Grazia Clarkson is the Public Relations and Band Manager of The Jive Aces, a highly entertaining British Jive and Swing band, known for their high energy Jump Jive music. In 2012, they performed in the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent and followed that up with a royal performance at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations for the Queen of England and both the Olympic and Paralympic Celebrations. They have performed in thirty countries.
Grazia is from a little town in Italy called, Minervino Murge, but she calls England her home.
She graciously took time from her busy travel schedule (en route to Paris) so I could interview her and find out what it takes to be a female band manager.
- How did you become a band manager?
I first started to book the band for gigs when I first arrived in England. They offered me that job many moons ago, way before internet, emails and mobile phones! It was all done over the phone and on paper back then, and mailing VHS video tapes. I am glad that the media have evolved, it makes the job much simpler.
- Was there ever a moment where you doubted this is what you wanted to be?
Yes, when I first got into the band I only did that job for a short while. I did not master English the way I do now, so I found it tough. So for many years, I did not work for the band but did different jobs, until I decided to go back to it and take it to the next step. It was the best decision I made.
- Do you get treated differently as a woman in a position of power?
I don’t think so. As a child I was the only girl, all my brothers were older than me so I really learned how to work with men. After all, the lyrics from James Brown cannot be more true: “This is a man’s world, but it would be nothing without a women or a girl.” I am also very Italian, and from the South in my attitude, so if someone tries to get me down, I’m right back at them! I think if you are confident in what you do, it does not really matter if you are a woman or a man in this particular business.
- What are some fun aspects to your job?
What I love about my job is that it is different all the time. It is very challenging due to always new situations to handle and managing 6 lads, and a constantly changing schedule. But I love my band. I have known them for a lifetime. They are like my brothers and they truly are like my family. I like the fact that I am considered the “mamma” of the band, and I really am a mamma for the band. I really care for them, as without them, my job would be very hard. So to me looking after them is looking after the essential part of the activity.
- What is the hardest thing you have to do?
The hardest thing is to keep up-to-date with all the requests that come in from booking enquiries, CD purchases, restock, fan requests, media requests and always be abreast of things, but that’s why I love my job and as said, it changes all the time so I can never be bored!
- What’s the best place you’ve ever been doing your job?
I love the fact, it is always different from one place to another, so I always enjoy. I also have a very positive attitude toward my job, people and life in general. I always try to help, no matter how challenging some gigs can be.
- Is it all business or all pleasure? An example?
It’s both really, because I love my job. I love meeting new people. I love the fact that after a show people congratulate the band and say, “This was the best show ever! We will surely book you again!” So that’s all pleasure. And we also travel to many different places around the world, though because we are on tour we do not always have the chance to stick around and visit the place. Sometimes you have the time but you have so much work to catch up on and you have to say, “Well, the tour of the town will be for another time.”
- Who are the people who inspire you the most?
I really get inspired by busy people, all hard working successful people because that is the only way I found to be successful. It does not matter if it is big or small success, each have unique tips. My mum actually has been a good example, she always worked hard all her life, since she was a little girl. She was the income maker in the family, as my dad was sick. She never gave up, no matter how hard things were. I do admire this attitude and I think this gave me a good example to get on in life. She also always taught us that in order to earn money one has to work, there was never easy money in the family, you had to work to get your exchange and to me this is as valuable as it is true, as in order to get something you need to exchange.
- If a lady was interested in doing what you do, how would she start?
I would ask her to write down all the goals and ambitions she would like to get in doing this job. You cannot reach the stars if you don’t aim higher. This gives the space for creativity, because you MUST remain creative in this job or the world rolls you over and without mercy. You need to be a tiger and want the product. Then I would advise her to just always communicate to people in the industry and get all current tips, advice and always be abreast of our times. Technologies change very fast and this is why you have to remain creative so you are always ahead of things. And one of my favorites quotes is “Don’t ever do anything as though you were an amateur. Anything you do, do it as a professional to professional standards.” And another one which has ALWAYS helped me in tough situations is, “The way out is the way through.” It cannot more true! So the moral of the story and tips to any lady out there who wants to be a manager is Never give up! Always be willing to learn as life IS a learning curve. The media and other social veneer TV shows seem that one was “born a star.” This is untrue. One becomes successful as he puts the effort to get there. Do not be backed off by the hard work, stops and barriers, just persist and soon great satisfaction will come your way! And all this can be possible, by remaining very positive towards life.
Bring Me Sunshine by The Jive Aces.