Artists & Management Music Business Course

If you wish to become a Successful Singer or Member of a Successful Group or Band, you should know as much as you can about "The Music Biz". You should know how it operates and the correct steps to take, in the right order, to achieve Success - including, choosing the right Manager to help "guide you"...

Likewise, if you wish to become a Successful Manager, you must choose the right Artist to Manage, and know what you must do to help Your Artist move up the "Road to Success".

This Business is large and sophisticated and requires a solid TEAM. Every successful Artist has a great Manager - and every successful Manager has a great Artist. Simply put, the left hand must know what the right hand is doing [or should be doing] or you as an Artist/Band or Manager are heading for a very short career! Each must know and understand the Music Business plus everything they can about the other, if they wish to become successful.

Artist Development & Management

INSTRUCTOR NAME: David J. Spangenberg

COURSE LENGTH: 10 Weeks

Upon completion of this course...

1. As an Artist, you will know when and why you need a Personal Manager, how to choose one to be your Manager, and what they can and cannot do for you.

2. As an Artist or a Manager, you will be able to read, understand and negotiate the main points of an Artist/ Management Contractual Agreement.

3. As a Manager, you will know what to look for in a Performing Artist and be able to decide whether or not to Manage them.

4. As a Manager or Artist, you will be able to choose the right Musicians and Singers to work with and the proper way to prepare for performances, including choosing the proper recording material, and creating and refining the Artist's "image".

5. You will be able to promote the Artist for performances, and be able to get "gigs".

6. You will be able to choose the correct Production or Record Company, and be able to properly promote the Artist to them.

7. You will be able to understand and negotiate the important points of Artist/Record Company and Artist/Production Company Contractual Agreements.

Sample Pages from the 1st week of the course...

Artist Development & Management Course
By David J. Spangenberg
© 1984, 1991, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 David J. Spangenberg
All Rights Reserved

Week 1: The Artist Looks for A Manager
[Note: "You" = "Artist" - this week]

1. What Is A Manager (supposed to be able to do)?

A. A person who "guides, counsels, advises and helps to provide employment"
B. A protector, and "doer".
C. They take all steps necessary to help you become a success.
D. They make money when you make money; the more you make, the more they make. Their success comes through helping to achieve your success.
E. They can be an objective person who can look at all aspects of your situation, analyze them, and make a rational plan. They have to be able to look at you and your work differently than you do.

1. Your work is intensely personal, and you're probably too emotionally tied to it.
2. Everyone needs a professional outside opinion, not friends or relative. It's hard for them to give an honest, sound opinion.

a. They're too close to be honest and unswayed by feelings;
b. If they're not professionals, they're not qualified to give an opinion.
c. If you listen only to friends and those close to you, you'll run around in circles, being pleased with yourself but making no progress. Or worse, they don't like your stuff, or they're jealous - and it really has "hit music" potential!

Note: Do not mix up "Manager" with "Agent" - many people do! They are two different animals. Agents are "middle-men/women" who get "gigs" etc, for people. Managers, as you will see in the contract in "Week Two", may hire Agents for you when needed. Agents need an "Employment Agency License" to legally do their work. Managers, in most states cannot legally "book" their Artists, although some will book their Artists here and there, in the beginning.

2. When Do You Need a Manager?

A. You may have no idea what you should do, or do next.
B. When you've reached a certain level and can't seem to progress any higher, no matter what you do.
C. You may be disorganized, lost, or simply not have the right contacts to get ahead. Like you're spinning your wheels and going nowhere.

3. When Don't You Need A Manager?

A. If you're solely a Songwriter and not an Artist
B. You're happy being a local Band, or Group. [Look into getting an "Agent"]

4. Why Do You Need A Manager?

A. "I don't need a Manager; I can do it all myself." Famous last words of otherwise talented artists who killed their careers!
B. Strong musical, writing or singing talent does not necessarily mean you have managerial ability.
C. Your time is better spent creatively, constantly improving what you do.
D. Do you really know what the best move is that you can make?
E. Do you actually have an honest evaluation of your own work?
F. Can you be objective about it, or are you defensive?

5. A Great, Professional Manager...

A. Has contacts in the music industry.
B. Knows what's happening in the industry.
C. Know what (people are looking for) Booking Agents, Publishers and record companies are looking for.
D. Probably has experience managing others.
E. Knows the advantages and pitfalls in almost every situation that's likely to arise.
F. Is "streetwise" in dealing in the industry
G. Can avoid blind alleys in negotiations, make fewer mistakes, and save you time and money.
H. "Takes the heat off you" from your attorney, Band Members or Group, club owners and Managers, Booking Agents, Record Company exec.'s, etc.
I. Knows how to use the Web for marketing and promotion, and keep up with the latest technologies.

Note: Many artists have killed either their recording or performing careers by fighting over assorted issues, either musically or business-oriented. Your Manager, not you, is the one to fight with the company or person!

I. They can be the super tough "bad guy", or turn around and play "good guy" for you.

Note: They can do so many things for you, if they're great. If they aren't, you'll curse the day you met them.

6. How do you find a great Manager? [Someone you can entrust your present and future?]...

Course Textbook [Recommended]:

"The Music Biz" by David J. Spangenberg
[available through this site]

Download the whole course sent at once!

It comes in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader™ [.pdf] format

The price for the whole course: ~~$69.95~~

2009 Early-Bird Special: $49.95!

Important Note: You can now receive this Course, along with all of David's other Courses, including "Producers, Producing & Production Companies", "Songwriters & Publishing, plus his "Music Business Law Basics" Mini-course, plus his 320 page Book, plus important extras, by Download, or on 1 CD for only $99.95!

2009 Early-Bird Special: $74.95 [25% off!]

Click Here For More Info

To Simply Purchase the Artist Development & Management Course...