Reblogged on TumTum ♻James Baldwin and Nina Simone circa 1960s. Via the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Found with TumTum ♻Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy Davis Jr, circa 1950s. By the way, he was an accomplished photographer himself.
Biz Blog #1 : Why does a new artist need management?
If you are a new artist why do you have a manager?
U have not completely established career or have not solidified your core audience or artistic vision.
Many times when artist’s in the past were managed it was due to a combination of things. Some artists could not handle the rigor of what it took to handle promoters , agents and contractual agreements. They preferred due to the demand of their product to have a manager assist with those necessities along with career guidance.
There are some cases where an artist has maximized their ability to the highest potential and need the prowess and expertise of a manager to get to the next level of record company, bookings , or producers.
I have learned so much from the tutelage and mentorship from established and managed artists by solely watching them and being around them as a sideman. Often times many young artists secure managers who merely take a commission but aren’t really doing anything that causes their careers to blossom or grow. However the first thing that must be established is your craft and vision. Those things don’t just evolve because you decide today to be an artist.
Lastly many artists want a manager because they either are lazy or don’t want to learn the industry for themselves and rather depend on the leading of someone else to navigate through the business. With that choice you set yourself up to be taken advantage of and excluded from vital information. It is wise to study and learn the business to triumph over it. Another vantage point is: having a manager makes new artists feel protected and important , but if you don’t have any work why does it matter? Who are u being protected from?
Three things to consider before securing a manager…
U have a large demand of your artistry & your life is simply too congested to handle everything effectively in your career.
U need to focus on the music solely
There is room for expansion on your career, and the guidance from a manager will insure you excel to the next dimension of your career.
I may ruffle some feathers with this, but I welcome thoughts in regards to this.
It’s all in love, and all for…U
