![]() ![]() Kappus followed that by taking on management for then booking client, John Lee Hooker, acting as executive producer of the blues legend's comeback CDs which resulted in Hooker's first Gold records that also won him four Grammys while in his seventies. In other instances of breaking down barriers for non-mainstream musicians, Robert Cray's double platinum Strong Persuader CD, his first outing as a Rosebud-managed artist, reinforced the commercial viability of blues. Signing with the agency in 1983, Los Lobos grew from playing LA clubs when they first joined the roster to supporting U2 and touring the world in the wake of their #1 single, "La Bamba", from the #1 album of the same name. Rosebud factored heavily in the growth of a number of artists. All other dates were routed so they could be driven in Thorogood's Checker cab. ![]() Some highlights along the way for Rosebud included booking George Thorogood's epic 50/50 tour, coordinated such that the band played all 50 states plus Washington, DC in 50 consecutive days, flying only between Hawaii and Alaska, then down to Portland, OR and one other detour to play with The Rolling Stones at the Superdome in New Orleans. Kappus also represented the legendary JJ Cale for 30 years, managing him until his passing in July 2013. Kappus helped launch the careers of Los Lobos, The Robert Cray Band, Ben Harper, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, John Hiatt, The Neville Brothers, Trombone Shorty and more while helping to raise the profile of veteran artists such as Allen Toussaint, Captain Beefheart, Muddy Waters, The Staple Singers, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Albert Collins, John Lee Hooker and others.Īs a manager, Kappus' clients have included Hooker, Hammond, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Robert Cray, John Hiatt, Duke Robillard, Loudon Wainwright III, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars and co-management client, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. The agency grew to book about 2000 shows a year worldwide for it's 30+ artists. In 1976, just months after moving to San Francisco to join a booking agency, that company went under so Kappus started the Rosebud Agency with the concept of offering greater service to an intentionally limited number of timeless rather than trendy artists. He also established relationships with future Rosebud clients Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Mose Allison, John Hiatt and John Hammond who signed to Rosebud in 1977 and marked his 4000th booking with Rosebud in 2008. As a talent buyer and promoter he booked artists as diverse as Asleep At The Wheel, Jimmy Cliff, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee to jazz artists Grover Washington Jr., Weather Report, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and George Benson to the MC5, Styx and Ted Nugent. In his five years working full time as an agent there, he also bought talent for several showcase clubs and a few festivals and universities. Just over a year later he was invited to join an agency in Milwaukee. During college he promoted regional bands with friends and became a licensed booking agent in 1970 at age 19. Mike Kappus began his career in his hometown of Eau Claire, WI. Read "Industry Profile" at Celebrity Access ![]() Read Pollstar Executive Profile with Mike Kappus ![]()
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