My First Job in Music: Chris Bell
Every month, Queer Capita highlights LGBTQ+ Music Industry Leaders through our series, My First Job in Music. In September and October, we'll highlight members for Hispanic Heritage Month.
We continue the series with Chris Bell (He/Him), Artist Manager at Righteous Artists. Based in Hollywood, CA, Chris's journey in music is a story of following inspiration wherever it leads and recognizing that in a large but surprisingly small industry, relationships are everything. After earning a B.A. in psychology from UC Irvine without a clear path in mind, Chris spent a year living in London, where befriending the British band The Overtones, then signed to Rhino UK, gave him his first glimpse into the music business. Back in Southern California, a chance meeting with Kelsee Becker at a Red Light Management Grammy party led to an internship at RLM, launching a career that now spans artist management, A&R, marketing, and events. He opens up about why you can never know too many people, how trusting your instincts (and knowing when to pivot) matters more than avoiding failure, why nobody really knows what will break an artist, and the memorable moment a mentor told him he was "too nice" to be an agent.
Read about other LGBTQ+ Music Industry Leaders and Allies in our community.
What was your first job in music?
My first job in music was an internship at Red Light Management in Los Angeles. I had just moved back to Southern California after living in London for a year and was inspired by a British band I befriended there called The Overtones. They were signed to Rhino in the UK at the time, and through them I was introduced to the industry.
I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from UCI and didn’t really know exactly what I wanted to do, so that experience helped lead me to a career in music management. Shortly after moving to LA, I attended a Red Light Grammy party and met Kelsee Becker, who helped run the internship program. We connected and I got the internship — it was an amazing introduction to the music industry.
What was a lesson you learned at the start of your career that you still carry with you?
Several lessons.
You can never know too many people. Building relationships and maintaining a good reputation are important. It’s a large but very small industry — networks overlap, paths cross, and a single conversation can change everything. Be kind and support one another; there’s enough success to go around. Collaboration, generosity, and mutual uplift make careers and communities stronger.
Try not to lose sight of your goals and have fun along the way. The music industry can be unforgiving and competitive, so remember why you started: the music, the message, the connection. Finding joy in the work — in small wins, in creative breakthroughs, in shared moments — keeps momentum when the road gets rough.
Maintain perspective: invest time in relationships, protect your reputation, set clear goals, and prioritize your wellbeing. Celebrate others’ successes as you build your own, and keep the reasons you love this work at the center of everything you do.
Who was someone who supported you to help you get your start in your career?
Have to name a few!
Kelsee Becker — hired me at RLM and has been incredible. She’s amazing: supportive, decisive, and a mentor who helped me find my footing in the industry.
Joel Flatow — one of my best friends today. Joel spent over 20 years at the RIAA as an artist & industry relations executive and has always been there for me. He’s helped me get back on my feet when I’ve felt overwhelmed or wanted to give up.
Jules Dougall — founder of Dougall Group and forever my favorite boss. She manages Sean Paul and has worked with some of the most successful songwriters and producers; she taught me so much about leadership and the business side of music.
What was your favorite memory from your first job?
I have so many, but one that stands out is when someone from RLM sat with me to give career advice and agreed to write me a letter of recommendation. We were discussing different types of jobs in the industry, and I remember this person telling me I’m too nice to be an agent or to go to a particular agency I was considering applying to—haha.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t be afraid to fail — you will. Learn to trust your instincts and act on them. Make decisions and stand by them, but be ready to pivot when needed. If you find yourself working with big music execs, don’t be intimidated. Believe in what you’re doing. No one knows exactly what will break an artist or bring success; we all work with what we have, doing our best and learning along the way.
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