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Jobs behind the music
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Hollywood's underground university Jimisound.com. If you weren't connected, you are now!
Music
Jobs behind the music
If you're looking for work in the music industry have a look here, Gigs. You will find some job positions, and openings you can look into. This section will give you a perspective of the music industry's landscape and help you see how the business is set up.
By giving you some reference of the types of jobs that make up the industry we can help you see the business side, and how important the industry is to music lovers, our economy, hospitals, healing, business and so many other areas of life itself. Music is a part of our lives on every level.
THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS JOB:“I believe that music changes the world. Music is the sound track to everyone's lives. Try and do anything, from watching a movie to getting married, without music. It entertains and it also moves you, it enlightens you and it can teach you. The greatest part of my job is being able to work everyday with brilliantly gifted people who create that music. Those people are touched by God in some way, and given a gift. I like to help them use that gift in a way that can really make a difference in the world. That's a very exciting and powerful feeling.”
Ron Shapiro, Vice President and General Manager, Atlantic Music Group, Atlantic Records
As you may already know, there are a significant number of jobs out there that can lead you into the music business. Of course being a performer is the fastest and easiest way, but not all of us are cut out to be musicians, singers or songwriters. We have to share in the glory of music in other ways like, recording studio engineers, agents, mgrs, roadies, promoters, instrument mgrs, and so on. There are many departments and in each department many positions. We listed some departments below. I started several bands that did pretty good in the business, they were Zeus (that’s right Zeus), Weaver (not Weaser), and Oz.
These bands were popular back in the 70’s doing original songs and covering Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Santana, The Meters, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and many others. I've started many bands, but these bands had roadies, a sign that your band was getting big/popular.
Roadies do all the heavy lifting and setting up the equipment on the stage and taking it down when the show is over. We also had photographers on staff who took photos of everything going on during concerts and performances for use later with publicity and album cover designs.
Our roadies and photographers didn't make much money, but they did get paid and they were right there sharing in the success of the bands including travel, lots of girls, perks and gifts from money to cars and everything in-between. It was a foot in the door for these guys/girls and some of them went on to much bigger acts and much bigger money.
Other start up jobs in the music business can include janitorial, security, body guards, street team member, mail room, producer, voice coach or a position you create based on your knowledge of the needs of a particular person or band. Once you have ascertained this information you try and go to work for them by availing yourself to them for addressing this need.
It is relatively easy to start working in the music industry. Once you cut your teeth the rest is all about who you choose to work for and how assertive you are about getting in.
Some positions require training, certificates or college degrees in addition to who you know, and internships. These jobs could be in radio or television or the movie industry, which by the way would not work without musicians. In short if you have a love for the music and want to work in the industry, you will find a way to get in. This page will help you and provide information about most if not all of the kinds of work you can find in the music industry.
Most of the positions listed here will have assistant positions too. Lets take an example, with "promoter". Promoters can have an assistant if they so choose, and a busy one should have an assistant. We will provide a little more information about the work of a promoter down the page. How about recording studio engineers, do they have an assistant? Most do, that or an apprentice.
That said, keep in mind as you read through these jobs that experience is the only thing that will get you into most of these jobs. You can get that experience as an assistant or non paid helper. A college degree will be desirable and may make the difference for a position where others are competing with you for a job. Otherwise, find a band that is doing good, become a groupie for a while and when the time seems right tell the guys you would like to be a part of this, and that you've identified a need of theirs that you can fill.
Experience in most cases will usually be all you need. If you have a degree and an internship experience you will find work immediately after your internship in most cases, and this also applies to Hollywood, its studios and all other elements of movie making.
A good friend of mine is completing her studies in film at San Diego State University. She left to Chicago about a 10 months ago for an internship, and already has a job in the industry since that short time, and she did it in a tough job market. Music industry work can be approached the same way.
If you're looking for work in the music industry have a look here, Gigs. You will find some job positions, and openings you can look into. This section will give you a perspective of the music industry's landscape and help you see how the business is set up.
