The distinction between manager and talent agent

California law recognizes one, but not the other

Being a manager is a tricky business, especially in California. Personal managers are not legally regulated or licensed, but talent agencies are. The distinction is an important one, because only talent agencies are allowed to go out and book shows for an artist. According to copyright attorney Ivan Hoffman (left), who has been practicing law in California for 38 years, managers who seek “employment or engagements” for their clients have actually had their contracts declared null and void, losing them all of their earned royalties.

The way of the peaceful negotiator
An interview with Cloud Moss


For over 15 years, Cloud Moss has been president of Cumulus Presents, Inc., a music promotion business located in Sebastopol, California.  In 2008, he added the title of managing partner of Back Roads Productions, LLC, producing music festivals and concerts and booking musical acts.  Both businesses help raise money for non-profits working on projects to keep music and arts in our schools.  Part of his business philosophy is that everything relies on community—building it, supporting it and trusting it.

Many donors make light fundraising

Napa Valley band Maere are financing their first music video using Kickstarter

You can watch the teaser here:

http://vimeo.com/filament/maereteaser

One of the oldest adages in finance is that it takes money to make money.  It’s a simple fact: money is required to create whatever product you plan to sell in order to make more money.  In the music industry, that adage can be altered to read that it takes money to make records.  Or videos.

Maere is a very talented and creative atmospheric rock quintet based in Napa Valley, California.  They formed in 2009 and recently completed their first album and needed to film a video to accompany their first single.  But, like musicians from time immemorial, they were broke and needed outside financing.

NAMM Foundation keeps music part of education
As Federal and State funds dwindle, the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation steps in to help.


There are several industry groups that work to foster the creation and continued existence of music and musical performance.  One of these, that I discovered through the National Music Council and sponsored by NAMM, is called Support Music and it involves itself with music education. I found many things on their website to help continue my own efforts.
One of their programs is the community action kit. It provides templates for direct action on the local level. They provide brochures, information and a grass roots advocacy guide for parents and community organizers. My organization can use these tools to improve our own program. The foundation also offers grants and scholarships, music research information and a music achievement council, dedicated to supporting music programs in schools.

Bobby McFerrin and the power of the pentatonic

The mind works in mysterious ways. Some of these mysteries are being explored by scientists in clean, well-lit laboratories. Other explorers take to the stage.

Bobby McFerrin became famous for his unique singing style and body percussion in the early ‘80s. He is known for his improvisational technique, and for getting the audience to join him in song. "There is something almost superhuman about the range and technique of Bobby McFerrin,” says Newsweek. “He sounds, by turns, like a blackbird, a Martian, an operatic soprano, a small child, and a bebop trumpet.”

As he led audience after audience through the creative process, he started to notice something. People all over the world showed an intuitive grasp of the pentatonic scale. Give them a note or two and they will intuitively hit the next higher or lower tone on the scale when asked.

Cross platform collaboration

It took me a lot of time and effort, but with the addition of Apple’s Logic Studio Pro, I finally felt like the music studio was up and running. It has been exciting at band practice the last few weeks, as we review our work at the end of the evening. The ease of instant review was a treat, and I was excited to get the band in the studio actually recording, not just rehearsing.

Then I got an email from my guitar player.

Studio in a box

Making the jump to light speed with Logic Studio Pro 9

So, I finally did it. I upgraded from Logic Express 7 to Logic Studio Pro 9. My hesitation had always been financial, but I have to admit that even within my limited means, I didn’t make the $299 upgrade a priority. What a mistake that was!