We all attend concerts and events. We pay the ticket, and see the show, but do we really see beyond the stage.
This is the 2nd in a series of articles paying tribute to those that make the entertainment, quality, and organization of Shows and Concerts seem so seamless and enjoyable.
Montreal has local promoters who have the ability to stage quality acts, without the huge corporate machine to drive their revenues, but who do have the huge heart and business savvy to bring their love of the Arts to those that wish to share their passion.
Denis Legault, Owner of Les Productions Denis Legault, is one such promoter. His enthusiasm, passion, and love for the music that he promotes and represents is inherent in any of the ways that he represents the Music.
Please read on and find out why...
"I started that company in June 2010 by myself, I found a place to program some blues shows in Ste-Thérèse. And I did some shows at the Corona theater too. We got many talents in Quebec anglo and french that needs to get out of bars, I want help as much as I can promoting blues and classic rock music with local talents most of the time.
A working class hero, I work in the industrial field for 20 years, I've been a dj and host for 20 years as well. I always wanted to be in the music business, it just took me time to have the gutz to do it!
"Rock since I was 11 years old, I discovered Elvis, and then Chicago, the Beatles, my family was in to Jazz & Rock at the time. I really became a big fan in 1973 when i got to high school. Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd was the big hit of the moment, the Stones had a hit with Angie, Alice Cooper release Billion Dollar Babies, and then I discovered Hendrix. From now on I wanted to know everything about that music, who sings the songs, the albums names etc.. As well as the influence, that's how I discovered the blues as well."
"Ricky Laurent & Retrophonic on May 10th at the Corona Theater, Ricky started as a blues player with his family name Paquette. Recently change his name to Laurent. He made an album with his own stuff and he is touring a show call Retrophonic that cover the era when i discovered rock music. I saw that show in Aylmer, Gatineau in the summer of 2010.
Here is the description of the show;
Retrophonic is a power three piece band performing the world’s greatest British and American rocks songs of all time. Fronted by 20 year old Ricky Laurent on vocals and guitar, Martin Sabourin on bass and JF Chevrier on drums. These three power house musicians are blowing audiences out of the water with renditions of Deep Purple’s Highway Star, Led Zeppelin's No Quarter, Pink Floyd’s Dogs and Babe Ruth's The Mexican, to mention a few.
Retrophonic stays loyal to the original arrangements of the songs and uses no keyboards, or back tracks of any kind, a true testament to the musical ability’s of it’s members considering that a lot of the songs are originally played by five piece bands.
Retrophonic is here! Get ready to experience feelings that you only got when you were watching and listening to a classic rock band from the 70s with a little extra on the sides. Retrophonic ‘s bringing it back at the right time."
Made any Mistakes that helped or hurt you in a way that you would like to share?
"Oh yes I did mistakes, like having a show during the hockey in the series. I learn my job by doing it. The main thing is to learn the lesson and to go from there."
Is there anything in particular that you wish you could do over?
"Of course, with the experience i have now, i'll change a lot of things, but i believe it was a learning process."
"The main problem for a new producer, there is no help moneywise available before 2 years, and i think the government should take a deeper look at that situation. Not necessarily giving help to everybody from anywhere, many are trying in that business to make a buck. You've got to be passionnate, knowledgeable, business oriented person to make it happen, and that can be discover quickly."
"December 4th at the Corona, the show of Babylon Sister (tribute to Steely Dan), the reaction of the people at that show was beyond my expectations."
"My family, my girlfriend, my son and daughter and my parents, i have a lot of support from them, a lot of love in my family and it's a must."
"For now trying to make a living in that business, it's not easy, i'm still burning with passion. I also do corporate events with different style of music, that will keep me alive and well, patience is the keyword."
And of course...Future Events? ...
"I have a project in negociation for next fall, we are in negociation right now, it will be possible by team work with an experience promoter. I will also transform my website into a rock encyclopedia and internet radio french and english, i have an agreement with a webmaster who use to be a radio host."
I would like to thank Denis for his openness and being so frank. Honest and raw, straight and to the point, passionate and flawed. People are like music and may be interpreted based on what we say, see, hear and feel. Read the article again, I left it unedited, the way Denis conveyed it, which I thought Best.
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