Managing The Milk Money

Drum Roll

by Tori Boone

October 23, 2007

Monica Tannian had no idea that managing her boyfriend's band years ago would lead to her future career.

The University of Delaware graduate had a bachelor's degree in economics. She was thinking about getting her master's when she was approached about managing recording studios either in Florida or Philadelphia. Since she was in New York at the time, she says she wanted to stay close by. She decided to manage Kajem Recordings in Philadelphia. The job lasted for seven years. It was there that she met Atlanta music producer Dallas Austin. He told Tannian he needed studio time for R&B group Boyz II Men.

"We stayed in touch after that and became friends," Tannian says. "Dallas is charming, and he has a lot of ideas. Even in his teens he thought ahead."

Austin knew he wanted Tannian to work for him, so he persuaded her to move to Atlanta in 1995 to manage DARP Studios. Tannian took over the business portion and helped Austin keep his fi nances straight. She also restructured the studio to make it more artist-friendly for recording sessions.

"Producers have all these great ideas that need to be micromanaged," Tannian says. "I restructured how the business portion was done. I created a place where people felt good to create. People have to feel safe in the studio."

After leaving DARP, Tannian started Milk Money Consulting Inc. in 2001. The company represents 16 engineers, producers and musicians who go into recording studios to make sure everything is ready before the artist gets there.

"The engineers are like the mechanics," Tannian says. "They make sure the room is ready to go for the recording session."

Tannian says her business is also responsible for the upkeep of studio equipment. "My guys tell me what gear they [producers] need in certain studios, and I buy it," she says. Another side of Milk Money is managing the finances of producers and making sure they get paid. Tannian says it's hard for producers to keep their money straight on their own because of time constraints. "When you're in the studio for 12 to 14 hours a day, there is very little time to do business," she says. "It's my job to follow up five to 10 times a day to get somebody paid. My guys and I have created a niche because people trust us to take care of their money."

That trust is why other people in the music industry have nothing but nice things to say about Tannian and her company. Samuel Thomas, a recording/mix engineer, who uses two to three Milk Money engineers while working in the studio, says he couldn't make it without Tannian.

"Monica is sometimes referred to as Momica‚ because she really holds us all together and keeps us focused and moving in the right direction," Thomas says. "She is so encouraging."

Miles Walker, a recording engineer, says he considers Milk Money a part of his family.

"Being a part of Milk Money, for me, is about being part of a great engineering family," he says.

Mark Goodchild, a recording engineer, says Tannian saved his career. He says he was having a hard time collecting money from clients, but Tannian changed all that.

"I took a hiatus from the business in 2004," Goodchild says. "When I returned, I joined Milk Money and since then I've had an amazing career. Having Monica looking out for my best interests is the best part. I know she's doing everything possible to collect for me."

Although she's gained respect from her male colleagues, does Tannian feel pressure being a woman in a male-dominated industry? She says it's all in your attitude.

"If you believe it's going to be a problem, then it will be," she says. "Being a woman gave me insight and compassion in this business. I really feel that's a skill that is undervalued but an asset."

Tannian says having her company based in Atlanta is a huge asset as well. She says it's the perfect place to do business.

"The Atlanta market works because people ask each other to contribute," Tannian says. "Producers and writers of all genres have a chance to work together because they're asking questions."

Although Tannian says she works long days, the best thing about her job is the variety of artists she comes in contact with, from Christina Aguilera to Patti LaBelle. She says LaBelle is one of her favorite people to work with. "She's a real woman," Tannian says. "She's warm and can cook up a storm. She would always remember things about you even if she didn't remember your name."

And one thing Tannian says she'll always remember is the best advice a road manager gave her years ago.

"He told me, ‘At the end of the day, follow your heart. It will tell you the people to trust'," she says.

Now that she's successful, what advice would Tannian give to someone trying to make their dream job happen? She says her advice is simple. "Start with an idea and create a loose plan and know that it will change," she says. "Don't let people tell you that you can't do something. Ideas are infinite, so follow through with them."