Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Watkins.
Hi Susan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been involved with music. My dad, a jazz musician from London, moved to the United States shortly before I was born. He continued his musical career here, performing at high-profile events such as JFK’s inaugural ball and a series of shows at New York’s Carnegie Hall. He also did the standard non-jazz stuff that most of us do – bars, weddings, private events, and parties. He did gigs up until his passing 20 years ago.
As for me, I’ve always loved singing. I participated in school choirs and plays and joined my first band in my twenties. We performed covers and original songs at legendary Manhattan clubs like CBGB, The Bitter End, Café Wha, and many more. When I became a parent, I transitioned from performing to promoting music. I founded a company called Fret Less Music, dedicated to handling the non-musical tasks for musicians, allowing them to focus solely on their craft. I managed bookings, college radio promotion, and marketing, and even got some of my acts reviewed in Billboard Magazine. I also produced two girl-fronted band CDs called Go On Girl, just before the Lilith Fair gained momentum and girl-fronted bands became more prevalent.
I relocated to Orlando about 20 years ago and began singing in local bands, mostly at bars. In 2012, I founded SPEED LIMIT 70, and I am proud to say that we still perform regularly, with over 750 shows under our belt. I handle most of the booking, social media, venue outreach, agent communications, and all the business-related tasks (we’re an LLC) – and I sing! Starting a band from scratch, without any gear or musicians or bookings, and running it successfully has been one of my proudest achievements, second only to raising my children.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Growing up in New York with supportive parents, I felt like there wasn’t much I couldn’t achieve. Opportunities for music seemed to be everywhere. When I think back to getting my band booked at CBGB, I remember how Hilly Kristal, the owner, had a specific schedule for taking calls. If you managed to get through and he liked what you had to say or listened to the music you sent, he’d give you a chance and a booking at the legendary club. And that was pretty common. If you had a good band, you could get shows. I believed anything was possible.
Running my band in Orlando has been a different experience. I started with enthusiasm and determination, facing numerous and surprising obstacles along the way. There are undoubtedly more challenges for women in the cover band circuit. Some of my interactions with booking agents and venue staff have been baffling. However, I believe in my product – my band – and refuse to let pushback discourage me. I recently read that “every rejection is a redirection,” and this has proven to be true. When one door closes, others inevitably open.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We are SPEED LIMIT 70, an Orlando-based classic hits band. When the band started in 2012, my goal was to play the lesser-known B-side hits that not everyone else was performing. Our initial tagline was “Not the Same Old Song.” However, I quickly learned that audiences crave the hits! So, we pivoted from playing B-sides to performing the beloved hits, which has been a winning formula for us.
Cover bands often joke about the “Central Florida Top 40,” vowing never to play certain overdone songs, and I used to feel the same way. My perspective shifted when I realized that, regardless of the age group, venue, or time, everyone dances to “Play That Funky Music.” While we still sprinkle in some lesser-known gems, we now focus on crowd favorites from the ’70s and ’80s. These songs resonate with everyone, and people often thank us for evoking nostalgic memories.
We also take pride in delivering a seamless show, playing through without breaks between songs. Our current lineup excels at maintaining an infectious groove, and we’re proud of the energetic and engaging performances we offer.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I want to express how grateful I feel to be able to perform music. I never imagined that my spark of an idea in 2012 would blossom into a band that has connected us with so many people who have become like family. We have celebrated milestone birthdays and anniversaries with our followers and shared countless memories and good times, all thanks to music. It is truly a gift to sing for people every weekend and to share a stage with such accomplished musicians – who are also wonderful human beings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.speedlimit70.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speedlimit70band
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speedlimit70
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/speedlimit70band
Image Credits
Professional Photos: Mark Horan Photography
