High Above 80 had its second anniversary as a band in April. Heading into year three, they are overhauling their business plan for the next 2-3 years, and deep into our SWOT analysis. The band is fine-tuning several show formats for entertainment buyers and seriously upping their ‘stage presence’ game with more action. Charitable considerations are now on the table in this plan.
“Business planning for a band is a little different than some ventures,” says Frenchy Garcia (guitarist & vocalist). “Musicianship is all about the fine details of performing. Business planning involves the bigger picture. Live shows are only a chunk of the end game,” he says. “We also have songwriting & recording happening, 90 miles of regional travel logistics, and ambitions in other spots of the greater music industry.”
“One of our biggest objectives early on was getting the help of an agency for bookings,” states Heidi Murdoch, (manager and musician). “We met that goal in 2017, and our relationship with Great Lakes Entertainment has opened many doors to us that we would not have had otherwise,” she added.
“We completed one full audio/video recording project (“I Live In The City” by the Electric Angels, Atlantic Records, 1990) which is now up on YouTube. The second such project, “Winds of Change” (Jefferson Starship, 1982), is underway, with the audio completed and video production projected to begin in June,” she said.
Change is inevitable with bands, and High Above 80 has not been immune. “Since our former keyboardist moved on to other pursuits, Heidi has stepped into that void, enabling us to move forward uninterrupted,” says Garcia. “Tackling a song list as deep as ours was no small challenge. She was already filling the rhythm guitar slot on assorted ukuleles, and has added even more instruments to her spot on stage,” he notes.
High Above 80 is set to headline on Saturday, August 4 at the Venango County Fair. They will be on the big stage from 6-10 p.m. Other upcoming shows of interest include the Cross Creek Resort in Titusville (June 23), and the Peak & Peak Resort (September 15).
“A big challenge hitting us from our agent was to expand our song list,” Murdoch says. “There are plenty ‘heavy’ rock acts in the region, & he wanted us to add more of the ‘Daytime MTV’ (from the 80’s) and contemporary dance material.”
The band is doing things not many in the region are doing, including Lady Gaga, Madonna, Kesha, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. As a result, they have exceeded their original business plan’s target of 150 songs, enabling them to cater to special clients with assorted show formats.
“We now have a ‘100% 80’s Show,’ along with the ‘Yesterday & Today’ package–which is loaded with a full set of contemporary hits. We’re nailing down the final pieces of a ‘Tribute Show,’ says Heidi. “We will have six featured artists, and six to seven showcase songs from each of those elite bands. Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Tom Petty, Heart, & REO Speedwagon are four of the chosen, and all of these are just about complete,” she says.
Booking for High Above 80 is almost 100% handled now by their agency. To engage the band, call Great Lakes Entertainment at (814)392-3134 and specify the show format best suited for your audience. They can do corporate parties, grand opening/re-openings, weddings, clubs, political & other specialty events.
Pictured below: Drummer Jim Harkless (Oil City), Bassist Zachary Taylor (Rocky Grove), Guitarist Frenchy Garcia (Cranberry), Ukulele & Keyboardist Heidi Murdoch (Cranberry) , and Front Vocalist Nicole Matson (Cranberry).
This article was published in the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce’s June 2018 edition of the VenangoWorks! Newsletter.