Why Did We Decide to Write This Guide?
The artist's manager is one of the most crucial members of the artist's team. When an artist first embarks on a tour, they will often engage someone to assist with the logistics of organizing the tour. This person is known as a tour manager. The role of the tour manager is to assist the touring artist in a variety of various ways.
This guide is intended for anybody who is interested in learning more about touring managers, including what qualities a good tour manager should have, how much it costs to hire a tour manager, where one can locate tour managers, and renowned tour managers who have worked in the music business.
Who Should Use This Guide and Why
Recording Artists Who Are Interested in Gaining Knowledge Regarding What They Should Search for in a Tour Manager
Anyone who is interested in gaining additional knowledge about tour managers.
Contents
What is the role of a tour manager?
What exactly does it entail to be a tour manager?
How much does it cost to hire a tour manager?
Where exactly can one locate a tour manager?
Who are some of the most well-known tour managers, and what are their credentials?
Sources
What is the role of a tour manager?
According to our manual titled "The Team," a tour manager or road manager is required whenever a performing artist is on the road. The road manager contributes to the overall management of the trip in several capacities. They oversee the flawless operation of everything before to, during, and after the performance. They are also responsible for ensuring that everyone gets paid in a timely and appropriate manner. It's not uncommon for tour managers to serve as personal managers. Tour managers provide a role comparable to that of personal managers in that they are responsible for managing all parts of an artist's tour. They are responsible for seeing to it not only that the tour goes off without a hitch, but also that the performer is content and in good health throughout the run.
What exactly does it entail to be a tour manager?
In his book titled "All You Need to Know About the Music Business," Donald S. Passman details each and every responsibility that a traveling manager is responsible for. During the course of a tour, the artist and the crew are often accompanied by the tour manager. According to what Passman has learned, a tour manager,
1. Assists in making reservations for the tour with the booking or live agent.
2. Is in charge of all of the band's rehearsals and the hiring process.
3. Responsible for recruiting the whole touring crew.
4. Takes care of transportation matters, including booking airplane tickets, tour buses, and equipment trucks, among other things.
5. Being responsible for the collection and management of all money throughout the trip.
6. Participating in the development of tour advertising with the marketing team for the musicians.
7. Creating an itinerary for the day-to-day events of the trip
8. Managing unexpected events like as cancellations, sickness, etc.
Tour managers need to be fast thinkers and nimble on their feet in order to solve any difficulties that may arise and ensure that everything goes as planned.
How much does it cost to hire a tour manager?
It's not uncommon for tour managers to charge on a weekly basis. The amount that they charge is determined on the kind of artist that they are collaborating with. The nature of their connection with the artist is an additional consideration in this regard. It is common practice for a tour manager to ask for a higher fee if they are also the artist's personal manager. Tour managers who deal with larger musicians may charge anything from $5000 to $100,000 per week for their services, while tour managers who work with smaller artists might charge anywhere from $1000 to $2000 per week.
Where exactly can one locate a tour manager?
Frequently, an artist will utilize their personal management as both the tour manager and the personal manager. Nevertheless, there are more routes that may be used to acquire a tour manager. Artists may seek guidance from their families, friends, or colleagues. It's also possible that their label will suggest a tour manager. Musicians also have the option of seeking recommendations from other artists in their field or doing an online or social media search to locate tour managers.
Who are some of the most well-known tour managers, and what are their credentials?
Gus Brandt is an accomplished concert tour manager. He started his professional life in Pensacola, Florida. Punk rock music was one of the genres he promoted as a promoter. It was via his management of bands like Down by Law and Pennywise that he got his start in the business. It was in 1996 that he first started collaborating with the Foo Fighters. Since then, he has been serving as their tour manager. In addition, he has collaborated with musicians such as Eminem, Pearl Jam, and Nine Inch Nails, amongst many others.
Marty Hom is well-known in the industry as a tour manager. He has forty years of experience working in the sector. For a good number of years, he served as Barbra Streisand's tour manager. In addition, he collaborated with artists such as Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Shania Twain, Bette Milder, Lionel Richie, and Shakira. He also worked with Fleetwood Mac.