In my last post, I had the opportunity to interview my
friend Yolonda Jay to ask her a few questions about being an artist
manager. As an up and coming play and screen writer I wanted to get an artist's
perspective, in regards to having an artist manager. This week, I had the
opportunity to ask those questions of my friend Comedian Marcus Harvey .Marcus Harvey is also a host and an actor. He is currently on tour with the rapper Nas, as
his luxury barber. Marcus has also signed a contract to tour several college
campuses for 19 days, and will be showcased in 18 shows, with the APCA and NACA.
MAJ: As an artist, how do you feel that having a manager has
helped you as opposed to not having one?
MH: Well, right now my wife Khrystina is my manager. It has
helped me to allow her to be the bad guy for me. She is the one that takes care
of anything business related, such as reaching out to past clients and
responding to e-mails, bookings and making sure my web presence is up to par.
She does this so I can focus more on my craft.
MAJ : Do you feel as though you have had more success as an
artist with a manager?
MH: I do feel that having a manager has given me more
success. People that you work with tend to look at you more as a
professional. Having a manager, causes
those with whom you are working with to take you more seriously as an artist,
instead of looking at you like they are you’re their friend. Sometimes people don’t take comedians
seriously, as they do “regular artists”. The gigs that I have booked are solely
based off of relationships, instead of notoriety. Within the next few years, I
will more than likely book gigs based off of relationships that I have formed.
I feel as though an artist manager should have a bigger vision than the artist
does. Unfortunately, I have worked with a manager where it didn’t work out that
way. They thought that the work that I did, was going to be their hustle. Some
managers are over-achievers, or don’t do their job as a manager well. I think that an artist manager should be more
of a middleman for the artist.
MAJ: Do you think your career would be different, if you did
not have an artist manager?
MH: Yes, I do feel as though my career would be different.
Having my wife Khrystina as a manger is a good thing for me. Not only is she
sweet, she is also stern and very thorough all at the same time. As my manager, she see’s what needs to be
done before I see it. She also makes sure that I am focused on writing jokes
and not on doing the dirty work. She also lets those who want to book me know
that before anything goes forward, that a deposit must first be paid. So if I
didn’t have her as my manager, my career would not be a little different
because I would be the one doing all the dirty work.
MAJ: As an artist with some experience, why would you
recommend other up and coming artists, to possibly consider having an artist
manager?
MH: I wouldn’t necessarily recommend an up and coming artist
to have a manager until someone approaches you. The artist should start off
doing things on their own, so they know what to expect. An artist really
doesn’t need a manager until they feel as though they cannot do certain things
for themselves. For instance, when an artist becomes overwhelmed with
auditions, and bookings, that is when I feel like an artist needs someone to
manage them. When an artist does decide to use a manager, the artist must make
sure that the manager they chose is someone who will build them up. Also the
artist should make sure the manager they chose is very thorough, persistent,
and will not take no for an answer.
MAJ : You made a mention as to having a web presence.
Why is it important as an artist to have a web presence?
MH: When you have multiple resources about your self on the
web, people can make their decisions about you quickly. People don’t realize
the quality of their web presence. It really helps you out, and gives you a
“dressing for your career.”
No comments:
Post a Comment