Did you know that you can book a national performing artist for private concerts?
We primarily receive requests from clients for local artists (such as Mike Ramsey) or regional artists (like Reggie Sullivan Band) for their events, but most are not aware that they can also secure national names to perform a full concert just for them.
We think this disconnect may be due to the assumption that “national touring artists” are all inaccessible A-list celebrities with astronomically high fees, extravagant requests and diva-like attitudes, but this just isn’t true…most of the time.
So, what even makes someone a “national touring artist?” This term describes a musician or band with a pool of fans in each of several live music markets in multiple states across different regions of the country that are large enough to justify scheduling a national tour, rather than just performing in neighboring cities or states. Put plainly, it means they write and record original music and travel nationally to perform it.
Because of the logistics involved in scheduling a tour, these artists’ fees do tend to be higher than those of local and regional artists, but their shows also tend to be much more upscale and polished. As with local and regional acts, pricing is a spectrum and can compare to that of a smaller party band, or up to the price of a new mid-sized car, for instance, depending on the artist (and the car).
Logistics that Key Signature can help with when booking national acts:
-Hospitality (including travel and lodging accommodations, meals and refreshments for the artist).
-Run-of-show scheduling.
-Transportation from the hotel to the venue and back.
-Sound production and staging requirements.
-Backline requirements.
*A note on music consideration: these artists do not primarily play covers, but may include some at their own discretion. Concerts are often no longer than 90 minutes.
Below are two amazing national jazz musicians we’ve worked with closely in the past who put on shows fit for a queen. Take a listen, and send us an email with any questions or feedback!
Marcus Johnson
Marcus Johnson is a critically-acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, producer and entrepreneur. He’s also an independent Billboard-ranked musician and NAACP Image Award nominee. Marcus has released over 15 albums to this day that have ranked on the Billboard charts, and in 2019 we had the pleasure of executing a live concert with him right here in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Alicia Olatuja
Alicia Olatuja is a jazz singer from St. Louis, Missouri, with a strong vocal tone and stage presence. She broke into national attention as the featured soloist with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir at President Barack Obama’s Second Inauguration in 2013. Key Signature Entertainment brought her to Charlotte in 2017 for a jazz concert, and we can’t wait to have her back!
