The Grammy-nominated and Dove award-winning recording artist has the ability to connect with an audience far beyond his onstage performance. More than 20 years into his career, Herndon shows no signs of slowing down.

Herndon made his chart debut in 1995 with “What Mattered Most,” which became his first No. 1 song and garnered a Song of the Year award (Music Row Magazine). It was also the title track to his debut album, which debuted on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and had the biggest first-week shipment in the history of Epic Records’ Nashville. Between 1995 and 2002, Herndon charted 17 singles, including his three No.1s and numerous top 10 hits, such as “I Want My Goodbye Back,” “Loved Too Much,” “A Man Holding On,” and “Hands of a Working Man.” He topped the charts in 1996 with the single “Living in a Moment” and again in 1998 with “It Must Be Love.”

In 2014, Ty was the first major male country artist to publicly come out as gay in an exclusive with People magazine. He received an outpouring of support that only strengthened his relationship with fans and the country music community, all while expanding his reach to new and diverse audiences. Shortly after, he made history when he hosted a first-of-its-kind country music event, The Concert for Love and Acceptance. The event, designed to raise awareness and support for LGBTQ youth and families, received national attention from Boston Globe, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Tonight, and many more. Since the launch of the event, Herndon has partnered with GLAAD to produce the event each year and created the Foundation For Love & Acceptance in 2020 to further his work on behalf of LGBTQ acceptance.

Ty found himself back at No. 1 in 2020 — this time on iTunes with his remake of “Orphans of God,” a collaboration with Kristin Chenoweth and Paul Cardall featured on his holiday release, Regifted. He is currently in the studio writing and recording a new album — his first of all new music since 2016’s House On Fire.

Trenyce has always had a passion for singing, songwriting, acting, fashion and philanthropy. After appearing on the hit FOX TV Show AMERICAN IDOL season 2, she has been consistently working in the industry including theatrical productions such as DREAMGIRLS, AINT MISBEHAVIN’, London’s West End show THRILLER LIVE and now Franco Dragone’s TABOO in Macau China, but her talent has also expanded to the big screen. Alongside Jim Carey and Chloe Moretz, she stars in the MARVEL Comic Movie KICK ASS

Todrick Hall is a multi-talented singer, rapper, actor, director, choreographer, and social media personality who rose to prominence on and after his appearance on American Idol. His popular YouTube channel has over 3.5 million subscribers and 740 million channel views, consisting notably of original songs, musical collaborations, and choreographed flash mobs for Beyoncé. Todrick also appears regularly on RuPaul’s Drag Race and season two of The Greatest Dancer on BBC.

Todrick distinguished himself as a Broadway star completing successful runs in Chicago, The Color Purple, Kinky Boots, Memphis, and Waitress. He visited over sixty cities worldwide with sold-out tours of “Straight Outta Oz”, “Forbidden”, and “Haus Party”; and won the 2019 “Video for Good” VMA as co-executive producer on Taylor Swift’s LGBTQ+ anthem “You Need to Calm Down”.

His newest EP “Quarantine Queen” is currently available on all media platforms.

The Flat Cats, based in Chicago, IL, play a range of vintage and modern music rooted in the hottest swinging jazz and blues, contemporary classics, and timeless standards. Whether you choose to listen, tap your foot, or cut a rug on the dance floor, you are sure to be entertained! The group is comprised of six talented musicians with years of performing, arranging, and composing experience.

The Flat Cats have performed at many different venues and events throughout the Midwest, including Navy Pier, The Drake Hotel, Arcada Theatre, Willowbrook Ballroom, Pete Miller’s, Green Dolphin Lounge, and the Summer Dance Series in Grant Park. The band has also backed legendary singing groups such as The Drifters and The Crystals at major venues like The Chicago Theatre, Star Plaza, and Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee, WI. In 2009, The Flat Cats were featured on the WGN Chicago Channel Nine morning news show.

The Flat Cats perform their music equally well in any environment, from cocktail music for your dinner event to a full theater/stadium show for thousands. The variety of our music library allows us to tailor our style and sound to fit your special event. From weddings to corporate parties to a feature act for your festival, The Flat Cats deliver quality entertainment for all ages.

