In her video Live Life on Purpose, The
Assignment, Cindy Trimm, quotes a famous author saying, “Everything in life
can be taken from you accept your ability to choose.” While her message keeps
the focus on your “ Assignment,” the message she speaks is directly in line
with some of the top artist managers today. This post takes a look at the many
roles/the assignment of an artist manager, sharing tips on how to have the victory when facing
challenges. Within the review are some choices that might be considered best
practices for artist managers in the music industry .
Artist
manager, Blu Williams can be found making some effective choices in his career as
a guide to the Rap group, Outcast. The groups success led them to become the
first of Rap group to win a Grammy. In
this YouTube
video it is clear that when working, William’s leads by example. [2] Learning from his management style could
improve the ability of an artist manager to make good choices when facing difficulties.
Some of the characteristics displayed by Williams can be found in this list.
TIPS
o
Humanistic, see the artist as person
o
Respectful, speak to the artist with dignity
o
Knowledge, become competent about all aspects of
business
o
Communication, must be firm and speak with clarity
o
Responsible for firing people
o
Seeking high standards for the artist
o
Flexible with eating, drinking, travelling,
scheduling
And making appearances
Tips
on how to remain tenacious are effective for success in the music industry. Just
as stories of success can expose optimal tactics, practical knowledge can be
gained from stories where maximum potential is not realized.
Among
the many R&B divas whose career potential has been attacked by a series of
poor choices, is the successful Toni Braxton. [3] Her career steered this artist to
become a “sex symbol and a six-time
Grammy winner. In addition to the Grammy awards, the singer-songwriter has won
seven American Music Awards and nine Billboard Music Awards.” [4] When her
career was met with bankruptcy, problems with Lupus, and a child with Autism,
the need to have a strong artist manager was in grave demand.
Some problems she
faced were literally unbearable. Toni was reported to become the “latest in a
long line of singers to suffer the dreaded wardrobe malfunction.” Her dress 'malfunctioned' mid song and
exposed her backside, clad in a nude bodysuit.” See this video. [5]
Before Braxton could
move forward, she had to let go of the ugly past. Sometimes the answer to the
problem is to get a new manager. According to Billboard Biz she had to fire the
old manager and move on to a new artist manager. As stated in the article, “Under the settlement, the 39-year-old R&B singer is
free to pursue new projects following her return of a $375,000 advance to
manager Barry Hankerson,” [6] Apparently, the former Manager, Hankerson did
not deliver the proper skill set to rebound an amazing artist.
Braxton bounced back
with her new Reality TV show, “Family Values”. According to New York women’s
Entertainment LLC, This show portrays the family dynamics of five upwardly
mobile African-American women who work in various sectors of the entertainment
industry.”[7]
When watching Braxton
Family Values here, it appears to choose a better manager has worked towards the
advantage of this artist. [8] Not only does she remain relevant, other members
of her background group have been afforded the opportunity to springboard
separate solo careers. Her vibrant rebound is supported by the ability to
retain contracts for Live Performances. Seen here on Dancing With the Stars, the artist enjoys the benefits of having proper artist
management.[9]
Future live performances hosted by
Fair Film Studios, (my personal business endeavors) would look to work with
star talent such as Toni Braxton and others from her reality show. When doing
so, Artist Management for the Music Business warns of the importance to understand
“the power of money.” According to the text, “As in most industries and in
politics, power in the music business comes from having money, having the
ability to earn money, and having money to influence decisions.
(Allen 18) [10]
To
attract the right crowd funding opportunities that support endeavors of Fair
Film Studios, careful attention is paid to organizing multiple funding streams.
Under management of Fair Film Studios, artists will avoid the decline of their
career. New talent will be given the opportunity to be treated fairly and enjoy
the full benefits of the companies’ proper artist management techniques.
Work Cited
[1] Trimm,C, The Assignment, Published June 10, 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqIiHZj-JHA
[2] Ave, RayIndustry, Blu Williams on Artist Management Pt1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQy4silKMkM
[3](August 22, 2013 Thursday ). TONI BRAXTON.
Tampa Bay Times, Retrieved from www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic
[4] BraxtonVEVO,
Toni, Uploaded October 25, 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2Rch6WvPJE
[5] Music, C. Toni Braxton Jokes about wardrobe malfunction,
Published on Aug22, 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQy4silKMkM
[6] BillboardBizBraxton Settles Lawsuit Against Ex- Manager.
Copyright 2006, http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1054986/braxton-settles-lawsuit-against-ex-manager
[7] Glenn, C.
L. (2011). Braxton Family Values. Women & Language, 34(2), 153-154.
[8] eonline,
Braxton Gamily Values S3E6, vol1, Published on April 19, 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUI8hsQKR0k
[9]
AlecMazoTV, toni Braxton & Alec Mazo: Dancing with the Stars: Cha Cha, Uploaded
on October 10, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nMFY9rWRDk
[10] Allen, Paul. Artist
Management for the Music Business. Taylor & Francis, 06/2007. VitalBook
file.
Additional References:
(August 9, 2012 ). Blackground Clarifies Rumors
of Aaliyah's Posthumous Album. billboard.com, Retrieved from www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic
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