I would agree that a band manager is a very important person to have in the music industry. This person could be an extra person who does not play in the band or they could be a band member. (I always find it interesting that drummers normally end up looking after the business side of the band!!)

The most important attribute about a band manager should be their ability to view the band as a business venture. To understand that the band needs to earn money to survive and that to earn money there needs to be a control over the expenses that the band has. The other element needs to be the marketing of the band - securing gig's, retaining sponsorships and promoting the merchandise.

Not that is the simple side of managing a band. However as the band grows and starts using different service providers to get their music to the public the job gets more complicated. This is the reason that the band management can often be done by management companies. These companies understand how the music industry fits together and which services a band would need to succeed in the industry.

Your band manager becomes the man/woman who will make sure you get the most out of every deal you sign so it is a good idea not to have your band management company also be your record label and distribution company. If the band manager does only the band manage job then they can make sure that the record label does their job properly and that the band is getting the best distribution possible and that the booking agent is keeping the band busy. I hope my message is getting across... band managers are your men on the ground ensuring that everyone is doing the best job for you.

The band manager should then possess good communication and negotiation skills. They should show a personal interest in the band. If possible, they should share in the income of the band so that when they earn - you earn!!

A friend of mine is a solo artist who recorded an incredible album and then went to record labels to get it marketed and distributed. They turned him down saying the album 'was not radio friendly'. He has subsequently found an excellent music manager who has been working on his project for a few months. His songs are now on radio and in stores. He is touring and very busy promoting his album. The manager knew how to get things done, he negotiated on behalf of his new artist and achieved exactly what my friend was looking for.

Band Managers who believe in their artists and who share in the artists income generally do a lot of good for the artist.

Hope this has shed some light on the band management role.