Formed in early 2012, Sushi Roll quickly perfected their unique blend of high-energy dance music and rock ‘n’ roll swagger and topped it off with memorable stage costumes! Founded by music industry vets and fronted by two of the most mesmerizing young lead singers in Chicago, they easily transition between revved-up versions of your favorite pop and rock hits by artists like Bruno Mars, Rick Springfield, Lady Gaga, Nelly, AC/DC, P!nk, Neon Tree’s and the Jackson 5–connecting them into one a non-stop musical journey that is perfect for casinos, fairs, festivals, corporate and private events, fundraisers and showcase venues. Sushi Roll’s mass appeal crosses all genres and appeals to all ages.

Chicago-based vocalist Sam Fazio has established a name for himself in the music scene over the past several years. A graduate of DePaul University’s School of Music, Sam’s repertoire includes a unique mix of jazz standards and pop classics. His heartfelt interpretations showcase his soulful, yet classic style.

Sam has entertained audiences at some of the most prestigious venues in the country, including Green Mill, Jazz Showcase, Andy’s Jazz Club, City Winery, Untitled, and SPACE (Chicago); Cliff Bell’s (Detroit); Noce (Des Moines); and Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency and 54 Below (New York City). Sam has also taken the stage at numerous performing arts centers, including Overture Center, Schauer Arts Center, Trueblood, and Metropolis. Sam has held residencies at many renowned hotels including the LondonHouse, Chicago Hilton, and a 6-year run at the historic Drake Hotel. In addition, Sam has performed at many festivals, casinos, and events across the country. For a complete listing, see Sam’s EPK.

Sam shares the stage with some of the top musicians in the Chicagoland area and across the country. Whether performing as a trio or big band, Sam always leaves the crowd wanting more.

MAX is a New York City born pop-soul singer, actor & dancer, known for his powerful acrobatic tenor which commands attention. His devoted fanbase and original voice has given him an incredibly strong social media presence with over 1.2 million followers on YouTube, 400,000 followers on Twitter and over 940,000 likes on Facebook.

2015 was a banner year for MAX — in February, he signed with Pete Wentz’s DCD2 Records and in March, he released the single “Gibberish” featuring Hoodie Allen. The song was one of the selected tracks featured by YouTube for the 2015 YouTube Music Awards alongside songs by Ed Sheeran & Charli XCX, and its groundbreaking music video accumulated over 4.5 million views in just one week and has racked up more than 12 million views to date. Additionally, he was one of MTV’s 2015 Artists to Watch Summer Class list, named Elvis Duran’s Artist of the Month (June), KISS-FM ‘s Artist of the Week, performed on NBC’s TODAY show, and was nominated for Best Breakthrough Artist and Original Song for the 2015 Streamy Awards. MAX spent the summer on the road as a featured performer on the Boys of Zummer tour with Fall Out Boy & Wiz Khalifa before releasing his DCD2 Records-debut EP Ms. Anonymous in September. In October, MAX embarked on his first headline tour across the U.S., which included multiple sold out dates. A lifelong entertainer, music is not his only talent — MAX starred in the Beach Boys biopic, “Love & Mercy,” as Van Dyke Parks.

Martha Elaine Wash (born December 28, 1953) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and producer. Known for her distinctive and powerful voice, Wash first achieved fame as half of the Two Tons O’ Fun, who sang backing vocals for the disco singer Sylvester including on his signature hit “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)”. After gaining their own record deal, they released three consecutive commercially successful songs which all peaked at number two in the dance charts. The duo was renamed The Weather Girls in 1982 after they released the top-selling single “It’s Raining Men”, which brought them to mainstream pop attention. The Weather Girls released five albums and were heavily featured on Sylvester’s albums.

After disbanding in 1988, Wash transitioned to house music as a featured artist on several successful songs. Her success on Billboard’s Dance chart has earned her the honorific title The Queen of Clubland, with a total of fifteen number-one songs on the chart to date.

Wash is also noted for sparking legislation in the early 1990s that made vocal credits mandatory on CDs and music videos. Starting in the late-1980s, her studio vocals were used in several successful dance songs without her permission or proper credit. Models lip-synced to her voice in music videos and during live performances, obscuring Wash’s contributions and hiding Wash’s size as a full-figured woman. As a result, she was denied credit and royalties for many of the songs she recorded. This included platinum-selling song “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)”. Subsequently, in Rolling Stone, music critic Jason Newman described Martha Wash as “The Most Famous Unknown Singer of the ’90s”.In December 2016, Billboard magazine ranked her as the 58th most successful dance artist of all time.

