Personal Managers Interchange Celebrates New Inductees

By Patty Fantasia

Personal Managers Interchange Celebrates New Inductees

The Personal Managers Interchange held its 2019 Reception and Induction Ceremony on Thursday, May 9th at the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino after starting the festivities the day before with a networking breakfast, panel discussions and a Welcome Reception. More industry talks took place on Thursday leading up to the main event honoring inductees: Dee Anthony, George Greif, Jano Herbosch, David Miner, Irene M. Pinn, Sherry Robb, Marion Rosenberg, O.B.E. and Bill Stankey.

Leader of the Pack, the name of the first panel, was also the theme of the event. Panelists Chris Hardin (Hardin Bourke Entertainment), Paul Insinna (Pop Trend Music) and Sheila Touchstone (Touchstone Management) shared their thoughts on several issues such as how management has stepped up in the music business. They stressed prioritizing relationships and touring environments and being aware of the growing influence of social media and companies like Spotify.

Next up was The Times They are Taxin’ featuring accountant Kelly K. Weller CPA, Partner in Seri Keefer Weller CPAs, LLP, who talked about how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act affects personal managers and their clients. After lunch the Sittin’ on the Docket of the TAA (Talent Agencies Act) panel comprised of personal manager David Belenzon and entertainment attorneys Ed McPherson Esq. and Kenneth Freundlich, Esq. highlighted the particulars of this statute and its effect nationwide. Finishing out the afternoon was Talk to Me, a one-on-one conversation between NCOPM President Clinton Billups and successful reality television personal manager Bill Stankey, (CEO, Westport Entertainment), whose clients have included: Ty Pennington, Joanna and Chip Gaines and Joy Behar.

Thursday began with the Sweet Talkin’ Managers panel featuring Burke Allen (Burke Allen Management), Social Media Influencer and Strategy Consultant Miki Gajic, Katie Wagner (KWSM) and me representing Jeff Grinstein Management. We provided pointers for using Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and the pros and cons of some other social media platforms.

What’s the Deal followed next with panelists Sir Harry Cowell (Mission Entertainment Group), Jason Gastwirth (President, Caesar’s Entertainment) and Pete Housley (CEO, Admit, VIP).and moderator Roger Gros, publisher of Global Gaming Business revealing what it takes to produce a live show in Las Vegas. The ladies took the stage afterwards on the Let’s Work Together panel with Gerri Abrahamsen (DCA Productions) moderating while Peggy Becker (Parkside Talent & Darris Hatch Management), publicist Nancy Iannios (Core Public Relations Group) and talent agent Bonnie Shumofsky Bloom (Stewart Talent) shared tips for successfully integrating the members of an artist’s team.. The final panel at the event was fan favorite The Wildcard. Daniel Abrahamsen (DCA Productions) moderated this year’s veteran managers were Barry Bergman (Music Managers Forum-US), Jeff Grinstein (Jeff Grinstein Management) and Howard Wolf (Graduated Enterprises), who addressed a number of issues about the industry and shared personal anecdotes.

The finale of the event was the 2019 induction reception and awards presentation. The first new inductee was Dee Anthony who managed Peter Allen, Peter Frampton and Peter Wolf among his clientele. Daughter Michelle Anthony, current EVP at Universal Music Group, took the stage with sisters Marla and Vanessa to accept the honor on behalf of her late father. She spoke lovingly about her unconventional upbringing that included being pulled out of school to go on tour and changing names on venue marquees. She also related how Peter Allen wrote the famous lyrics to the theme from the movie ARTHUR while circling a New York City airport. Upon winning an Oscar for the song, Allen handed the coveted statue to his devoted manager.

George Grief’s son Leslie accepted his father’s award and like Michele was around the business at an early age when his father represented artists such as Joe Cocker, Barry White and Keith Richards. In fact, there is a line in George Harrison’s song Crackerbox Palace referring to George.

The first living inductee Jano Herbosch provided a moment of levity when attempting to slip into the red jacket she was being honored with and discovering that it was sewn shut. Jano got started in the business in New York helping one of her daughter’s friends land a role off Broadway. This led to her being a member of the Drama League for 20+ years and acting as a nominator for both Broadway and off Broadway shows.

Clinton Billups accepted a plaque for the late Irene M. Pinn, who was the first woman to win a Grammy for a comedy album and perhaps best known for providing material for comedienne Lily Tomlin.

The next recipient, Sherry Robb, started out as an agent before becoming an expert literary rights personal manager. She shared her belief that it is her mission to guide her clients, be their advocates and care for them

David Minor had to miss the ceremony after receiving word that his sitcom had been picked up for development. British import Marion Rosenberg answered phones before opening a west coast office for Richard Lance and working with the likes of Myrna Loy, Bettie Davis and Marlene Dietrich.

The final recipient of the evening was Bill Stankey, a frontrunner in the area of reality TV. Stankey brought in musicians such as Queen, Alice Cooper and Ted Nugent for a campus entertainment group at the University of Dayton before brokering talent for a lecture bureau. After learning the television business Stankey migrated into management representing Ty Pennington and building several relationships in the Lifestyle Space before focusing on business licensing.

Now numbering 50 recipients in the Hall of Fame, the Personal Manager’s Interchange offers an annual opportunity for education and networking, while providing both a historical and contemporary overview of the industry and a chance to get to know the people who have made the entertainment what it is today.