- Never try to convince the booking agent you know what you're doing. If you did, you wouldn't need the agent to begin with. Why would you go to a mechanic to get your car fixed if you can do it yourself? Get your head out of your ass.
- If an agent books you on a show, you represent him and the relationships he has built. Act professional or stay an amateur. Get your head out of your ass.
- If you book behind the agent's back to cut him out, know that he will find out. You can then say goodbye to him booking you anywhere else again. This is his booking and he likes to eat too. Get your head out of your ass.
- If you are essentially a local band, you don't have fans, you have friends. They may like your music, but they also may have known you personally for quite some time.. If you think your agent is a fan, he may like the music, but this is a business for him. Get your head out of your ass.
- Be careful where you get your music business advice from. Your local radio station person is not in the music business, but in the radio business. They make money broadcasting music, but they don't get to pick what they like to play on the air. If they did, why wouldn't they play your music? Get your head out of your ass.
- Don't confuse the music business with playing music. They are two different entities. Your agent or manager want you to play music other people like (as well as venue promoters and owners), while you want to naturally play what you like. If you can't tell the difference, get your head out of your ass.
- If you are in a cover band, and you play mostly other people's music, you are not going to branch out much more than locally, and you will eventually kill that town too, if you play every weekend. Cover bands don't go very far on a national level because EVERY town has 10 of them cheaper with a following than the absolutely no one you will bring to a show. Get your head out of your ass.
- If you are an original act without a record deal, take any show you can for exposure, and if you have an agent, you will be getting paid. If you are worried about the venue you are playing at because it isn't up to your lofty standards, stay in your garage or basement and complain about not going on tour with <insert national band here>. Pay your dues, get seen, and get your head out of your ass.
- It is your agent's job to book you, not promote you. The venue may do some promotion, but they generally save that for national acts. Use social media, but don't rely on it. Promote or don't play in that town again. Get your head out of your ass.
- If you have anyone else who you let book you, don't bother an agent with asking him to help you. The venue wants the cheapest price possible, while the agent has a good idea of what the band actually needs to coordinate a show. If the agent is getting cut out of bookings, he is gone. Just save us all the hassle and book yourself. While you're at it, get your head out of your ass.
- If you live within four hours of a venue, and you aren't a national act, then you will be home that night. Promote the show, and don't ask for a hotel room from the venue. That is still considered local. Get your head out of your ass.
- Keep any rider you may have professional looking and within reason, as well as any dinner demands. If you agree to do a show without a rider, don't spring it on the promoter right before the show. You already have an agreement. Get your head out of your ass.
- I don't care if you are national or local band, a venue, a promoter, a band manager, a bar owner, a booking agent, or a musician, NEVER TRY TO RENEGOTIATE PAY AFTER THE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED. It creates a very hostile environment. get your head out of your ass.
- Network. Network. Network. Get to know everyone. The person you step on on your way up the ladder will be there to meet you on your way down. Get your head out of your ass.
- Never... NEVER post a video of your band where there is very little crowd. A promoter is not a music producer. They don't care if you are "killing it" on a song, but what your draw looks like. No one wants to book you based on your band rehearsals. Protect your brand. Get your head out of your ass.
- Dear cover band, an agent will have many bands he works with that makes more money for him than your band does, and even if they don't, don't ask him to work exclusively for you. Get your head out of your ass.
- While I can appreciate your dedication to your "art", this is a business. If you are worried how your art will be interpreted, don't ask a booking agent to help you get booked. This is a transaction, not a glee club meeting. Get your head out of your ass.
There are many more, so I am sure I will update this list as I remember them, but the one thing you have to focus on is to get your head out of your ass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfTvjv3zhXs
Until we meet again...
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