RTP-area local music and culture

["hepstyle AT gmail.com" <hepstyle AT gmail.com>]

If you don't mind my asking, or hell, even if you do, what does a
manager have to offer a band that can't book local shows, and how do
you get compensated?   I've been in bands for 18 years now and have
never had a manager, nor do I know what role a manager is supposed to
play.  I mean, when a band gets big enough, a booking agent would book
shows, a label would take care of much of promoting records and
shows.  I'm sure there's a role for a manager at some point.  Outside
of what I've seen in The Commitments, I don't know what managers do.

Do bands seek you out or do you seek bands out?  Do you have a web
page, a roster? I don't know you because you choose to remain
anonymous, but for all anyone here knows, you could be a fly by night
sorta guy who doesn't really know the ins and outs of the business,
and maybe the reason you have trouble booking shows has something to
do with that impression preceding you.

At least that's where MY red flag is raised.

On Feb 5, 12:11=A0pm, chapelhillguitar... AT hotmail.com wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> Preface: =A0This is not 'sour grapes'. =A0My intention is to understand
> the dynamic so that myself and others don't have to be frustrated
> unnecessarily when trying to book a new band.
>
> I recently received an email from Local 506 about the goin's on at
> that venue. =A0Lots of great music acts and many of them local. =A0Kudos
> to Local 506 for hosting local talent in more than a token way.
>
> However, ( this is meant to be a serious question ) when all requests
> to book a band are ignored by any club that books local acts
> (including 506), how does a band manager avoid feeling like they are
> fighting favoritism?
>
> What do I mean 'favoritism'? =A0It seems the same local bands are
> playing all of the local clubs yet when I try to book one of the local
> bands that I manage, most of the time I don't even get a response. =A0I
> have visited the clubs, introduced myself, politely inquired via
> email, telephone and in-person yet all of these local clubs are
> silent.
>
> So what am I raving about?
>
> If a band manager has a great local band but local clubs won't speak
> with them about booking the local band, what advice can you offer to
> ensure communication with the club manager short of firing the band
> manager or stalking the club manager?