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Getting A Manager

Fancy a Brian Epstein to take you to the top? We show you

how...

Is your band's future at a crossroads and in need of a manager's kick up the proverbials to get it on the road to
success? Look no further, we'll provide you with a few plusses and minuses in helping you to decide on whether
you need a pop guru to guide you to superstardom.

The missing link

Many artists or bands who can't get their act together or have fallen at a few hurdles believe a manager to be the
missing link between the shame of having to get a proper job and securing that illusive and lucrative record deal.
You might believe you have the ability to take on the reins of manager as well as songwriter, guitarist and
frontman. However, a manager might be able to allow you to concentrate on your music while he provides the
professional punch to get you contacts and contracts.

Rotten apples
There's always one or two rotten apples in a barrel so take care in choosing who your manager might be. You
could advertise locally but always interview candidates carefully - look at their backgrounds and any previous
successes.

Alternatively check out the White Book at www.whitebook.co.uk or other music directories for reputable
management. You could also get in touch with management companies who handle some of your favourite artists.
You can find the addresses of many of them on album and CD covers.

Try not to part with any money up front. There are plenty of horror stories where managers have demanded
money for services up front and then disappeared with the cash. If the manager is good enough he'll get you
somewhere without asking for any money first. Naturally he'll probably take his slice of your signing on fee with the
record company but that's only to be expected for the work he has put in.

Before finally choosing your man (or woman) find out how many other acts they have on their books. You might
consider there could be a future conflict of interest if they already have another band playing the same music.

Perceptions
At the end of the day it is up to you who you do choose but remember that sometimes perceptions of a manager's
past glories can be cloudy. Take Don Arden, the Godfather of all managers who was boss of many top bands of
the sixties, seventies and eighties like the Small Faces and ELO. Members of ELO might praise him to the hilt,
however another one of his artists, Lyndsey de Paul - she was the waif-like blonde piano playing singer of the
seventies - might not as her relationship with Mr Arden turned sour. Get a balanced view and make your own
mind up.

Getting your act together

How many times have I mentioned how important it is to impress - and a manager is just as demanding as a
record company. They will want to know if you have a demo, photo, biography and a list of up and coming gigs so
they can check you out. They will want to see a tight, happy unit with a direction, not a bunch of egotistical
maniacs with no identity and a minute away from splitting up. You'll need to convince a manager you want it bad
and that you're "all for one and one for all" since no manager will be too chuffed if they sign you up only to find out
a fortnight later you've split up.

Check up
You'll need to agree what your manager will be doing for you - whether they'll just be concentrating on getting you
a record or publishing deal or if they will also be involved more closely in personal matters such as image, musical

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content and future direction.

It is important you agree from the outset about charges and what sort of expenses the band will be expected to
pick up the tab for. Get regular updates on how things are progressing.

Happy families
There have been many examples of relatives or friends managing the band and this can often be a good thing as
they can be closer to the music and be in tune to what the band wants. However, they naturally must be up to the
task. You must be sure they have what it takes when it comes to the crunch and not let any personal squabbles
stand in their way. Obviously they will be a lot cheaper too.

Going it alone
If you decide against a manager you'll need the members of your band to have a unified and vivid sense of
direction. Where you're going and what you're about. You'll need to pull together to manage and promote the
band, get gigs, save money to record and send off demo packages, and make follow-up phone calls. It will be
hard and sometimes you'll feel your music is taking second place, not to mention the girlfriend or wife. Rest
assured many bands have made it without the aid of a manager. Just remember all those top rock icons
recounting how they ended up broke while their manager had the Rolls, five houses and six swimming pools!

Here's to the millions.

Gary Hopkins

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