Doc Clarke of Los Angeles on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Doc Clarke and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Doc, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day is pretty routine for the most part. In a perfect world I wake up about 6am-630. This also depends on the amount of sleep I got the night before. Which usually isn’t much. I tend to have issues sleeping through the night. Once I wake I up. I make a beeline to the bathroom to brush my teeth. That’s first and foremost!!..Get myself together and go on my daily morning 13mile bike ride, I try to ride every single morning. The ride helps me clear my mind, as I listen to music and go over the days agenda in my head. Depending on the weather and couple street lights here and there. The ride takes me about 56-59 mins. I hit the shower,get dressed and really start my day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve been a music lover my entire life. Music has always been an essential part of who I am. As a kid, I had no idea just how much it would shape my life’s journey. Growing up, both my mother and father—though they lived in separate households—filled their homes with music from all the greats: Stevie Wonder, The Staple Singers, The Pointer Sisters, The Brothers Johnson, and Teddy Pendergrass. I can still picture those album covers in the living room and remember staring into the speakers, wondering, How is this sound even made?

Back then, I never imagined I’d one day work in the music industry—let alone understand how music is created and have the opportunity to support artists who perform for thousands of people. That’s what I love most about being a talent booker: creating spaces for artists to share their gifts and be properly compensated for their craft.

At TSE Entertainment (TSEEntertainment.com), where I work as a talent booker, I help coordinate live performances and create opportunities for artists to connect with audiences across the country. Separately, I also work with multi-platinum, four-time Grammy Award–winning artist, producer, and songwriter Bobby Ross Avila of The Avila Brothers as his manager. In addition, I’ve had the privilege of working with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, booking national anthem performers for their games.

At the end of the day, what drives me is helping artists fulfill their dreams. There’s nothing more rewarding than being part of the process that helps someone’s talent reach and inspire the world.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My mother was the definition of a hustler—grace and grit wrapped into one unstoppable force. A single woman raising two kids on one paycheck, she mastered the art of making something out of nothing. When the bills stacked up, she stacked her hustle higher. Tupperware, Avon, Fingerhut, even Mary Kay—you name it, she tried it. Whatever it took to keep our world turning, she was down for it.

Watching her taught me that work isn’t just about clocking in—it’s about showing up, pushing forward, and finding a way no matter what. That drive runs deep in me. I’m constantly chasing new opportunities, juggling projects, always trying to do it all. But I’ve learned that even hustle has its limits—when you stretch yourself too thin, something will always give. Finding that balance between ambition and attention is still my daily struggle and a battle I’m forever trying to find the answer to.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I think there are probably many times I have thought about “Giving Up”. But there is something inside of me that just wont let me. I would feel like a straight “Buster” or a “Mark” if I did. For those of you who know what those 2 terms mean. There is NO explanation needed. But even with that being said I can remember 2 times where I just wanted to give up cause of sadness, disappointment in myself and betrayal. Without going into super deep detail.The one that stands out the most is. I had gotten into alittle bit of trouble about 30 years ago. As I sat in jail and got the news that my grandfather was very ill and maybe not going to make it. I tried everything in my power to receive a bail so I could get a release to see my grandfather before it was to late. The judge and court denied me for a 3rd time. I can remember like it was yesterday coming back from court entering the unit where my cell was. Going to the furthest part of the unit next to the showers sitting on the cold concrete tiled floor and crying my eyes out. Saying “I’m never going to get out of here,NEVER”!. I balled and felt like there was no hope. Needless to say I survived that huge obstacle. But in the process my grandfather passed. I was not present for his passing. Never got to say goodbye and have never forgiven myself for it. My grandfather was my hero!..He was my father figure, He taught me how to be FLY. He was a tailor so he custom made all my clothes. He was a musician. He taught me how to read music and play the trumpet. He was EVERYTHING and I disappointed him by making a bad choice and wasn’t there for him like he was for me. That is something I have to live with forever.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. What you see is exactly what you get. I take pride in showing up the same way—whether the lights are on or the doors are closed. I don’t sugarcoat who I am. I’m competitive, a little petty when provoked, and sometimes read as unemotional. But I’m also straightforward, grounded, and intentional. What I won’t do is tear someone down just to stand taller myself.

I believe in hard work, in earning every bit of what I say I can do. I genuinely want to see people win. If I can help someone reach their goals faster, I’m all in. But the problem comes when that generosity turns into one-sided giving—when people keep taking without ever pouring back in. Or worse, when you find out someone’s been competing with you while you were trying to collaborate.

That’s when my competitive edge kicks in—and yes, the petty side too. I won’t pretend otherwise. I’m working on finding balance, but let’s be clear: don’t come for me if I didn’t send for you. That’s the real me—whether I’m on stage, online, or off the grid.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing? 
When I think about regret, it has nothing to do with missed career moves or opportunities. My deepest regret is far more personal—it’s not attending my father’s funeral. I was only nine when he passed. I understood what death meant—that I would never see him again—but I didn’t understand the weight of choosing not to say goodbye. I thought avoiding that pain would make it easier. Instead, it followed me. It lingers in the quiet moments, a reminder of something unfinished.

I didn’t have much time with my father, but the memories I do have are treasures. My favorite is the day he took me to see Enter the Dragon. Bruce Lee on the big screen, popcorn in hand, sitting beside my dad—it was magic. That movie became our eternal connection. I’ve watched it more than a hundred times since, and I know every line by heart. Each viewing feels like reaching across time, trying to bridge that gap between then and now.

Maybe part of me believes that the more I watch it, the closer I get to him—that somehow it makes up for not being there on his final day. It doesn’t erase the regret, but it keeps his spirit alive in the best way I know how: through a memory that still makes me smile.

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Image Credits
Brendan Hester (@beehester.raw)

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