Product and Artist Management.

I am just finishing up another course of my masters program at Full Sail University titled Product and Artist Management. I can say I have fully enjoyed this course and it came at the most opportune time. The first week of my course we learned about what to expect when you take the artist you are managing on tour. The funny thing is, in three days I leave with my husband with the band he manages on a mini tour. You can image my delight when I learned my session in class was focusing on touring with an artist. I was thrilled to say the least and took notes like a mad man. Many of the topics listed in the session I was already familiar with, but it was validating to hear the information textbook style. One topic I liked in the session on touring was "the talent must be ready to go". Honestly, everyone in the management team, the booking agent, and the production crew can do their part to a t, but if the talent isn't ready, there was no point in the rest. I also liked marking off the objectives listed in the session of why a tour may take place. I was able to mark them all off. Our band Co-Op is taking this mini tour to: access a new market, be more visible, create a buzz, feature new music, and to make some cash. I have also worked very hard on the public relations end after reading about it in this course. I have made sure we are establishing personal relationships with venues and with fans. The more attached to the band professionals and individuals feel, the more they will promote for us, and come out to the shows. I am looking forward to a post conference after this tour to see what we did well and what we can improve upon. In the course I also enjoyed learning more about the talents and aspirations of veteran talent managers. As many of you know, I usually focus my efforts on Shep Gordon, Alice Coopers manager because I think he wrote the book on artist management. But, this course I researched Sharon Osbourne. I believe the public may find her a little crazy and quite eccentric, but I see her as a woman who stands by her family, shows us what true love is, knows how to do her job well, and will not compromise. I respect her a great deal. To me she sets the bar for women in management in the entertainment industry. I honestly wish this class could go on for a few more weeks. I would highly recommend both books, A Project Managers Field Guide, and Artist Management for the Music Business by Paul Allen, for anyone navigating the entertainment industry.