My Journey into Art & Music
Embark on a visual journey through my career from 2012 to the present. Explore key milestones, projects, and experiences that have shaped my creative path and artistic endeavors.
My Journey: From Houston’s Venues to International Stages
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I grew up in Houston, Texas, a city where diverse cultures collide to create an inspiring "Gumbo Pot" of creativity and innovation. My passion for music and marketing began early—at just 16, I started booking and promoting local shows for friends, an experience that laid the foundation for a dynamic career in entertainment, marketing, and product management.
By 2010, I had landed a role as a booking coordinator-to-regional talent buyer for NightCulture, where I booked and routed over 200 EDM shows across Texas. The pinnacle of this chapter was helping produce "Something Wicked," a major music festival that showcased my ability to bring ambitious projects to life. My journey then took a turn toward artist management and entrepreneurship as friends began their music journey.
Journey Highlights
Promoter
Talent Buyer
Artist Manager
Retail Buyer
Tour Manager
Account Manager
Owner​
Life
2012-2017
18-23 years old
As the owner of DG Entertainment, I set out to legally secure my future projects and establish a solid foundation for the next five years. During this time, I managed projects for rising artists such as BrockHampton, Sauce Walka, Rizzoo Rizzoo, Craig Xen, Ski Mask the Slump God, and XXXTentacion. My experience as a talent buyer and promoter enabled me to network effectively with artist teams and build valuable industry relationships. These connections opened doors to opportunities in design, video production, music production, and product marketing for my clients.
Recognizing the growing influence of social media platforms like Tumblr, Instagram, Twitch, Twitter, and YouTube, I prioritized reaching the 16–21-year-old demographic to drive ticket and merchandise sales. I developed innovative digital marketing campaigns that reached millions of fans, leveraging influencers in fashion, streetwear, gaming, photography, and videography. This early adoption of influencer marketing helped cultivate dedicated micro-communities of lifelong fans, even before paid ad campaigns became widespread.
Simultaneously, I began my launch menswear store, Saint David, blending my passion for creative expression with strategic business planning. Utilizing my real estate license to secure a lease in Houston, I attended retail trade shows such as Agenda, Liberty Fairs, and Capsule, along with individual buying appointments during New York Fashion Men’s Week. These experiences expanded my professional network and positioned me to collaborate with emerging brands like Rhude, Off-White, FTP, Second Layer, MMNL, Helmut Lang, and Alexander Wang, while deepening my expertise in merchandise manufacturing and retail strategy.
During this period, I solidified my artist management agreement with my longtime friend Craig Xen, marking the transition from DG Entertainment to a new chapter in my career. As XXXTentacion’s stardom soared, Craig’s career followed suit. Together, we developed his trajectory, securing opportunities to tour with acts like Suicide Boys, Lil Peep, and XXXTentacion as direct support.
2017-2020
23-25 years old
As Artist Manager for Craig Xen, the tragic passing of XXXTentacion marked a pivotal moment in my career. It was time to step up and capitalize on the growing momentum that had been building. Viral moments frequently occurred across Twitch, YouTube, and Instagram, which often led to collaborative opportunities for single campaigns. During the development of Craig’s debut EP, Hell Bent, I refined my ability to craft tailored marketing strategies that boosted social media engagement, streaming activity, and merchandise sales. This period also marked the evolution of my creative direction, shaping both Craig’s career and my own.
With a vision of creating the next rockstar, I tapped into my extensive nationwide network of stylists, photographers, producers, graphic designers, artists, and videographers. I acted as the bridge between Craig and these creative teams, ensuring seamless execution from concept to completion. Tools like Asana, Slack, and Google Sheets were instrumental in keeping everyone aligned and on track.
Building on the success of prior tours with affiliated artists and the releases of collaborative projects like Member’s Only Vol. 4 and Skins, we partnered with agent Jordan Stone (WME) to embark on Craig’s first headlining world tour. My background as a promoter proved invaluable as I led an eight-member team as Tour Manager, navigating the complexities of a global tour.
After a successful tour, we shifted focus to Craig’s remaining EPs, including Broken Kids Club, fulfilling obligations with Empire and solidifying his upward trajectory toward superstardom. However, with rising success came mounting pressures. Shortly after the release of his final EP, Why, we mutually agreed to take a break—a pause that eventually led to the conclusion of our professional journey together.
Following this chapter, I began collaborating with Jake Gatewood, Craig Xen’s DJ and a prominent rap DJ and promoter based in Dallas, Texas. This new partnership marked the beginning of another exciting phase in my career, as I continued to apply my expertise to support emerging talent and create meaningful opportunities in the music industry.
2020-2025
25-30 years old
The pandemic brought an unexpected pause to life, one that proved vital for my personal growth and future aspirations. During this time, I found solace in exploring the Wild West, reconnecting with nature, and reflecting on my career. It was during this period that I co-founded Vital Entertainment Management, where I gained a deeper understanding of contracts, agreements, and the skills needed to become a more effective manager.
Building on this foundation, I partnered with Jake Gatewood to launch Take A Break, with a vision of transforming Jake from a well-known DJ and promoter into a recognized house music producer and festival organizer. The launch of Take A Break was not just about creating a party—it was about reintroducing Jake Gatewood to his audience in a new light, solidifying his identity as a multifaceted artist.
While exploring National Parks across the U.S., my passion for photography began to take shape. Capturing the beauty of the Southwest’s landscapes, I developed a documentary style that reflected my deep connection to the natural world. These explorations also brought clarity to my career ambitions: the realization that I needed to work and live in a thriving music city. For the first time, I documented my journey in music, outlining my skills, experiences, and lessons learned. My goal was clear: to join a supportive team that shares my passion for music and its power to connect and inspire.
This clarity led me to Nashville, Tennessee, where I joined Venture Music and felt more connected to music than ever before. The experience gave me the confidence to begin DJing and dive deeper into photography, further shaping my creative approach to artist campaigns.
Now at Take A Break, I’ve embraced leadership roles that merge marketing innovation with audience growth. This journey has been a testament to my belief in the power of creativity, collaboration, and perseverance in shaping meaningful connections between artists and audiences.
Key Offerings
Artistic Excellence
From artist management to creative production, each endeavor is meticulously crafted to bring visions to life and elevate artistic experiences.
Artist Management
Navigating Success
As an artist manager, I provide comprehensive support to artists, guiding them towards success and helping them navigate the complexities of the industry. My strategic approach and industry insights contribute to the growth and recognition of emerging talents.
Tour Management
Crafting Memorable Journeys
With a passion for traveling and music, I orchestrate seamless tour experiences for artists and fans. From logistics to promotion, he ensures that every tour is a memorable and successful journey for all involved. All with day offs in nature to help with team morale.
Marketing & Creative Production
Innovative Strategies
David's expertise extends to marketing and creative production, where he develops innovative strategies to enhance brand visibility and artistic projects. Through a blend of creativity and strategic thinking, he delivers compelling campaigns that captivate audiences and create desired conversions.