Cassadee Pope Mourns Booking Agent Dave Shapiro
Winner Cassadee Pope honors mentor Dave Shapiro applauding his support and impact.
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Cassadee Pope Pays Tribute To A Mentor
The music world has lost one of its most dedicated advocates. On June 5, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Cassadee Pope took to Instagram to mourn the passing of booking agent Dave Shapiro. In a moving post, Pope wrote, “The music industry lost a legend today. But more importantly we all lost a really special friend…”
Shapiro was known for championing emerging artists and giving them their first major opportunities. In her caption, Pope recalled how “when other booking agents made me feel unworthy of attention and care, he signed me, built me up and kept me busy.” She added that she owes much of her self-belief to his encouragement in her toughest moments.
The Legacy Of Dave Shapiro
Dave Shapiro founded Shapiro Live!, a booking agency that represented top performers across genres—rock bands, pop vocalists and chart-topping soloists. Over four decades, he forged relationships with venues and promoters worldwide, championing newcomers and helping them break through.
Colleagues remember Shapiro’s hands-on approach: he would personally call club owners to secure headline slots and offer pep talks before big shows. Many artists credit him with jump-starting their touring careers and teaching them the ins and outs of life on the road.
From Hey Monday To The Voice Winner
Cassadee Pope first rose to fame as lead vocalist of pop-punk band Hey Monday. After the group disbanded in 2011, she embarked on a solo path that led her to NBC’s The Voice in 2012. Under coach Blake Shelton, she became the first female to win the series, earning her debut album Tangled that same year.
Her versatile voice and rock-influenced style have kept Pope busy ever since—touring internationally, collaborating with EDM DJs and landing roles in musical theatre. In January, she joined the cast of Titanique, an Off-Broadway parody that reimagines Titanic as a Celine Dion-packed musical comedy.
Artists Reflect On A Generous Spirit
Industry insiders reacted to Pope’s tribute by sharing their own memories of Shapiro. Promoter Lisa Nguyen posted on X, “He treated every artist like family. He believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself.” Manager Tony Alvarez told Billboard, “Dave was tough but fair—he pushed you to do better and then celebrated your wins like they were his own.”
Pope closed her Instagram message with a personal farewell: “My love and deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones. Such a sad day 💔.”
His passing leaves a void in an industry built on relationships and trust. Yet Shapiro’s influence lives on through the artists he mentored and the stages he opened for them.
As Cassadee Pope and countless others come to terms with this loss, they carry forward his legacy of belief, perseverance and unwavering support for musicians everywhere.
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