The Deal Memo, Both Sides

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A plain-language performance-agreement template covering what each party needs.

Chapter Sixteen made the case for writing the deal down. This appendix gives you a plain-language deal-memo template that covers the essentials both an artist and a room need settled before a show, so nobody is guessing on the night. The templates below are designed to be copied, completed, and adapted for your own use.

Part One — The Parties and the Show

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Part Two — The Money

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Part Three — Production, Hospitality, and Lodging

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Part Four — Promotion and Billing

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Part Five — The Fine Print

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Signatures

A note on agents and managers: if either side works through an agent or manager, that person usually negotiates and may sign on the party’s behalf, and their authority and commission should be clear to everyone. Make sure the names on the memo are the people actually empowered to commit — and see Chapter Thirteen on working through a middleman.

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COMPANION TO APPENDIX B

Deal Memo — Fill-In Worksheet

Fill in the deal, both sides. Then have an attorney review before you rely on it.

⚠️ NOT A CONTRACT — READ FIRST

This deal memo is a plain-language starting point and checklist, built to make sure both sides have actually discussed and written down the essentials before a show. It is not a contract drafted or reviewed by a lawyer, it is not legal advice, and it may be incomplete or inappropriate for a particular transaction. Before you rely on any agreement for a real booking — especially anything involving significant money, exclusivity or radius clauses, recording rights, or liability — have it reviewed and adapted by a qualified entertainment attorney, and let each side consult its own counsel. The point of this template is to surface the questions both parties need to answer, not to replace a real agreement. Treat it as the conversation, not the contract.

PART ONE — THE PARTIES AND THE SHOW

Date of This Memo When you’re writing this downArtist / Act Performing name, and the legal name or entity behind itArtist Contact Name · phone · email of the person who speaks for the actVenue / Purchaser Legal business name of the roomVenue Contact Name · phone · email of the person bookingPerformance Date Day and dateVenue Name & Address Where the show happensSchedule Load-in · soundcheck · doors · set time(s) · curfewSet Length Number of sets and length of each — e.g., two 60-minute sets

PART TWO — THE MONEY

Compensation Guarantee, door deal, percentage, or “greater of” — state it plainlyGuarantee Amount The flat fee, if anyDoor / Percentage Terms Split %, after which expenses, and any thresholdDeposit / Advance Amount, and when it’s paidSettlement When and how the balance is paid — typically end of night, cash or check

Merchandise Who sells, any venue cut, and whose responsibility the sales tax is (see Appendix G and Chapter Twenty-Nine)

Ticketing & Comps Who tickets, the price, and the size of each side’s guest list

PART THREE — PRODUCTION, HOSPITALITY, AND LODGING

Sound & PA Who provides the PA, and who provides the engineerBackline What gear the room provides, and what the act bringsHospitality Green room, drinks, meals — attach the rider from Appendix DLodging Provided or not; if so, whatStage Plot / Input List Attached, or to follow by a set date

PART FOUR — PROMOTION AND BILLING

Billing Headliner or support; name order and sizePromotion Who promotes what — see Chapter Thirty-ThreeAnnouncement Date When the show goes public

Radius / Exclusivity Any agreement not to play within X miles for Y days — see Chapter Forty, and have an attorney review any exclusivity term

Name & Likeness Permission to use the act’s name, photos, and logo to promote this show — see Chapter Thirty-One

PART FIVE — THE FINE PRINT

Cancellation What happens if either side cancels — notice required, and how the deposit is handledInclement Weather / Force Majeure What happens if a storm or emergency stops the showRecording & Broadcast Whether the show may be recorded, streamed, or filmed, and by whomInsurance Who carries liability coverageCompliance Age restrictions and TABC matters are the venue’s responsibilityTaxes Each party handles its own taxes; the venue may issue a 1099 — see Chapter Twenty-EightGoverning Law State whose law governs — typically Texas

SIGNATURES

Artist Signature

Artist Printed Name

Date

Venue / Purchaser Signature

Venue Printed Name & Title

Date

Additional notes

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Part One — The Parties and the Show

Part Two — The Money

Part Three — Production, Hospitality, and Lodging

Part Four — Promotion and Billing

Part Five — The Fine Print

Signatures

COMPANION TO APPENDIX B

Deal Memo — Fill-In Worksheet

PART ONE — THE PARTIES AND THE SHOW

PART TWO — THE MONEY

PART THREE — PRODUCTION, HOSPITALITY, AND LODGING

PART FOUR — PROMOTION AND BILLING

PART FIVE — THE FINE PRINT

SIGNATURES

Artist Signature

Artist Printed Name

Date

Venue / Purchaser Signature

Venue Printed Name & Title

Date

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