Good Band Manager
Good Band Managers take care of all of the other details so that an artist can focus on their craft. They are open, honest, able to organize, able to communicate, and they can make things happen.
What Do Band Managers Do
There can be several types of band managers such as a Road/Tour Manager, a Business Manager, or a General Manager.
However, there is not a definitive line in the sand concerning their job description. For example, the General Manager might also be the road manager and the business manager. These are people that take care of the nuts and bolts of the business like making phone call, e-mails, scheduling, problem solving and so on.
Artist and manager can work out the details of what the job requirers and what each expects from the other.
Keep in mind that the band manager could be, but is not necessarily involved in artist development.
Road Manager
Road manager duties could include scheduling accommodations such as hotels. When are they going to get there, how many rooms they need, what restaurants are available. They travel with the band and are at every gig.
Likewise, they determine the distance between gigs and transportation. Questions like how long will it take to get there, what is the mode of transportation that is going to be used, and is the cost within budget are all part of the job. At first, while a band is getting started and not making much money, the road manager might second as a driver as well. They make sure the vehicles are maintained and are reliable. They oversee how equipment is loaded and unloaded.
If the band is not carrying all of their own equipment, the road manager will call ahead and find out what the venue has available. This usually deals with the main sound system, but might also require to rent amplifiers and other equipment from a local shop. In other words, the road manager makes sure that the band gets to the gig on time with all the equipment and accommodations that they need.
Likewise, they contact the owners or managers of the venue to agree on a time for the band to set up and sound check.
The road manager handles the roadies and supervises the band set up and tear down. First to arrive and last to leave.
Business Manager
Everything concerning money is the business managers job. The business manager is making sure the bills are getting paid.
Consequently, a business manager helps the artist visualize how much money they need to generate before a new member can be added to the team. A new member might be an extra roadie, a videographer, or a PR company.
This manager is looking at what is coming in and what is going out in terms of cash. Hence, what is the best way to budget that cash is a main concern.
Contracts with any other entity are of their concern because that deals with cash collection or distribution. They need to monitor royalties and make sure the monies are being properly funneled. Licensing, streaming, distribution deals, publishing royalties, reproduction, writer, and mechanical royalties would examples.
A business manager is often a CPA or has some kind of accounting experience.
General Manager
Friends are often the first general manager for a new, or young band. They need to be a true fan of the the artist as well as a business partner. A general manager helps an artist plan and clarify their direction. More importantly, they are instrumental in deriving methods which help the band reach their goals and execute their ideas. In essence, being a sounding board that assists in business decisions.
Priorities include how to market the band, how to brand the band, and how to help them connect with their followers.
If the group doesn’t have a publicity agent, then it is up to the general manager to arrange radio interviews, YouTube interviews/blogs, and whatever else that can be done to establish a public awareness and footprint. They also should work on making others in the music business aware of what the band is doing. Those connections can help out in the long run. They should be bringing you up in almost every conversation. Constantly promoting.
Branding the band by helping the group come up with logos and t-shirt designs. Similarly, taking the action that is necessary to make that logo and t-shirt design a reality. Getting the design drawn and then having that design placed on promotional material, t-shirts, and web sites.
The general manager will help put out fires if there is trouble in the group. They function as a go between with others in the music business such as agents, lawyers, and venue managers. Their job could require them to negotiate fees. They could be responsible for locating and booking venues either directly or through an agency. Collecting monies before and after the gig. Setting up and marketing the CD’s, T-shirts, or whatever.
Likewise, the general manager will help the band formulate what is the next step. Is it time to get a record label, or do we even need a record label? They can help with directing the band to what kind of venue best fits and then, how do you ramp up from one venue to the next one.
Clarifying who is the bands community, or core audience is another way the general manager helps. Identifying who is showing up at the gigs, and who is buying the T-shirts. In other words, who’s listening and is a true fan. With that information, the general manager can get a stronger focus on where the bands market is. That is important because you might discover that most of your market is in Nashville but you are trying to book Florida. Your core audience might be overseas. If that’s the case, the general manager needs to be thinking about who they can partner with so that the groups overseas exposure can expand even more.
Likewise, how do you get the band on streaming platforms like Spotify and then on radio. What about Instagram and twitter and so forth? Some of these responsibilities will be pieced out to specialists in the long run, but in the beginning, the general manager has not only a lot to organize….but a lot to do as well.
