How Frank Expression Captivates Audiences: Tips for Standing Out in a Competitive Event Market

Welcome Frank Expression

Terry : Hey guys, welcome to rBeatz.com here on Local Music Somewhere! I’m your host, Terry Hudson. I’m an author, speaker, and industry coach for the music industry. Today in the studio, I have someone with a remarkable array of talents—he’s a jazz trumpeter, an amazing poet, and a live event curator. His name is Frank Expression, and his events are among the most popular in town—truly first class! I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him, where he plays trumpet in the horn section. Frank is an incredible guy with immense talent and intellect, and he brings a unique presence to every conversation. Please welcome Frank Expression to our show!

Frank : Thank you, Terry! I appreciate the warm welcome.

Terry : How are you, my friend?

Frank : I’m doing well! It’s been a long week, but I’m gearing up for the weekend.

Long week for you? You handle everything with such calm; I imagine you navigate your week differently than most. 

You would think so!

You were the first person I saw combine jazz trumpet playing with poetry. It caught my eye immediately. How did you get started?

It started with just practicing and honing my craft. I wanted to be the best, and that dedication actually impressed my wife enough for her to marry me!

I can imagine! So, who are your influences?

My father was a huge influence, along with watching HBCU marching bands. Miles Davis has also had a significant impact on my style, as has Louis Armstrong. I really admire how they merged different art forms.

I can see that! I often listen to audiobooks while I work, mixing in some jazz trumpet. Chet Baker, for example—I love his voice along with his playing.

Absolutely! Those artists were innovators, and the sound of the trumpet transcends typical musical styles. The muted trumpet, in particular, creates such a unique ambiance.

Growing up in music schools and being in marching band explains a lot about your performance style. When we were together in One Band, your stage presence was captivating.

Definitely! Many of us in marching band learned to connect with the audience and flow together as a group.

For those listening, what type of trumpet do you play?

I play a King 1117 marching horn. It’s a bit different from the standard trumpet, which adds to my presence. I also play a flugelhorn that was my father-in-law’s—he’s a band director.

It’s great you come from such a musical family! Now, let’s talk about your poetry journey.

Sure! A couple of years after college, I went back to Baltimore and found some open mics. I took a few creative classes to learn how to craft spoken word poetry. It’s quite different, and I wanted to incorporate mental health themes into my work.

That’s fascinating! Having the ability to connect with an audience is vital in spoken word.

Exactly. Some great poets excel on paper but struggle to bring their words to life on stage. I learned a lot from poets like Black Chakra and The Truth, who helped me understand how to engage an audience and craft impactful performances.

How did you learn from them? Did you watch videos or take classes?

I did a mix of both. The Truth offered monthly creative classes where we explored different poetic techniques, such as metaphor and personification. It was eye-opening to learn how to enhance my poetry with language and figurative devices.

Have you conducted workshops on this?

I’ve done a few workshops in the past, but nothing recently. I think there’s a great need for that in the Charlotte area, especially since many poets don’t have access to this kind of education.

I agree! Your approach would offer a unique perspective that many could benefit from. How did you come up with the idea to merge poetry and music?

It all started with a production by The Truth in Baltimore in 2019. I wanted to audition, but I faced a health issue called Bell’s Palsy, which left half my face numb. I had to relearn how to play trumpet, but that challenge inspired me to combine my poetry with music. I had a poem called “Ten Man” that I incorporated with music for my audition. We performed right before the pandemic hit.

That’s incredible! It really made you stand out on the poetry scene.

Thank you! It increased the demand for my performances here in Charlotte, especially since not many are blending art forms like this.

Every performer faces challenges that test their resolve, and you certainly experienced that. It’s crucial to have the drive to keep pushing forward.

Absolutely! It took me years to get back to my playing form, and it requires daily dedication to maintain my skills.

Many artists talk about the importance of inspiration and motivation, but the key is consistency and taking action. You’ve done just that, which has led to the success of your events.

Yes! I started my event called Wine About Poetry two years ago at the Audiport in Charlotte. It offers a fancy vibe with a focus solely on poetry and wine, allowing performers to shine without distractions.

I love that concept! What are some of your other events?

Another event is State Your Peace, a filmed open mic. We’ve created a platform for poets to perform and receive feedback, allowing them to see themselves in action and improve their craft.

That’s fantastic! Tell me about your new event that combines poetry and literature.

It’s called Wine About Books, in collaboration with Queen T, a fellow poet. We’ll showcase authors and allow them to perform while introducing their books to the audience. It’s all about collaboration and supporting the arts here in Charlotte.

That sounds like an amazing initiative! It’s great to see you pushing poetry and art in our community. Now we want to delve into something crucial for all the musicians, poets, and spoken word artists out there. If you’re considering creating your own annual event in your city, let’s talk about finding the right venue. Frank, how has your journey been in that regard?

