10 Questions with ... Dave Stewart

1. What made you want to get into the radio and music business and who were some of your early mentors?

I went to college at the University of Georgia. The mid-80’s was a great time in Athens musically (R.E.M., B-52’s, Pylon). What I really wanted to do was be a musician myself, but I sucked. A lot of sports writers are frustrated jocks, and a lot of radio folks are frustrated musicians. And since I was looking for a career which did not require a coat and tie, hello radio!

2. What was your first job and give us a rundown of the radio stations and music industry positions you’ve held over the years?

I started working at the college station (WUOG/90.5FM). My first paying radio gig was part time at 107 WANS in Anderson/Greenville, SC. After that I held various on-air shifts and programmed WHFX/ Brunswick, GA; WARQ & WMFX/Columbia, SC; WSHE & WPLL/Miami; KKND & KUMX/New Orleans

3. You have programmed and been on the air in radio markets like Columbia, SC, Miami, and New Orleans. How did that experience in radio prepare you for starting SS Productions, which produced various outdoor music festivals in Columbia, SC?

I loved putting station shows and events together when I programmed radio. That prepared me for the “fun” part of producing an event. It didn’t prepare me for the not-so-fun part of investing my own money into an event, and then watching ticket sales and The Weather Channel non-stop until the day of the event!

4. You also produced the Charleston Music Confab from 2016 to 2020. Tell us about that endeavor?

My goal was to recreate the early years of SXSW, when Austin was full of truly undiscovered artists looking to take the next step in the music business. Charleston reminded me a lot of Austin in those days. The support I got from music industry friends who came to Charleston to speak to the artists showcasing there was unbelievable. But while the conference grew each year, it didn’t grow quickly enough to make it economically feasible to continue.

5. Congrats on signing on as the manager of the rock band RED. How did this come about?

My oldest son Nick has been RED’s tour manager for a few years. The band had asked me for some help connecting with radio folks with their last album (Declaration), which unfortunately came out right before the pandemic hit. We continued talking for the past couple of years, and we formalized a management agreement on January 1st this year. My middle son Alex has handled merch for the band in the past and is also helping with some other areas, so it’s a family venture!

6. The band just wrapped up a 14 date “RED: The Acoustic Tour” with Keith Wallen of Breaking Benjamin. How did that tour go, and can you share some of the highlights with us?

It was great for the band to get back out there! The pandemic break obviously lasted much longer than everyone thought it would when it started in 2020. I was able to see the first show in Atlanta and their last in Nashville, and it was so great to see their fans back in front of the stage singing every word. RED fans are truly fanatical about the band, and I’m excited to be on the RED team.

7. I understand the band has written a new album and are recording it this month (March), with a summer release set. What can you tell us about this?

The guys are taking a few days to unwind after the Acoustic Tour, then they’re headed into the studio to plug in and record. We just signed a new distribution deal with Missi Collazo at MRI, and we’re very excited to get the album to her team.

8. What are the tour plans for RED to support the new album?

We also recently signed on with a new agent - Eric Powell at Sound Talent – who did a great job putting our Acoustic Tour together. The band plans to be very active on the road in the U.S. this summer. Radio is a tremendously important element of we’re focusing on as we’ve put this new team together. We’ve got few dates confirmed but not announced yet, with more to come soon. And if anyone’s putting their radio show lineup together, please don’t hesitated to reach out to us!

9. With your years in radio and now management as a perspective, what’s your take on current Rock music and the Rock format overall?

I think Rock music and Rock radio are both poised for a few big years. After two years of basically being shut-ins thanks to the pandemic, people are ready to get out there. There’s some great new Rock music on the charts, and I think Rock fans are going to be out in full force for the foreseeable future.

10. Finally, what do you like to do for fun and relaxation when you’re not in “work” mode?

With my youngest son Jack in college now, my wife and I are PENS (Part Time Empty Nesters). We recently moved to Atlanta, so we’re exploring our new city. And like everyone else, we’re excited to be able to get back out there, so we’re going to a lot of concerts and events!