TAMPA, Fla. — Welcome to 9 Questions with…, an exclusive Spectrum Bay News 9 feature in which we get to know some of the Bay area’s movers and shakers a little better. It could be a politician, an artist, a first responder, a bartender—just about anyone, really. This week’s subject is Joe D'Acunto, who has helped put on innumerable local and national concerts over the past two decades. Is there someone you’d like to answer 9 Questions? Let us know!

Are you a Tampa Bay native? If not, where are you from?

Born in Brooklyn, NY, raised in Staten Island, NY. I moved to Tampa in 1996 to attend USF.

How would you describe your job or claim to fame?

Talent booker, music promoter, graphic designer. Through my past and present projects (THX MGMT, Tastemakers, Hot Dog Party, Fanatics, Rock The Park, Brokenmold Entertainment) I’ve always strived to celebrate creativity within the Bay-area art and music scene. To create experiences that I want to see/hear/feel. And that’s allowed me to take a journey along with like-minded friends that’ll continue to grow and evolve as the scene does.

What’s your favorite Tampa Bay restaurant?

Rooster & The Till, since day one. They constantly inspire, continuously program, and never stop challenging themselves.

Do you have a personal Tampa Bay “secret spot” and/or “hidden treasure”?

Some dear friends of mine recently opened up a natural wine bar & Caribbean/NOLA restaurant (Bayou Bodega) out on Davis Islands, when the peoples find out about this spot... Lord have mercy. 

What is your favorite Tampa Bay tradition?

Hands down, Gasparilla Music Festival. The crew over there does a great job of putting on a wonderful festival. Enjoying Tampa's downtown with some of the world's finest musicians year after year has been my favorite weekend consistently. 

What’s one thing many people don’t know about you that you’re willing to share with us?

I spent seven years designing sports apparel for the NFL, NBA, MLB & NHL — from right here in Tampa Bay!

If you could change one thing about the Tampa Bay area or your community specifically, what would it be?

I could nitpick, but i think right now I just miss seeing my St. Pete homies on a semi-regular basis. Both sides of the Bay need each other. I'm gonna go with mass transit, but additional money for the arts would be killer. If we want a vibrant city, funding artists is a must.

You’re working on some big things coming up soon, can you tell us about them?

We just celebrated our 11th year of doing Rock The Park at Curtis Hixon [Waterfront Park in Tampa], so that was incredible. Also, we’re bringing back an old mini-fest we did from ‘04 ’til ’13 called Summer Jam. This version will be two days of programming at Crowbar in Ybor City, August 27 and 28. In the fall, All Them Witches, comedian Kyle Kinane, Jon Snodgrass, and Hobo Johnson are scheduled to perform in Tampa Bay, along with all our weekly programming at Ella’s [Americana Folk Art Cafe], Hooch & Hive, Corner Club and Shuffle.

How difficult is it to balance a return to live local music in Tampa Bay with people clamoring for events during a COVID resurgence?

We’ve partnered with venues, restaurants and bars that all work together in a partnership called Safe & Sound, which has been backed by the National Independent Venue Association. and the City of Tampa to create a safer, enjoyable live music experience.