What do Managers do?
Written by Dick Hodgin --  m80@nando.net
 
QUESTION?  What could someone like you (a manager) do for my band?
 
Answer: 
 
        Well that's a very broad question.  Assuming that you mean what I 
could do for you as a manager rather than what I could do for your band 
as Dick Hodgin, I'll try to give you a overview of what "Management" is. 
 
        "Management" is a somewhat vague and convoluted term in the rock 
and roll business.  Most bands  think they want "Management"  when 
really, they just want someone to get them gigs.  That's actually a 
booking agent.   Basically speaking,  A manager is someone that advises 
and counsels you (and/or your band) in every aspect of your career.  
"Advice & Counsel".  Think about that for a minute.  On the surface it 
doesn't seem like much.  When you get right down to it though,  A manager 
is very much like a "Coach" of a team. Someone that helps you develop 
your talent, analyze your strengths and weaknesses,  and guide and direct 
you  in "competition".  
        Along with success comes more and more facets of the business to 
deal with.  You want to be sure that the person "advising and counseling" 
you is an informed, effective individual. One who knows the "game" and 
will keep your interests as an artist at the top of the priority list.
        
        My contract outlines specific areas of "advice and counsel" that 
I will be expected to give my clients, including but not limited to:
 
        1. The selection of material
        2. Public relations
        3. The adoption of proper formats for presentation of Artist's talents
        4. the selection of Artistic talents to assist, accompany or 
embellish Artist's presentation. (producers, engineers, legal representation, 
promoters, video directors, photographers, & etc.)
        5. General practices in the entertainment industry including the 
employment of Artist's agent, (booking) and publicist (publicity).
        6. The economic and related terms upon which Artist shall render 
services to third parties.
 
In layman's terms, a manager is the person that helps you build the right 
team around you to deal with all aspects of the business in general.  A 
manager is responsible for being INFORMED enough to give you good "advice 
and counsel" with regard to all of the decisions you're going to have to 
make as you move through the artistic and business world of the Music 
Biz. This person doesn't make decisions for you, they assist you in 
making the decisions.
        
        So who is this person that you're going to pay good money to just 
to give you "advice and counsel" ?  Hopefully, if you've picked the right 
person, it will be someone that understands your needs and goals, in 
addition to being able to devise a game-plan for achieving them.  Make 
sure that this person is someone that has YOUR interests at heart.      
There are plenty of so-called "managers" out there that sign on a band 
just to make some bucks off of.  But what happens if your success is not 
as quick in coming as one would hope?  You want someone that will have 
the long-range picture in mind, not a 
"throw-it-against-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks" person.
 
        Trust is one of the most important aspect of a managerial 
relationship.  You have got to be able to absolutely trust your manager 
absolutely!  You have to believe that your manager is capable of giving 
you the right "advice and counsel".  Management is not a relationship to 
enter into lightly.  It's more like a marriage and just as difficult to 
get out of.  In short, a manager  is the member of the band that doesn't 
play onstage with you.          
 
 
 
questions?? taunts?      ------>  M80@nando.net