Teacher gains experiences and leadership, stays humble
David Polston freelance photography
Photo of Mann walking behind Tim McGraw in June 2014 as they walk him to the stage at the Amphitheatre.
Talking, teaching, guarding, leading.
With a love for both teaching and music, Brian Mann has many talents and experiences from his jobs over the years.
“I’m the director of security at The Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheatre, so basically I’m in charge of staffing ticket takers, ushers, and security which is my primary role,” said Mann, head of the Special Education Department. “I coordinate with the police, with deputy sheriffs, with homeland security, as well as the bands and their security director when they come in.”
Working in the band security business for over 30 years, he has worked under many different companies.
“I started [security] when I was 19 years old, and then the company got bought out,” Mann said. “So I’ve kind of worked my way through each company as it’s been replaced.”
In hand with the hard work comes the fun that every person should find in their job. Throughout his time working concerts, Mann has met thousands of celebrities.
“My favorite [celebrity] would be Dave Mathews, because I’ve done so much with him,” Mann said. “I’ve done probably 60 or 70 shows with him, so I’m pretty familiar with him and know his crew. I’ve gotten to know him pretty well over the years.”
Mann has not only met national celebrities, but he has met “phenomenal” global celebrities as well.
“After 9/11, there was this huge concert benefit in Washington D.C. where I got to hang out with Michael Jackson and Mariah Carrey and a lot of famous people. I was with John Stamos all day while he was MC of the show. It was one of the coolest experiences just because of where the country was and what was going on.”
His time with Live Nation builds, but Mann maintains a humble composure that many respect.
“I [admire] his compassion and his humility,” said Carol Seacrist, English department chair and Mann’s coworker at the Amphitheater. “He is somebody who has met a lot of famous people, he runs the special Ed department here, he is in charge of hundreds of employees at the amphitheater, and never does any of it for his own glory.”
