okkay i’v decided i wana be in the music industry..you know assisgning people who can sing and all that but what is it called? and what kind of skills do i have to have to be in it?
oh and what college do you think i can attend to learn about it and and pursue the dream from thier?
#1 by TR on May 15th, 2010
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Hehe.
You want to be an agent? A record company exec? A vampire?
Some agents are really good and helpful. Record companies used to call this job “artist development” but they don’t do that anymore, they want to sign an act, bleed it dry, and discard it before they have to pay it any decent dollar amounts.
To be an agent, you simply have to learn the business, get to know local bands, and work your tochus off trying to get work for the musicians you represent. Assigning people who can sing is something you might do if you work your way up to producer, but that would be ‘way down the road.
Frankly, the record industry is in steep decline because they’re stupid and don’t figure out how to keep up with technological advances nor how to serve niche markets. But good luck–maybe you’ll find yourself properly placed to exploit the future we can’t predict.
#2 by mmr on May 15th, 2010
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Wow TR, you are very knowledgeable. Thankyou for the answer, I really liked it. I was skimming through questions and noticed your answers three times, and you have great answers for all of them!
Okay I am sorry I didnt answer your question.
#3 by Katie Hot-T on May 15th, 2010
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This is called a ‘Booking Agent’. A booker needs contacts to succeed in this field. On the other hand, if he has the productr to sell, that should open up doors.
#4 by Percy L on May 15th, 2010
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The position you’re referring to is called an A&R
Most labels recruit people to become A&R’s through internship programs. Def Jam has one, my cousin and one of my friends did the program. Here’s the link to their application http://www.islanddefjam.com/www2/collegerepsignup/application.las
Other labels have similar programs. However, many companies are doing away with their A&R departments due to downloading loosing money. Also the Internet now tells who is hot, so they don’t have to spend money looking for talent.
Nielsen SoundScan tracks whose downloaded most and online music communities like MySpace and Facebook report page views and how many times people listen to their songs. They no longer care that much about live performances because the studio can fix their voice—-that is why so many artists are terrible performing live.
Visit record labels websites and see if they have internships available.
Good Luck.