It's all about allocation of time. Bands, duos, singles, etc. spend as much of their time on social media as they do on rehearsing, writing, etc. It is an enormous outlay of time and that is why most people don't want to do it. But it is the reality of today's music industry. WE are all having to wear a lot of extra hats.

And at the end of it, a lot of time, the money we are making is barely worth us even being out there. Again, the Internet has put so many people into the game, it has taken most of the money out of the game. Venues can get some new kids out of college who are great on social media, and pay them almost nothing. The old pros can barely even keep up.

Venues are under assault from liability insurance, increased competition, government regulations, and just plain a downturn in the economy. Is the same in all businesses now. They have already gone through their version of "Automation." It is called "KARAOKE." Get rid of the professionals, make the drunk audience the entertainment, and lower the costs. And ASCAP, BMI and SESAC don't help by suing venues for licencing fees. Everywhere I go artists are talking about having no gigs because their old standbys have gone out of business or stopped live music.

So the booking agents have been eliminated as a cost of doing business. Another thing you asked about "do they do promotion?" Rarely. They are responsible for booking only. Promoters are responsible for promotion. And until you are making a ton of money, that is YOU.

A do it yourself world.

MAB