When Kimberley isn’t helping other artists to make their dreams come true, she’s creating and performing her own music.

Auditioning for the 2003 series of TV talent show American Idol® was a life-changing decision for Kimberley. She successfully passed the audition and became a firm fan favorite, eventually placing as second runner up and setting her on a new career path in the music industry.

Kimberley signed to Curb Records immediately after her American Idol journey, where she became a very successful recording artist and released three full-length albums with the label. Among her many achievements she’s had eight Top 20 Adult Contemporary hits and four #1 Dance hits across various Billboard charts. Her #1 club hit, a remake of the Freda Payne classic “Band of Gold,” was included on Billboard’s “Top 50 Dance Songs of the Decade” list. She’s also made history as being the only recording artist to score a #1 Christmas song on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart three years in a row.

In 2009, Kimberley parted ways with Curb Records and became the first artist to sign a deal with Randy Jackson’s record label, Dream Merchant 21 Entertainment. Two years later, she announced she was launching her own artist consulting company, I AM Entertainment, LLC. She released her first independent EP album, “Four for the Floor” through I AM Entertainment in July 2011, followed by a cover of “Silver Bells” four months later, and “Finally Free” the following year.

Most recently she was seen at the 2016 finale of American Idol, which was watched by around 13 million viewers. At the finale she sang her hugely successful 2004 single “8th World Wonder,” along with additional solo and group performances with other American Idol favorites.

The Joe Policastro Trio is a Chicago-based jazz trio led by bassist Joe Policastro featuring guitarist Dave Miller and drummer Mikel Avery. While firmly rooted in jazz, the band’s open-minded, inclusive nature also brings rock, soul, funk, Brazilian, and free jazz to the surface while keeping the aesthetic of an acoustic jazz trio intact. Their third album, Screen Sounds (JeruJazz Records, August 11, 2017), is an assemblage of movie/TV music re-imagined by the trio. Both a musical tapestry and personal soundtrack, the trio has re-purposed these selections blending each member’s unique voice into a unified sound while shedding new light on these musical touchstones. Other releases by the band include 2013’s West Side Story Suite For Jazz Trio, and 2016’s POPS!, also on JeruJazz Records.

Bands are a rarity in jazz these days, especially ones who hone their craft as consistently as this one does. Their last album, POPS! (2016), was a collection of the trio’s re-workings of “pop” tunes, and a nod to Pops For Champagne, the famed Chicago nightclub where the trio continues its long-running, three-nights-a-week residency. Beyond Chicago, the band has been extensively playing together on the road having completed several tours even performing for President Barack Obama in October of 2016.

As sidemen, Joe Policastro (Jeff Hamilton, Pat and Debby Boone, Phil Woods, Diane Schuur), Dave Miller (Clarice Assad, Patricia Barber, Algernon), and Mikel Avery (Joshua Abrams, Theaster Gates, Rob Mazurek) have shared the stage with a wide array of musicians but dedicate collectively to this trio. Whether highlighting the original music of its member, re-contextualizing modern music, or performing jazz classics of the likes of Thelonious Monk, Chico Hamilton, or Charles Lloyd, the trio readily displays its singular approach, sound, texture, and simultaneity.

“The trio have refined their layered blend of the familiar and faintly far out, playing three nights a week at Chicago’s Pops For Champagne and through extensive roadwork. Their deep understanding of each other and deft analysis of choice repertoire repays repeat and close listening.”
– Michael Jackson, Downbeat

Known for its eclectic taste and approach, the Joe Policastro Trio “makes the case that such musical hybridity is worth celebrating.” “Policastro…is a melody-minded bassist who prioritizes group cohesion over individual displays of virtuosity.”
– Brian Zimmerman, Downbeat

“There are always new wrinkles to be found in the familiar. That’s a political stance that seems to serve the Joe Policastro Trio well…putting alternately gritty and focused touches on songs we’ve come to love….Policastro and company have found their niche tapping into different breeds of treasured songs.”
– Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

The Joe Policastro Trio is a band that can turn “pop tart into Jazz art” (Travis Rogers, Jazz Owl) and one that “should have wide appeal among both jazz fans and listeners of other genres.” (Hrayr Attarian, Chicago Jazz Magazine)

Cheap Thrill brings the raw energy of Hank & Cupcakes’ live shows off the stage and onto your home stereo, with a grungier edgier record than ever before while holding onto their fierce signature off-the-walls infectious sound.

