DEKO ENTERTAINMENT BRINGS YOU UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS IN THIS BRAND NEW CONCERT SERIES.

What if someone curated a special group of artists to create a special dual event…one where a small audience of people (45 or less) gets to experience an amazing performance while being filmed as a show for an upcoming streaming series? Many people are done with the whole mega-concert experience--beginning with the tickets!  Enter Deko Entertainment. Deko decided that there might be a fun, and much less stressful way to experience talented artists performing live.  It would be really…Up Close and Personal. And that’s what it’s called. So far, it’s been great.  You can take it from the people that were at the inaugural events that featured Kasim Sulton (Utopia, Todd Rundgren, Meat Loaf, etc.) and Tiffany!

Thank you so much for doing this!!!!! This was one of the best shows I've ever been to and one of the best nights of my life. I'm a longtime fan and follower of Tiffany's and it was wonderful getting to hang out with her like this. Please have her back again!!

Chuck (Tiffany--Up Close and Personal)
Thank you for hosting the event and it was refreshingly surprising to receive this thank-you email from Deko.  I have been going to shows for almost 5 decades and it does not take many fingers to count how many times personal thank-yous have been received.
Rick (Kasim Sulton--Up Close and Personal)

For this special series, Deko Entertainment has teamed up with another Jersey business Factory Records:  https://factoryrecords.com/.  Events will be in the Lounge and will be MC’d by comedian Frankie Hudak.  We have a jam packed schedule coming up over the next couple of months.

Carmine Appice - March 26, 2023, This coming Sunday at 3:00 PM!
His resume includes Vanilla Fudge; Cactus; Rod Stuart; and Beck, Bogart, and Appice.  He is one of the most recognizable musicians in the world.  Appice has stories about the industry and the people he knows. There is no better person to tell you these stories than Appice himself.  He is an industry treasure for sure, and if you get up close and personal with him, he is going to leave you with an evening to remember.  Here is Appice’s artist page on the Deko website: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/carmineappice.

Randy Jackson – April 7, 2023, 8:00 PM
The amazing creative force behind the band Zebra, Jackson, is gifting us a very special evening.  His musicianship, along with his amazing vocal range, makes this a can’t-miss event for Up Close and Personal fans.  Some of the most memorable songs from Jackson’s long, musical legacy translate extremely well into the smaller environment at Factory Records, so this is going to be awesome!  Here is a taste of Jackson live with Zebra https://youtu.be/p3Iu1hgAs8I

Joe Bouchard – April15, 2023, 8:00 PM
Bouchard is truly a legend.  As one of the original members of Blue Öyster Cult, he can take us on an amazing musical journey through story and song.  Songs we all know from his past are part of our culture, and he has so many critically acclaimed solo tunes.   It’s hard to imagine how he will decide what to play, but come find out!  Here is Bouchard’s artist page on the Deko website:  https://www.dekoentertainment.com/joebouchard.

Dave Bickler – May 6, 2023, 8:00 PM 
Bickler will always be identified as the amazing voice of the song “Eye of the Tiger.” Bickler also has been involved in some recognizable commercials, like the award-winning Real Men of Genius beer campaign.  This is the multi-talented Bickler:  https://youtu.be/fIHZIwib91s .  As a special bonus, Bickler is bringing some of the best musicians around to perform with him, including Deko partner Charlie Calv. Get a ticket quick.  This event will be memorable to anyone who attends. 

For more information, visit
https://www.dekoentertainment.com/up-close-and-personal
Deko Entertainment–Art Has Value

VRSTY Release "Welcome Home Part 3" EP

VRSTY Release 'Welcome Home Part 3'

Today, December 1

New EP Features Three Brand New Studio Tracks

Band Shares Unofficial Video for "D34D"

New York City-based collective VRSTY (pronounced "Varsity") — Joey Varela [vocals], Javy Dorrejo [bass], Chris Cody [drums], and Paul Gregory [guitar] — are serving up 'Welcome Home Part 3' today, December 1, via Spinefarm.

