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Our booking agent series continues. This week’s guest is Pete Anderson, who is a booking agent at the Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) in Beverly Hills, CA. He got his start after a successful career in sales working at Dell, before transitioning to the William Morris Endeavor (WME) training program. After a few years working for WME, Pete transitioned his career to APA where he started under past podcast guest Jeff Howard. After quickly working his way up as an agent, Pete transitioned to the Los Angeles office for APA, where he became a true intrapreneur with an innovative approach to being an agent. In this episode we talk about Pete’s journey as an agent, what makes him stand out, also what he looks for in artist’s he works with, how to stand out as an independent promoter, and much more.

Pete’s Three Critical Aspects in Hiring Candidates

Having a good skill of communication Attention to Detail & Work Ethic Sense of Style and Taste

Highlights from this episode

Life on the West Coast & Moving to LA Office [2:10]

Advantages & Disadvantages of LA versus Nashville [3:33]

Importance of going to shows [4:54]

Favorite part of being an agent and agents having the power of the business [6:01]

Pete’s influences [7:40]

The moment he knew he wanted to pursue a career in the music business [9:02]

How does someone get into an Agent Training Program [13:22]

What can students do today to be considered for an Agent Training Program [15:30]

How does someone stand out once they’re in the training program [17:15]

People that were working with Pete in the WME Training Class [19:45]

Pete’s transition from WME to APA [21:45]

First artist that Pete signed [23:21]

First 3 to 6 months after signing an artist [26:53]

What Pete looks for in an artist as an agent [30:05]

Is there value to an agent for an artist to have built a following [33:15]

Pete’s role at APA and artists/events he works with [34:39]

What makes someone a great agent [39:36]

If you had to become an agent in one year, how would you do it [42:24]

How does an independent promoter get on an agent’s radar [45:29]

Things every independent promoter should know [50:33]

Who comes to mind for the word successful [52:58]

Daily habits to stay sane [53:20]

Apps people should check out [55:00]

Favorite Books and Documentaries [56:19]

Who would Pete love to have a night of drinks with [57:33]

Best advice Pete has ever received [58:40]

Quotes from Pete Anderson

“It’s about learning how to deal with people and getting grit”

“You have to learn how to serve to work in the music industry”

“Everyone assists somebody else”

“Knowing what you want to do is very important”

“The most important thing is how you make the interviewers feel when they meet you”

“Understand the different scenes that are out there”

“I’ve never been afraid of asking, and I don’t think anyone should be”

“You need to continue to contribute to the business mission of the company”

“You can’t take an artist that has no audience, and just book club shows”

“Artist develop a following wherever they are, and you have to pay attention to that”

“The process of starting in the mailroom is a very important process”

“The reason people start in the mailroom is to develop their grit”

“Everybody is an assistant, our CEO is an assistant, it’s a service industry”

“50 Cent is a Rock Star, and you’re an assistant to 50 Cent”

“Know great music, the history of music, and know what is trending”

“It’s important to learn the job before they tell people they know how to do it”

“If you’re good, you’ll have a job for the next 40 years”

“Don’t get emotional when dealing with an agent”

Links to people, places, and things mentioned

People

Jimi Hendrix

The Beach Boys

Michael Ovitz

Rush Davenport (WME)

Brandon Roundtree (WME)

Jonathan Insogna (WME)

Kevin Meads (WME)

Chris Stapleton

Sturgill Simpson

Heath Baumhor (APA)

Jon Romero (Vector)

Marc Geiger (WME)

Kirk Sommer (WME)

Leogun

Elton John

The Crystal Method

Tool

Ramsey

JJUUJJUU

GGOOLLDD

She Wants Revenge

Adam Bravin

Barack Obama

Darryl Eaton (CAA)

50 Cent

Sonny Schneidau

Places & Things

Agency for the Performing Arts (APA)

William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Vanderbilt University

Dell Computers

Desert Daze

Burger Records

CAA Powerhouse [Book]

Yamaha Entertainment Group

The Five Spot (Nashville)

Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Atlantic Records

Paradigm

United Talent Agency (UTA)

ICM Partners

Live Nation

Buffett: The Making of An American Capitalist [Book by Roger Lowenstein]

The Agency [Book by Frank Rose]

True North [Book by Jim Harrison]

Off to the Side [Book by Jim Harrison]

Pete Anderson’s Definition of Making It

“I what you do, what you say, and what you think is the same thing, you’re going to be happy”

Keep in touch with Pete Anderson

http://www.apa-agency.com/

panderson@apa-agency.com

Keep in touch:

chris.goyzueta@gmail.com

www.makingitwithchrisg.com

https://www.instagram.com/chrisgoyzueta/

https://twitter.com/chrisgoyzueta

https://www.facebook.com/makingitwithchrisg

CREDITS:

Host: Chris Goyzueta

Producer: Jason Trosclair

Executive Producer: ONElive Creative Agency

Music: Emily Kopp