As C.E.O., Founder, and namesake of Tina Farris Tours, Tina Farris continues to not only facilitate record-breaking tours for GRAMMY® Award-winning generational superstars, but she also fuels the execution of historic cultural moments everywhere from The Super Bowl and The World Cup to The Kennedy Center and Global Citizen Festival in South Africa. Her current tour management roster spans longstanding clients The Roots as well as Chris Rock, Steve Lacy, The Internet, and Syd. Billboard, Essence, Revolt, The Root, and more have chronicled her career thus far, while Pollstar touted her as “Top Tour Manager 2019” and among its “2022 Women of Live.”
She consistently asserts herself as an artist champion, first and foremost.
“The machine all starts with the talent,” she notes. “I’m a proponent for the creator above all. I love the music. If the artist doesn’t have a good show, then I don’t have a good show. I’m here to provide a great experience for everyone—from the audience and the ticket-takers to the bathroom attendants and the hair and makeup specialists.”
The California native grew up immersed in music. Her grandfather Harvey Fuqua signed to Motown as Founder of the Moonglows. She visited him on tour during summer break while on the road working with Smokey Robinson. Eventually, she learned upright bass in fifth grade. During undergrad at UCLA, she discovered The Roots. Meeting the band and developing a rapport, she stole away to see them on the road at any chance possible. Giving up a teaching gig at Compton High, she opted to “join the circus and see the world.”
Since 1999, she has worked with The Roots, canvasing the entire globe many times over and working on their festival Roots Picnic in every iteration. Among many highlights, she also served as Executive Producer of The Roots Residency Road To Roots Picnic at The Kennedy Center and as Producer for the popular annual The Roots GRAMMY® Jam Session. She has also handled tour management for legendary jaunts such as Lil Wayne’s record-setting America’s Most Wanted Tour 2009 with Drake and Nicki Minaj (the highest-grossing hip-hop tour ever at the time) in addition to Minaj’s blockbuster The Pink Friday Tour. She spent two years on the road in arenas and stadiums with Black Eyed Peas, culminating with their Halftime Show at Super Bowl XLV joined by Usher and Slash. 2018 saw her assume the role of tour manager for Chris Rock’s historic Total Blackout Tour. Entrusted by the legendary comedian, she also ran his 2022 co-headlining run with Dave Chappelle. Other clients have ranged from Jill Scott and Queen Latifah to D’Angelo, Fergie, and Anderson .Paak. Along the way, she has built up a tried-and-true team with a rotating staff of six, covering shows worldwide.
Simultaneously, she has expanded into the world of film and television. She notably created the upcoming series Tour for STARZ (based on her journey) and will complete the Peter Stark Producer’s Program at University of Southern California in Spring 2023.
She regularly appears on industry panels and even teaches her own class at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Giving back, she sponsors and supports children at White Hall Arts Academy and remains an active board member for Black Girls Surf.
“I’m constantly teaching,” she notes. “I love to mentor and train the next generation. It’s important for me to push diverse people forward in this business. I’m a black woman in a heavily male-dominated industry, and I want to show this is possible.”
In the end, Tina always ensures the show goes on.
“I’m the person you call when you need to deal with something,” she leaves off. “It’s challenging and fun, and I’m so grateful to be elevating the art.”