The Importance of an Artist Manager

Many people think that managers are just a waste of time and money. That is just a sign of how supersticial the industry is. But let me tell you little story. There's always been this show battle where six hosts are on the same category of shows (Variety), they're on after prime time, and they've been fighting for the #1 spot on television since Johnny Carson retired. I think you know who I'm talking about. 

That's right. I'm talking about the late-night show wars. They all have managers, agents, publicists, etcetera... all, except one. That is Jay Leno. He mentioned many times that he doesn't have a manager and the rest of that hooplah is history as they say... 

The importance of a manager is not just to help you get the gigs that you want, and be your friend when you have no one else to talk to or hold your hair when you need to go to the bathroom (it happens to many stars/celebrities/whatever you want to call them, let's be honest), when you need a mother figure, or a father figure, or a shrink... or simply when you need a friend. They are there. They help you make the decision that goes accordingly with the situation you may find yourself in. 

In the absence of those you trust with your entire heart, there's always going to be your manager. Which is why, its important to know well whom you're going to choose as your manager. This person is in charge of you getting paid. And subsequently you’re paying those who are on your service. This person should know who you are as an artist, as a person. As a human being. Know your limits, your boundaries. This may sound a bit like over-stepping. But the perfect example of a manager that has had to deal with a “big-deal” celebrity/artist/star is Larry Rudolph, manager to Britney Spears. This woman, who I love as a performer, has had to deal with everything that she has been through. And we all know or at least have an idea of what she’s had to go through in the past 6 years, with the exception of the last two or three. She has been taking care of herself and her kids. And Larry has had a huge impact on her getting well again.

We might mock the fact that an up-and-coming artist gets a manager. But this person certainly becomes the most important ally an artist can and will have for the rest of their careers.

I hope you enjoyed my post this week! Let me know what you think down below on the comments section! Looking forward to it! Happy week everyone!

Artist Management: What It Entails?

The talent manager is the one in charge of guiding and overseeing the professional career of artists in the entertainment industry, whether its in music, television, movies, and/or publishing. This person is in charge of overseeing that the day-to-day affairs of the artist get carried out. This individual is in charge of exposing the artist to different career opportunities, it involves marketing the artist and/or product. What most of us don’t know, until now, is that talent managers take also the role of friend to their artists. They become the advisors, almost to the point of counseling or psychology.

Some little-known facts about talent managers are that artists are subject to exclusivity for their managers. The managers on the other hand can represent as many artists as they want or are able to. The perfect example to this is Mr. Johnny Wright, manager to stars like New Kids on the Block, the Jonas Brothers, Menudo, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Stevie Brock, and Ciara.

But his most notable talents are the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC. Something that these artists forget is that this is a business deal. Johnny Wright is one of the most important and successful talent managers in the business. Wright was hired by the BSB prior to *NSYNC even considering to hire him. Lou Pearlman was the mastermind behind these two extremely successful boy bands, and later was fired by *NSYNC for being declared guilty to conspiracy, money laundering and making false statements during a bankruptcy proceeding, in 2008 Pearlman was convicted and sentenced to (up to) 25 years and proceeded to hire Wright.

Now this “it’s a business deal” deal has come to some particular blows in this case specifically. These two artists were on top of their game at the time. And when it eventually came to them having the same manager it enforced even more the long-standing battle of the boy-bands. In their post- Lou Pearlman years they went on to become the hottest acts in the business. They toured the world, and their fan base is as strong as the beginning.

For the Backstreet Boys though, it wasn’t always peaches and cream. At one point they felt like there was a compromise between their band and their affairs and *NSYNC and their affairs. They, at one point, felt like Wright was paying more attention to *NSYNC than to them, and eventually went their separate ways. That situation created tension between Wright and the Backstreet Boys for quite some time, until they eventually came back together again and the Backstreet Boys launched their new album called “Incomplete”.

The rest is history really, *NSYNC decided to “take a break” and focus on their personal interests, majorly being Justin Timberlake’s try at a solo career. They emphasized many times that they weren’t breaking up, and for official matters, they weren’t, they just haven’t decided to get back together.

The Backstreet Boys merged with the New Kids on the Block and went on tour creating the new and improved NKOTBSB. And they’ve been on tour ever since.

Johnny Wright is successful because he has believed in his talents. He gave his all to all his artists and still is. In the case of these two bands, you could say that they were successful, but once they got together with Johnny Wright, it was impossible to miss what these boys were doing at that moment in time. He’s an example to follow, if you ever decided to go on the artist management career path.

What are your comments regarding this management mogul? Hit me up on the comments section down below. Look forward to reading your thoughts.