RON STONE
Gold Mountain Entertainment
Los Angeles | Vail | Nashville | Montreal
Ron Stone was part of the music industry’s golden age. He began his career over 40 years ago at Lookout Management, whose clients included Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, the Eagles, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Bob Dylan, the Band, Devo and America. Not only were the acts superstars, but the managers he worked with were budding stars as well: David Geffen, Elliot Roberts, Irving Azoff––all future titans of the industry. Stone went on to form Gold Mountain with Danny Goldberg, and signed Bonnie Raitt and Belinda Carlisle. Later (with John Silva as partner), Gold Mountain guided the careers of Nirvana, Beastie Boys, Beck, Rickie Lee Jones, Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Tracy Chapman, Ziggy Marley, the Baha Men and Joss Stone.
What are the biggest changes you’ve noticed in management?
We lost 50% of our income due to the digital revolution, and download sales have not made up for it. Touring was always important, but now it’s even more critical. In fact, it’s one of the largest streams of income for artists. Additionally, strategic partnerships can be helpful in funding, marketing, promoting and servicing artists. A huge pool of talent that used to populate record companies are now offering label services.
You were interviewed by this magazine 20 years ago and predicted the evolutionary changes we’re seeing now. How do you view your role today?
I wouldn’t say that a manager’s role has changed that much. We may be doing different things in more areas, but the relationship, our functions and goals, are the same. Of course, now, we must be Internet savvy and aware of new technologies. It’s a different environment, but the job is the same.
How important are record deals today?
It depends on the style of music, e.g. pop is label-centric. But, the majority of new artists don’t want a record deal. They wised up––they know that a record company makes all the money and owns their art and their masters. Today, it’s possible to have a career without a label deal.
How has the Internet changed the business?
The Internet is basically a distribution system. The big question is: How does anybody find anything in that parallel universe? Social networks are useful, though. YouTube is like the new MTV. And Facebook, Twitter and the rest help strengthen artist-fan relationships.
What are the best types of acts to manage?
You have to find an artist who is brilliant. That makes you a much better manager. If an act has shortcomings, it will affect everything you do.
Is it a good time to be a manager?
It depends––you have to be very thick-skinned, because it’s a “thankless” job. When things are good the artist takes the credit. When they go bad, they blame the manager. And there’s little or no loyalty among artists. I’ve had clients for 10 to 15 years, but if anything goes wrong, they’ll think about leaving.
If that’s the case, why are you still managing artists?
First, I love music and artists. And management is like playing multiple games of chess at the same time. I like to play chess. •
