About Us

For the past decade, Danny Hayes served as CEO, partner and general counsel for Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP), one of the most successful independent live entertainment companies in the United States. Under his leadership, DWP produced large-scale, multi-day music and lifestyle festivals that collectively sold over 1 million tickets annually nationwide. The company created and grew iconic events like Welcome to Rockville, Aftershock and Louder Than Life in markets like Daytona, Louisville and Sacramento.  The company also produced Bourbon & Beyond, the world’s largest bourbon festival featuring artists such as Sting, Bruno Mars, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Stevie Nicks, Zach Bryan, and Dave Matthews Band.

Before DWP, Danny spent over 25 years as an entertainment attorney and business advisor to high-profile artists including Linkin Park, Yanni, Staind, Tool, Boys II Men, Guns N Roses and Paramore. He is a founding board member and was legal counsel for the social rewards platform Swagbucks, which sold to TCV for $1.2 billion.  Danny has also represented producers, executives, record, publishing and merchandise companies, and social media and e-commerce platforms.   As an advisor and executive, Danny has raised over $100 million in capital from notable partners including Yucaipa, the United Auburn Indian Community, Silicon Valley Bank, and a broad network of corporate and private investors.

A strategic thinker with a direct communication style, Danny’s leadership philosophy is rooted in operational excellence, disciplined execution, and building teams capable of delivering world-class experiences. His approach blends financial rigor with creative vision to ensure events are not only culturally resonant but also economically sustainable.

Since selling his interest back to DWP, Danny has been consulting with local and state governments, start-ups, and private equity firms on sports and entertainment projects, business valuations, legal issues, agreements and negotiations, M&A, strategy, event development, and large-scale audience engagement to help partners deliver transformative cultural and economic impact.  

Other career highlights include developing, shopping, producing and appearing in Andrew Dice Clay’s VH-1 show Dice Undisputed.  Danny served on the board of With Your Shield (supporting Navy SEALs transitioning to civilian life) and leads the Bellarmine University Wrestling Collective. Through his charitable work, he has helped direct over $1 million annually to local organizations in festival markets nationwide.

A graduate of the University of Miami (Finance, minor in Music) and USC Law School, Danny began his career as a tour assistant for Yanni before becoming a partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. He was the managing partner of the 20-person entertainment boutique of Davis, Shapiro, Lewit and Hayes with offices in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.  He lives in Los Angeles, is a full-time single father, and remains passionate about building experiences that bring communities together and leave lasting legacies.