Today we’d like to introduce you to Beverly Perry, Co-founder of Dallas Music Network.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Beverly. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In March of 2020, COVID shut-downs began. The entire world seemed to have turned upside-down. It was at that time that I received a call from a past acquaintance, René Rodriguez.
Let me give you a little background on my connection to Rene. I had hired his event production company “Rene Road Show” years prior for my CD release event.
At that event, in addition to performing my own music, I featured numerous singer-songwriters, as well as full bands, who performed simultaneously on two separate stages almost in a mini-festival of sorts.
So back to the call from René… He said, “Hey, all of my events for the entire year have been canceled.” I remember wondering how he could sound so upbeat. He continued, “I have all this high tech equipment, robotic lighting, cameras, resolume screen, sound equipment and more.” I remembered that his production was a huge asset to my event, but was wondering where he was going with this conversation.
He continued, “I’ve thought about my options. I could temporarily deliver packages for Amazon or do some other type of labor just to bring in some money, but I want to build something of value. I want to build something out of a totally pure place. I mean something that gives to others with no thought of receiving in return.” He said, “I believe that when you put something out into the universe for the good of others, with no selfish motive, it will come back to you… maybe not in money, maybe just in the knowledge that you did something of value…even if only for the satisfaction that you helped during a historic pandemic.” He continued, “we can livestream artists…but not the typical livestream, we can do a professional production. We can save a generation of artists from leaving the profession due to the shutdowns.”
Then came the ask. Rene closed with “I reached out to you because I know you are an artist advocate, have helped artists in the past, and are connected to the music community. We would make a great team building this together.” I was in. René set about building the tech team while I set about recruiting talent to grace our cameras and to inspire the community.
It was that initial conversation and many others that founded what we now refer to as Dallas Music Network, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization created for the purpose of supporting and connecting artists to the community, and the community to artists.
Dallas Music Network is absolutely not solely the work of Rene and me. It would not exist without a large team, each of whom have contributed, and in many cases volunteered their incredible talents: Chris Arnold – sports radio personality (and Voice of the Mavs), Scott Currie – Philadelphia based producer, Cryste Deshields- photojournalist, Carlos Guedes – internationally recognized jazz harpist, Marcus Roberts (Mav Traxx)- artist and music producer, Emmeline Miles – artist (and emcee), Deanna Wheeler – artist (and emcee), and an entire village of sound engineers, graphic designers, lighting technicians, and videographers, including but not limited to Chase Harrison, Brian Snediker, Amanda Garrison, Jose Camacho, Jeff Michnal, Tony Outlay, Kyle Lambert, Spelile Rivas, Ike Cameron, Adrian Martinez, and Elizabeth Stegall to name a few.
The importance of this organization at this specific time in history cannot be overstated. The loss of jobs due to the pandemic is often talked about in terms of layoffs and business closures. However, there is also a devastating loss to independent musicians, many of whom either supplement, or make their entire living from the already unstable “gig economy.”
There is an obvious financial loss to artists, but the loss to the community should also be considered. We are at risk of losing a generation of musicians to delivering packages, stocking store shelves or simply giving up music altogether. An artist unheard, or unseen is a loss of inspiration and enjoyment to the world. We desperately want to keep musicians creating art and connecting that art to the community. Eventually, we would like to move into other forms of art such as film, photography, visual arts, as well as the spoken word.
Sometimes beauty comes out of loss and tragedy. We have all suffered the loss of friends, loved ones, or just the loss of income. We want to uncover hidden artists and bring light to the community. We need that now more than ever.
Great, 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?
With exactly zero dollars in our pockets our first hurdle was finding a venue. That’s when our biggest blessing came. A brand new 12,000 square foot venue in the Dallas Design District, On The Levee, had just opened when the pandemic hit. Owners John & Jamie Martin, and Michael Cohen stepped up and have been literally donating this beautiful event space for six months. I can’t say enough about their generosity and kind spirit. They have not only donated the space, they have also made us laugh, provided for our every need, and have become dear friends. (If you need to book an event, please look them up. You won’t regret it.)
We know our time with On The Levee is coming to an end. Their bookings have increased, which is bittersweet. We are happy that they have become a pandemic success story. However, we are once again looking for a venue. We are confident that we will find the right space to continue supporting artists and the community. Rene has been 100% correct in that good is coming back to us. It’s like a force that keeps giving, in friendships, in music, in hope for the future.
Please tell us about Dallas Music Network.
As I mentioned before, Dallas Music Network is a not-for-profit (501(c)(3) organization. We have a major donor who is a local businessman and philanthropist. Now that we are an official nonprofit we are actively recruiting additional donors.
What we are most proud of is that our organization directly affects artists. It’s not a gimmick or a mere shuffling around of funds. In addition to streaming we have provided performance fees, online tip jars, professional photography of performances, edited video singles, on location films of the artist’s story, and promotion. This is provided to the artist at no charge.
We stream to 192 countries in association with My Jam Music on Roku TV as well as on the Dallas Music Network YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch profiles. All apps for streaming can be found on our website at www.dallasmusicnetwork.org.
People around the world have now heard over 40 artists like 15 yr old Dallas singer-songwriter Kaatii, Fort Worth’s Hightower Band, and Austin’s Brian Pounds just to name a few. There are so many outstanding artists that should be heard and we are doing our absolute best to make that happen.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I was just telling one of our producers, Scott Currie, this story last night. When I was a child I desperately wanted to play the piano. I had vivid dreams of playing beautifully only to wake up and realize that I didn’t have a piano.
I was so desperate that I devised a plan on how I could take lessons without a piano. I told my mother that I could take a shoebox, turn it upside down, draw piano keys on it, then partially cut out those keys so that they moved. I told her that I could just think of hearing the notes in my head. Unfortunately, piano lessons nor a piano were in our budget.
Eventually, when I was in high-school, we were loaned an older upright piano. My bedroom was so small that I could sit on my bed and play. There was no space for a bench.
I was never able to take lessons but started playing by ear. That year with my first piano, I “wrote” the music for the high school play “I’m nobody.” I played for each show and sang my original theme song based on the poem “I’m Nobody.”
So that is my nature. I find a way to make things happen. Perhaps my passion for Dallas Music Network is fueled by some of the grief I felt as a kid for my own missed opportunities. I don’t want a talented artist out there to give up due to a lack of opportunity, connection, or visibility.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dallasmusicnetwork.org
- Phone: 8178086565
- Email: beverly@dallasmusicnetwork.com
- Instagram: @dallasmusicnetworkofficial
- Facebook: Dallas Music Network @agentsofvibeofficial
- Twitter: Dallas Music Network @nationalperfor1
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