Music business

Now most my readers will have noticed that I'm no professional when it comes to music management. I do know quite a few professional musicians from various fields, jazz, classical, pop and session musicians. Talking to them I've come to the conclusion that it's not so much how well you play, but who you know. But I also get the impression that since so many musicians are self employed, there's not so much cameraderie as there is amongst, say, postal workers! On the one hand you need as many contacts as you can get, but on the other hand, it's rather difficult to make friendships that will stick.
If you're an artist, it doesn't automatically follow that you're an astute businessman as well. So a manager might be a great help. Here again though, the manager has to be paid, which could make life difficult. An agency, so I've heard is more concerned about getting their books filled, so they'll send the musician to the strangest gigs, often places he or she would never dream of contacting. Agencies can be costly too. It's a tricky business and something I'm learning by doing, in my old age! I'll keep you informed.