My Wife Wants To Become a Talent Agent

mrjim123 · #1 10-27-2008, 05:10 PM

My wife has decided to become a talent agent, at least for my band, so you might just call her a band manager.

She has no experience in this area, but she does have sales experience, and think she she would be a natural - she's unforgettable, and hard to say "no" to.

So, she would like to find, say, an online discussion forum for talent agents, booking agents, band managers - whatever you want to call them. Any other online resources that you can think might also be helpful. TIA.

fenderhutz · #2 10-27-2008, 05:11 PM

No pics. No talent agent.

agreatheight · #3 10-27-2008, 05:14 PM

Really. Bad. Idea.

Wife + band = horror.

Bass Mule · #4 10-27-2008, 05:15 PM

I'm recalling scenes from Spinal Tap...

Just kidding. Honestly, I wouldn't know where to tell you (her) to start. I think it's one of those industries where you learn by doing.

fenderhutz · #5 10-27-2008, 05:16 PM

Every time I have seen a husband/wife manager situation it has not ended well. I mean it caused some major issues with the band and personal lives of those involved.

Good Luck. You will need it.

mrjim123 · #6 10-27-2008, 05:23 PM

Well, we're off to a really good start here.

Thanks, and keep it coming.

atheos · #7 10-27-2008, 05:33 PM

Our booking manager once told a good story about what it's like: she has worked with retards (the real Down Syndrome ones), she has worked in a bar and she has been in the sales business. Gig booking is a combination of all three.

Good luck. You'll need a lot of it

And don't forget the nerves. Women occasionally tend to do that...

IanStephenson · #8 10-27-2008, 05:39 PM

If her strength is sales, probably best she concentrates as a booking agent - if she's got the rigght talents then contacting venues, and booking gigs for a range of bands is something that could make cash, without her getting too involved with internal band politics (you don't want/need a manager).

Most bands have a fee they want for a gig. If she can get them more cash and/or more gigs than they can book on their own (by being professional, and a good sales style) then they'll be happy to hand her a cut. We generally book our own gigs, but on a couple of occasions venues have perfered to go though an agent, and we get as much or more than we do at other places so it's all good. There's no exclusivity/commitment there - gigs get booked, we work, everyone makes cash.

Having your wife manage your band could be painfull, but having her do the calling round for you sounds like it could be a win.

fenderhutz · #9 10-27-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atheos

Our booking manager once told a good story about what it's like: she has worked with retards (the real Down Syndrome ones)

mrjim123 · #10 10-27-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

If her strength is sales, probably best she concentrates as a booking agent - if she's got the rigght talents then contacting venues, and booking gigs for a range of bands is something that could make cash, without her getting too involved with internal band politics (you don't want/need a manager).

Most bands have a fee they want for a gig. If she can get them more cash and/or more gigs than they can book on their own (by being professional, and a good sales style) then they'll be happy to hand her a cut. We generally book our own gigs, but on a couple of occasions venues have perfered to go though an agent, and we get as much or more than we do at other places so it's all good. There's no exclusivity/commitment there - gigs get booked, we work, everyone makes cash.

Having your wife manage your band could be painfull, but having her do the calling round for you sounds like it could be a win.

When you put it that way, then, yeah, we need a new agent, NOT a band manager (our lead singer/guitarist/songwriter is the top gun). We already have an agent, but feel we can do better.

mutedeity · #11 10-27-2008, 07:02 PM

Here are some things you, your band and your wife need to consider.

Firstly, having your significant other as a manager can lead to resentment within the band. Especially when it comes to someone external being involved in executive decisions involving the band. The fact that she is intrinsically going to favour your best interests possibly more than the other members could lead to the other members feeling that they are being represented unfairly.

It all depends on the structure of the band though. If you guys are all in agreement and the band is an "equal share" situation it could be ok. I personally have a policy that the person that manages my band has no interference with the band on a creative level and that any ideas or suggestions the manager has must be mediated through me as the band leader.

Another thing to consider is that you need someone who is comfortable sending emails, faxes and phoning people and being professional about it even when you are dealing with turkeys who have no clue about what they are doing. Someone who will be assertive but polite and not threatened by people who throw jargon your way just to put you off. You will also need someone who is persistent and patient with promoters and venue owners. It would also help if she knows a bit about stage sound and lighting in case she needs to discus options and requirements with venues.

Depending on how far you are planning to take this you are going to need someone who is able to deal with various people in the "industry" from venue promoters to rehearsal studios to sound engineers, producers, designers, pressing companies, publishers and A&R etc. What you really need is someone who is ORGANISED and good at making, keeping, and utilising CONTACTS. Not only that but someone who is absolutely professional and able to keep a poker face AT ALL TIMES.

There are a lot of fools not just making music but involved in the process of it and any number of those people will go out of their way to be a fly in the ointment. You need a manager who knows how to deal with those people professionally but assertively so that they are not more of a nuisance than they need to be. If your wife can do all of those things while being fair and unbiased towards you guys in the band, by all means "hire" her.

If you don't think she is capable of any ONE of the things I have mentioned you had better find someone who can.

mrjim123 · #12 10-27-2008, 07:20 PM

Let's not get sidetracked here. I made a very specific request for ONLINE information. My wife wants to talk with experienced talent agents. I've been playing for 30+ years, I know all about the types of people in the "industry", and I know what my wife is capable of.

mutedeity · #13 10-28-2008, 01:56 AM

Don't worry, I have my fair share of experience dealing with all of the above, but if you didn't really want advice, why even ask in the first place. Do a google search in future.

Depth_Charge · #14 10-28-2008, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjim123

Let's not get sidetracked here. I made a very specific request for ONLINE information. My wife wants to talk with experienced talent agents. I've been playing for 30+ years, I know all about the types of people in the "industry", and I know what my wife is capable of.

here's one:

http://www.musicbizacademy.com/direc...ntagencies.htm
Perhaps your wife could add an entry and manage more than your bands' talent?

Then there's always:
http://www.google.com/search?q=talen...e7&rlz=1I7WZPA

Also, when I used the site, there was a "band managers" forum on the Perthbands.com forum. I presume there could be talent agent forums dotted around the web in many guises.

In your wifes position, I'd consider getting out into the scene and meeting and mingling with other experienced talent agents to do my research. I'm guessing you'd get better local information than you would by guessing your way through correct string searches on web-based search engines or wading through pages of vaguely relevant internet information.

Anyway, good luck with it all.

**Stumbo** · #15 10-30-2008, 02:37 AM

Talent Agent Blog http://www.google.com/search?q=talen...ient=firefox-a
Learn Talent Agent http://www.google.com/search?q=learn...ient=firefox-a

You also might to check state and local licensing requirements.

jmac · #16 10-30-2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Every time I have seen a husband/wife manager situation it has not ended well. I mean it caused some major issues with the band and personal lives of those involved.

Good Luck. You will need it.

It's worked alright for Sharon and Ozzy. However, I'd imagine that is the exception not the rule.

Deacon_Blues · #17 10-30-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

My guess is that it was poorly selected words from a non-native english speaker like myself. "Mentally disabled" would have been more appropriate and I'm sure that was what atheos meant.