Tammy Johnson began her career in the music industry in 2002. Since then she’s served as the Executive Director and Vice President of KSBJ where she was respon- sible for promotion and special events as well as marketing and programming for the station. She also worked as the Director of National Promotion for K-LOVE and Air1. In 2015, she moved to Red Light Management, where she co-manages the Dove and GRAMMY® award-winning band, SWITCHFOOT. She’s a veteran in our industry whose advice is sought after from both peers and those she mentors. On the heels of the eleven album release of SWITCHFOOT’s latest offering, Native Tongue, Tammy took a break to answer a few questions for this month’s Industry Q&A.

1 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG FEBRUARY 2019 What characteristics do you think cause an artist manager to succeed and what causes them to fail?

Johnson: Every morning my husband texts me: “Winning Attitudes Have Winning Days” and he is so right especially in the highs and lows of artist management. I’m lucky to work for a band who doesn’t emotionally ride that roller coaster, but instead keeps the most balanced perspective on life and why they do what they do. Unfortunately, I’m still learning how not to be impacted by what I define as wins and losses, but instead to find joy and purpose in the chaos.

What causes an artist manager to fail? My opinion ... 1) not having goals and 2) not staying focused on the goals. Every day is a baby step in a direction. But is it going toward the place you want to be in one year?

Working with creatives who have a 1000 ideas a day can my time and influence. easily spin you in many directions and dilute your impact. How do you cultivate positive, healthy relationships As a SWITCHFOOT team, we have an annual goal setting that also allow for tough conversations and meeting where we look back at last year’s goals and see negotiaions on behalf of your artists and those you where we are in comparison today and then we write down serve? our new dreams and set new markers for the coming year. Johnson: Well, I try to live by the motto, “what goes The music industry is changing faster than we can keep around, comes around.” How you treat someone now, could up, so reassessing your goals quarterly is key and change be how you’ll be treated in the future. So, I try to put myself direction midstream as needed. in the other person’s shoes and be as honest and loving as possible. Plus, I really do believe all deals should be win/ The point is to plant seeds in areas where you hope to see a win! And if not, walk away or wait until it is win/win! harvest! Sometimes I’ll even walk away when I know it’s not best for My biggest fear with this job is one day looking back and the other person/party, even if they can’t see it themselves realizing I could’ve been more focused and intentional with in that moment.

TOP 10 ARTISTS ON FACEBOOK TOP 10 ARTISTS ON TWITTER TOP 10 ARTISTS ON INSTAGRAM

Tercer Cielo 18,172,065 Ricardo Montaner 8,926,273 Erica Campbell 1,832,449

Jesus Adrian Romero 11,018,452 Juan Luis Guerra 7,776,469 Hillsong United 1,811,271

Thalles Roberto 8,596,489 Kirk Franklin 1,757,396 (David and) Tamela Mann 1,755,737

Alex Campos 7,559,866 Lecrae 1,675,353 Lecrae 1,434,372

Juan Luis Guerra 7,453,861 Thalles Roberto 1,260,861 Tercer Cielo 1,428,732

Marcos Witt 6,286,441 Marcos Witt 1,203,314 Christine D’Clario 1,347,663

Lilly Goodman 6,002,381 Hillsong United 1,192,903 Hillsong Worship 1,325,552

Hillsong United 5,759,575 Jesus Adrian Romero 1,154,609 Alex Campos 1,274,858

Don Moen 5,497,957 Alex Campos 1,125,776 Bethel Music 1,270,576

Skillet 5,129,915 Chris Tomlin 1,021,794 Kirk Franklin 1,256,674

2 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG FEBRUARY 2019 3 TOP 3 WITH TAMMY JOHNSON

THREE PODCASTS YOU’D RECOMMEND?:

I recommend one podcast... Dave Ramsey! I listen to his podcast at least 2 hours a day. He is the king of goal setting. Being intentional to follow a series of baby steps in any area of your life will result in more peace and transformation. In what ways do you anticipate the music industry will change Plus, his conversations with in the next 5 years and how are you preparing your artists for the people are really entertaining. future? And it’s so worth studying his business model… he’s a genius!! • Whatever’s working today, will not work tomorrow. • Build your community and pour into them. • Test, test, test your ideas. THREE THINGS STILL LEFT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?: Failure, if we allow it, can be a great teacher. What are some of 1. Go on a safari in South Africa the lessons you’ve learned throughout your career in this way? with an awesome camera! I have two answers … work/life balance and overcoming an offense. Would love to take safari photos of lions, rhinos, giraffes Work/Life Balance and elephants. I really wish I would’ve learned how to manage my job and personal life 2. A month vacation with my better. I spent most of the last 20 years putting career and work goals above husband exploring Europe, everything else … above my marriage, health, and mental well-being… especially Italy! all for the sake of doing good and doing God’s work. Unfortunately, it’s 3. Write a book about my life. never enough. And the reward for doing good work is getting more work put on your plate. For some reason, I was on this crazy hamster wheel and couldn’t get off. Working with SWITCHFOOT the last 3 years, has been one THREE FAVORITE RECORDS OF of the healthiest working environments I’ve ever been in. I literally got a ALL TIME? second chance at a thriving marriage, a peaceful home, and improving my mental and physical health … and I’ve been making the most of it! Once you 1. U2 - Rattle and Hum experience the difference, there really is no going back ... for any reason! 2. Jon Pardi - California Sunrise 3. SWITCHFOOT - Native Tongue Overcoming an Offense There was a season where I felt pretty hurt by friends in the music industry. I tried really hard not to hold grudges, but I was ultimately offended. FINALLY, WHAT IS YOUR Through these situations and learning how to overcome my offenses, I also ENNEAGRAM TYPE? learned that sometimes the answer to completely unrelated prayers is on I’m a 7 with an 8 wing. the other side of the offense and sometimes even through the person that offended you. I encourage others now to look for places in their life where an offense lives and walk through it. I really believe God will have something incredible waiting for them on the other side.

3 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG FEBRUARY 2019