By giving you some reference of the types of jobs that make up the industry we can help you see the business side, and how important the industry is to music lovers, our economy, hospitals, healing, business and so many other areas of life itself. Music is a part of our lives on every level.
THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS JOB:“I believe that music changes the world. Music is the sound track to everyone's lives. Try and do anything, from watching a movie to getting married, without music. It entertains and it also moves you, it enlightens you and it can teach you. The greatest part of my job is being able to work everyday with brilliantly gifted people who create that music. Those people are touched by God in some way, and given a gift. I like to help them use that gift in a way that can really make a difference in the world. That's a very exciting and powerful feeling.”
Ron Shapiro, Vice President and General Manager, Atlantic Music Group, Atlantic Records
As you may already know, there are a significant number of jobs out there that can lead you into the music business. Of course being a performer is the fastest and easiest way, but not all of us are cut out to be musicians, singers or songwriters. We have to share in the glory of music in other ways like, recording studio engineers, agents, mgrs, roadies, promoters, instrument mgrs, and so on. There are many departments and in each department many positions. We listed some departments below. I started several bands that did pretty good in the business, they were Zeus (that’s right Zeus), Weaver (not Weaser), and Oz.
These bands were popular back in the 70’s doing original songs and covering Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Santana, The Meters, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and many others. I've started many bands, but these bands had roadies, a sign that your band was getting big/popular.
Roadies do all the heavy lifting and setting up the equipment on the stage and taking it down when the show is over. We also had photographers on staff who took photos of everything going on during concerts and performances for use later with publicity and album cover designs.
Our roadies and photographers didn't make much money, but they did get paid and they were right there sharing in the success of the bands including travel, lots of girls, perks and gifts from money to cars and everything in-between. It was a foot in the door for these guys/girls and some of them went on to much bigger acts and much bigger money.
Other start up jobs in the music business can include janitorial, security, body guards, street team member, mail room, producer, voice coach or a position you create based on your knowledge of the needs of a particular person or band. Once you have ascertained this information you try and go to work for them by availing yourself to them for addressing this need.
It is relatively easy to start working in the music industry. Once you cut your teeth the rest is all about who you choose to work for and how assertive you are about getting in.
Some positions require training, certificates or college degrees in addition to who you know, and internships. These jobs could be in radio or television or the movie industry, which by the way would not work without musicians. In short if you have a love for the music and want to work in the industry, you will find a way to get in. This page will help you and provide information about most if not all of the kinds of work you can find in the music industry.
Most of the positions listed here will have assistant positions too. Lets take an example, with "promoter". Promoters can have an assistant if they so choose, and a busy one should have an assistant. We will provide a little more information about the work of a promoter down the page. How about recording studio engineers, do they have an assistant? Most do, that or an apprentice.
That said, keep in mind as you read through these jobs that experience is the only thing that will get you into most of these jobs. You can get that experience as an assistant or non paid helper. A college degree will be desirable and may make the difference for a position where others are competing with you for a job. Otherwise, find a band that is doing good, become a groupie for a while and when the time seems right tell the guys you would like to be a part of this, and that you've identified a need of theirs that you can fill.
Experience in most cases will usually be all you need. If you have a degree and an internship experience you will find work immediately after your internship in most cases, and this also applies to Hollywood, its studios and all other elements of movie making.
A good friend of mine is completing her studies in film at San Diego State University. She left to Chicago about a 10 months ago for an internship, and already has a job in the industry since that short time, and she did it in a tough job market. Music industry work can be approached the same way.
