Readers Respond: Are Managers Still a Must?

Musicians can do so much for themselves these days, thanks to the internet. Where does that leave band managers? Do you work with a manager, or do you prefer to handle everything yourself? How did you make your choice? Share your thoughts about the role of artist managers in the new music industry.

Hell yes

Hell yes. Bands who can't show up on time, do drugs, think the web is the only place to get noticed, can't manage their money, can't do it all. I see more great bands digging holes because they think they don't ned management. Musicians are like physicians in general, they don't so well at business, there head for the most part is the "music or art". And then you get bands that are delusional, and a lot are, thy think they need to be in LA or they think they need this or that and waste money. I see it all the time. I am convinced at this point that merchandise and touring are not enough, bands stretch themselves thin trying to do it all and then the music quality suffers - you spend more time on designing a tee shirt and doing schedules than writing and playing good music, you are in trouble, something always suffers

—Guest SteveSky

You understand yourself best.

I had a "group manager" for my rap trio a few years back, when I was still in Highschool and the internet was stirring up the Myspace/Facebook hook. He was able to get us on some good shows and it felt good having his wife involved and some grown adults helping us. Now that I'm 22, run my own music myspace, and have stepped up to self-management as well as cooperative management with my group members/label mates, I can say it is a massive amount of responsibility, but it's more and more common. I want to say it takes smart people that are willing to do lots of Google'ing and research, good social skills, an assertive attitude towards goals and planning. Working alone is one thing, and it leaves the entire vibe of a situation on your shoulders, and calling the shots or turning someone down can really stress a person. The best I can tell you is to seriously trust a person to manage for you. Don't give them too much power or money. STAY IN THE LOOP. And stay in control.

—TheKonqueror

i think they are be

sometimes i dont think the band really needs to stress out about that stuff, because they need to be writing the music thats gonna get them big. i dont think they exactly need one but its a good idea.

—Guest brittney ragland

Are managers still a must?

It dependes on how far into your career you are. Some perfrmers get so busy that theycan't deal with the daily business and need to have help with it.Others that I have met don't have a road map and need someone to point the direction. And yet others haven't got any business chops and need the help. In these cases management is necessary

—Guest Bobby Baby Walker