Discounting The Myths of Music Management

I used to think that my business relationship with an entertainment attorney was going to be the most important as a songwriter, composer and producer. However, I am learning from my master classes in entertainment business that other relationships matter even more. I recently read an article about the myths of music management by Heather McDonald on About.com. Heather has helped me realize, “The relationship between a band manager and a musician is just about the most important (business) relationship either party will ever have.”

This article comes to me at a time where I am recreating my business plan to launch my career as an influential composer, songwriter and producer.  Over the years I noticed that I might get more work if I have a manager representing me. I also thought I could just be my own manager. However, when times get really busy, I will want help; not just any help, but the right help. I have been back and forth wondering how to decide when to get a manager and how to choose the right one for me. Three points stood out to me from Heather’s article that give me confidence in making management decisions in the near future.

1. "An enthusiastic, though inexperienced, manager with a solid work ethic can do big things for you, even if they have to fight every step of the way to establish contacts and get people to pay attention to them".

This point encourages me to allow a trustworthy relative, such as an Uncle or Sister, to take the load off of me and use their naturally strong business skills to help manage my music career.

2. When you're selecting a manager, it is critical to make sure that you share the same vision and have the same expectation about the music career you're trying to build.

This point encourages me to keep my criteria simple and clear on how to choose the right manager for me. Knowing I want a partner with the same vision, expectation and ethical standards for my career helps narrow down any overwhelming options.

3.…don't feel like you need to get a manager before you get enough songs to fill a set at a show or before you even have your first practice. In fact, people within the industry will take you less seriously if you have one of those "managers" - i.e., a friend who calls themselves a manager and does absolutely no managerial work - than if you go in representing yourself.

This point encourages me to represent myself with confidence until I have the right manager. I just have to keep building thick skin to do the job until I can pass on the work.

To Be or Not To Be....An Artist Manager

I recently had a conversation with another buddy of mine who is an industry professional, with a focus in Artist Management. I took the opportunity to chat with him about what makes and breaks his ties to an artist he manages. We also talked a bit about the recent artist conflict between R&B singer Chris Brown and Rapper Drake. For the sake of keeping his identity private, I will call him Matt.


Matt signed on to be a manager to a rapper a year or so ago. The artist has made a decent buzz in his region and Matt is guiding this artist to worldwide success. Their professional chemistry in and outside of the studio is what made Matt decide to commit to this business partnership. They were both excited to create longevity and do things on the vibe of love. A shared vision is always the beginning to a promising business venture.


Matt also shared with me that from his experiences over the years in the business, he has decided he will not be like everyone else who manages artists. He chooses to conduct business in a way that creates less headaches and requires less Tylenol. The contract will be clear agreeing to a 3-4-album deal with an option to renegotiate upon expiration to renew financial terms. Matt will partner with an artist who has already created a personality that will stand out among the competition, whose focus is on making history and making people smile. Keeping the charitable outlook while managing an artist is an admirable touch to Matt’s style.


I asked Matt what would break his partnership with the artist he manages. I simultaneously brought up the recent fight between two artists that made me wonder what he would do as their manager. I was impressed to learn that Matt would not break his tie with an artist who attracts bad press like the R&B singer Chris Brown or his bar brawl opponent, rapper Drake. Matt thinks things happen in life, even if it is stupid like the bar brawl between Chris Brown and Drake.


Matt would advise his artist to run far away from the bad press by not commenting, in an effort to not feed the conflict. However, Matt approves if the artist write a song about what happened without the mention of names. In this way the artist is still being expressive. Matt’s bottom line is whatever the artist does, he will remain on contract, keeping in mind that everything is negotiable. If a disagreement or neglect of the contract arises, Matt knows that most artists will not want to go to court, so they will negotiate or create something that will work for the artist and the manager.


Matt enlightened me to understand that although negative experiences can happen, I can look forward to a win-win situation with whomever I work with in this business.