Several entertainers from Indianapolis such as producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, the late jazz musician Freddie Hubbard and singer Keke Wyatt left the city early in their careers to pursue more opportunities.
Why? Some would say because the Circle City, despite its positive attributes, has (with a few exceptions) lacked major venues that can launch artists into the stratosphere of a national recording career.
Daddy Real Entertainment, however, is seeking to change that perception by giving the Indianapolis area something that it has never had before: A single resource giving Indianapolis all its entertainment needs.
Daddy Real Entertainment officially opened in January 2011 and provides expertise in artist development, event promotions and video production.
“Our goal is to offer a diverse set of services to meet the needs of our entertainment community,” said Roger Upchurch, CEO and founder.
Upchurch, who has an extensive entrepreneurial background, decided to invest in a new entertainment business after a discussion with a friend who, despite having a home-based recording studio, still had professional entertainment needs.
“Roger noticed that a lot of talented artists who deserve national recognition are kind of stuck here in Indianapolis,” said Dan Dygert, a veteran entertainer and magician who serves as Daddy Real’s vice president. “We assembled this team because local artists should have a place where they can get the whole package to reach a larger audience. We’re trying to promote both the artists and our community.”
Clients can have a variety of services provided at Daddy Real Entertainment’s facility, located on the city’s Eastside. It includes, among other features, a full recording studio, rooms with state-of-the-art audio and video recording equipment, a graphic design area and a conference room for meetings.
Limousines are even available so that clients, especially artists who are managed by the company, can arrive at engagements with style.
Daddy Real Entertainment is also one of the few studios in the Midwest (and perhaps the only in Indianapolis) that has a large “green screen” cyclorama, or large backdrop that can be a major asset in filming.
“There is nothing else like this place in Indianapolis,” Upchurch said. “We have something here that I think you would normally have to go to cities like New York or Los Angeles to find.”
The company already represents several local performers, providing a satisfying home to both veteran artists and promising newcomers. Some of the acts on its roster include The Elect, The Gene Deer Band, guitarist Lamar Fain and the classic rock group, The Faith Band, best known for the 1978 party favorite “Dancin’ Shoes.”
Some people may not have heard of these artists yet, but that should change while Daddy Real Entertainment works with them.
In just five months the company has expanded with landmark partnerships. Recently, it became affiliated with Sarah Fisher Racing and assisted that team with high profile video projects throughout the month of May.
In addition, the company has been working with Paul Mahern, a Grammy-nominated producer who has worked with artists such as John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson.
Daddy Real Entertainment is also the sponsor of the Diversity Music Fest hosted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine.
The concert, which features some of Daddy Real Entertainment’s artists, will take place this Saturday in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion of the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
In addition, the company has participated in community service efforts with organizations such as the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society and the Indiana Heart Institute.
When asked about the future of Daddy Real Entertainment, Upchurch, a professional but unpretentious man with a solid personality, smiled and said, “Well first, the Grammy Awards.”
In a more serious tone, he added, “I like helping people, and at Daddy Real Entertainment we want to do that for artists of any sort. Our goal, in this economy, is to be a place to help people get to where they want to be.”
