Dave Kaplan (talent manager)

Dave Kaplan is an American talent manager, who has successfully managed the careers of artists, including Brian Setzer, UB40, Sublime, David A. Stewart (Eurythmics), Stray Cats, Butthole Surfers, Glen Campbell (co-management), Richard Cheese, Rusty Anderson, Gary Hoey, BulletBoys, Noise Ratchet, Echobrain, Drake Bell and others. Kaplan is the founder of Dave Kaplan Management (DKM), one of the five cornerstones of his broad based entertainment company which also includes Surfdog Records, Surfdog Music Publishing, Surfdog Merchandising, Surfdog Entertainment Marketing (SDE), and Surfdog's Java Hut.

Biography

Dave Kaplan was born May 11, 1959 in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from the UCSB business school, Summa Cum Laude, as the Salutatorian of his graduating class, gained status as a Certified Public Accountant, and set up permanent residence in San Diego. In 1981, Kaplan moved to Los Angeles to join a small merchandising firm. The company soon signed artists including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bette Midler and David Bowie, going on to become one of the largest merchandising companies in the early 1980s. His big break came with the opportunity to co-manage the British reggae group UB40, in 1985. Shortly thereafter, Kaplan’s partner left to work for Arista Records and Dave Kaplan Management was formed. From this foundation he went on to manage the careers of many artists, which he continues to do to this day.^[1] In 1995 Kaplan relocated his offices from Venice Beach, returning to Encinitas in San Diego's North County.

Philanthropy

Dave Kaplan serves on the Board of Directors for the Wishtoyo Foundation (Wishtoyo.org), founded by Tribal Ceremonial Elder Mati Waiya. Wishtoyo is dedicated to "protecting the environment by looking through the eyes of the Ancestors." The foundation educates both Native and non-Native people about history, values, and spirituality of the Chumash people.

Kaplan has been involved with the Surfrider Foundation since 1992, and has been a member of the advisory board since 1994. To support the foundation, Surfdog Records released three MOM (Music for Our Mother Ocean) compilation albums in the late 1990s, contributing to the largest Surfrider Foundation donation to date. The compilations feature numerous artists including Paul McCartney, The Beach Boys, Pearl Jam, Sublime, Rage Against The Machine, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Taylor and Jimmy Buffett.^[2]

In addition to working with The Surfrider Foundation, Dave Kaplan and Surfdog also work with Banding Together, a non-profit that provides music therapy, mentorships and instruments for young people with special needs including autism. Notable artists that have participated in this program include Dan Hicks, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and The English Beat.

In 2010, to drive awareness for Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C), Surfdog released a Dave Stewart single featuring Joss Stone, titled "Stand Up to Cancer." Proceeds from the single were donated to the SU2C organization. The music video features appearances from Rob Lowe and Renée Zellweger.^[3]

Business Developments

Under Kaplan’s co-management, UB40 became one of the first western bands to penetrate the "iron curtain", performing in the USSR in 1986. UB40’s decision to play a show in the USSR was considered so controversial for its time, that it triggered a British MI5 Security Service investigation into the band.^[4] The 1986 tour resulted in the documentary “UB40 – CCCP” by acclaimed director / photographer Anton Corbijn (creative director behind U2 and Depeche Mode). UB40 had their most successful worldwide single release in 1993 with their cover of Elvis Presley’s “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You.”

In 1992 Dave Kaplan founded Surfdog Records. Since this time, Surfdog has released over 150 albums by artists such as Brian Setzer, Eric Clapton, Stray Cats, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Glen Campbell, Butthole Surfers, Drake Bell, Slightly Stoopid, Richard Cheese, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks,^[5] Gary Hoey and many more.^[6]

Rockabilly and big band leader Brian Setzer (formerly of Stray Cats), is managed by Dave Kaplan Management and has released over 15 albums through Surfdog Records. To date, Setzer has won three Grammy Awards, as well as receiving a total of eleven Grammy nominations.^[7] In the 2000s Kaplan’s management team oversaw the Stray Cats reunion, with the band hitting the road for their “Farewell Tour.” In 2004, the Stray Cats reunited for a month-long tour of Europe and released a live DVD and album from those concerts, entitled “Rumble in Brixton.” In 2007, they followed these dates with their first North American tour in over 15 years.

Kaplan also manages special select projects and initiatives for Dave Stewart, best known for his work with British pop-rock duo Eurythmics. Stewart joined Surfdog's roster in 2007, and shortly thereafter released his album "The Dave Stewart Songbook Vol. 1." Followed by his 2011 release through Surfdog Records "The Blackbird Diaries,"^[8] and 2012's "the Ringmaster General." These albums featured a song co-written by Bob Dylan and duets with legendary female singers Stevie Nicks, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride and many more.

In 2011, Surfdog Records signed Glen Campbell, releasing his album Ghost on the Canvas^[9] Cambpell’s farewell to studio recording following being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.^[10] Campbell in 2012 received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to music throughout his 50 years plus career,^[11] and stunned the music world with his brilliant featured performance on the worldwide broadcast of the 2012 Grammy Awards. Surfdog followed up Ghost on the Canvas the Glen's critically acclaimed, See you There in 2013 (co-produced by Kaplan.)

In 2013, Surfdog announced the signing of a collaboration with rock and roll legend Eric Clapton's BushBranch records for Clapton's new record “Old Sock”, released March 12, 2013, to coincide with Eric's US Arena Tour and Crossroads Festival Dates.

In 2014, Surfdog released Eric Clapton & Friends' "The Breeze", a tribute to JJ Cale, which featured Tom Petty, John Mayer, Willie Nelson, Mark Knopfler, Don White, among others. The album achieved a #2 debut on the Billboard Top 200 album charts, the highest chart entry in 20 years for an Eric Clapton release.

In 2015, DKM announced deal with Sublime, managing the branding, merchandising, licensing, music catalog and new ventures.

Surfdog released The Brian Setzer Orchestra Rockin’ Rudolph' album on October 16th, 2015.

Kaplan has various production and writing credits, including co-production on Glen Campbell and Dan Hicks And The Hot Licks, production on film^[12] soundtrack Varsity Blues for "Thunderstruck" and co-penning songs with Pato Banton and Sprung Monkey’s 2001 hit single “So Cal Loco (Party Like A Rock Star)” ^[13] which appears on the film soundtrack for "Dude, Where's My Car?".

References