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Agent Jamie Adler- The Importance of Taking Risks and Helping Others

Jamie Adler has become a powerful force in the Hip-Hop world, but it wasn’t always that way. Born into a rock n’ roll family as the younger brother of Guns n’ Roses co-founder and original drummer Steven Adler, Jamie initially utilized his family connections to secure a position as a rock agent. Jamie went onto work with rockers Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Motorhead, and Danzig, and eventually R&B and Hip-Hop artists Tyrese, Bobby Brown, Ol Dirty Bastard, and Guru from Gangstarr. Adler is perhaps best known for his long running position as agent/manager for the legendary Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and DJ Quik, and agent for Dennis Quaid & The Sharks.

In this episode, Jamie balances unbelievable stories with the expert advice of an agent who has been around the music business since he can remember. We discuss everything from working with stars to career advancement to drug addiction to taking risks to being the person your friends can rely on. Jamie has a great heart and it really shines through in this episode. He’s helped me tremendously in my career, and he offers advice that is invaluable to anyone searching for happiness, success, and life balance. I HIGHLY recommend this one!

Show Notes:

2:09 The time Jamie was kidnapped by a man he thought was the manager of The Rolling Stones
16:09 Adler always told his friends growing up that he was going to manager Bone Thugs-n-Harmony (which he ended up doing)
23:33 Motorhead’s manager concocted a brilliant plan to get Jamie a job at the Agency Group
29:33 How to find that perfect balance between being persistent and not annoying
37:49 If you’re the smartest person in the room, run!
38:38 How Jamie recovered from a rock bottom moment
44:53 The moment Jamie stopped relying on friends and became the person his friends could rely on
47:36 How soliciting Bone Thugs-n-Harmony without permission led to our great working relationship
50:43 Agents should be working together instead of being selfish
Health is wealth
56:53 Jamie prides himself on telling people what they need to hear instead of what they want to hear
59:18 The importance of taking risks
1:00:28 Some of the richest people are the most miserable
1:01:47 Build your own identity and find your own success
1:02:01 Don’t judge yourself against others

Check out this episode!

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Artists- Win a Chance to open for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Raekwon, Rakim, E-40, or DJ Quik & Scarface

Perform with one of the Greats!

Have you always wanted to perform with one of the greatest Hip-Hop artists of all time? The Adler Music Group and The Indie Playbook Podcast are giving you a chance to win an opening performance slot on a show in your hometown with one of the greats.

In order to be fully eligible for this contest, participants must do EACH of the following by September 24th at Noon PST:

1. Subscribe to The Indie Playbook on iTunes at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indie-playbook-presented-by-focused-noise/id1281792473

2. Like The Indie Playbook Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/theindieplaybook

3. Post a link to ONE of your original songs on The Indie Playbook Facebook page, along with your preferred date and city of performance (See below for options).

Please note, only post ONE song. Additional submissions will not be listened to. We will notify one winner by September 25th at Noon PST.

For more info and to listen to The Indie Playbook, check out www.focusednoise.com.

Potential Performance Cities:
September 26 – Carrboro, NC (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
September 26 – San Antonio, TX (Opening for Raekwon)
September 27 – Ventura, CA (Opening for Rakim)
September 27 – Charlotte, NC (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
September 28 – Sacramento, CA (Opening for Rakim)
September 28 – Baltimore, MD (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
September 29 – Oakland, CA (Opening for Rakim)
September 29 – Richmond, VA (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
September 30 – Eugene, OR (Opening for Rakim)
September 30 – Reno, NV (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
October 1 – Portland, OR (Opening for Rakim)
October 3 – Las Vegas, NV (Opening for Rakim)
October 4 – Tempe, AZ (Opening for Rakim)
October 5 – Joliet, IL (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
October 5 – Louisville, KY (Opening for DJ Quik/ Scarface)
October 6 – Oklahoma City, OK (Opening for Rakim)
October 6 – St. Paul, MN (Opening for Raekwon)
October 13 – Seattle, WA (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
October 22 – Berkeley, CA (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
October 28 – Fresno, CA (Opening for E-40)
November 16 – Columbia, SC (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
November 24 – Norfolk, VA (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
November 25 – Silver Spring, MD (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
December 2 – Park City, UT (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
December 7 – Petaluma, CA (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
December 8 – Santa Cruz, CA (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
December 14 – Lincoln, NE (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
December 16 – Albuquerque, NM (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
December 17 – Tucson, AZ (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
December 22 – Cincinnati, OH (Opening for Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)

*The contest winner will be allowed a 20-minute performance in their hometown (or nearest city). Cities listed above. There will be no guest list, cash prize, or travel stipend. Winning performers will be given passes to the show, plus two extra tickets for friends or family. The winner is expected to communicate tech needs with the production coordinator, arrive at the venue on time, and begin and finish their performance on time.  Must be 21 years of age or older to enter.

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Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Hurricane Harvey Benefit + Upcoming Tour Dates

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Hurricane Harvey Benefit Show in Houston

Upcoming Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Tour Dates:

9/26 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
9/27 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theater
9/28 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
9/29 – Richmond, VA – The National
9/30 – Reno, NV – Lex Nightclub
10/4 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar (Benefit Concert)
10/5 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
10/6 – Las Vegas, NV – The Platform
10/13 – Seattle, WA – Showbox Sodo
10/14 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
10/22 – Berkeley, CA – UC Theater
11/10 – Boston, MA – Art of Rap
11/12 – San Bernardino, CA – High Times
11/16 -Columbia, SC – Music Farm
11/17 – Savannah, GA – Savannah Civic Center
11/18 – Chicago, IL – Arie Crown Theater
11/24 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva
11/25 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
12/1 – Los Angeles, CA – Microsoft Theater
12/2 – Park City, UT – Park City Live
12/7 – Petaluma, CA – Mystic Theatre
12/8 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
12/9 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
12/14 – Lincoln, NE  – Bourbon Theater
12/15 – Denver, CO – The Fillmore Auditorium
12/16 – Albuquerque, NM – El Rey Theater
12/17 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theater
12/22 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
12/23 – Rosemont, IL – Donald E Stephens Convention Center

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Manager Steve Lobel – Part 1 – How loyalty, integrity and hard work leads to longevity in the music business


Steve Lobel is a legend in the hip-hop game. After getting introduced to the music business by the late great Jam Master Jay from Run-DMC, Steve went on to become one of hip-hop’s most recognizable managers. Currently, Lobel manages the legendary group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and super producer Scott Storch, who has worked with The Roots, Dr. Dre, Fat Joe, and many more.

Steve blesses us with a ton of great stories and advice, including lessons learned from Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, and others. He prides himself on honesty, and he does not back down from any questions, sharing very personal details and great business guidance. This is a great episode for any aspiring artist, producer, or future executive looking for more insight on advancing his or her career.

Part 1 Highlights:

  • 9:22 Steve talks about starting in the music business with Run DMC
  • 12:40 Why people call Steve “The white Russell Simmons”
  • 18:00 Steve talks about finding happiness for the first time in years.
  • 23:14 The worst things about being a manager
  • 33:24 Find out what types of people Steve likes to surround himself with
  • 42:10 What Steve would do if he only had a $5,000 budget to promote an artist
  • 45:10 Steve’s advice to younger artists who would like to approach him
Steve Lobel Joins The Indie Playbook