Toward the end of 2019, the Key Signature team decided to come up with a way to tell our audience about some of the great relationships we have with our musicians and how we became so close-knit. The bulk of our social media output is often focused on the event professional, although the professional musician is equally important. Check out some of these defining moments that brought us closer to the talented musicians who we consider to be a part of our Key Signature Family.
Fred Lee IV and Late Night Special
November 15, 2019 | Mikayla Mendels
You may have noticed quite a few posts about the band, Late Night Special, on our social media during the last quarter of 2019. This is because Key Signature was in a tough situation the last week of October, and we owe this band a huge thank you for helping us through.
We had two bands scheduled for the Wingate University homecoming a few weeks back, and three hours before the second band was supposed to arrive, we got a call saying they wouldn’t make it. We were scrambling and find another group to fill in, and Fred Heintz managed to pull together a 5 piece band for us within no time. He got to the event early, almost as though he hung up the phone and drove straight to Wingate, and he and his guys put on a great show for us.
We couldn’t be more appreciative of their willingness to help us, so when we realized a couple days later that we had time for an extra performer at our showcase, it was a no brainer to call Fred. He happened to be available with a single day’s notice (a little more than last time!) and he brought an amazing trio that our clients loved. He had just the right song list, and the music added the perfect ambiance to kick off the event.
This band a perfect example of our motto – “Good People, Good Music.” Thanks, Late Night Special!
Mike Graci and Kids in America
November 22, 2019 | Mikayla Mendels
While reflecting on this past year as a team, we couldn’t help but notice how strong our partnership with Mike Graci and Kids in America – Totally 80s Tribute has become.
Our business is most successful when the artists we work with see our relationship as a two-way street, which is exactly what our relationship with this band is.
We have a particular client in Greenville, SC that LOVES having Kids in America play at their company events. When an indirectly related client reached out to Kids in America to be the house band for a 4 day long conference, Mike didn’t think twice about sending the client our way to work out the details. He wanted to include us in this event because of the mutual respect we have for each other.
Mike and his bands always go above and beyond for our clients, and they understand the value of reviews and referrals.
Mike Ramsey
November 29, 2019 | Tius Ragan-Johnson
As event professionals ourselves, we understand that networking and being present in the industry is important for us in terms of visibility and relevance, but there aren’t as many opportunities for musicians to network as private event professionals. This past year, we wanted to change that.
We had our first ever KSE Artist Meet & Greet event back in March of this year to give our artists an opportunity to network with us and amongst each other. Mike Ramsey was among those invited, although we only booked him a handful of times throughout the years up to this point, and it completely changed our working relationship with him.
Once we got to know him a little better, we saw his comical and fun personality come out and realized that this is what he portrays through his music. He’s personable, easy going, and knows how to make others feel his positive energy through his work.Needless to say, we have established a very strong relationship with Mike since meeting him at the KSE Artist Meet & Greet just a few short months ago. As a result, we’ve been able to work with him on 4 times as many events this year as we did in 2018, just because of how much we liked getting to know him.
Dante Lewis
December 6, 2019 | Brandon Crumpton
I met Dante Lewis at one of the first concerts we ever produced at Romare Bearden Park. As soon as we saw each other we immediately thought we were related. The resemblance was just too much for us not to be. Ever since then we’ve maintained a partnership and friendship that has grown both of our businesses and we’re continuing to try new things to expand our reach. The trust between KSE and Dante Lewis is what keeps this bond strong. Every year we meet at our favorite spot in Ft. Mill and discuss our plans for the future. We don’t always agree, but our mutual respect for one another is what leads to continued success. We have his back and he has ours. He’s truly become a brother to me.
John and Judy Floyd Next Level Band of Charlotte and KRVE Band
December 13, 2019 | Brandon Crumpton
John and Judy Floyd are the owners of Next Level Band Of Charlotte and KRVE Band. NLBOC was the first project we partnered with them on. We would attend their rehearsals and give tips on what to work on and how to improve the set list. John would take our opinions to heart and incorporate them in to the band’s performances.
The members of each band are part of our KSE Family, and I am always ready for my 8am text from John about whatever is on his mind. We’ve had some great conversations about the direction of his bands and how to grow his business. In fact….during a conversation with Danyell Cherece II of NLBOC at an event, we stumbled on to our motto “Good People, Good Music.” We are honored to be a small part of their growth and success.
Bradford Ray Bailey
December 20, 2019 | Tius Ragan-Johnson
The first time I met Bradford Ray Bailey, I instantly knew he’d become one of my favorite people.
He played a public event toward the end of the summer last year shortly after I joined the team as an intern, and Brandon and Mikayla thought it would be a good chance for me to meet a musician we work with often. I went, and ended up being the only person sitting down and focusing on just the musicians and applauding after each song – everyone else was checking out the street vendors and enjoying the rest of the event. I thought he was incredible; I knew and liked all the songs he played, and I’d never seen someone play the blues on an 8-string electric guitar before. He and the drummer took a break about halfway through their set, and I introduced myself.
We chatted about my time with Key Signature thus far, and I mentioned that I was also a musician and asked about his practice routine. Without really even knowing me, Brad sat down and offered some great insight on his approach to music, and suggested some resources that helped him get to where he was then. I never forgot how warm and genuine his personality was, and I’m always happy when I get a chance to give him a call to work on an event together for that reason.
