Billboard’s 2026 Top Business Managers Revealed
Music industry headlines — from the battle over Dolly Parton's estate to the latest court rulings on AI — highlight the importance of savvy financial advice.
Billboard’s 2026 class of top business managers, nominated by their firms and peers and chosen by our editors, takes on complex tasks for clients: auditing streaming royalties, negotiating concert tours, building equity through branding deals, and selling or buying music catalogs. Not to mention conventional duties like budgeting, filing taxes, and guiding investments.
A notable challenge in 2026 was estate planning, brought into the spotlight by Dolly Parton's death. As she had emphasized in a 2020 Billboard cover story, proper estate planning is crucial. However, disputes can arise, as seen in her estate's restraining order against a relative attempting to extort money.
Managing intellectual property has become even more critical in the AI age. AI tools, trained on vast data, have sparked legal debates. On September 29, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled against AI training claims, supporting Thomson Reuters in its dispute with ROSS Intelligence.
This case underscores the relevance of fair use and copyright for the music industry. Record companies and music publishers have been suing AI services using their content, arguing that AI should not be exempt from copyright laws.
Many firms are now offering AI-related advice. Rit Venerus from Cal Financial Group emphasizes the importance of owning intellectual property to control its use in the face of AI.
360 Business Management
Reggie Gooden - Founder/CEO
Abacus Financial Business Management
Belva Anakwenze - Entertainment business manager
Adeptus
David Levin, Ellis Beber, Tyler Kizu, Bruce Kolbrenner, Michael Nelson - Partners
ARC Business Management
Tate Henshaw - Co-founder
Armanino Advisory
Ed Eschleman, Olga Goldovskaya - Managing director and Director of business management
Bernstein Private Wealth Management
Daniel Weisman - Managing principal
Business Management LAB
Angie Barajas, Louis Barajas - Co-founders
Business Wealth & Tax Management
John Shaheen, Butch Gage, Dan Goscombe, Sarah Dellimore, Cara Jeffrey, Amy Self - Directors