numberoneworld

agents... well what can be said about them without having your mouth washed out with soap! lol an agent is someone who will get you work.. they traditionally want 10-15%, any more and they'd better be investing... they are the go between promoters and the band... if you play live, they are invaluable... many of the top clubs book only through an agent as they don't want to deal with bands... they are responsible for negotiating the price and sealing the deal by contract... and then submitting it to the union (if it's a union gig) they may also take care of traveling or accomodations.. they can at times deal production, but that's rare unless they have a side deal going.. they are basically sales people.. they pitch promoters entertainment and tell them how much money your act can generate... they aren't usually music people agents also can be the exclusive bookers for certain rooms.. they often have a "stable" of venues that they'll put their bands through and without their support some rooms are off limits... in the beginning, go after an agent... show them the promo kit and if you can get letters from venues you've worked this goes a long way.. they also need real promo... this is something most bands neglect.. the black and white photo copy doesn't do it... there's an old saying in the biz... you'll make twice as much money for the same gig if you're promo is in colour... so hand them the tools...

ya... me!

well, they can be a double edged sword... pros... it gets you out there into different people's hands for a fraction of the price (i assume) .... depending upon its distribution of course as well.... how is it being distributed and to whom? cons... if the cds sit in the trunk of their car for a year, well that can be a problem... check out the company's track record... the other obvious "con" can be the other artists on the cd... if it's less than "professional" no one will listen to it... if it's really good and your track pales in comparison, then you go unnoticed.... i've created compilation CDs as well, charging each band a 200$ or so to offset costs and of course make money (that's biz)... i'd mail 200 away and give the bands 100 each so they could sell them to recoup their money and also have some for promo.. is a win win senerio does this manager want to represent you? or is he just puting a cd together?... often people call themselves managers, but they're not really... promoters are more likely what this guy is... my advice about management is, until you read need one, it's best to do it yourself... i always suggest an artist get into the trenches and see what the business world is up against... remember Mick Jagger manages the stones to this day... now an agent... that's a diferent story,... get as many of those as you can... never sign an exclusive unless they are the biggest agency around... ie. william morris, or feldman & associates or the agency group.... there are very few good agencies... hope all that helps...

i'd secondthe point about legals.. get a lawyer if you're not up on contractual law...

good luck....

hey Mad... i'm actually in the same boat... i came off the road in the late 90's to concentrate on promoting online... i find it easy to get articles on online stories... of course it depends what media you're pitching... if it's local, you're show in... just find different angles to use... i've hit the entertainment editor, business, and computer tech.... there's a story there for all of them... find something that makes the story write itself... i've used the selling angle, the making music with people from other countries online angle, the live online concert angle... remembermany people are still quite niave as to what the internet can do... when approaching media, don't pitch your band, pitch the story...

hey mad, sure ... a bio has to bee short and sweet... as a journaist, i'm bombarded by info on bands and i rarely get time to read any of it...a bio is for basically two things.. getting press and getting a gig.. the promoter just wants to know hgow many rooms you've sold out and the media.. well, remember the more you give them the better the chance they'll get it wrong... hope that helps Mb

Hi John, Good basic question. In spirit , it is knowing what the act and the public are all about... what's hot with the buyer and what's hip aout the artist. That said, everyone should have the basic elements of a package ie. demo, good pic, bio and website... a video also helps. Of course none of this is worth spit if they don't have alnt or a tune.

Hello folks... I'm your friendly and capable moderator Mb.. I've been in the music business for over 25 years... I've worked as a performer, promoter, agent, manager, producer.... you get the picture.. my true forte is marketing and image management... I'm also an accreditted journalist and publisher.. all that said, i have a wealth of background to share with you good folks of songstuff... so let them fly... as away, i won't give you a throw off answer.... try me Mb

i've been telling people to buy gold since it was hovering at 250US... today it's over 350$.... that's a pretty good return! what kind of music biz advice you looking for?

the bset i suppose is hosting outdoor music festivals... i get on stage with different bands and am the first one on stage and the last to say goodbye.... the worst? allowing clients and well wishers to buy me endless martinis... Mb

sew up the publishing and then make a record... operate it as any business.... investment capital, promotion etc.... the two types are one that is commited to distribution and the other which is commited to production.. or you can be a bit of each... depends really on how much money you have to invest... Mb

buy gold!!! Mb