If you are interested in BPA Live representing your live shows we demand that you read this before contacting us. It will save everybody so much time.

Q: What music do you deal with?

A: "Good music" is the short answer, but in reality there are many different types of music that we deal with: americana, singer songwriters, acoustic, folk, blues, rock etc. We prefer not to be branded as dealing with a specific genre of music. The common factor is that we think the music is good and marketable. More importantly we are now only taking on acts that either have a profile already or acts that have touring experience in the UK or Europe

Q: Would you prefer us sending you a link to our MySpace site or should we send you a CD?

A: We find listening to music on MySpace very difficult. Do send us a link to your MySpace site but we do prefer listening to music on CD format. We'd prefer not to receive MP3s via e-mail as it can clog up our e-mail system, especially if we are away on business. If you genuinely think we will like your CD, please send us a CD.

Q: Will you listen to a CD if we send it?

A: Yes. We can't guarantee it will be immediately, so we advise you to follow up 2-3 weeks after sending it to make sure we have got it OK. We get lots of requests from artists and managers alike, as you can imagine. We endeavour to listen to everything presented to us, and if we like what we hear, we will be in touch. Feel free to send printed reviews and biographical material with the CD. If we end up representing you, we will be using this material anyhow.

Q: What are your charges?

A: Once we agree to become your agent, we may require an upfront starter fee (or bond of commitment) of £200 per tour, or per release (a release might involve more than one tour). This is a non-refundable charge which part covers our expenses of booking a tour. We charge agency commission, and the £200 starter fee is offset against agency commission. For example, if agency commission at the end of the tour is £350 then we will be owed £150. If it is £150 then we shall retain the full £200, and so on. Please feel free to contact us directly about this.

Q: How do you accept payment?

A: This needs to be discussed as each tour is different and there are now many different payment methods. We don't take credit card payments but for small amounts we can accept PayPal payments.

Q: Can I continue to book my own dates and take commission for them whilst being booked by BPA?

A. No. We have been asked this question many times. It is important that BPA retains the exclusive right to book an artist, as it can get very messy otherwise. A booking agent has access to a far superior range of contacts than most artists have and have built up relationships with venues, promoters and festivals that can only benefit the artist, once accepted on to the BPA roster. If the artist is booking their own shows whilst under the BPA umbrella, it undermines all we are doing to help you, the artist. An agent needs to have the flexibility and license to book a tour that makes sense date and route wise. Also, once BPA accepts an artist onto the agency roster, all commission is to be paid to BPA from the date of the agreement. Therefore, all shows, regardless of them being booked by the artist prior to being taken on by BPA, are commissioned by BPA at a rate of 15% of the show fee.

Q: Which territories do you book?

A: Primarily the UK and Ireland, but for certain acts we work overseas in Europe and further afield.

Q: Do you just book gigs and tours?

A: No. We book festivals, corporate events, private parties and even "House Concerts". We have booked over 30 festival appearances for clients this summer alone, including Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival, Maverick Festival, Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival, The Larmer Tree Festival, Shrewsbury Folk Festival, The Big Session and Summer Sundae to name just a few.

Q: Do you book support gigs?

A: No. We avoid taking on clients who only require support gigs, as it generally takes up too much time and it isn't cost effective for us to arrange them.

Q: Do you issue contracts with artists as well as with venues?

A: We do issue contracts to venues, festivals, corporate events and people who are hosting private parties and House Concerts. We do issue contracts to artists, but every artist is different and we treat everybody differently. That's a matter to be discussed and negotiated between the parties involved.

Q: Do you arrange "Certificates of Sponsorships" (formerly known as Work Permits)?

A: For non-EU passport holders, yes. If you hold a valid EU passport, you will not need a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK. BPA is a registered sponsor. Please contact Bob about this.

Q: Once a tour is booked do you advance shows?

A: No! It is not our job to advance shows once a tour is booked. It is yours, or your manager. We will forward you contracts well in advance of the tour with contact details of the promoter or festival director on. You are expected to make contact to up to 24 hours before the gig to make final arrangements. We prefer to focus on making sure shows are promoted and that all the promotional material is out there.

Q: Once a tour is booked do you arrange transport within the UK, book backline and hotels?

A: No we don't, but we can refer you to people whose business it is to specifically handle this. We also have a list of tour managers, who can help you with tour itineraries, driving, and general "on tour" issues. You will have to negotiate directly with them on their charges.

Q: Do you tour manage as well as booking?

A: Again no. Both Bob and Netty have extensive experience of tour managing in the past. However, in recent years they have found their time is better spent off the road to handle current and future touring issues in the comfort of their offices. As above we can recommend tour managers to you. It is then up to you to make contact and broker a deal with a tour manager, if indeed you have a budget or genuine need for one. Once a tour is booked and the contracts have been issued the onus is on you to honour the arrangement

Q: Do I need to be signed to a record company?

A: Not necessarily, but it helps especially if the record company is UK based or has UK distribution through a recognised distributor. An abundant supply of promotional CDs is always a necessity. We will be sending out your CDs to venues, promoters, festival directors and anyone potentially interested in hiring you for an engagement.

Q: Do you design posters and have ability to print posters?

A: We can, yes. We source this out to other companies that are not in-house. We have a relationship with these companies and they offer very competitive rates. The cost of print design and print does have to be paid for upfront by the artist as this is a cost of touring. The benefit of us doing it is that we know that the printing and sending out of posters and other promotional materials like flyers is done well in advance of the tour and that the quality of it is of the highest standard. That said, you are welcome to design print yourselves but we do urge you to mention BPA on artwork with a mention of our website for further information as again, it helps us by helping you by dealing with general enquiries, especially once the tour starts.

Q: Once a tour is booked do you send out promotional material directly from your office?

A: We can, but we will have to charge the cost of postage back to the tour upon completion. If you are signed to a UK based record company, we ask that they send out promotional material (CDs, posters, flyers) out as it saves time.

Q: Can you recommend publicists and radio pluggers?

A: Yes, we can. We have a long standing working relationship with many radio pluggers and publicists and depending on the type of music you perform we can direct you to specific companies and agencies. We can only book tours that are backed up with publicists and radio pluggers and so we have developed our contacts in this area.

Q: Do you arrange advertising?

A: We can, but as with booking a tour and other expenses, fees will have to be paid up front. You should design your own ads unless you would like us to recommend a designer. We can advise you which magazines that you should advertise your tours in.

Q: Do you work outside of music?

A: Currently no, but you never know what will happen in the future. We may well decide to branch into comedy, circus, magic, theatre and art, but it's very unlikely. Our sole focus has always been live original music.