“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.
Going on Tour
But at this point Forbes had her sights set on touring even though she had no idea how to make that happen. She turned to Tarr, who sent Forbes’ resume out to her contacts, and eventually landed in the Dave Matthews Band camp. In July of 2021, the band’s first post-pandemic tour, she went out with the band as the administrative assistant.
When that finished up at the end of the summer, she worked a series of festivals in Cancun with CID Presents in early 2022 which “was super fun—I can’t say enough good things about that experience!” Then came shadowing Norman on those My Morning Jacket shows in 2022, including two nights at Red Rocks Amphitheater, which was especially memorable for her. More freelancing ensued for local production and VIP companies back in Florida. Then it was back to DMB, and she’s been with them ever since. “Being on the road with DMB has been an amazing experience and such a great start to touring.” She’s now assisting in accounting, show settlement, and general administration duties.
Asked what a day in the life of a tour accountant is like, she laughs, and says it might seem dull but it’s not to her and she really enjoys it. A standard day consists of settling the shows—her favorite part of the job. “I’m also settling hotel bills and handling receipts and cash for runners, drivers, per diems, plus taking care of any cash expenses. There is also quite a bit of record keeping involved. I also help with some ticketing; really whatever anyone needs a hand with. The ‘day in the life’ changes every day, as there is always something new to be working on.”
Where’s it all leading? She ultimately would like to be a Tour Manager. “That’s my primary goal, and I’m learning everything possible [to get there].” This includes a desire to learn some of the tech side of the business. She recently got a little taste from some online classes, though at this point she’s looking for a break in her schedule to take more formal sessions. She is especially interested in everything business/administration/management, taking every opportunity possible to learn more.
DMB is keeping her busy as the group’s nearly non-stop tour schedule, with a month or two break here and there, is well known. Not bad for a person who didn’t even know this could be a career. “The biggest part for me so far is all the people who have helped me get to this point,” she says. “I’m excited to see what happens every few months, as there has always been something fresh and exciting. I’m so grateful for everyone that has taken a chance on me so far—and I can’t wait to see how the future unfolds.”
