Dave Kaplan (Music Manager)
Dave Kaplan Music Executive
Dave Kaplan is a music manager and founder/head of the independent record label Surfdog Records. In addition, he also promotes ocean awareness and preservation.
Kaplan has managed the careers of industry legends such as UB40, Brian Setzer, Dave Stewart, Glen Campbell, and Stray Cats.
Dave Kaplan (Music Executive) History
Dave Kaplan (agent) graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at Santa Barbara business school. In 1981, he received the elite Salutatorian award of his graduating class. Later, in 1984, he gained status as a CPA.
He was raised in Phoenix, AZ, but he took his very first steps on Mission Beach. Fittingly, Kaplan later set up permanent residence in San Diego. Dave Kaplan played music in rock n’ roll bands since the age of 14. Meanwhile, he played on the college bar circuit in Southern California.
After beginning his career as a CPA, a college friend called and asked him to join his father’s entertainment firm. This was on Kaplan’s music executive experience, business training, and music sensibilities. Dave Kaplan accepted and became the Vice President of the firm. They produced and sold rock and roll t-shirts and other items for entertainment icons. These artists included Madonna, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Bette Midler, and other music superstars.
Dave Kaplan (Music Agent)
In 1985, music agent Dave Kaplan was selected to co-manage the world-renowned British reggae group, UB40. He oversaw their USSR tour (the first-ever tour of Russia by a Western band). This resulted in the documentary UB40 – CCCP by acclaimed director/photographer Anton Corbijn. After his management-business partner left to work for Arista Records, Kaplan founded Dave Kaplan Management. From this foundation, Kaplan went on to manage the careers of several legendary rock and roll artists. These artists include Brian Setzer, Dave Stewart, Sublime, The Stray Cats and more.
Dave Kaplan (music executive) goes on an annual Fiji surf trip with his pack of ultra-close-knit high-school buddies. They all learned to surf at the world’s first artificial wave in Phoenix! Dave lives in San Diego with his wife of 34 years, along with their 4 dogs, horses and chickens. His son is a recent college graduate and his daughter has planted roots in the beautiful state of Montana.