Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy James.
Hi Jeremy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After graduating from the University of Florida with a BS in Advertising in 1992, I plastered my wall with rejection letters from ad agency jobs. Frustrated, I sent out my acting headshot and immediately got hired doing print work and local commercials. I was a spokesperson for “hair restoration for men” and “tupperware.” I was also the guy in the picture frames you buy at CVS. (That Christmas I gifted everyone in my family CVS frames with pictures of me.)
I always loved singing, so I prepared three audition songs for a job at Universal Studios singing acapella with the “Hollywood Hi-Tones.” They were the doo-wop group that performed hits from the film, “American Graffiti” in front of Mel’s Drive-In. Shalisa, the cute lead singer in the poodle skirt called me from the park one day and said, “Jeremy, you know those three songs you learned for your audition? Well you need to come in today and learn three more.” My nerve-wracking audition was in front of a live theme park audience! I guess I did ok, because I got the job and married Shalisa.
In 1998, Shalisa and I co-founded “Toxic Audio”, an acappella group that started at the Orlando Fringe Festival and went on to win the “Drama Desk Award” for our Off-Broadway show. In 2000, we bought the company that had hired us to sing together and re-named it “Entertainment Central Productions.” This year marks 25 years as creators and vendors of not only acappella groups and bands, but any live entertainment you can imagine to clients like NBC Universal, Google, SpaceX, GE, Sprint and Orlando Health. We are producing a national tour of “A Christmas Carol” this year and Entertainment Central Media, our video production group, is shooting creative brand videos for businesses across the country.
Somewhere in there we put three kids through college.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Making a living in the event and entertainment business is not for the timid. According to a recent study by the World Scholarship Vault it’s the third most stressful job IN THE WORLD. It’s not a regular job where you can just can call in if you don’t feel up to it. The show must go on. You only get one shot when you are creating a live moment that will thrill, entertain, and maybe even educate. The stress and expectations are high, especially in the world of corporate events. One of my favorite things is to smile really big at a stressed out planner and say, “this is gonna be great.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We’ve been described as “a dream to work with.” We have a show must go on mentality and we are huge help to our clients. Branded live events and video content is what we do. No idea is too wild. Write an original rap about a tech-savy GE washing machine performed by a costumed flash mob? Sure thing. Shoot a music video with a singing doctor reminding hospital staff to “wash their hands.” Done. Shoot a kids spooky craft show starring “Vincent Van Ghoul” for Google? Fun! We love a creative challenge and we always deliver.
PS: Jimmy Fallon says we rock!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
In entertainment, whether onstage or on video, you have to put your audience first. We deliver the WOW to our audience every time- increasing engagement and making our clients shine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.entertainmentcentralproductions.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/entertaincentral
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.james.792
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jamesfl/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thatentertainmentlife353
- Other: https://entertaincentralmedia.com/
