Michael, originally a truck driver, attended an oldies concert in the mid-eighties. "The whole show was terrible. I told my wife, Joanie, that I could do a better concert than that, and she said, ‘Then do it!’ So, I got together with a friend and promoted my first oldies show. We did pretty well and I made a little money, and that’s where it started."

Originally started in Michael’s living room, and then moved to an office next to his house, Mountain High Entertainment has seen tremendous growth, culminating in their move to new, expanded offices three years ago. In addition, their Event Production / Talent Buying Services have grown tremendously as well.

Mountain High Entertainment has also continued to establish itself as one of the leading producers / promoters / buyers of entertainment for events throughout the west, presenting over 400 shows per year at venues of all types.

Michael’s success in entertainment continues to grow and evolve. In addition to talent buying, Michael Scafuto Management was started three years ago, and in January 2001 he started his own record label " Mad Dog Records, Inc.

Along with his professional success, Michael has also been a member of a number of community organizations and charities, but the one he holds nearest and dearest to his heart is the Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House. "I do whatever I can for the Ronald McDonald House. In the past we’ve done fundraising concerts, I’ve directed one of their largest annual fund-raisers" The Relay For Kids, and we do a radio auction with KFRG each year where we auction off items from Country music stars," said Scafuto. "Out of all the things I’ve done in the entertainment business, using it to help the Ronald McDonald House is what I’m most proud of."

How have the after-effects of Sept. 11 impacted your business?

For one thing, I got stuck at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, Miss. while selling my production show "Moscow on Ice." Luckily, after five days, I was able to get home. We are also very fortunate that many of the play dates we had could be driven and not flown, and so we are very lucky that most of our play dates went forward in and around that two-week time frame. We also have another business called Mad Dog Records that has an office on E. 10th St. in New York City and was pretty much shut down. Employees were distracted by not knowing if their family and friends were hurt or killed. Thank God no one from the Mountain High Entertainment, or Mad Dog Records family were hurt or killed.

First industry job

I started out as a promoter -- an oldies show at the Chris Davis Supper Club in Rialto, Calif. I didn't know what I was doing, but I promoted the hell out of it. I sold all of the 700 tickets to capacity, and I had over 300 people outside wanting to get in. I was hooked. I did it on a dare from my wife, and I really never had the thought of being in the music business until that day.

Career highlight

The thing I am most proud of is in 1997; I promoted an event called "The Relay for Kids" for the Ronald McDonald House in Loma Linda, Calif. It took three months of pre-planning and most of my office staff to pull it off. We raised over $400,000 which all went to the Ronald McDonald House. We raised more that year than Los Angeles and Orange Counties combined.

Career disappointment

Most disappointing to me is that there are inexperienced venues that I have gone after to be their talent buyer, and although I have all the credibility, knowledge, routing and all the right stuff for the venue, they do not choose Mountain High Entertainment. They will, however, choose a guy who promoted one club act once. Instead of going for the knowledge, which in turn will give them the buying power and keep their costs down and their income up, they will go with someone with very limited experience. They do not see that in the long run, it will cost them a lot of money in the future. That is extremely disappointing.

Greatest challenge

Balancing family and work. I love them both, and I have to pull myself away from each to give them adequate time.

Best business decision

The move from a pure promotion company to more of a talent buyer meant that we could diversify the business into a full service promotion/talent buyer/event organizer-style operation. That decision increased our business anywhere from 5 to 15% per year steadily for the last 12 years; Selling the nightclubs I owned.

Worst business decision

Buying the nightclubs I owned.

Best business advice to offer

Be persistent. Be prepared to take chances. Be open-minded. If you're going to be a business owner, you must be prepared to be the first one in the office and the last one to leave.

Most memorable industry event

When I first started in the business I always thought that if I could work with the Beach Boys, I would have made it. My first show with the Beach Boys was the most memorable show of all. I have since worked with the Beach Boys numerous times and have enjoyed each experience.

What people who know you would be surprised to learn about you

That I don't know Tony Soprano, Luca Brazzi or where Jimmy Hoffa is.

Office paraphernalia

Our office looks typical until you hit the door. Once inside, you don't feel cold like an insurance company. My office has a large amount of knickknacks and bric-a-brac. Some of the more unique ones include some horse’s heads, paintings, awards, certificates and lots and lots of nutcrackers. The nutcrackers stay up all year 'round.

Industry pet peeve

I hate waiting on phone calls and answers.

What do you think about CelebrityAccess?

One of the best tools I've ever had in the business.

Michael can be reached at 909-980-8900; e-mail: mthient@aol.com

.

.