Let's start in the back office of a major Record Label: (equal to a movie studio)
CEO
President
Senior Vice President: who heads,
Business Affairs Departments
Finance and bookkeeping
Legal Departments
Artists and Repertoire Department
Artist Development Department (Though it's ill advised, most record label do not have a artist development department anymore)
Publicity Department
Marketing Department
Art Department
Sales Department
Promotions Department
Label Liaison (this person coordinates release dates with distributors)
Music Producers (equal to movie Director)
Certification and other academic pursuits in the music arts both prepare Music Producers to enter the industry, and set them up for higher salaries. Media communications degrees and courses developed especially for music professionals include study in business and economics. These study areas make for a well-rounded Producer who can make great planned and on the spot decisions. (insidejobs.com) More on this subject later in the page.
CEO
President
Senior Vice President: who heads,
Business Affairs Departments
Finance and bookkeeping
Legal Departments
Artists and Repertoire Department
Artist Development Department (Though it's ill advised, most record label do not have a artist development department anymore)
Publicity Department
Marketing Department
Art Department
Sales Department
Promotions Department
Label Liaison (this person coordinates release dates with distributors)
Music Producers (equal to movie Director)
Certification and other academic pursuits in the music arts both prepare Music Producers to enter the industry, and set them up for higher salaries. Media communications degrees and courses developed especially for music professionals include study in business and economics. These study areas make for a well-rounded Producer who can make great planned and on the spot decisions. (insidejobs.com) More on this subject later in the page.
By Joe Kelly, contributing writer at eHow
Record label CEO's manage their companies with a mix of business skills and skills particular to the music industry. The CEO determines the general direction of the marketing, the music distribution and other matters. The CEO must also master basics like improving financial performance and communicating with board members.
Unconventional Backgrounds
Distribution
Record label CEO's manage their companies with a mix of business skills and skills particular to the music industry. The CEO determines the general direction of the marketing, the music distribution and other matters. The CEO must also master basics like improving financial performance and communicating with board members.
Unconventional Backgrounds
- Many of the most successful CEOs have unconventional backgrounds. Some were founders/artists of their labels, like rapper Master P and his No Limit Records. The typical candidate has had mid-level administrative jobs within the music or entertainment industries. Many CEOs come from a traditional business school background as well. Regardless of background, CEOs must have strong skills in business management and financial analysis.
- The CEO's scope of management changes depending on the size of the organization. A young label with a handful of artists has less paperwork to handle and tends to be independent; usually there's only one or two music genres on the whole label. A big corporation has many divisions and different music genres, and marketing and touring are major operations. In this situation, the CEO delegates duties more often to a large middle management staff.
Distribution
- CEOs must understand the different kinds of music distribution methods. You must determine the best method based on its profitability and its ability to get the most exposure for the label. Good negotiation skills and a thorough analysis can make the difference between a good or bad distribution deal.
- CEOs recruit and hire management staff members. These employees must not only be good at their specific jobs, but be able to effectively communicate with the CEO. Some of these key staff members include the heads of the legal, marketing and distribution divisions.
- CEOs are dealing with an industry experiencing rapid changes in digital music distribution and illegal copying issues. This affects many other things such as artists' contracts. You must understand complex legal issues, tolerate long hours and handle changes well. You should also keep up with industry news and be aware of new music technology.
*The president, vice president, and general managers job is very similar to that of the CEO.
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CAREER TIPS Develop a positive personality and attitude. “In the entertainment business your job is to sell other human beings and their work. You can't do that without some enthusiasm and energy in your aura; some happiness and strength in your dialogue with everybody.”
“Never say ‘never’ and never take ‘no’ for an answer. When I moved to the West Coast my family said, ‘You'll never make it in entertainment. It's impossible. You have no connections.’ But I did. Then, when I wanted to get out of publicity and do other things at a record company, everyone said, ‘It never happens. Publicity people never get to run record companies.’ Every time people tell you something has never |
been done or can't happen, don't believe them. Just believe that you can and be willing to work really, really, really, really hard. You've analyzed the risks and believe you can do it in spite of the risks. A lot of people believe you can't have everything, but you can make all your dreams come true professionally, personally, spiritually. You just have to accept that you can't have it all, all of the time.” (careers.state university.com)
Thanks
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