Nicholas Mishko is the President and founder of 10 and 8 Management Agency. Prior to establishing 10 and 8 Management, Mishko started his music business career in 2008. His very first real taste of the music industry was an internship at Rock Ridge Music. He did marketing for bands such as Chris Volz, Psychostick, Reel Big Fish and Sister Hazel. That internship sealed his desire to work in the music industry. After Rock Ridge Music, Mishko went on to be hired at the legendary ABKCO Music and Records, Inc. in New York City. This is where he would spend the next four years learning the ins and outs of songwriter and artist royalties. It was truly an experience in what one would call “old school music business.” ABKCO Music and Records, Inc. is one of the largest Record Labels/Music Publishers in the world. Their catalog consists of many renowned artists such as The Rolling Stones and the iconic Sam Cooke. After years of royalties, spreadsheets and learning every which way you can license a Rolling Stones song for television, Mishko wanted to deal more directly with artists. He wanted to nurture and grow artists; he wanted to manage. Mishko already had the knowledge of record contracts, royalties and licensing so he felt confident that he could do it. His first client, Butch Parnell, still works with him today. Mishko’s roster slowly began to grow and after a few months, he left ABKCO to venture out on his own. In 2012, Mishko officially launched 10 and 8 Management and hasn’t looked back since. He went from one client and a laptop to a couple dozen clients, offices and a full team, in eight years. Mishko and his team have had many bands chart on Billboard, various sponsor partnerships, performances at Vans Warped Tour, Sturgis Bike week, Inkcarceration and The NAMM Show. He’s negotiated numerous publishing and record deals in his career. He was also featured in Bobby Owinsky’s book: The Music Business Advice Book: 150 Immediately Useful Tips from the Pros.
The year 2023 will mark Mishko’s 15th year in the music business, but he still follows the advice given to him on his first day, “. . . if you’re the easiest to work with and you can deliver results, you’re going to get picked every time.”