"Welcome Home Part 3' was super fun to write because all three of the tracks ultimately sound so different from one another," Varela states. "I also worked with other writers, such as Charlotte Sands, for the first time. That experience was sick! It helped to unearth a creative side that I didn't even know I had."

The band also shared an unofficial and intimate performance video for "D34D." Watch it Below and witness Varela's intensity as a performer and the song's melodic heft.

The 3-song EP features a trio of brand new songs. It follows 'Welcome Home Part 2', which is a Spanish-language version of songs from the band's latest album 'Welcome Home', which is out now. 

Watch the one-take video for "Dig" (Latin Version) HERE. VRSTY decided to craft these re-imagined versions due to Varela's heritage and his love for the sound of Spanish music. Listen HERE.

VRSTY are touring with labelmates Saul though December. Dates are below.

VRSTY ON TOUR:

12/2 — Chesterfield, MI — Diesel Concert Lounge

12/3 — Battle Creek, MI — Music Factory

12/4 — Bloomington, IL — Castle Theater

12/6 — Sioux Falls, SD — Club David

12/7 — Sioux City, IA — The Marquee

12/8 — Fargo, ND — TAK Music Venue

12/10 — Rock Island, IL — Ribco

ABOUT VRSTY:

'Welcome Home' is the band's debut full length for the label and follows last year's breakthrough 'Cloud City' EP, which has accumulated six million streams in less than a year and yielded the head-turning singles "Shameless" and "Massive." The latter was the most played on SiriusXM's Octane for two weeks in a row in late 2020.

VRSTY have perfected their seamless and fearless cross-pollination of metallic grooves and R&B-influenced, after midnight vocal swagger on this 14-track offering. VRSTY aren't just offering their own take on a genre; they have authored a fusion style that is entirely their own. 

"'Welcome Home' is an incredibly personal album to me," Varela shares. "I know everybody says that, and hey, maybe they're not lying when they do. I sure as hell am not. It was definitely a task, at first, trying to figure out how to phrase or sing something without getting too personal. But somewhere along the way, I threw that idea out the window and decided to say exactly what I felt. You won't find me trying to sound cool or using any fancy wordplay. It's just me in my rawest form, saying exactly what I've felt or experienced over the years, which is what has made me who I am today. I think if anybody ever wants to get to know me, this record will give you everything you need to know. No secrets. Just me."

Acclaimed Concert Series "FRONT AND CENTER" Returns to Public Television Beginning Oct. 15 Feat. Gavin DeGraw

Hosted by the Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville
Which Featured Gavin DeGraw, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors and
Judah & the Lion

With Additional Performances Across Various Venues Featuring
Dave Gahan & Soulsavers, Mika, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
and Hank Williams Jr.

New Season Debuts Nationwide Beginning Oct. 15, 2022 on YouTube and
In Various Times on Local Markets; Check Local Listings

Critically acclaimed series "FRONT AND CENTER" featuring intimate performances from various artists returns to public television with a new season of seven, one-hour episodes. The series’ 11th season will feature a wide range of artists, from industry veterans Depeche Mode lead singer Dave Gahan, Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers fame and Hank Williams, Jr. with The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach; to chart toppers Gavin DeGraw and Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors; to rising stars Judah & the Lion and Lebanese-British pop star Mika. Venues range from the intimate setting of Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville, to the Brooklyn Bowl and the Paris Philharmonic, each uniquely connecting an artist to their fans. Season 11 debuts nationwide beginning Oct. 15 on public television stations (check local listings) and FRONT AND CENTER’s YouTube page and comes as many of the artists are on the road touring, offering viewers a second or only chance to catch their live experience.

Dave Gahan & Soulsavers kick off season 11 on Oct. 15 with covers from their very personal 2021 album, Imposter, including Eartha Kitt’s “Lilac Wine,” Neil Young’s “A Man Needs a Maid,” Nat King Cole’s “Smile,” Bob Dylan’s “Not Dark Yet,” Cat Power’s “Metal Heart,” and Elmore James’ “I Held My Baby Last Night,” plus “Personal Jesus” from Dave’s original band.

