Amanda Forbes, Tour Accountant
Amanda Forbes, Tour Accountant
“I had the opportunity for Amanda [Forbes] to shadow me on a few tour runs and she truly impressed everyone,” says Tour Director David ‘5-1’ Norman. “I am so proud to see she’s been out with Dave Matthews Band and making a good impression on everyone. The young lady truly amazes me.”
Echoing the familiar refrain of, “I didn’t know this could be a career,” Forbes is certainly having a good go of launching herself in the live event business. She is currently out on tour with Dave Matthews Band (DMB) as Assistant Tour Accountant/Administrative Assistant, and she got there by working for companies like CID Presents, Sixthman, and Live Nation on shows for the likes of Kenny Chesney and Luke Bryan, among others. Shadowing Norman for a few My Morning Jacket shows was certainly a break. Otherwise, the Florida native has been wisely filling her time working whatever live event she can, from production running to VIP support, Artist Relations, and more. And for anyone looking to emulate how she got into the business, the three words might be “volunteer, learn, and network.” “My philosophy is that no matter what the job, if I can get new or additional live event experience, it’ll help me become better in this business.”
Entertainment Management Classes
Forbes grew up in Jacksonville, FL, and she says that from an early age she took to the classic rock her parents had playing in the house, which led to a love of going to see live shows. “But I had zero musical talent,” she says with a laugh. “And since I couldn’t play an instrument, why would I consider any kind of career involving music?” She started college in 2019 at the University of Central Florida as undeclared, but then a program in Entertainment Management caught her eye. She started taking the program’s course work and took to it right away. “I then started doing every single thing I possibly could that might help me learn about the music business in any way.” This included volunteering at shows and festivals and being a runner for live events happening on the campus.
Forbes then took on internships. Her first was at Entertainment Technology Partners in Orlando, a global multi-brand entertainment company that owns LMG, among others. There she assisted in event planning, helped teach classes to other employees, and worked at their CoiL Learning Center. She took advantage of the company’s emphasis on networking and lifelong education which she credits for giving her a strong foundation in the business. After that pandemic “break,” she went back at it picking up whatever work and experience she could. This includes additional educational opportunities; she cites the webinar she participated in, “Tour Management 101,” as especially valuable. Next came work back on campus with the Pegasus Music Group, the University’s organization that provides students with involvement and networking opportunities within the music industry. She rose to be President of the organization before graduating with a BS in Entertainment Management in 2021.
Then came another internship that would have an especially big impact on her career trajectory: Well Dunn Foundation. The Atlanta-based nonprofit is dedicated to closing the diversity gap in the music and entertainment industry. Norman, President of the organization, was one of the people she worked with there. He says he noticed her attention to detail and due diligence right away, and “it was amazing to note that someone that young could be so efficient.” He introduced her to Nancy Tarr, Executive Director of the foundation. Forbes then got to help Tarr and Norman create and launch the first round of Well Dunn Mentorship Programs in the Fall of 2020. Norman next put her in touch with Sixthman, an Atlanta-based cruise event production company, where she freelances as part of the PA/Host Assistant/Artist Relations team on various events such as the KISS Kruise, Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea, and Cayamo.
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SPRING 23 MENTORSHIP PROGRAM LAUNCHED
SPRING 23 MENTORSHIP PROGRAM LAUNCHED
The Well Dunn Mentorship 2023 Spring Cohort launched in April with over 40 mentees and 60 mentors and speakers. We are dedicated to empowering individuals who are aspiring to break into the music industry. This program is one of our most valuable learning experiences.
This transformative program spans over eight weeks, offering mentees a unique opportunity to learn about different career paths. During the first four weeks of the program, we featured a series of captivating sessions where mentees had the privilege of listening to renowned music industry professionals as guest speakers. These speakers shared their insights, stories, and expertise, shedding light on various aspects of the music industry.
During the second four weeks, mentees were paired with experienced and accomplished industry professionals who served as their mentors. These mentors provided valuable guidance, advice, and support. They spent the four weeks helping mentees navigate the intricacies of the music industry and develop their skills and networks. The Well Dunn Foundation’s mentorship program serves as a catalyst for personal and professional growth, fostering meaningful connections, and nurturing the next generation of music industry leaders! Many of our mentees were able to meet up with their mentors in person for job shadowing and externship opportunities. Our next mentorship program launches in October, if you are interested in being a mentor please apply here.
