David Morgan spent more than 50 years standing between artists and audiences, helping translate performances into emotional experiences night after night.

As the longtime front of house engineer for James Taylor, Paul Simon, Bette Midler, Steely Dan, Whitney Houston, Fleetwood Mac, and many others, he’s mixed everything from intimate theater shows to massive outdoor performances for hundreds of thousands of people. But what drives him has never really been the résumé.

It’s the people walking out smiling.

In this conversation, David reflects on the path from hauling PA and carrying a spotlight in a North Hollywood country bar to mixing some of the most celebrated tours in modern music history. Along the way, he shares stories about the Doobie Brothers, Graceland, James Taylor, analog gear, mentorship, touring culture, and what it actually takes to survive in live sound for over five decades.

More than anything, this episode is about service to the music, service to the artist, and the responsibility of helping audiences feel something real.

About David Morgan

David Morgan is a legendary front of house engineer whose career spans more than five decades. His touring history includes Paul Simon, James Taylor, Steely Dan, Whitney Houston, Bette Midler, Fleetwood Mac, Barry Manilow, Simon & Garfunkel, the Doobie Brothers, and many more.

He has received eleven TEC Award nominations, winning for Steely Dan’s Y2K Tour in 2001, and received the Parnelli Award in 2019 for his work with Fleetwood Mac. He also wrote a long-running column for FOH Magazine and has lectured at USC Thornton School of Music and Blackbird Academy.

More importantly, he remains one of the most respected and humble people in live sound.


Originally released in November 2020.