The reason that some of these job responsibilities are described as “might include” is because, as mentioned before, the actual job description is something that is worked out between the artist and the manager. For example, the artist might want the manager to have input with song style selection and general appearance. Then again, the artist might not want any input concerning that kind of thing.
The general manager helps the artist manage their time. They will schedule and coordinate rehearsals, studio session, interviews, gigs, and social events. General Managers make things happen.
How Much Does a Band Manager Get Paid
Band Managers can earn a substantial amount of money once the band starts generating funds and is working often.
An experienced manager, that is bringing experience and value to the table, will typically get 20%. A manager that is new in the business, that has not yet developed the contacts and knowledge, will receive a lesser percentage.
Band Management Contract
A contract is a binding agreement between you and your manager, or management company. It should be clear on money, job description, and the term. If there is something in the contract that you don’t understand…don’t sign.
The contract should be fair. If there is something in the contract about you signing your rights away for an extended period of time, even if the manager is experienced with a long track record, don’t sign. There is too much at risk and red flags involved that could stop your career.
A one year contract would be good with the understanding that the contract could only be extended if all parties agree. Likewise, if the partnership is a train wreck, the contract should specify how either party can get out of the deal in a way that is fair.
Of course, spelling out the job description is vital. It is a two way street. What do you expect from them and what do they expect from you. A good manager is part of the team…a part of the family. Everybody wants the best for each other.
As mentioned before, standard fee is 20%, or 15%-20%. Here you need to be very clear. Is that a percentage that includes publishing royalties, merchandise royalties, and mechanical royalties in general, or is it just a percentage of live performance. Every thing has to be very clear. There should be no room for doubt of what the agreement for compensation involves.
Consequently, as a single artist, 20% doesn’t seem too bad. That still leaves you 80% to fund yourself and whatever else. However, if you are a 5 piece band that splits profits, 20% means that the manager is making more than the each member of the band, and the band still needs to come up with the capital to pay the roadies, the road manager, the agent, an so on. It’s something to think about.
The manager will need an operating budget to promote you. That money should not come out of their pocket. A note can be included in the contract concerning a financial percentage devoted exclusively to that expense.
Real Example of a Bad Management Contract
When I was in my early twenties, the band I was working with was approached by an individual that wanted us to sign a contract with him. The contract was anything but clear. No joke….there was a secret project involved in the contract that was so secret that not even we could know about it!
Not all contracts are that absurd, but every contract that I have been approached with has had some mention as to who owns what rights. What percentage they own and for how long they will own them.
The deeper you get into the business, the more contracts you will come across. Management contracts, publisher contracts, songwriter contracts, synchronization contracts, booking agent contracts, and more. The jargon and information can be overwhelming, particularly as one contract interacts with another.
The decisions you make could have a long term effect on your career. It is not something to take lightly! Your best bet is to hire an experienced entertainment attorney. The up front money you spend on qualified legal advice could save you a fortune, or even your career, down the line.
Musicians That Have Been Ripped Off By Their Managers
Unfortunately, some musicians sign unbalanced contracts with their managers. Elvis Presley signed a contract which gave his manager 50% of the royalties. That’s stout! Bob Dylan gave his manager nearly twice the standard rate.
Justin Timberlake has a story about his early career. Lou Pearlman, his manager at the time, kept most of the proceeds to himself.
Johnny Rotten with the Sex Pistols lost a great deal of money to his manager.
There are many examples of bad managers taking advantage of musicians. So, how do you find a “good” manager?
Where To Find Band Managers
There are band management agencies advertised on the internet. That really doesn’t tell you much. All I can tell you is what you already know. Do your research.
Who else are they managing? Can you get contact numbers to those entertainers? Are those music acts anything at all like you? Does the manager have a track record? Are they associated with entertainment lawyers, or other entertainment entities? If they have one, can you see an example of their standard artist contract? Take your time with it.
When Should You Get a Band Manager
A good manager is worth getting as soon as you start working and developing a following.
It is not worth getting a manager until your band is really starting to show that the public is interested in what you are doing. The fans give your manager more to work with. The good managers are looking for something that is together, entertaining, creative, unique, and has longevity. Again, it’s a two way street.