Seeing Hank & Cupcakes live, and hearing their latest album, Cheap Thrill, is like watching two of your best friends fall in love. The record truly captures the band’s sound: sensual, powerful, and highly energetic. There’s no careful choreography here, no proliferation of autotune to mold the songs into something palatable to the sterile chewed up standards of today’s Top 40 culture. The raw, unfiltered, uncensored reality of Hank & Cupcakes is what Cheap Thrill is built on. It’s a sonic revolution and it’s calling you to join in and rock out.

Hank & Cupcakes are Aliens of Extraordinary Ability… At least according to the US immigration services. Hailing from Tel Aviv to New York City in late 08’, the duo, consisting of powerhouse vocalist/drummer Cupcakes and bassist extraordinaire Hank were quickly dubbed a “must see” live act on the local scene. Attracting praise from MTV and New York Post, the buzzworthy band were signed to BMG with whom they released their 2012 ‘Aint No Love’ EP. When faced with the choice of creative compromise vs. artistic freedom, Hank & Cupcakes chose the latter, walking away from the deal to self release their debut LP ‘Naked’ in 2013, followed by ‘Cash 4 Gold’ in 2014. The two are known for their explosive live performance which has finally met it’s match in the form of the band’s forthcoming record, Cheap Thrill.

The album was recorded in a custom setup in the duo’s new Atlanta home where Brooklyn producer Van Goose, who spent a week down south, joined them, immersed in the project. Microphones were set up in & out of the house infrastructure including heating shafts, closets and different rooms all intended to create an array of sonic chambers & an ambient live record.

The striking cover art for Cheap Thrill is the fruit of a collaboration with internationally acclaimed Mexican artist Claudio Limon. Like their music, Hank & Cupcakes’ cover image comes across at first as pure energetic art but Shir explains that there’s more to it than meets the eye: “The on the album cover is deliberately gender-blurry and set in a religious-looking environment. The idea came to us while working on the record when many “religious freedom” bills discriminating against LGBT community & bills curbing women’s reproductive rights were (and still are) brought up constantly. We strongly object to this and wanted to comment on the absurdity and misuse of religion as a tool of discrimination and oppression and on the lack of equality we still see in our society.

Hank & Cupcakes will be taking Cheap Thrill on the road this summer with an explosive live show accompanied by a huge stage design corresponding with the album art and will be touring all over the East Coast, Midwest and South. Do not miss the chance to see them live this summer!

Tired of shows that just fell short in the delivery, Anna and Mollie got together to create something fresh that encompasses energy, dance, and great songs… all in the name of Girl Power!  Now with a dynamic stage show complete with choreography and awesome mash-ups, Girl Power Night sets off as the cool new Chicago group dancing and singing their way into everyone’s heart.

Anna and Mollie rock the stage as their DJ  plays all the Girl Power hits mashed up and delivered uniquely girl power style. From Britney, Pink, Gwen, to Spice Girls, Destiny’s Destiny’s Child and more. With a DJ mixing the tracks and dancers fully choreographed, the show is a non-stop dance party.

Girls that Rock and Women who influence the world! Including: Michelle Bachelet, Benazir Bhutto, Katie Couric, Drew Gilpin Faust, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Sonia Gandhi, Melinda Gates, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Wangari Maathai, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Angela Merkel, Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi, to name a few!

Chicago’s own cabaret act made up of Kylie Bear, Olin, Kiki and Dustin. The beaus sing the gambit of music styles from blues to jazz to musical theatre to pop! They do it all with style, sassiness, humor and dazzling vocal harmonies.

