Today we’d like to introduce you to David Tamulevivch.
David, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My mother played viola in a college orchestra, so there was always music playing in the house as I was growing up. I took piano lessons, sang in the church choir, and my Dad would sing humorous dittys around the house. 🙂 all helped me be who I am. I started playing guitar in 1970, my senior year in high school, having gotten the folk music….and even more importantly…..the folk community…bug the Summer before. It was suddenly very clear what I wanted for my life: community and music that entertained and also meant something.. I did my first audition in Jan. 1975, got the job…and 3 months later Mustard’s Retreat was born as a trio with Libby Glover and Michael Hough. We made a living at music for nearly 10 years, when I decided I wanted to be a Dad. We cut back on the gigs, and I became an agent/manager for other acoustic artists ( 1982). From there my passion for the music and the community led me to do business the way I thought it should be done , with everyone- the artist, the venue and me, the agent…sharing the risk, so that we all could share in successes, and also when things did not go so well, no one would get too hurt.. For the artists, and venues, and myself, it was a way to build a career that could, and often did ( and still do), have leg, sustain. . Performing wise, Mustard’s Retreat has 50 years under it’s belt, and is still going strong, working on our 16th recording and playing between 35-50 gigs a year.. I’m full of gratitude for my great relationship with my daughter Molly, for the audiences who keep Mustard’s Retreat going, and the wonderful relationships I have made, all over the world , in this family of music.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Everyone has struggles. Being open and honest will get taken advantage of, but we learn from those betrayals, and I have ALWAYS found that the greater community was there for me, because I had been there for them. Very humbling and reaffirming.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I found early on that most touring artists did not have management, and were really in need of it. I took on unofficial management roles as it seemed the only and smartest way to be successful. Most all of this was without any extra compensation, but believe that was part of what made me successful: that I thought long term about building a career and was not fixated on short term money. The thanks I receive, and the reputation I have in the community continue to be the greatest reward I can imagine. When I look back on this community I had some hand in establishing, it makes me very proud. Many young artists have no idea what is was like decades ago when there was virtually no network to tap into or venues to play. I am humbled to realize that have been, and still am, just one link in a long chain of folks that came before me, and those who have worked along side me all these years….and their struggles and caring have allowed me to accomplish what ai have.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Integrity
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tamulevich.com and www.mustardsretreat.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mustardsretreat
