Dave Hart

"For the last 15 years Dave has watched over me and helped to create a concert life that I know is the envy of many singers. I know because many of them have told me this! Because of and in spite of our working relationship, we have become true friends. Believe me... I am not always the easiest person to work with. I can be just as lazy, sloppy, cowardly and 'human' as the next person. Dave has taken it all in stride, holding my hand on scary flights, fighting battles on my behalf, making me believe in myself and always maintaining the most positive attitude even when my world or his was crashing a bit. His love of life has always amazed me. I am in awe of his energy, his intelligence and will always be grateful to be his friend. 'I love you Dave! Here's to the next 15 years!'"

Behind the scenes, Linda's agent and friend, Dave Hart, works tirelessly to keep the fans happy by marketing her incredible talent to venues all across the country. THE VOICE had the privilege of speaking with Dave at his Los Angeles office to learn more about his life and distinguished career in the music business as an agent and promoter for the past 37 years.

VOICE: Where were you born and where did you grow up?

DAVE: I was born in New York City and grew up in Queens and New Rochelle, N.Y.

VOICE: Were any members of your family involved in the arts?

DAVE: My mom was a pianist and a graduate of Julliard. She taught music and was the head of the music department at Townsend Harris High School in New York City. She was also head of the Westchester County Music Teachers Council… a very big deal. My dad was a writer.

VOICE: Do you have any siblings?

DAVE: I have one sister who works at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. We followed very different paths.

Dave and Linda

VOICE: Were you involved in music when you were growing up?

DAVE: I played the saxophone and was involved with a band called Grapes of Wrath (later called Fiendish Thingies). I found it was much more fun for me to be the manager of the band than to play sax, so that's what I did.

VOICE: Where did you attend college?

DAVE: I first went to the University of Miami and then to NYU.

VOICE: What was your major?

DAVE: I was a film major at NYU.

VOICE: What was your first job?

DAVE: Concert Promoter Bill Graham offered me my first job when I was a senior in college and still 15 credits shy of completing my degree. He felt I could do the job and so I accepted the position he offered me at the Millard Agency.

VOICE: Who were some of the musicians you worked with there?

DAVE: We represented Santana, Janis Joplin, Paul Butterfield, The Beach Boys, Billy Joel and many others.

VOICE: Where did your career take you from there?

DAVE: In 1973 I worked as a college concert promoter at Monarch Entertainment (later known as Metropolitan Entertainment) in West Orange, N.J, and in 1978 I became associate producer for concerts at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, N.J, as well as at venues all over the Northeast. From there I moved on to the Garden State Arts Center (now the PNC Bank Arts Center) in Holmdel, N.J. and worked there from 1981 to 1984.

VOICE: What were your responsibilities there?

DAVE: I was responsible for all phases of operations and developed their pop music subscription series. I produced concerts by Luciano Pavarotti, Liza Minnelli, Placido Domingo, Santana and Olivia Newton-John, to name a few.

VOICE: When did you meet Linda?

DAVE: I left the Garden State Arts Center in 1984 and began working for the Nederlander Organization in New York City as the director of East Coast talent acquisition. I met Linda there in 1988.

VOICE: Had you heard Linda sing before you met her?

DAVE: Yes, on the JEKYLL & HYDE recording.

VOICE: What was your reaction the first time you heard her voice?

DAVE: SPECTACULAR! There's no better voice in the world. I call her "The Secreteriat of Singers."

Always hard at work behind the scenes!

VOICE: When did you begin representing Linda?

DAVE: It was right after I met her… in 1989.

VOICE: What is your procedure in booking Linda for concerts?

DAVE: I contact venues about possibly booking Linda and venues contact me for the same purpose. It actually works both ways. I market Linda to performing arts venues across the country. In addition, I keep in contact with people connected to venues and groups such as Radio City, The Boston Pops and The Houston Symphony, which I feel are perfect for Linda. I keep the lines of communication open.

