Name an artist you think is ready to make the leap from arenas to stadiums.

Ghost is my obvious arena-to-stadium bet. The spectacle, the theatricality and the global audience are all there. Tobias’ vision has proven he is an unstoppable creative force.

Most everyone has an I-saw-them-when story about seeing a great artist in concert before they were famous. What’s yours?

Having had the honor of representing Prince for a number of years, I was blessed to see him perform numerous times in small settings. His famous parties with hours-long performances are hard to beat. I can highlight two particularly memorable performances. The first was his post-Emmys party in 2007 at the Foundation Room at House of Blues. For the second, he rented, last minute, the ballroom at the Beverly Hills Hotel and played for about three hours to around 100 people. Both were incredible!

What’s the biggest threat facing the live music business?

The rising costs of touring and producing concerts. Inflation has been a problem since the pandemic, but while general inflation has gone up 20–25% cumulatively, costs for producing concerts and festivals have gone up 50–60%. Platinum and dynamic pricing has been able to offset some of this, but it is not a solution, especially for the club/theatre artists and venues that cannot command super high prices.

Wearing the T-shirt of the artist you’re seeing in concert: Fitting homage or kinda cringe?

I don’t hate that at all. Plus, I’m always going to encourage people coming to shows to buy all the concert swag. Let’s drive those per caps and remove the stigma!

Wearing the T-shirt of the artist you’re seeing in concert: Fitting homage or kinda cringe?

Hell yes, let’s go.

Name someone you either work with or do business with who doesn’t get enough credit for the great job they do.

Marika Cahn and Adam Casillas, both of whom work with me. Marika started in the unenviable role as my chief of staff. Over the years, we realized she has a special way of befriending everyone who meets her and she became the maître d’ for our Hollywood Bowl shows. She handles all the special requests, seats all our VIPs and makes everyone in my personal and business world feel like a VIP away from the Bowl.

Adam started as my assistant and has become a highly respected and deeply trusted confidant. He keeps our team connected and informed, sees the storms forming on the horizon and heads them off, and makes everyone he meets feel happier for having seen him. He co-manages many of my outside investments and companies, has impeccable taste in music and design and is going to be a great artist manager.

Most everyone has an I-saw-them-when story about seeing a great artist in concert before they were famous. What’s yours?

In 1992, there was a lot of excitement around this young female artist opening for Michael Bolton, who was riding high at that time. Her first show ever in the U.S. was at the Hollywood Bowl and she blew us all away. I was floored by Celine Dion.

Name someone you either work with or do business with who doesn’t get enough credit for the great job they do.

Kristen Welsh and Steven Gonzalez are among the many unsung heroes of SAM; both are smart, strategic and creative marketers. But it’s the whole SAM staff collectively that is the special sauce. Like any quality team, the sum is greater than its parts.

Most everyone has an I-saw-them-when story about seeing a great band before they were famous. What’s yours?

Well, I did see Nirvana at the Pyramid Club in 1990; it changed my life. Later, in 2022, I saw Geese when they opened for Spoon at the Palladium.

Name an artist you think is ready to make the leap from theaters to arenas, and one who’s ready to make the leap from arenas to stadiums.

Of our acts, Slayyyter is arena-bound. Laufey and Chappell Roan should see stadiums soon. Of acts we don’t work with, I’m hoping Remi Wolf, Gigi Perez and Buffalo Traffic Jam get to arenas soon.

Name a person you either work with or do business with who doesn’t get enough credit for the great job they do.

I’d love to see our day-to-day managers and support staff get acknowledgement: Lauren McKinney, Kyle Goold (D2D for Chappell), Caroline Scofield (D2D for Noah Kahan and Chappell), Ryan Langlois (GM for Noah), Ellie Hocking (lead marketing for Chappell and Noah), Nate Futral and Joel Eriksson (directors of touring), Isabel Sardella (fan engagement), Brooks Dawson (director of tour marketing), Izzy Newirth (digital marketing) and Jalen Gregory (exec assistant).

You’re at a show. A 13-year-old fan with a piercing voice, seated right next to you, is singing along very loudly to every song. What do you do?

Depends. If they have a paid ticket, high-five them. Comp ticket? Politely ask them to stop singing.

Most everyone has an I-saw-them-when story about seeing a great artist in concert before they were famous. What’s yours?

I saw Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and instantly knew she was headed for greatness.

Name an artist you think is ready to make the leap from theaters to arenas, and one who’s ready to make the leap from arenas to stadiums.