WELL DUNN AT MUSIC FESTIVALS & THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
WELL DUNN AT MUSIC FESTIVALS & THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Well Dunn has been making the rounds at many festivals this season, Well Dunn students have externed at Boston Calling, Hangout Festival, Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, and Outside Lands and Nancy Tarr (Executive Director) and the Dunn family had a chance to meet up with many Well Dunn Alums and Externs along the way such as Oliva Scott (WD 21), Mel Telesmanic (WD 22), and Well Dunn extern Lena Wang (WD 23).
Chris and Amanda Dunn also met up with Judy Heyman (Another Planet) and interns Lena Wang (WD 23), Taylor Chow (23), and Mustafa Khan (WD 23) at Outside Lands. Lena had the extra adventure of job shadowing at Boston Calling with The Lumineers in addition to also working in Ambiance and GA+ at Outside Lands! Pictured above, from left to right (at Outside Lands), Chris Dunn, Mustafa Khan, Amanda Dunn, Amanda Dunn, Judy Heyman, Amanda Dunn, Lena Wang, Taylor Chow, Chris Dunn.
Well Dunn also celebrated its 10th year at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and Nancy, Chris and Deborah Dunn, and Annabel Lukins all participated. We met up with current Well Dunn interns (Riley Seachrist (WD 23) & Brenda Ceja (WD 23) along with many Well Dunn externs. Pictured below, left to right are Chinaecherem Nwaubani (WD 22), Nancy Tarr, V Fuchs
(WD 21), Mia Michael (WD 23), Annabel Lukins and a Bonnaroo Extern.
This externship program provides college students with a remarkable opportunity to gain hands-on experience at one of the largest and most iconic music festivals of the summer: Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
This program offers a unique blend of immersive learning, real-world exposure, and unforgettable memories. Participants are immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of the festival, working alongside industry professionals and contributing to the behind-the-scenes operations that make Bonnaroo happen! Externs have the chance to explore various facets of the music industry firsthand including Accessibility, Artist Relations, VIP programs, Operations, and Volunteer Management. The Bonnaroo + Well Dunn Externship Program is a transformative experience in shaping the careers of aspiring music industry professionals! Apply to be a Well Dunn intern here.
RILEY AT THE HANGOUT FESTIVAL – Riley’s Point of View
RILEY AT THE HANGOUT FESTIVAL – Riley’s Point of View
This past May I participated in AEG’s College Connections Program at The Hangout Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. My time at The Hangout Music Festival was an absolutely amazing experience that I will cherish forever.
As an intern employed by AEG’s College Connections Program, I had the incredible opportunity to hear from industry professionals working the festival and assist various departments during the build, the festival, and the tear down. I spent a large part of the week helping the Art and Design team with the festival’s build. Throughout the week, I was able to witness firsthand the meticulous planning and hard work that goes into creating such a spectacular event. During the festival, I had the privilege of working alongside The Pinecone Project team.
The Pinecone Project team was in charge of the Premium Guest Experiences. I really enjoyed working with them because they were some of the most helpful and caring people I’ve ever met. While working in the guest VIP areas I interacted with festival-goers by helping them with accommodations, answering any questions, and always did my best to ensure they had an unforgettable time. The most memorable aspect of my internship was undoubtedly the people I met along the way.
From fellow interns to industry professionals, I formed meaningful connections and made lifelong friends who shared my passion for music and events. Hangout Music Festival provided me with hands-on experience, countless memories, and a network of amazing individuals. Interested in being a Well Dunn intern? Apply for our program here.
Cloud 9 in Mexico
V is back with us for 2 weeks at Cloud 9 in Mexico. They are doing so well. What an accomplished young person!
Atlanta’s Dunn family proudly carry on their daughter’s legacy
Well Dunn Foundation helps those entering the entertainment industry
Rather than simply mourn the loss of their late daughter Emily Dunn, metro Atlanta residents Deborah and Chris Dunn are actively carrying on her legacy.
“When people ask me what I’m doing now, I answer, ‘I do Well Dunn,’” Deborah Dunn said with a palpable sense of sadness, tinged with parental pride. “It’s actually what keeps us going.”
