsible for obtaining recording contracts and other contracts that will benefit the artist's career. In addition to giving career advice, it is not unheard of for an artist manager to manage the personal affairs of his clients. A good manager will also mediate disagreements between band members and help shape his client's public image.
Requirements
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Although it is possible to get a degree in music business, you do not need a license to manage music artists. Because of this, it is often difficult to determine who is qualified to be an artist manager. A good manager, however, will have a great deal of music business experience. He will have previously worked for a successful manager, have music industry contacts and have an in-depth knowledge of music business politics. Without these qualifications, he will be unqualified to give adequate career advice and will be in no position to help further an artist's career.
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Salary
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Music managers are paid by commission. A manager will not make any money until the artist does, which is supposed to ensure that he does his job well. The standard commission rate is between 15 and 20 percent of the artist's gross income. While this may seem like a lot, without a good manager an artist would not have a successful career.
Misconceptions
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An artist manager is not responsible for booking performances. A common misconception is that a manager is a booking agent. Some managers will book shows for new artists at the beginning of their career, but this is potentially unethical, and in some states illegal, because it would mean a double commission for the manager. It is better to have a manager and a booking agent. Another misconception is that a manager is a promoter and is responsible for promoting the artist's performances. For larger shows, venues hire music promoters, who promote the show and take a percentage of the ticket sales. At smaller venues, the artist and the venue are responsible for promoting the performance.
Contracts
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A manager is a contracted employee, and therefore, contracts are established between the artist and the manager to define the responsibilities of the manager and the rate of his commission. Management contracts should also define the terms of the manager's departure, should the artist and manager decide to part ways. The contracts should be signed and notarized, and each party should have a copy.
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References
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- Photo Credit ..coco... image by Franz Metelec from Fotolia.com concert image by margouillat photo from Fotolia.com
