NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Front and Center Entertainment, LLC announced today that founders Don Maggi and Denis J. Gallagher have added several new members to the Board of Directors for the fast-growing entertainment media and production company. The company produces the television programs Front and Center, the critically-acclaimed concert series that was launched in the spring of 2012, and public television interview series Speakeasy, that features candid conversations with Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame recipients, Grammy Award winners, and legendary iconic musicians. Both programs air on many public broadcasting stations across the United States.
Commenting on the additions to the Board, Chairman Denis Gallagher said, "Don and I got together just over seven years ago to create Front and Center as a way to showcase talented artists and their music. We then created a new type of conversation show called Speakeasy a few years ago which has been very popular and well received by the artists. Don's vision and vast experience in the music industry, combined with mine as an entrepreneur building several businesses in entertainment and media, was a natural partnership. We knew that we had to first build a brand that would allow us to be able to attract top artists to our shows and receive the support from management and the record labels."
Today Front and Center has over 100 fifty minute shows in its catalog and now produces about 20 shows per year. Artists enjoy the visibility they receive being on television. The company's relationship with its distribution partners in public television has increased exposure for artists to use the show as a way to promote their new music, a tour or just as a reset with their fans while building a new broader based audience. Gallagher added, "These solid additions to the Board will take us to an even higher level. They are talented business executives who will help Don and me as we grow, and also bring additional relationships and expertise to the company and management."
Joining the Board will be new members: David Scopelliti of Greenwich, Connecticut, a former investment banker, financial services CEO and senior officer of several financial companies; Scott Humphrey of Chicago, former Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at Bank of Montreal who currently serves on both public and private Boards; Kevin High of Charleston, South Carolina, a CEO of several technology and travel businesses; Anthony (Butch) Franklin of Flemington, New Jersey, a CEO of a large insurance brokerage firm that recently merged with AJ Gallagher Insurance. They join existing board members Maggi and brothers Doug and Denis Gallagher. The company said it has engaged Paul Freundlich Associates (PFA) of New York City as its publicist.
Front and Center episodes feature an eclectic mix of Grammy, Country Music Association, American Music and Academy of Country Music Award winners, rock icons and multi-platinum sellers including Keith Urban, Santana, Steven Tyler as well as The Fray, Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum, Sheryl Crow, Cyndi Lauper, Dierks Bentley, Jack Johnson, Counting Crows, Goo Goo Dolls, Shawn Mendes, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Southside Johnny, The Avett Brothers and many more. In addition to airing on public television stations, Front and Center shows have been produced and broadcast on MTV, a Viacom company as well as AXS tv, founded by Mark Cuban. The company also produces various holiday specials and shows with artists for many top record labels.
Episodes of Speakeasy have featured Nile Rodgers sitting down with Valerie Simpson, Roger Waters talking with television journalist Bill Weir, John Mellencamp with Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner, Frankie Valli with Paul Shaffer, David Crosby chatting with Wynton Marsalis, Carlos Santana being interviewed by Harry Belafonte, and Geddy Lee conversing with Pulitzer Prize-winning American author Michael Chabon among many others. The company just completed filming the legendary artist Sting with new friend Shaggy in a hilarious discussion which can be seen on the Speakeasy YouTube channel.
Most all of the Front and Center and Speakeasy episodes are filmed as semi-private events in various venues in New York City, Los Angeles and Nashville and hosted by corporate sponsors. Front and Center Entertainment touts these two programs as having big names in small venues. Gallagher noted, "Don likes to say it's all about the artist so we have these smaller, intimate venues for the live event tapings which are so well-received by not only the artist but by those in attendance including sponsors. These shows are a great opportunity for the artist to be seen in 40 major markets across the United States and Canadian border cities, as many as 40 times a year, so the broad distribution and exposure for them is fantastic. The new Board will be looking to the future and finding new ways to best leverage our brand. We have something very fresh, cool and, yes, unique."
About Front and Center Entertainment, LLC
Front and Center Entertainment, LLC is an entertainment media and production company that produces the television programs Front and Center, the critically-acclaimed concert series that was launched in the spring of 2012, and public television interview series Speakeasy, that features candid discussions with Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame recipients, Grammy Award winners, and legendary iconic musicians. Both programs air on public television stations across the United States. To learn more about the television programs, Front and Center and Speakeasy, and associated sponsorship opportunities, please visit http://www.frontandcenter.com and http://www.speak-easy.tv.
SOURCE Front and Center Entertainment, LLC
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