Celebrating its 10th year, the Well Dunn Foundation wascreated as an offshoot of Well Dunn Entertainment, the business Emily Dunn formed while she was a student at Washington University in St. Louis. Dunn, who grew up in Atlanta and attended the Lovett School, started Well Dunn to help promote local and national music events.
After graduating from college, she relocated to San Francisco for jobs with event management companySuperfly and the Outside Lands music festival.
In 2011, during one of her frequent phone calls to her mother, “Emily was telling me how much she loved her life and how happy she was with all of her plans,” Deborah Dunn recalled.
iVoted Festival 2022 To Feature Music Midtown & Well Dunn Stage For 2022 Midterm Election
#iVoted Festival, which built the largest digital concert in history in 2020, is back for the 2022 midterms. The nonpartisan election night webcast features the top trending artists in and from key states whose electoral margins are often decided by the size of a concert venue. Fans RSVP to access the election night webcast with a selfie from outside their nearest polling place or at home with a blank and unmarked ballot.
As Georgia is a key battleground state, #iVoted Festival will feature a virtual Music Midtown & Well-Dunn Stage presented by Atlanta’s iconic Music Midtown and Atlanta based non-profit Well Dunn. The stage will feature appearances by The Revivalists, Brittney Spencer and showcases the top trending artists in and from Georgia. #iVoted Festival 2022 artists performing on the Music Midtown & Well Dunn stage include Lawrence Flowers & Intercession, A$H, Glimmers, The Carolyn, Brother Hawk, Noel Scales, Rebecca Loebe, The Relics and more. Additional stages include performances and appearances including A Conversation w/ W. Kamau Bell & Tom Morello, Billie Eilish, FINNEAS, Run the Jewels (Holy Calamavote TV concert rebroadcast), Steph Curry, Eugene Mirman, Lake Street Dive, CNCO, Rise Against, Umphrey’s McGee, Los Lobos, The Revivalists, Shakey Graves, Taylor Bennett, Carl Craig, Em Beihold, The Black Angels, Messer, The Range, Bully, VINCINT, Umphrey’s McGee, DeVotchKa, 3OH!3, Black Stone Cherry, El Trono de Mexico, Piper Perabo, La Bouche, Fabiø Guerra, Richard Marx, Jamby El Favo, The Starting Line, The Happy Fits, Jaret Reddick of Bowling for Soup, Twiztid, The Suffers and more with the full lineup available HERE: https://ivotedfestival.org/
How College Committees & Internships Open Doors For The Music Industry’s Future
Music remains one of the most sought after industries for young college-aged students. However, like many with big dreams and little experience, the biggest question for potential interns is how do they get their foot in the door?
College committees are one of the many options for students to find opportunities breaking into the business.
“It was completely responsible for my start in the industry,” Nederlander VP of Marketing Jamie Loeb tells Pollstar about her time as a student at UC Santa Barbara.
“Someone came up to me and asked me if I wanted to go to a show for free. I said, ‘Sure, what do I have to do?’ They said, ‘Stand by this door and don’t let anyone in.’ And next thing I knew I was backstage security, but that was part of the associated students program board at UCSB. And from there I started marketing shows. I started working hospitality for shows, and then I moved my way to booking shows.”
Spotlight: Well Dunn Foundation
Music Forward doesn’t just produce content for our broad global audiences. We also partner with organizations and schools across the country to ensure our programming is getting to passionate, young people in communities we can’t reach in-person! This month we want to highlight the Well Dunn Foundation as one such partnership. We caught up with Nancy Tarr,executive director of the foundation, to let us know all about their 5+ year Music Forward connection.
How did your organization become connected with Music Forward?
We partnered on outreach opportunities via NAMM for high school students at the Anaheim, CA House of Blues and Well Dunn placed Music Forward students in paid internships.
How does your organization engage with Music Forward? What programs do you utilize most?
We share Music Forward’s programming, scholarships, and internship opportunities. Music Forward sends well-qualified students to Well Dunn and we send Music Forward well-qualified students for internships, All Access programs, Artist and Career Development panels and Open Mics too.
What are the most important aspects of the music industry your students need to understand? How does Music Forward support that message?
“Job readiness” is one of the most important aspects of working in the music industry. Music Forward is a great education and opportunity partner to provide access, education, and career development to our Well Dunn students.