Rising Stars: Meet Dave Tamkin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Tamkin. 

Hi Dave, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
My Colorado story started in 2008. I moved to Denver from Mount Prospect, IL, a suburb of Chicago. My friends and I played in the Chicagoland area relentlessly. Sometimes playing up to 9 shows a week. We would play as the house band at the House of Blues TUE – FRI for the dinner crowd, pack up our gear quickly to race off to the late-night gigs, and often had performances on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Moving to Colorado really changed my perspective on, not only how lucky we were to have so many well-paying gigs but that music didn’t have to be all or nothing. Because it was harder to get gigs in a new city, I diversified my income and skill set by teaching music at Castle Rock Music, starting a music site called Head Above Music (www.headabovemusic.com), and helping a new friend start a marketing agency. 

As gigs started to pick up in Colorado I was introduced to some awesome musicians and just all-around great humans. I have the pleasure of sharing stages with Brad Huffman, Chadzilla, Neil Ross Hebbert, Brian McRae, and Chris Webb. I’ve also built my own marketing consulting agency called Head Above Consulting and a promotional branding company called Head Above Branding. It’s been an amazing opportunity to grow as a musician, songwriter, and entrepreneur. 

When March 13th, 2020 came around, I started a new project with my friend, Chris Webb. Musicians Tip Jar (www.musicianstipjar.com) There were a lot of musicians that were out of work with no notice. Even Brad Huffman and I had to cancel a 30-day tour up the West coast due to Covid-19. So Chris and I started a podcast and website that offered unsolicited advice to musicians on finance. We wanted to share what we’ve learned about music and finance in the last 20 years. We did 30 podcasts in season 1 and we can’t wait to launch season 2 during the first week of March 2022. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If it’s a smooth road, you’re not taking enough chances. I’ve enjoyed the trials and tribulations of starting my own business and working alongside some successful business owners. In music, there is always someone out there that knows their instrument better than you. You have an opportunity to learn from those musicians and find what makes your style of playing unique while always trying to grow. I approach business the exact same way. In marketing and music, you are always navigating an ever-changing technology ecosystem while adapting to your clients’, customers’, and fans’ needs and wants. 

Covid-19 and the way it has affected this planet is the one thing I’ve struggled with the most. It’s hard to have a clear perspective on creativity and business goals when you know people that have family and friends that are just trying to breathe. The pandemic took everything I mentioned in the prior paragraph and makes the ever-changing landscape even more difficult to traverse. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m most proud of our new podcast, Musicians Tip Jar. Chris Webb and I started this with having absolutely no idea how to do a podcast. It felt like I was learning a new instrument. Each interview was scary and exciting and I felt a little more confident from week to week. In addition, we launched www.musicianstipjar.com On a daily basis, I consult my clients on the easiest path from where a visitor lands on a website to making a sale. Now I have a chance to do that with a website that Chris and I work on while giving back to a music community that we care so much for. 

Marketing is data-driven and not subjective when you have clear goals. I find a sense of calm when we achieve our objectives or find new data that suggests we have to move in another direction. My team and I are not being judged personally when it comes to data. The data points to a direction that can make us all successful. Working on Musicians Tip Jar allows me to take my expertise in marketing and make a positive impact that will hopefully help musicians diversify their finances so they can always be as creative as they want to.

What were you like growing up?
Instead of saying annoying, I’m going to go with “determined”. That is the first thing that comes to mind. My 50-year-old cousins still make fun of the fact that they didn’t need a TV when my brothers and sister came over to play at their house. I would have no problem asking everyone for their attention while I danced, did karate kicks, made jokes, or tried to sing in front of the TV. That carried on well into my college years.
I know I still have that in me. Over the last 12 years, I’ve pushed myself to diversify my skill sets. I love the psychology behind marketing and try to learn something new everyday. I love self-help books that have to do with health and time hacks to make life interesting. I’ve also started to take guitar lessons again and write songs with friends for the first time in years. However, I will say my dad jokes are getting out of hand of late.

Speaking of Dad jokes, I lost my Dad two years ago this January, and I know that has made an impact on my personality. When you unexpectedly experience losing a parent, your viewpoints on the world get turned upside down quickly. Once I started to heal, and am still trying to make sense of it, I value my family, friends and personal time in a way I have never imagined. Who I play music with, my marketing clients, days spent with friends, and enjoying a life with my wife Anne, all have a different weight than they used to. I’m practicing the art of self-care and making sure that I surround myself with people that are honest, caring, trustworthy and know what it means to keep their word. Life is short and we are all trying to do our best.

Contact Info:

• Email: dave@davetamkin.com
• Website: www.davetamkin.com & www.headabovebranding.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davetamkin
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaveTamkinMusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/davetamkin
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/davetamkin
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/davetamkin
• Other: https://www.musicianstipjar.com/

Image Credits
Kit Chalberg
Jon Allegretto