The sign of a good Artist Manager is the ability to blend into the background to make your artist clients shine. T.K. Kimbrell is such a person. Mr. Kimbrell is owner and president of TKO Artist Management in Nashville, Tennessee. While he is definitely a driving force behind his clients Toby Keith, Chris Le Doux, Mac MacAnally, Sawyer Brown and Carter’s Chord, there is less personal information on him than on his famous clients. Obviously, Kimbrell is putting the spotlight where it rightfully belongs.
Mr. Kimbrell’s style of artist managing lends itself to understanding his clients from the inside out and allowing their individual personalities to shine through their music while he manages their business in the background. In an article from Billboard (June 6, 2011), he add, “The more you get them concentrating on making a hit record, writing or finding a hit song, the better off you’ll be.” Mr. Kimbrell allows and encourages his artists to focusing on the business of making music.
While the record labels are declining due to the explosion of digital media, they are still an integral part of the music industry. Their connection to radio is vital for the artist. Kimbrell points out their role in “finding, promoting and marketing acts” is just as important as ever before (Billboard, 2011).
Just as most people in the industry, Kimbrell is a former musician; a bass player in country music as well. Only another musician would understand the “heart” of another musician and the drive to make music. Because of that insight, Mr. Kimbrell doesn’t try to “squeeze his musicians into a mold.” (Advertising Age, 2004). He understands their need to be creative while business is being taken care of with the right mix of publicity and sponsorships.
Apparently, T.K. Kimbrell has the right combination of genius that sits well with big sponsors and big labels. All you have to do is watch his clients soar at the top.
Peoples, G. (2011, June 6). Toby Keith, Zac Brown, Trace Adkins' Managers Break It Down at Billboard Country Music Summit Roundtable | Billboard.biz. Music Business | Music Industry | Record Sales | Billboard Charts | Billboard Hot 100. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/legal-and-management/toby-keith-zac-brown-trace-adkins-managers-1005218622.story
Stanley, T. (2004, March 1). T.K.Kimbrell, Entertainment Marketer of the Year. Advertising Age: Ad and Marketing News. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from adage.com/article/special-report-entertainment-marketers-of-the-year/t-k-kimbrell/97863/
