New Entertainment Service Becomes Enemy #1 to Booking Agents

New online booking service comes out swatting the hornets nest. Elimination of finders fees has competitors fuming.

ATLANTA, GA (PRWEB) August 15, 2004 -- Online booking services weren't initially concerned when the announcement came for the launch of start-up Total Entertainment Solutions (T.E.S. at www.totalentertainmentsolutions.com). In the past, many online entertainment booking services have disappeared as quickly as they arrived. T.E.S. was a much different story because their method of doing business with performers and planners was what caused a stir in the industry. The common bond is that the services are free to event planners and 'brides-to-be' including the capability to listen to sound files, watch video files, browse pictures, and more. However, the big double sting came when T.E.S. announced the complete elimination of finders' fees and percentages that are normally incurred by performers. Additionally, T.E.S. announced annual membership costs that were drastically less than their competitors. The response from online booking services was extremely negative.

One of the largest T.E.S. competitors who chose to remain anonymous quirked, "Booking agents have always worked on a commission based structure and doing business online isn't any different. We work hard and diligently to find artists and musicians events to perform at and it's completely fair to expect to pay for that luxury. It's our job and what keeps us in business. T.E.S. is playing a numbers game that simply won't work. And if they do somehow succeed, there will be a concentrated effort to shut them down."

Chris Horton, CEO and Director of T.E.S. responded that "it's an issue of trust between us and the performers. Expecting compensation every time a band books an event is highway robbery. Especially in an online environment where planners are coming to you and you're not doing any work to present them to the performers. If you were serving in a management capacity and were solely dedicated to that performer, then it's a different story."

Horton continues, "How can you establish trust if you're constantly questioning whether or not you got your cut or if agreements are being made behind your back? We decided that doing away with 'per event' percentages was more appropriate. This allows performers and musicians to book as many events as they want and do business the way they see fit without including us in the monetary part of the equation."

If anyone would know about the adversities of musicians, it would be Chris Horton. His extensive background in the music industry is well documented as a professional vocalist, organizer, manager, and business owner. Horton has performed with many regional bands as lead vocalist and has added his talents to 4 national television commercials including Coca-Cola, twice with United Way, and even Nancy Reagan's Just Say No Campaign. He is also the founder of SLABMusic.com, a well respected local music organization that has supported 2000+ musicians in the Southeast since 1996. He manages and directs the organizations annual music festivals and has served as Stage Manager for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival's Rock stages in 2000. His knowledge and experience from both sides of the music industry garners extensive respect from the music community and are his primary weapons against his adversaries.

"Musicians are accustomed to being taken advantage of and they're tired of it. But T.E.S. is changing the standard and I expect and anticipate that the performers will respond strongly. Our focus is learning from our competitor's mistakes and most importantly treating the performers with dignity and respect. We're not doing the bands a favor by launching this new service. Their decision to do business with us will be testament to the demand of how we do business."

Needless to say, Total Entertainment Solutions is still in its infancy stages and the proof will be in how well received it will be from the performing and event planning community. Established online booking services remain on guard, as to whether or not T.E.S. will reinvent the industry. However if they do succeed, booking services on the web will forever be held to a new standard of doing business that could greatly affect their wallets.

"There's strong growth potential and the fact that we have already established ourselves in this industry should provide phenomenal results. Our hurdle is overcoming the aura of mistrust created by the music and entertainment management industry. Coming out of the gate with our hands in the air, instead of their back pocket, is the first step to regaining that trust."

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Total Entertainment Solutions (TES) is located at www.totalentertainmentsolutions.com and www.localbandbroker.com. TES serves musicians, performers, and event service providers across the entire United States. The service has a low annual membership for performers. Anyone requiring entertainment for functions can use the service for free.

For more information on T.E.S.:
http://www.totalentertainmentsolutions.com