Backstage Spotlight™
December 2003 Talent Agent Scott Pang
Scott Pang has worked in the music industry for 24
years and has been an agent at both ICM and William Morris. Artists he’s worked with
over the years include Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, Diane Reeves, David Lee Roth, and many
others. Scott Pang was also the director of touring for the Ice Capades and Harlem
Globetrotters. Currently he is an agent at ICM.
MBADC: For artists who aren’t ready to be singed to an agent
and who are booking their own shows, what are some key clauses they should have in their
performance agreements or things they should do to make bookings go more smoothly?
SP: If you book your own shows, if you can, get a deposit. You should draw up a
rider, even though it’s very simplistic, to show exactly what you need, to show that
you’re serious. And if you can, make sure that the monetary situation is completely
spelled out in writing and that everyone’s clear what the deal is.
MBADC [remembering a bad experience with a booking]: US dollars, not
Canadian…
SP [laughing]: Exactly. US dollars, not Canadian. Or what the capacity of the
room is. What the ticket prices are. As much information as you can, put it down on a
piece of paper. Put it in your contract.
MBADC: What would you suggest be in a simple rider?
SP: Exactly what you need to do you show. For a new act, you sort of will take
what you can get. And be flexible. Flexibility for a new act is the greatest key of all.
To be able just to play anywhere at any time, and don’t be choosy. Because the idea
is just getting out there and playing and developing your show. You have no right to be
choosy.
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