Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dawn Webb. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dawn, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned how to become a booking agent by trial and error. As a booking agent, I booked a jazz band for a client event where the drummer at the end of the evening asked me if I would consider being her manager. I knew absolutely nothing about the music business, managing artists, etc. However, I leaned on what I learned about managing artists from my career in human resources and from my business management degree from college.

There is really nothing I could have or would have done to speed up my learning process because every single artist I’ve worked with to date is very different as they each require something different at any given time. Some are easier to work with than others and it takes time to learn the various nuances of their personalities, work ethics, quirks and all.

The most essential skills I find to becoming a successful booking agent involves having an understanding the entertainment industry, interpersonal skills, networking, having a trusted mentor, negotiation skills, and familiarity with legal and financial aspects. One must also have a thirst of knowledge. Reading is a MUST!! A close musician friend guitartist Perry Hughes suggested that I get the book “The Business of Music, 10th Edition” by authors M. William Krasilovsky, Sidney Shemel, John M Gross, and Jonathan Feinstein. This book is considered the bible of the music industry!

The obstacles that initially stood in my way of learning more about the business was a lack of industry knowledge of the music industry, competition from other booking agents, and financial barriers of starting a business. I overcame these obstacles and others by getting several mentors who have been in the music business for many decades, joining the musicians union and becoming a licensed booking agent with the American Federation of Musicians and the Detroit Federation of Musicians, Local 5, and being able to adapt to the many changes within the business.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started my business after a job elimination in corporate. With my services, I take a great deal of stress off of artists to book performances, negotiate fees, contracts, and perform stage manager duties as well. This allows the artist to have more creative control so they can focus on their craft without worrying too much about to business side of their music careers. Grateful to drummer Gayelynn McKinney for seeing in me what I did not see in myself to get into the music business and trusting me to be her manager, bassist Ralphe Armstrong for his mentorship, guidance and encouraging me to join the musicians union, my partner, owner of the internet radio station wjzdradiodetroit.com Don Allen for his continued support, encouragement and many close friends.

I like to think what sets me apart from other booking agents and artist managers I have met is my honesty and my commitment to give what I do for them 110% energy and effort. There are a lot of no’s and competition in the music business and you have to be able to handle rejection well and not take it personally. Also, there is a lot of uncompensated moments being a booking agent/artist manager and one must be able to handle not getting paid at times.

Being the President/CEO of two businesses First Impressions Events & Services, LLC and First Impressions Events & Entertainment, LLC is the best move I have ever made despite being told by many people that I would not be successful or I could not manage artists.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Society can best support creatives by sharing and promoting their events, purchasing their works, having an open mind and stop beng judgmental. Spending time with creatives to get to know them and their motivations will help tremendously. Many creatives are considered weird, strange and eccentric, which I find fascinating because most are in a world of their own, living their lives without boundaries. Having that type of freedom is the most liberating feeling.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I am an avid reader of business periodicals. I read the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Black Enterprise and Inc. magazines. Currently on my nightstand is a book by the late William F. Pickard, PhD called Surviving the Shift 7 Proven Millionaire Moves for Embracing Change and Building Wealth. The main premise of the book is having a positive attitude, the ability to adapt to change, and the willingness to learn from failure. Up next is the Successful Black Entrepreneurs: Hidden Histories, Inspirational Stories, and Extraordinary Business Achievements 1st Edition by Steven S. Roger

Contact Info:

• Instagram: dawndiva16
• Facebook: dawn e webb
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnewebb