Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Romain.
Chris, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Entertaining at age three is where it all started for me. I was always being a hoot and making my family laugh, especially when I would pull out my dad’s VHS camcorder and reenact the news. I always knew what I was doing and I just wanted to make people smile. I found out at a young age that the gift of making someone smile made me happier than anything. Growing up the transition into music came natural to me so I joined the school band playing the saxophone and then in the 4th grade I created my very first band, “The Physcos”. We had T-shirts made and even performed at the school’s talent show. That’s when I was truly struck for the first time; I was overwhelmed with the passion that flooded my body while I was on that stage. I worked hard to buy music gear off of Craigslist and kindly accepted my Father’s hand-me-downs. My Dad, Mike Romain, was (and still is) my hero. He was one of the best audio engineers in the Dallas metroplex and has worked with multiples artists like Neil McCoy and Tanya Tucker. As a likely result, I was introduced to the industry at a young age. I would help with load-ins and watch my dad and the crews set the stage to perfection. With no end in sight at the ripe age of 14 I built a bedroom studio and began my own engineering journey. My Dad passed along his old mixers to me and I got a Dell computer with Cakewalk, a poor man’s Protools, on it. While my friends were outside playing tag and skipping rocks, I was in my own special world full of my own adventures making music.
In 2007 I had a band while I was still in high school that was signed to a small Indie label in Seattle called Getaway Records. Instead of taking the usual college route, I packed my things and hit the road for Washington. This was a pivotal moment in my life, but I guess fate has a way of always having our back even when we don’t realize it. My band Solo-67 made a record in Seattle with engineer Mike Steiner and it was mixed by Mike Kilajian. We started touring the US in a Ford Excursion that ran off of waste Vegi-oil, with a small 5×10 trailer linked behind with everything we owned. Fast forward to early 2009, following a couple US tours including Vans Warped Tour, some of my best friends and brothers realized this life wasn’t for them. In the snap of a finger the rug had been pulled out from underneath me as one bandmate (Cooper Omundson) joined the Military and the other (Matt Bishop) headed off to college so I headed back home. I got a job at this small studio, SplitWindow Production, which later grew to be an absolute holy ground thanks to one man Tony Giarraputo. I had always wanted to play shows and tour but with my band family now gone I held on to the only piece of fuel in my fire: the studio. I even started working for free. I was recording my friends’ bands and helping put on local underground shows and would bring the sound system and mix FOH. Looking back and reflecting ten years later, I can say this was another pivotal moment in my life because it put me around people who were equally passionate. We all pushed each other towards success and fulfillment. Everybody would go to VFW shows and for a few hours on the weekends time felt like a stand still and all of these amazing people would come together in our little safe haven.
Putting on those shows at the VFW is what led me to meet what would be my second band, South Shores. Before I knew it Sean and Grant had recorded a new record with one of the hottest pop-rock producers in the South US at the time, Geoff Rockwell. They even had the legendary producer Paul Levitt mix the album. I had too quickly abandoned my favorite thing in the world, my friend Tony Giarraputo, and the studio we built. Passion is such a crazy beast; it can bring amazing people into your life, but in 5 minutes time take them right back out. At that time in my life, I made my decisions fueled off of passion and never really stepped back to look at the situation. For two years I toured the US and Canada. 250+ shows a year in a van, no money, no worries. I was in love, I was young, and I was still finding who the heck I was.
I was in South Shores for two years before I had to leave the band behind. Sometimes in our journey we lose that flame inside. After so many dates on the road, I know now I had lost sight of the bigger picture. I acted stupid at the end of South Shores and am still thankful to get to share the memories I did with Sean, Grant, Aaron, and Landon. Touring was the only thing I had known post leaving my parents nest of security, so I headed back home to Denison, Texas to regroup. Luckily, Tony Giarraputo had even more passion than I did and, with open arms, opened the studio doors back up to me. I slept on the floor of the studio and began recording any local and Dallas Metroplex artist I could. I worked for little to nothing and slowly started selling off my touring gear to survive. I barely had any money. My grandma and parents would help me, Tony even lent me a vehicle and paid me what little the studio made in the beginning. Being lost on the road of passion is a frightening yet beautiful thing. When the clouds clear and you find that the flame inside never went out, it’s almost as if you have rediscovered a whole new angle. This epiphany happened to me when a good friend of mine, Nathan Brown, asked me to come see his Country Band play. I was blown away that my hardcore, tattooed drummer friend was doing well and seemed to be very happy…in a country band? Once I saw this country band live it was like fireworks went off.
I quickly joined the small-town famous Dustin Perkins Band. In the beginning I was just helping square away business and promote. I then took on a Production Manager and FOH role, but after a solid year of shows and sharing the stage with some huge Country artists, I joined the band as the B3 player/rhythm guitar/do-whatever guy. I was so aligned at this point. 5 years out of high school and I still had it; a passion like no other. Like I said before, passion is blinding and when it engulfs you there are no words for it— it makes you do elaborate things. At this point, I had left Tony and the studio for the last time. My decision to do so still hurts to this day and I’ll never be able to shake that feeling, because I love Tony and the studio so much. Tony if you are reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart and I am so sorry; you will always be a big part of me. Emotions can make it hard to see the realistic picture and after an amazing two years and record breaking shows I was blindsided by a text message saying the band was over. This broke me. I had put all of my eggs in this basket. I barely had anything in life and honestly, I couldn’t pay my bills. I was paying $180 a month to sleep on a couch and air up mattress that Colton Gilbreath and I shared. I was lost. Water soaked the once raging flame inside and drenched my soul to what I thought was death at the time.
I had no car, my ex girlfriend during this period left me a couple of days after the news that the band was over, and life came to abrupt crossroad. At this age in life I’m starting to see friends graduate college, have kids, get married and here I am with nothing. And not even as a has been, I was a never was. This was the end for me. I thought I couldn’t go on, my family started telling me to hang it up and “get a real job” , even my close friends told me the same. There were no more underground shows going on as the music scene was dead back home as people had moved on and “grown up”. Looking back it brings tears to my eyes to see the bigger picture now and that all this had to happen, it was just part of the big plan and a true test.
I had done side work and had small odd jobs in between tours, but performing and the studio had been my main source of income and always my main focus. I think I made about 15k the last year of Dustin Perkins Band- just for an idea. At this all time low, I finally left music in the dust and got a real job working at a hospital as a CNA. I can’t believe I changed peoples’ diapers, bathed them, or made their beds, but I did. There was a new sense of security which I mistook as happiness. I had a big boy job at a hospital and I worked my way up into the hospital Pharmacy. My family was so proud and I loved my work family. I had a 1 bedroom apartment but I couldn’t afford a car, so I walked 1.8 miles to work every day and would work 12-16 hour shifts. I thought this is what I was supposed to do, but before long I started drinking. First it was social, just on the weekends. Then somehow it snowballed. After a 12 hour shift I would get off at 7:30pm and crash my local pub, still in full scrubs, until it was closing time every single day. I wasn’t as happy as I led on and this just kind of became my routine. That is until the best thing of my life happened— I was fired from the hospital. I worked for 2 years and thought I had it all “figured out” but there was something missing, a void that I tried to cover up by drinking. I was the worst binge drinker. Being forced out of work and suffering from depression showed I could still feel that burning inside. Hell, it never went away. It had been in hibernation all this time.
I was always very good at whatever job I did in the entertainment industry because I started from the bottom and made all the mistakes time after time and learned the old fashioned way. Lost without a job and in a frenzy my close friend and mentor Jason Long (Getaway Records owner/CEO) gave me some advice that I will forever be grateful for. I would talk to him and explain what was going on and this and that and he told me to find the one thing that makes me happy and to just do it. “Who cares what anybody thinks,” he said, “You are you and have to live with yourself”. Jason throughout my life, after meeting him in 2007, has always been there for me, not only as a professional, but as a friend. We shared amazing times on Warped Tour together on his tour bus and also the lows of the lows. He always made sure he was there for me and I owe him so much more than words. He pushed me to make a change so I could find happiness again so I started scrounging Craigslist knowing what I needed to do and stumbled across the most bizarre opportunity, Extreme Midget Wrestling.
I found a job listing for a production Manager for Extreme Midget Wrestling. I called and there was an answer on the other end. Skylar Ward the voice on the other end of the line explained this is a full-time touring gig and what the duties would be. I was scared to death but I went and interviewed and met the crew. Skylar told me to come out for a few days and see what I thought, he gave me a chance in my low of lows so I left Lewisville, Tx thinking I would be back in a couple days…. after a couple days of getting the ropes I felt amazing. The passion had never left, it had stayed inside me all along and rediscovering this was DANGEROUS! After 4 days and 2600 miles later Skylar left the tour in Boise, Idaho. He offered me the books, the keys, everything and I took over the day to day operation of Extreme Midget wrestling. What was suppose to be 3 days turned into 2 years straight on the road and helping transforming a company from a good one to the BEST one. 5 countries, and over $1,000,000 in business. Discovery Channel hoped on board and started shooting a reality series. For the first time in life I could pay my bills, take care of my family, and truly be happy. I was surrounded by men who were equally if not more passionate than me, and I love those guys like my family and I will for all my days. Jacob, Trevon, Phillip, Steve, Christopher Ryan, Eddie, Jamie, Chris I love you guys and always will, you guys showed me the way and opened my confidence back up.
Midget wrestling eventually led me to the #1 Private event corporation in the Western Hemisphere Emerald City Management. Our artist perform for the most high end weddings, private events, and live concerts in the World. It’s now 11 years later from the day I left home with just a few hundred dollars and a passion that had been carrying me from birth and because of that I am able to provide for my family and do great things for great people. With this finical stability these past 3 years It has help equipt me with the tools I need and help launch the one thing Im most passionate about (other than my wife and family) Jett Danger Entertainment. Ive been able to take my experiences these last 11 years in all angels of the entertainment industry ( Musically from Warped Tour, Country Bands, The Studio, Exotic Entertainment with midget wrestling, and Corporate Entertainment with Emerald City Band) and wrap into a ball of everything. Film and Recording Studio production is where we shine, but we don’t just produce records and music videos, its every angle and a 1 stop shop for artist,entrepreneurs, and buisnesses who don’t have to sign their life away to have a product that represents their brand that will contend with any major market in World. Dallas is our hub and we are so proud to be young and the next generation to represent just what we offer here in the Southwest United States.
Our latest accomplishment with the launching of Jett Danger Entertainment is partnering up with Texas Country Music Association which i am so proud of and will be producing the Live Texas Country Music Awards on Oct. 15th, 2018 (and for many years to come) at the Will Rogers Colosseum in Ft.Worth, Texas. Thank you to the president Linda King Wilson and the whole team with TCMA for believing in us and giving the little guy a chance. This is just the beginning of many great years with the organization that does amazing things for the artist near and dear to our heart at JDE. We have been shooting a documentary as well with Travis Parker and his amazing band across the South USA exploring some of the most vintage and nostalgic locations that helped build the music industry where it is today. We’ve been filming live performances and getting the inside scoop on locations like the Longhorn Ballroom where the Sex Pistols, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard , and WIllie Nelson used to perform which has recently been re-opened and brought back to life and The Legendary KSIJ Studio in Gladewater, Texas where Elvis, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis would frequent in its heyday brought back to life this year by Producer/Engineer Chad Mauldin. We’ve also been working on some not so musical stuff with Makeup artist Brittney Stone and are working on a artistry video series with her transforming human beings into stunning works of art with powerful messages embedded.
I have lost everything and people that mean the most to me, I have seen and done things that I can only hope to pass the wisdom gained for many generations to come. Passion has fueled me and still fuels me and no matter what anything is possible when you choose to just keep pushing. The ultimate gift has been finding my beautiful wife Brandi Romain who is also my partner in Jett Danger Entertainment, she brought the best out of me in a dark time and always pushes and challenges me when im ready to lay down and give up. I went from nothing and feel like I have it all and know that this is still just the beginning Chapters of our novel and of the legacy that we will leave. I am the Production manager to the biggest private event entertainment provider in the world and thank you Deno Taglioli for the guidance and opportunity you have given my family and I. Im so honored to be apart of this amazing company. I get to shoot film, edit, capture photography, social media manage, and overseas production contacts for the 1,000+ events a year ECB and ECM do because of you and Im beyond thankful. You have been a rock and inspiration to me.
I’ve helped produce, perform, mix, shoot, and record shows and artist at arenas, Live Nation Venues, almost every House of Blues, and the biggest Ballrooms across the US, Mexico, and Canada thanks to Emerald City, Extreme Midget Wrestling, Dustin Perkins Band, South Shores, Solo-67, and all the artist and businesses that have trusted me these last 11 years and because of that I want to say Thank You from the bottom of my heart. With my experience in traditional, exotic, and corporate entertainment Internationally I know I can make an impact on a community that has impacted me so much. I want to inspire the young people of our future and show them anybody is capable of anything even though it may seem unconventional. My name is Chris Romain and I am not a college graduate or a genius, I’m just a normal guy who loves to make people laugh and be happy. Come grab a seat and soar above the rest with us at Jett Danger Entertainment.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I take other people’s art and passion and make it a tangible reality. Whether it be in the studio or on location recording an artist, or having the lights and cameras out to bring other artists visions to life so they can share with people. I create these experience’s because it’s what I love to do, help people. All the years when I traveled as an artist I found it impossible to afford to have the whole package that contended with the best. Whether it be a logo or flyer that was bomb, or an amazing sounding “LA” or “New York” quality record, or a VH1, CMT, or MTV quality music video etc.
I had to learn to craft these and hone my skills so I could compete. Through each chapter of my journey thus far I’ve been able to nurture and grow my skills creating this one stop now for visionaries like me. Creating Jett Danger Entertainment, it’s become more than a media company that fabricates digital art, it’s become a way for me to build a foundation to employ and help so many others people and their families who share the same passion as me. It’s to fuel a fire and build an empire of opportunity. ““
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
You have to respect the process, I’m still so young and feel like I’m just NOW starting this journey 11 years in. IF there were to be any lessons I wished I learned earlier it would be to slowdown, be organized, and respect and try and understand every interaction. There’s no right or wrong way to make art… Find your process and always keep moving, even when you stumble.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Our work can be seen by the businesses, Artist, and individuals who have believed in us. I think in the modern world some of the biggest support comes via social media and always word of mouth. We don’t push for people to buy content, but to just go and SHARE SHARE SHARE. @ChrisRomain on FB,IG,Twitter is where I release stuff.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 903-819-9313
- Email: chris@emeraldcityband.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisromain/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.romain.18?ref=bookmarks
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisRomain
- Other: https://vimeo.com/user3268365
Image Credit:
@ChrisRomain
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