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Agent?

Discussion in 'Band Management [BG]' started by B-NoteCowboy, Jun 25, 2003.

  1. Jun 25, 2003 #1
    B-NoteCowboy

    B-NoteCowboy Guest

    Apr 19, 2002
    Tulsa, OK USA
    Hey guys, my band is a pretty versatile group that plays company parties, car shows, class reunions, music festivals, benefits, etc.

    We just do it for fun mainly, but would like to stay a little busier than we are. Maybe get two gigs a month or so, at a very reasonable rate. All of what we do now is referral and word of mouth.

    Wondering if it would be worth it to get a booking agent just to do this kind of thing or if it is more trouble than it's worth.

    Any feedback is appreciated...

    B
     
  2. Jul 3, 2003 #2
    B-NoteCowboy

    B-NoteCowboy Guest

    Apr 19, 2002
    Tulsa, OK USA
    **bump**

    Come on fellas... Help a brother out.:meh:
     
  3. Jul 3, 2003 #3
    jazzbo

    jazzbo Guest

    Aug 25, 2000
    San Francisco, CA
    Agents are definitely worth it, if they get you gigs you wouldn't get on your own.

    It depends where you live, how big of a city. I'm in SF, for corporate parties and the like, an agent is almost essential.

    Some tips;

    • Never go with an agent that asks for money up front. What incentive does the agent have to find you a gig if he already has your money.
    • Go with someone who cares. My agent attends the biggest events, to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. Drops promotional materials at the event. Thinks of new promotional ideas, some of which are really so good, I won't share them publicly, and he also sends out formal thank you cards after the event. He runs it like a pro.
    • 20% tops. They really should be 15-20%, depending upon the work they do.
    • Find an agent that needs you. The agent we went with had a small jazz combo, a large jazz combo, a country band, and a large funk band. He needed an R&B cover band, which is what we are. Don't go with an agent that already books to other bands that are just like you.

    We gave our agent our press kit, then invited him to our show, that was our "interview." He saw that he had the stuff, and he liked what we did, so it just went from there.
     
  4. Jul 3, 2003 #4
    B-NoteCowboy

    B-NoteCowboy Guest

    Apr 19, 2002
    Tulsa, OK USA
    Thanks man. I appreciate the insight. I live in Tulsa, midsize city with lots of corporate events. Might be worth it.
     
  5. Jul 3, 2003 #5
    Mike N

    Mike N Missing the old TB Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jan 28, 2001
    Spencerport, New York
    Thats worth mentioning twice.

    A band I was in was approached by an "Agent" that said he could get us in any club we wanted. I made a list of places I thought would be worth playing (read=places that have a good crowd on any given night) to get some much needed exposure. Well, the "Agent" gave me a list of places he wanted us to play, and to my suprise none of my choices were on his list (and it wasnt like I was asking for Madison Square Garden). Rather, he wanted us to play the same s**tholes we could already get ourselves in to. There was no way I was going to pay some clown a booking fee for doing something I could do. We were writing the checks, and he couldnt help, so I cut him loose.