Lebanese-British pop star Mika’s sold-out performance at The Paris Philharmonic with the National Orchestra of Ile-de-France features his debut breakout hit “Grace Kelly,” “Origin of Love,” “Toy Boy,” and more from the classically trained showman whose glittery style and emotive falsetto have earned him comparisons to Freddie Mercury.

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, together for 20 years but touring for the first time, perform at the Brooklyn Bowl with a set list that covers the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist’s career, introducing songs with his current band, including “Wicked Mind” and “Wreckless Abandon” plus “Refugee,” “You Got Lucky” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream” from his days with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Multi-platinum singer and songwriter Gavin DeGraw brings a fusion of pop, soul, country, folk and funk to Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville performing songs from his latest, Face the River, along with hits “Follow Through,” “Chariot,” “I Don’t Want to Be” and “Not Over You.”

As Judah & the Lion, Judah Akers and Brian Macdonald bring their Alternative Folk sound back to their Nashville roots at Analog at Hutton Hotel performing “Suit and Jacket,” “Take it All Back,” and more including covers of Blink-182’s “All the Small Things” and Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.”

The Americana band Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors give an intimate performance at Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville of “What Would I Do Without You,” “Dragons,” “American Beauty” and more.

Country Blues legend Hank Williams Jr. is joined by special guest/producer Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys for a concert of songs from his latest release, Rich White Honky Blues including “.44 Special Blues” and classics by Robert Johnson, Lightnin’ Hopkins, R.L. Burnside and more.

“FRONT AND CENTER” is a production of Front and Center, LLC and is distributed nationally by American Public Television. “FRONT AND CENTER” was made possible by support from Indeed and Hutton Hotel. For more information and to watch prior seasons featuring artists visit frontandcenter.com. Follow FRONT AND CENTER on social media on Facebook at FrontAndCenterTV, on Twitter @frontandcenter and on Instagram @frontandcenterTV.

“FRONT AND CENTER” Season 11:
Oct. 15 – Dave Gahan & Soulsavers
Oct. 22 – Mika
Oct. 29 – Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
Nov. 5 – Gavin DeGraw
Nov. 12 – Judah & the Lion
Nov. 19 – Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors
Nov. 26 – Hank Williams Jr.

About American Public Television
American Public Television (APT) is the leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations. Founded in 1961, APT distributes 250 new program titles per year and more than one-third of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U.S. APT’s diverse catalog includes prominent documentaries, performance, news and current affairs programs, dramas, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies. America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Cook’s Country, AfroPoP, Rick Steves’ Europe, Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Television, Front and Center, Doc Martin, Midsomer Murders, Lidia’s Kitchen, Kevin Belton’s New Orleans Kitchen, Simply Ming, The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross, and P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home are a sampling of APT’s programs, considered some of the most popular on public television. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service and distributes Create®TV — featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming — and WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel. To find out more about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org.

About Analog at Hutton Hotel
Analog is Hutton Hotel’s 5,000-square foot onsite music venue, equipped with a state-of-the-art Bose sound system. The stage is centered amid 300-person living room-style seating, connecting the artists and audience through top-quality sound and an inviting design, complete with a full bar. Lineups range from burgeoning local artists to award-winning acts like Lee Brice and Maren Morris. For more information, visit https://www.analognashville.com/ or follow us on Instagram.

About Hutton Hotel
Set in the city’s lively West End neighborhood and steps from the heart of Music Row, the Four-Star Hutton Hotel offers guests an immersive journey into Nashville’s creative culture including Analog, a state-of-the-art 5,000-square foot music venue, two fully equipped Writers Studios creative spaces and 13,000 square feet of flexible event space. The hotel’s 250 sophisticated guestrooms and suites include three elegantly appointed signature suites designed by Studio 11 Design to emit residential comfort while offering the southern-style hospitality guests have come to expect from Hutton Hotel. For more information visit https://www.huttonhotel.com/ and follow us on Instagram