Anyone ever use a booking agent for their band ?

Wade Branch · From: Weatherford, Texas, USA

Whats some of you guys opinions on hiring a booking agent for a really good non-pro band.Is worth it ?

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Wade.. It depends.. If you have no trouble getting bookings,and are happy with the money you make, I would NOT do it.
An Agent takes a HEALTHY slice of the pie... They may or may not,be able to get you into a few extra nice venues, but IMHO, if the band is good, if people will come in any numbers to see it, and the band has no real problems getting enough work, I'd think twice about it.

Onc you hire an agent, he gets his percentage of EVERYTHING.. even gigs he does not book, UNLESS it is stipulated in any signed contracts.. I would think hard about signing an exclusive with an agent,
Then they own part of EVERYTHING you do.

I might consider taking agency booked gigs on a freelance basis, but usually they only use non contract acts as last resort fill ins... It just depends on how bad you NEED an agent. I used them for years under exclusive contract... NEVER again!! bob

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

For a "local" band I doubt that it would be of value and probably more negative than positive.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

.....and carefully read an agents contract before you sign, and it's prudent to have an attorney check out the provisions for you.

The fine print will sometimes give the agent a percentage even if you get that "million dollar" job on your own! You could be making the payments on his Lincoln instead of yours.

I still have a copy of an "Exclusive Agency" contract that I signed early in my music career. My daughter, an attorney, tells me that I'm lucky that I never amounted to anything, because if I had, I would still be paying them a percentage.

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www.genejones.com

Danny Naccarato · From: Burleson, Texas

Wade,

Since you're in this area, there's a chance you may be talking about one of our local agents perhaps? Be careful. I played in several bands over the years that "she" booked. Most gigs were low budget, and many times she had double-booked bands, even quadrupled-booked one time. What a mess. Problem is, there are some clubs that use her exclusively. Some use other agents. If you want in those rooms, you pretty much have no choice. Just hammer the agent to throw you some decent bones on some private stuff, if you're having to go into their rooms at bottom prices...

[This message was edited by Danny Naccarato on 26 June 2005 at 07:19 AM.]

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

There's a world of difference between signing exclusively with an agent and just using one for bookings. You should ask to see the track record- what kinds of places they can book you and for how much- and talk to some of their other clients for an evaluation.
Agent fees run between 10-30%, with most at 10-15% around here. If they get you into places you can't otherwise book, or for more $, obviously it's worth it.
Horror stories about agents retaining control over gigs they haven't booked, or for years, sound like some kind of management contract, which is a different ballpark. Legitimate booking agents make a fine living doing just that. When you plan to be on the road, and have no time for cold calling and following up with every club and venue, a good exclusive agent is mandatory. Do your homework.

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Good points MVA.. I was thinking more along the lines of a local band.. For road gigs,tours,pre feature etc, an agent is a neccessary part of the equation.bob

Terje Larson · From: Rinkeby, Spånga, Sweden

I once booked a gig for a friend. It was a gig I was offered but couldn't do adn just before I hung up the phoine I realized that I could pass the gig on. So I said "I have the right guy for you!". They were a bit sceptical at first but I was very persuasive, selling him with the following argument "He's the best you can get. Hire him and thank me later!". It was the easiest thing I've ever done.

If someone would want to do me that same favor I'd gladly pay them a percentage of whatever we're getting. I think booking agents can be a very good thing. Remember that even Dylan had one at one point in his early career.

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If you can't hear the others you're too loud, if you can't hear yourself you've gone deaf

Miguel e Smith · From: Phoenix, AZ

Really depends on your local situation. Here (as in many metro areas), if you're looking to work corporate and some higher end private gigs, you really need to work with the 40+ agents and DMC's (on a non-exclusive basis). The reason I say you really need to consider this is that many agencies and DMC's have exclusive rights to certain resorts and venues...you wanna work there, you gotta play their game. If your band is looking to work clubs, it would probably be worth your time to just book direct as there is usually not enough margin to afford an agents' cut.

In 95% of our situations, we use our own contracts so there are rarely surprises or major problems.

