036: Life among Entertainment Legends featuring Ed Traversari

Take The Hill - A Leadership Podcast

With more than 46 years of live entertainment expertise, Ed Traversari has been a part of the entertainment scene in Western PA and beyond. He has worked for Pittsburgh concert promoters company DiCesare Engler Productions as a production manager, talent booker, director of marketing and general manager of the Chevrolet Amphitheatre at Station Square. DiCesare Engler produced concerts at the Stanley Theatre (which they later sold to the Cultural District to become The Benedum Center), the Syria Mosque, AJ Palumbo Center, Mellon Arena, Heinz Field, PNC Park and Chevrolet Amphitheatre at Station Square, among others.

In addition to teaching, Traversari consults for a number of clients including Heinz Hall, Seven Springs Resort, The Pittsburgh Irish Festival, PBS Television Concert Series and Carnegie Science Center. He also helped produce The Joe Grushecky/Bruce Springsteen shows at Soldiers and Sailors Hall and The Bob Marley Celebration at The Benedum Center.

00:00 Welcome to Episode 36

00:25 Updates with Dennis, Angelo and Patrick

03:00 Introducing Ed Traversari

04:40 From Drummer to exploring the business of entertainment

07:00 The Guess Who and the Student Activities Committee

11:00 Bookings, Agents, and first concerts

14:00 Wanted: Runner @ DiCesare Engler

18:50 Air America, Jeff Beck, Jefferson Airplane and a Rolls Royce

22:00 Stanley Theater, Syria Mosque, IC Light Amphitheater, Star Lake Amphitheater

27:50 What should students be doing today to gain entry into the industry?

28:45 Marketing, Accounting, Booking, General Manager to College Professor

39:55 The synergy between passion, perseverance and pursuit of a Career

44:00 The Irony of SlipKnot

46:00 Agents, Settlers, Managers, and Promoters

49:20 Settling a Show

52:30 Show Plaques and a unique Trophy for Bon Jovi

58:00 In terms of your career, is following your passion and taking calculated risks still applicable today?

01:01:00 Nazareth, Stanley Theater and feet dangling from a Chandelier

01:04:30 Rapid Fire Questions for Ed

#1 Favorite Artists to Work With?
#2 One Artist you could bring back for a Day
#3 Favorite Vocalist

01:21:00 Frankie Valli still singing at 89 years of age!

01:22:30 Reflection and Final Thoughts from Ed Traversari

01:25:30 Check out Good Karma on Facebook to see Ed and his band Perform !!

01:27:25 Final Thoughts from Angelo, Dennis and Patrick

01:31:30 Photos with Artists over the years!

01:31:40 Closing Credits