D Leigh Biz

If you have been following my blog, you are aware that my primary purpose for starting a career in artist management is to represent my son.  Originally it was to represent him as a bass player, but now I have taken on a management role for his band, Three Story Hill.  Those in the music industry have heard it many times; the role of the artist manager can be extremely challenging.  According to an article on ArtistManagementResource.com titled How To Become A Music Manager, “the music business management career is simultaneously the most demanding (“why aren’t you doing more”) yet sometimes the most under-appreciated (“well, anyone can do that!”) in the eyes of many in the music community.”  Add the additional complexity of managing a family member or close friend, and this could be a recipe for disaster. But there are many examples of family members who have been excellent managers, and assisted in launching successful careers for their loved ones.   

Recently, I watched an E! television special regarding this phenomenon called “Fame in the Family”.  They showcased two artists, Sean Kingston and Romeo Miller (aka Lil’ Romeo), both of whom have their mothers as their managers.  Sean’s mother fits the definition of a personal manager.  They live together, she continues to cook and iron for him, and she also manages his schedule and ensures that his bills are paid.  Romeo’s mother has helped over time with his career, and is now working to launch the music careers of his 3 sisters.  She is actively involved in the studio and linking them with the right support team. This was a great inside look at how families can work together to support a rising star.

One of the most successful artist managers today is Kris Jenner, who manages the careers of her three daughters, Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian.  Kris has even trademarked the term “momager”.  She was instrumental in inking multiple deals with E! television, and negotiated with clothing, cosmetic, jewelry and fragrance companies on behalf of her children.  In an interview with WSJ.com, she confirms that she earns 10% commission for her management responsibilities.  Other stars that have had “momagers” and “dadagers” include Usher, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Simpson and Hayden Panettiere.

A few things I’ve learned about representing a family member include:

Finally, I realize that even with the best laid plans, there may come a time when we will need to part ways. Hopefully, it will be an amicable split. The last thing I want is to jeopardize my relationship with my son. I may not be his manager for the rest of his career, but I’ll be his mom forever.  

References:

Huffington Post. (2013) Celebrity momagers and dadagers: Who is running the show behind the scenes?  Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/05/celebrity-momagers-and-dadagers-behind-the-scenes_n_2398541.html

Peden, L. (2012) Entertainment Wise.  Kris Jenner makes it legal, receives plaque to trademark her 'Momager Position'.  Retrieved from: http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/88273/Kris-Jenner-Makes-It-Legal-Receives-Plaque-To-Trademark-Her-Momager-Position

  

Rwakaara, J. (2012) Artist Management Resource. How to become a music manager.  Retrieved from: http://artistmanagementresource.com/management-advice/music-business-articles/232-how-to-become-a-music-manager

Ryan. (2013) Romeo and Sean Kingston Star in E!’s “Fame In the Family”. Living Civil.  Retrieved from: http://livingcivil.com/romeo-and-sean-kingston-star-in-es-fame-in-the-family/

Recently I’ve begun searching the Internet for a potential music internship for my son this summer (2013).  He will complete his junior year in college as a Music Major in May; therefore, now is a good time to gain some in-depth knowledge of the music industry.  In terms of his resume, he’s carrying a B average in Jazz Studies, performs off-campus in a hip-hop/fusion band, and has past experience working as a musician on a cruise line.  Here is what I found as I researched these opportunities.

I have subscriptions to various feeds via my Google Reader account.  One of my favorite sites is About.com Music Careers.  They have really good articles on a variety of issues, from authors that have excellent insight regarding the music industry.  The first article I read was titled, Reasons You Should Do a Music Business Internship by Heather McDonald.  She listed these 4 reasons: 1) music business experience, 2) connections, 3) learning standard practices and 4) building confidence. Young musicians, especially those in college, might not have a realistic view of how the business side of the industry operates.  An internship would be a great way to understand the internal workings of a music entity.  Keep in mind, the job may not be glamorous, and the tasks assigned to you may seem mundane.  Internships have also been described as “gopher” or “grunt” work.  But, if you utilize your networking skills, you may walk away from the internship with contacts, references, and an insider’s view of how to get started in the music business.

Another helpful article was titled Find a Music Industry Internship.  This article provided direction on how to search for internships.  If you don’t have direct connections to anyone at a record label or artist management firm, it can be difficult to figure out how to find these opportunities.  For college students, the article reminds you to utilize the placement offices at your school.  They can be very helpful in identifying internships, as they may have ties to various companies in the industry.  For those who aren’t in college, one interesting method that the author suggested was to create your own internship.  Basically, you would go to a local label or promoter, and ask to work with them, even on a part-time basis.  Again, the most important part about the internship is gaining knowledge of the industry, not necessarily the pay.

Finally, you need to approach the interview for an internship as seriously as you would with any other type of job.  Remember, these are professionals.  In terms of how you dress, it is better to overdress than to dress casually.  You want to make sure the interviewer believes you are serious about the job.  I would caution against  wearing jeans and Nikes.  Until you know the environment of the workplace, dress to impress.  With my experience in Human Resources, I also know that punctuality is a must if you are trying to impress the interviewer.  If you can, practice your route to the location.  If you just use Google Maps or Mapquest, there is a chance you may not understand traffic patterns and construction detours.  Also, during the interview, be prepared to answer questions related to the company and why you are interested in working there.  Doing research in advance can set you apart from other candidates. Two additional articles on About.com Music Careers that can help are; Five Music Business Job Interview Tips and What NOT to Say in Your Music Business Job Interview. 

Remember, you may not get your first choice of companies, but a different internship may yield great insight and connections.  So don’t automatically discount other companies. Per Heather McDonald, “The bottom line is that this your chance to start transitioning from student to professional. Even if you end up not working in music, this experience will help you in any industry.”

Let me know if you have any other ideas for locating internships by leaving a comment.

Take Care,

D Leigh