Brett Radin, manager of ‘Idol’ winner Dave Matthews, dies at 53
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Brett Radin, a longtime music manager who recently joined Knitting Factory’s in-house management department, died Friday at his home, a company representative confirmed to Variety. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed; He was 53.
During his career, Los Angeles-based Radin worked closely with Dave Matthews, Tracy Chapman, “American Idol” winners Lee DeWise and Phillip Phillips, Weepys, Vanessa Carlton and Les Claypool. In January, he took a full-time position at The Knitting Factory, bringing with him his Zero Management clients DeWize, Dave Egger, D’Arcy and Cut the Kids in Half.
Brian Long, president of Knitting Factory Management, said in a statement, “We are deeply saddened to learn of Brett’s passing. He brought a thunderbolt of positive energy. He was passionate about his artists, deeply knowledgeable and intuitive about the workings of the music industry. He will be missed.”
Knitting Factory Entertainment CEO Morgan Margolis added, “Brett was a friend first, and his passing saddens us all beyond words. A truly positive and compassionate soul on all fronts. Sending love to his family and friends everywhere.”
Radin’s connection to “American Idol” dates back to his time at 19 Entertainment, where he served as an artist manager from 2012 to 2014, and represented contestant alum James Durbin in 2011 (Deweez won the competition in 2010; Phillips in 2012). Before 19, he worked for Ghost Management, whose roster included Chapman, Matthews, Claypool and Carlton, as well as Liz Phair, Granddaddy, Joan Osborne, Minnie Driver and Spacehog. At Ghost, he held various roles including day-to-day management and tour production.
The Knitting Factory began as a New York City location in 1987 and expanded to additional locations over the following decades, launching a record label in 1998. Today, it operates live entertainment venues in New York, Boise, Idaho, Spokane, Wash. Partners in music events such as North Hollywood, California and Desert Days of California and the Nebraska Grand Festival.
