Artist Management

The role of an artist manager is really to do anything to further the artist’s career.  This can involve a well defined career plan or ironing out the tedious negotiation of a contract, suggesting a different outfit or contributing to a lyric idea or change or providing constructive criticism for a recording.  This can also range to even more personal management, like keeping different love interests at bay, or making sure they have their favorite food on hand. 

The artist manger must be multi-faceted.  They have to be a planner, an organizer, a confidant, a strategist, a traveling companion and a friend.  They are involved in every aspect of their life.  This is a tough job and everyone doesn’t have the personality or skills to handle the job.  They must definitely possess the desire to serve to be a good artist manager.

There is one area that the artist manager does not have complete control over, that can truly affect the artist’s career, their personal choices.  Too many artist and entertainers have made bad personal choices that have virtually ended their careers.  The artist manager cannot choose their love interest, how much they drink, if they choose drugs or other abusive habits, or live a lavish lifestyle that their finances cannot support.  This is a risk in taking on artist management.  You may have complete faith in their abilities or talent, but you never know when their personal choices will affect your paycheck.

 

The latest and most tragic example is Whitney Houston.  She had the talent to tame a lion with her voice, but made some very bad personal choices that virtually destroyed her career.  I’m sure her manager urged her to change her habits, advocated rehabilitation and many other interventions, but to no avail.  The drugs destroyed her voice.  She had so many people rooting for her, but no one could restore the vocal chords no matter how much we cheered.