We are very excited about Lola Young, SIENNA SPIRO, Benson Boone and Teddy Swims. They will make their ascensions at the correct time. The first time I saw Benson, I told him he will play stadiums one day and Teddy just shifted stadium-level tickets in the U.K. and Europe. The Killers have played a number of stadiums and I am excited to continue to build on the foundation we have built for so many years. Hozier made the step up into some stadiums last year and did tremendous business. Carín León is stepping up and played seven shows at Sphere.

Most everyone has an I-saw-them-when story about seeing a great artist in concert before they were famous. What’s yours?

Seeing At the Drive-In play to 35 people in a church basement the week I started college in 1997 was mind-blowing.

Wearing the T-shirt of the artist you’re seeing in concert: Fitting homage or kinda cringe?

I don’t care what you wear, and neither should anyone else. You can wear a clown costume if you want.

Name an artist you think is ready to make the leap from theaters to arenas, and one who’s ready to make the leap from arenas to stadiums?

With everything we've been doing with Doechii, she’s on track to tackle arenas next. Once we drop her official album, it should take us over the top. And obviously SZA is just coming off of co-headlining stadiums with Kendrick. The next step for her is a solo stadium run.

Name someone you either work with or do business with who doesn’t get enough credit for the great job they do.

You hear about Punch, Moosa and myself when it comes to leadership at TDE, but it’s a bunch of other people that provide the infrastructure that keeps us moving. Keaton Smith is one of them; he keeps our team running smooth. It’s also Brandon, Lena, Angela, Devin, Matt, Edgar, Saj, Keem, Manny and Meco…it really takes an entire team to get to where we’ve gotten and to go further.

What’s the biggest single threat facing the live music business?

Artist burnout. The pace of this business has never been faster, largely because artists are no longer just expected to make records and tour—they are also expected to be constantly available and creating content in real time. That pressure adds up. I think we are going to see more artists shorten touring cycles, take breaks or cancel dates because the demands on their time and mental health have become unsustainable.

Name a person you either work with or do business with who doesn’t get enough credit for the great job they do.

Tracy Martin. She is our president, but that barely captures the role she plays at The Core. She has a hand in virtually everything, and brings an extraordinary level of care to the people around her, whether that means being a mentor, a sounding board, a therapist, a road warrior or the person who everyone turns to when they need help.

Wearing the T-shirt of the artist you’re seeing in concert: Fitting homage or kinda cringe?

Totally fun, and good on them for loving an artist so much they want to show up like that.

Most everyone has an I-saw-them-when story about seeing a great artist in concert before they were famous. What’s yours?

The Strokes at the Troubadour. You knew you were witnessing something changing the course of music.

What’s the biggest single threat facing the live music business?

Establishing actual careers.

Name someone you either work with or do business with who doesn’t get enough credit for the great job they do.

Beth Hamilton. She’s a partner in our Nashville office and co-agent with me on most clients. Beth is one of the smartest and hardest-working people in this business.

Name a person you either work with or do business with who doesn’t get enough credit for the great job they do.

Sam Hunt. The guy is a master agent on every level. Super-smart. Does not seek or get attention.

Wearing the T-shirt of the artist you’re seeing in concert: Fitting homage or kinda cringe?

Anyone wearing the artist’s T-shirt to their show is well aware that they’re at least on the edge of cringe, and that alone makes them awesome.

Name an artist you think is ready to make the leap from theaters to arenas, and one who’s ready to make the leap from arenas to stadiums.

The Marías to arenas; ROSALÍA to stadiums.

Name an artist you think is ready to make the leap from theaters to arenas, and name one who’s ready to make the leap from arenas to stadiums.

For theaters to arenas, Cameron Whitcomb. Country music has embraced him, but he’s really a genre-bending artist with a rare ability to connect across audiences.

For arenas to stadiums, Bailey Zimmerman. His most recent headline arena run sold out, and he continues to build his audience at a rapid pace.

Name someone you either work with or do business with who doesn’t get enough credit for the great job they do.

Dan Dymtrow, our GM on the management side. He has worked with some of the biggest artists in the business, and that experience makes him an invaluable mentor and leader for our younger day-to-day managers. He has a gift for helping people see the bigger picture while still staying focused on the details.

Most everyone has an I-saw-them-when story about seeing a great artist in concert before they were famous. What’s yours?

A few stand out. Alicia Keys at B. Smith’s restaurant in New York around her first single. Jonas Brothers opening for Backstreet Boys at Jones Beach and Backstreet Boys performing a cappella in our office. I saw New Kids on the Block audition to open for Tiffany.

Most everyone has an I-saw-them-when story of seeing a great artist in concert before they were famous. What’s yours?

Not exactly an origin story, but the first time I saw Pearl Jam was at Rochester War Memorial in 1994. They played nearly every song from Ten and Vs., plus “Corduroy,” which didn’t come out until seven months later. Left an indelible impact on me.