It all starts with the idea, right? You need a place to bring that idea to life. Finding a venue can be tricky, but I use platforms like Pure Space and also reach out to friends. I ask, “Hey, do you know of any event spaces around town?” I usually check out other people’s events and look online for stages or places where I could hold an event, whether it’s a coffee shop or an actual venue. That’s my go-to strategy.

So you typically start by searching for venues first. Have you found that emailing venues works better for you than calling?

Definitely. I’ve noticed that emailing tends to get a better response. It’s essential to be concise and straightforward. For some reason, using lowercase text in emails seems to resonate with club owners. Just getting to the point without wasting their time helps a lot. But, it can take more than two or three emails to get a response—not because they’re ignoring you, but people are just busy. 

That’s so true. Sometimes they don’t even see your email the first time. Do you think having rapport with venue owners helps?

Absolutely. If I’ve enjoyed an event at a venue or have been there before, I’ll mention that in my communication. It builds a connection and can really help in the long term.

Speaking of connections, how do you come up with your event concepts?

Some ideas I’ve had for years! I got tired of waiting for what I wanted from others, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. For instance, I have a poetry showcase coming up called “Super Poetry.” It will include cosplay, games, live T-shirt printing, and more. I finally decided to kick it into gear, found a venue that does live T-shirt printing, and got my DJs on board. I launched tickets on Eventbrite, which makes ticketing so easy.

Have you explored Meetup or any similar platforms?

I’ve checked out Meetup. I’ve attended a few events but haven’t considered it as a platform for my own events.

There’s a new app called Linxy that could be interesting. It creates hubs in coffee shops and restaurants, potentially affecting venues and event promotion. Plus, I learned that some hospitals have coordinators who inform families about local events while they’re in town for long-term stays. That could be a valuable resource for promoting events.

That’s a great point! 

You mentioned getting tired of waiting for others, and it reminds me of something Tyler Perry said: instead of trying to get a seat at someone else’s table, sometimes you need to create your own table. 

Exactly! Creating my own space has been key.

Branding is crucial when creating your table. Your name, Frank Expression, is strong. I use DreamMaker for my brand. It’s important to have an identity that people recognize. How do you utilize social media for your branding?

I primarily use Instagram and my website, which serves as a hub for everything. Instagram is where my target audience is most active, followed by TikTok and Facebook. I still have old friends on Facebook who look for events there.

Some people may think Instagram is the only platform to focus on, but Facebook still has a massive user base. It’s a great place to reach certain demographics, especially for sponsors. Your graphics are top-notch, which is crucial when trying to attract attendees who are willing to pay for tickets.

Definitely! My goal is to make everything clear and readable on my graphics—like the address, date, and any parking details. The less confusion, the better.

How have you found the role of professional photography in your events?

Very important! While cell phones are great for casual content, having a professional photographer elevates your brand. They can capture the quality of your events and help you stand out from the competition.

Charlotte has many talented photographers. It’s essential to have high-quality images for your branding. When it comes to ticketing, how do you manage that?

Eventbrite has an organizer app that makes it easy. I can scan QR codes for tickets, and I also keep a sign-up form for artists at my events to gather their contact information and social media links.

Engaging with your audience is vital. Have you started building an email list?

Yes, I have a solid email list. Eventbrite helps with that, and I also encourage attendees to share their info with me. It’s essential for keeping in touch with sponsors and attendees.

Speaking of sponsors, they typically look for five key factors: your unique relationship with the product, what you want from them, what you’ll provide, your demographic, and how long the partnership will last. What type of sponsors are you looking to attract?

Sponsorships are new for me, but I see the potential. I’ll definitely consider the points you mentioned as I move forward.

Your events are perfect for sponsorship opportunities. You have the impressions that brands want to reach. I’ve had sponsorships with restaurants and other companies that offered various perks, and it’s an avenue worth exploring.

That’s great advice! I’ll take it to heart.

Many new event organizers make the mistake of trying to launch huge events too quickly. Starting small, especially in venues that already serve food and drinks, can make all the difference.

Exactly! It’s all about building up gradually.

And networking is key! You never know how a connection can lead to future collaborations.

Definitely. Events like one band are invaluable for expanding my network.

What’s your next event coming up?

My next event is this Sunday, “Wanna About Books,” featuring poetry, wine, and fancy authors. 

Sounds exciting! How can people find you?

They can check out my website at www.frankexpression.co. My Instagram is Frank_Expression, where I share flyers and updates. I host events every month, so I’d love for everyone to come out and enjoy the vibe.

And for those listening, you can find all this information on rBeatz.com. Make sure to download the rBeatz app, and check out our website for pages dedicated to our interviewees. Each page features links to social media and websites, along with this interview for easy reference. 

That’s perfect! 

We’re in such a great age for information and opportunities. Having someone like you in the community makes it even more vibrant. I’ve loved sharing the stage with you in the past, and it’s always a joy to hear your music.