45 lines
2.2 KiB
Plaintext
45 lines
2.2 KiB
Plaintext
BOOKING AND AGENTS 101
|
|
|
|
This is an excerpt from the commentary booklet included in the
|
|
Entertainment Source Library Version 3.1 published by Cumberland
|
|
Music Group, Inc. Nashville TN. (Used by permission)
|
|
It was written by Greg Forest, editor of the "ESL", and was compiled
|
|
for the Music Arts Forum by Mike Lawson.
|
|
|
|
|
|
There is a simple, one page "standard booking agreement" in the
|
|
Music Industry Library here in the Music Arts Forum. There is
|
|
nothing fancy about it, but it has been upheld in small claims courts.
|
|
If you need something a little more complex (stipulations about sound,
|
|
lighting, and deli trays, for example), add a rider sheet to the
|
|
contract listing what else you need to have covered under the agreement
|
|
and put "see attached rider" on line 9. Line 11 and one half of lines
|
|
11 and 12 can be deleted if the band is doing its own bookings.
|
|
|
|
You may notice that this short form doesn't have clauses covering default
|
|
by war or acts of God. In my twenty-five years in the business, I have
|
|
yet to see an artist burned for his money by an act of war or God. It
|
|
is usually something a little less earth-shattering: i.e., a jerk club
|
|
owner who double-booked his room after finding a cheaper band and forgot
|
|
to inform you. The intent of this short contract example is clear.
|
|
|
|
In retaining an agent, the three questions that should be addressed are:
|
|
|
|
1. Do I really need an agent?
|
|
2. If so, for how long and how much?
|
|
3. What can this agent do for me that I can't already do for myself?
|
|
|
|
There is a great deal that a well-connected agent can do in furthering the
|
|
career exposure (and earnings) of a performer. There is also a lot of damage
|
|
that can be done to a touring act after a string of 150 motel lounges in
|
|
the Southwest. Who are the agent's other clients, and how do they appear
|
|
to be doing? Can you earn enough money to keep the agent on the phone
|
|
booking you or will you be the agent's B or C team? The most prudent way
|
|
to approach an agent would be on a trial basis - say, six months or so.
|
|
If after this initial term, both parties are still satisfied, then a longer
|
|
agreement could be executed. You will have to use your own best judgement
|
|
in securing an agent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|