Big Names Hard to Book for Small Shows
I’ve called a lot of agencies because I want to do a show with Garth Brooks. I was also interested in doing Reba McEntire and several other artists like them since country is big here. The people I’ve talked to will not return my calls or give me any type of prices or availabilities. I’m willing to pay more then double what I’ve heard they’re asking. This has also happened with the auditorium in town. Is this an exclusive club or am I missing something?
-Lisa. Houston, TX
Most major venues that do that acts such as Garth, Reba, a Justin Timberlake, or Madonna have exclusive promoters who book for that room. These are promoters who buy bulk dates with the act at the beginning of the tour then promote them throughout the world. The reason these artists don’t use independent promoters is because these companies will buy 30 dates through the country to 100 dates worldwide and still pay a premium price. The other variable is that most of these promoters have had ongoing relationship for upwards of an entire bands career span. They are friends with the bands management, agents, and the band members themselves. The artists’ management is not willing to take a chance on a new promoter in a new market that would jeopardize this long standing relationship. The best idea would be to look for artists that aren’t top shelf acts, something maybe more along the middle range to promote and get started with. A lot of these acts will fall “under” the exclusive promoter radar and are available to do smaller venues with generally the same amount of profit.
