This week we have the legendary Dave Shapiro on the podcast! Dave is most well known for his relentless work ethic as a booking agent that has led to the success of countless bands. When it comes to being a booking agent - Dave is one of the best to learn from. After climbing his way to the top at The Agency Group - Dave started his own company called Sound Talent Group based out of his San Diego airport hangar. Fast forward a few years and he is running stronger than ever. His agency represents a variety of different bands and books their tours. In addition to this Dave also owns Velocity Records. Hope you guys have a blast listening to this one! In this episode of the Don’t Shit On The Bus podcast we will learn: • What a booking agent does • How Dave went from selling merch at a mall kiosk to booking several successful bands • What the differences are between a promoter and a booking agent • How a booking agent sets up and routes the tour (00:00) Intro (02:14) Patreon (02:45) Dave gets on the bus (04:52) What does a booking agent do (06:12) How Dave got his start in the music industry (13:05) What it takes to be a booking agent (15:21) Working with people you like (17:22) When does an artist need a booking agent (19:06) Who does the booking agent work with (21:33) Being able to multitask (26:30) The different aspects of being a booking agent (29:44) How a tour is set up and routed​​ (37:48) Sound Talent Group (39:14) Putting out fires the day of a show (41:18) Velocity Records (43:51) Shower Shoes   (44:21) Wrap up notes --- Dave Shapiro - Guest ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davevelocity ► Sound Talent Group: https://www.soundtalentgroup.com ► Velocity Records: https://velocityrecords.com --- Don't Shit On The Bus Podcast ► Website: http://www.dontshitonthebus.com ► Spotify: http://bit.ly/DSotBspotify ► Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/DSotBapple ► TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dontshitonthebus ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/DSotBpodcast ► Instagram: https://instagram.com/DSotBpodcast ► Facebook: https://facebook.com/DSotBpodcast ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/DSotB --- Adam Elmakias - Host ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/elmakias ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elmakias ► Website: https://www.adamelmakias.com --- Edited & Produced by Connor Gaskey