VOICE: What are your obligations as an agent?

DAVE: I work to get the best situation for the artist… the right venue so the artist will be comfortable and the right audience. I also work to bring the artist together with other artists.

VOICE: Does Linda set the number of concerts she will do each year?

DAVE: I make a real effort to stay away from too many shows in a row. She's such a powerful concert artist, and I try to make sure the schedule doesn't affect that part of her presentation. Linda, as you well know, has the stamina to do eight demanding theater shows a week, but in concert situations the travel can really be debilitating, so we try to stay away from too much time on the road.

VOICE: Do you consult Linda on venues or does she leave all that in your hands?

Dave, Jeff Osborne and Linda

DAVE: I review the bookings with her and get her approval.

VOICE: What has been your most exciting booking for Linda over the years?

DAVE: Carnegie Hall- especially the first time. That was very special.

VOICE: As Linda's agent, are you also responsible for representing her band?

DAVE: No.

VOICE: Do you travel to many of Linda's concerts?

DAVE: I try to go to most of them.

VOICE: Do you find life on the road difficult?

DAVE: No. With Linda there are no long road trips so I'm always back home after a few days. I don't get travel weary. I still love to watch Linda perform after all these years so for me it's fun. I love being there.

VOICE: Can you share a funny moment from your time on the road with Linda?

DAVE: Chicago- Linda was performing at the Park West. It was nearly time for her to go on when she realized that she didn't have any earrings. Linda wanted some nice earrings to wear. We were running around trying to find some but all the jewelry stores were closed. I went out into the audience, found a woman wearing beautiful earrings and asked her if she wanted to meet Linda Eder. I took the surprised woman backstage to meet Linda and she gave Linda her earrings to wear. It was great! Linda even sang about it during the concert.

VOICE: Let's go back to your career after leaving the Nederlander Organization. Where did you go from there?

DAVE: From 1990 to 1996 I was senior vice president of concerts at MCA Concerts and then joined Magicworks in 1997 as an executive producer. It was there that I became more involved with theatrical productions.

Dave and his beautiful wife Ronni

VOICE: And when did you join The Agency Group?

DAVE: It was in 2000.

VOICE: Can you tell us a little about your work there?

DAVE: I continued my work with theatrical productions and was in charge of developing a division of the agency for Broadway.

VOICE: Besides Linda, what other Broadway artists did you represent while there?

DAVE: Kristin Chenoweth, Faith Prince, Tom Wopat and others.

VOICE: In 2004 you entered a new phase of your career with your move to Los Angeles. Can you tell us a little about you work with HOB Concerts, Inc.?

DAVE: I am very excited about working for the House of Blues as senior vice president of talent. I'll be promoting concerts all around the country.

VOICE: Will you continue to represent Linda?

VOICE: Absolutely! I will be representing her through David Hart Productions, Ltd. where it all began in 1988.

VOICE: We'd like to learn a little bit about Dave the person? What do you do for fun and relaxation?

DAVE: Golf- I enjoy playing golf. I also love to watch sports and go to sporting events.

VOICE: Do you have a favorite sport?

DAVE: Baseball- I played baseball when I was in school.

VOICE: Do you have a favorite team?

DAVE: The Mets… ouch.

VOICE: Does Ronni share your passion for sports?

DAVE: Ronni will attend sports events with me occasionally… It's not her passion, but she knows the games.

Dave and his two queens!

VOICE: Congratulations on your recent marriage! We wish you and Ronni a life full of happiness and good health. How has your life changed since you met Ronni?

DAVE: Life is completely different. I now have TWO QUEENS in my life to take care of, Ronni and Linda.

VOICE: If you were not working as an agent and promoter, can you imagine any other career you might have chosen?

DAVE: I'd definitely be in the film business.

VOICE: Thank you so much for taking the time to participate in this interview. The fans sure do appreciate all the bookings!

DAVE: Thank you. It's been enjoyable talking with you.