Mike

Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

Danny N. If you read this give me a call @940-393-0746 I can't find you phone number no place.

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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

Larry Lorows · From: Zephyrhills,Florida, USA

I've worked with booking agents and I agree with everything being said here. On the other hand, I wouldn't have been able to play with the Nashville stars that were passing through and just needed a quick back up band. I've also been booked to back up Russian style dancing where the drummer had to hum the song in my ear so I could try to play it or how about the belly dancer I had to back up, one time years ago.
I've also worked a nudist colony a couple of times. (kinda hard to concentrate at first) ha ha
I think if you're a good booker, do it your self. Thanks for listening. Larry

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U12 Williams keyless 400
Evans SE 150, Nashville 112, Line 6 pod xt

Howard Tate · From: Leesville, Louisiana, USA, R.I.P.

Agents that book some venues only and do not require exclusive contracts can make money for you, as that's the only way to get into some Nevada casinos. On the other hand, I worked with a group that had an exclusive deal with a booker who booked us in New Mexico, the next gig in Quebec province, then back to northern New Mexico, then to Lake Havasu Az. It was a nightmare. As some one else said, get references and find out what venues the agent has access to.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Sierra Session D-10
http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Jim Peters · From: St. Louis, Missouri, USA, R.I.P.

In St. Louis, most bands do both- self booking and agents. Most casuals are booked through agencies, as are a lot of the hotels and I think all the casinos. My bands have used agents often with almost always professional results. Ask the other groups who they use. JP

Andy Zynda · From: Wisconsin

I've worked with and without agents. On the road and off. A good, fair and friendly agent that's willing to go to bat for you is a great investment.

Unfortunately, those guys/gals are few, and in high demand. The remainders (majority), are lazy, blood-sucking, sleazebags.

2 cents.
-andy-

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

Well, I've been involved with a few bands that used booking agents over the years. I guess if your playing on the road and traveling every week you may need one. But for me, I just enjoy playing on the weekends and going home. Where I play the band is paid a certain amount and the club gets the rest. I mainly play for fun and enjoyment as well as to promote steel guitar and its players. Plus, if I get tired of playing or decide I'd rather be home on Saturday night, there's no contract to fulfill. I played under "be there or else" pressure for years with the club circuits and agents. I'm not doing it anymore. One final thing in closing, I never liked the idea of someone getting part of the bands money, especially when we were the ones doing the work and what even makes it worst is when you've got to get up early the next day and go to work. Sometimes I would get home just in time to change clothes and go to work. Professional acts need agents. Local players barely make enough to keep up there equipment and buy gas.

Joe Casey · From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)

I formed my own agency (CRB productions)in the 1980s actually just to get myself and my band more jobs. I found out I could get in doors and play places that simply "don't call you"or were more into calling agencys for bands.Most of the people I booked were uncontained Nashville Artist into Amusement parks,Outdoor festivals, and large Clubs and of course myself. This provided us with great exposure and plenty of work.After a while the Agency did little for us as we were always working 5-6 nights a week. But.. Club owners would call me for groups and I would help them out with bands by putting the leader in touch with them. For this I never charged anyone and used up many phone minutes on my own. By owning my own agency I had many contacts with Nashville Agencys and had a great Sub book list to choose from for the Summer park shows.To say the least my summer bookings were always full.Many times another agency from another area would call me and want to put a group in our area. I would do this and in turn and he would give me a job in his area. A handshake was always good enough for me (in them days)and I never got sc***ed. Except by owners. But the band always got payed.

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Smiley 22-9 Crank&pull&push pro model Deluxe with auto string changer.500ft. roll.

Wade Branch · From: Weatherford, Texas, USA

Ive always done the booking for our band and weve done alright we played 45 shows at 7 different clubs last year and we are on course to do atleast that many this year.But were want to expand and venture out to better and different venues.There's a million little clubs and festivals around Texas that I could'nt possibly know about,thats were I thing a booking agent would be handy.But we dont want to sell our souls to the devil either.

richard burton · From: Britain

Parasites definately, but in some cases maybe a necessary evil.
R B

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