The Way You Do Everything with Prince's Bus Driver Neville Drew Shende

Summary

In this episode of $old 4 a $ong, host Terrance Sawchuk goes behind the scenes of the touring world with Neville Drew Shende — veteran entertainer coach driver, Director of Tour Relations at Pioneer Coach, and founder of CDL Platinum.

Neville shares stories from two decades on the road with iconic artists like Prince, Alicia Keys, Aerosmith, Papa Roach, and Disturbed, offering a rare look at life on tour and the lessons that shaped his career. From the discipline and artistry of Prince to the importance of self-worth, hard work, and healthy balance, Neville brings a fresh perspective on what it takes to succeed in entertainment.

Takeaways

Prince was always moving forward, despite industry pressures. The importance of self-worth in the music industry. Building relationships is key to success in entertainment. Understanding the nuances of your craft is essential. Creativity should not be stifled by external expectations. The value of hard work and dedication in achieving success. Positive energy can uplift those around you. Investing in yourself is crucial for long-term success. The importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Learning from experiences shapes your professional journey.

Summary

In this episode, Neville Drew Shende shares his incredible journey as an entertainer bus driver, detailing his experiences with iconic artists like Prince. He discusses the importance of self-worth, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the music industry. Neville emphasizes the value of building relationships and understanding the nuances of one's craft, while also introducing his CDL Platinum course aimed at empowering drivers in the entertainment industry.

Titles

Behind the Scenes with a Rock Star Bus Driver Lessons from the Road: Insights from Neville Drew Shendi

Sound bites

"Let the baker make the bread." "I fell in love with the guitar." "I was the smoothest cat."

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of an Entertainer Bus Driver 20:55 Lessons from Prince: The Art of Perfection 45:32 Navigating the Music Industry: Artist Control and Value 49:01 Empowering Drivers: The CDL Platinum Course

 

Keywords

entertainer bus driver, Prince, music industry, artist control, CDL Platinum, Neville Drew Shende, songwriting, self-worth, creative empowerment, tour management

You can reach Neville Drew Shende at www.cdlplatinum.com

 

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Neville Drew Shende – Professional Biography

Current Role:

• Director of Tour Relations at Pioneer Coach, one of the leading companies handling coach services for high-profile performing artists.

Industry Experience:

• Carries approximately 22 years of extensive experience in the entertainment touring industry, including logistics, fleet management, and driver relations

Career Highlights:

• Held multiple roles at Pioneer Coach:

  • Director of Tour Relations (Apr 2023–Present)

  • Fleet Operations/Safety Manager & Tour & Driver Relations (Feb 2002–Apr 2023)

  • Entertainer Coach Driver (Feb 2002–Oct 2009)

  • Clients: Prince, Alicia Keys, Papa Roach, Disturbed, Aerosmith... 

• Managed a fleet of over 37 entertainer sleeper buses, coordinating 36 full-time and 48 part-time drivers—a complex logistical operation demanding precision and reliability.

Entrepreneurial & Creative Ventures:

• Owner of Nelvis Enterprises LLC (since March 2004):

  • Published a book titled “The Entertainer Coach Driver: An Inside Look”, offering behind-the-scenes insight into the concert touring world.

  • Founder of www.cdlplatinum.com