Established and incorporated in 2007, the Chicago Cabaret Project began entertaining and stimulating audiences at various venues throughout  the city of Chicago. The momentum gained after years in the cabaret scene marked a significant presence for the ensemble among the theatre and entertainment professionals of Chicago, garnering praise and admiration for their beautiful vocal stylings and their ever exciting and provocative, sexy presentations.

In 2012, The Chicago Cabaret Project reincorporated as The Cabaret Project. Continuing the spotlight in the following years, the troupe has worked all over the Chicagoland area, Lake Geneva (WI), St. Louis (MO) and Puerto Vallarta (MX).

Exposé is an American Latin freestyle vocal group formed in 1984 in Miami, Florida. Primarily consisting of lead vocalists Jeanette Jurado, Ann Curless, and Gioia Bruno, the group achieved much of their success between 1984 and 1993. They became the first group to attain four top-10 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 since their debut album, including 1988 number-one single “Seasons Change.” In March 2015, Billboard magazine named the group the eighth most-successful girl group of all-time.

The group was popular in dance clubs, mainstream Top 40, and adult contemporary charts in the United States. They actively toured and recorded music from 1984 to 1995, then retired from recording and public performances for 8 years until 2003. They currently tour today.

Born in Quezon City, Philippines, in 1980, Toy started DJing at the age of 23. He was given the title “Head DJ” of BED Manila from the moment he received his residency till the day they finally closed it’s doors in 2015. He made his name with his own signature sound of thunderous tribal beats and soaring vocal anthems that is recognized instantly.
He has performed for major event’s like Jeffrey Sanker’s legendary White Party Palm Springs, New Year’s Eve at White Party Bangkok and the massive beach party at Winter Party Festival in Miami to name a few, establishing him as one of Asia’s mightiest talents.

Toy’s production work began in 2010, but it wouldn’t be until 2012 when he would meet his partner
DJ GRIND that would open more doors and lead to US & UK billboard #1 remixes with artists like Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Hailee Steinfeld, Carly Rae Jepsen, Kylie Minogue, Cher, Mel B, Demi Lovato, Inaya Day, Abigail, Ella Henderson and a lot more.
Today Toy Armada enjoys playing in main festivals, cities and events around the world.

Tom Stephan is an artist who truly marches to his own drum. The US-born, UK-based DJ has headlined the world’s most highly regarded parties and clubs from the Black Party New York to the White Party Palm Springs, from Space Ibiza to Stereo Montreal to Ageha Tokyo, while holding down residencies at Beyond London, Matinee Barcelona, WE Party Madrid, Big Paris, Rapido Amsterdam, Karmabeat Mexico City and Alegria NYC. In the studio, he’s among the most accomplished, with a discography of original and remix work that includes 18 Billboard Dance Chart Number One’s, and reads like a who’s-who of global dance music producers: from Basement Jaxx to Beyoncé, Missy Elliot to Major Lazer.

Most well known for his “Superchumbo” moniker, Tom’s sound was born out of the NYC after-hours scene and merged with his home base in East London. Never one to accept complacency, Tom has embraced the creative advantages of using Traktor as his DJing “instrument.” This full-fledged flexing of technology allows him to create an unrelenting dance-floor experience that is unrivaled in terms of intensity, creativity, and fluidity. Come hear for yourself why Tom Stephan is heralded as one of the best in the game.

from ChicagoPride.com

Jesse Mercado grew up in Crystal Lake and Cary, in the far Northwest suburbs, but he fell in love with Chicago as a kid and knew it was where he wanted to live – and he’s been a fan of local dance music since the late-1980s, when he used to sneak into Chicago on Sunday nights to attend the B96 dance parties at the Riviera Theater.

It was Steve “Silk” Hurley who inspired Mercado to be a DJ.

In 2005, Mercado watched Hurley spin one of the “DJ’s In The Park” events hosted by the Chicago Park District, “and he moved the crowd unlike anything I have ever seen,” Mercado said.  “The crowd erupted into a frenzy every time he introduced a new track; it was magical.

“At that point, I knew I wanted to be a DJ.”

In 2007, Mercado started learning the craft, and has since worked at multiple venues in Chicago as well as clubs in Dallas, New York, Kansas City, St Louis, Toronto, and elsewhere.

Jesse Mercado is now DJ Jesse Mercado, a fixture on the gay scene, known for his tribal/vocal house style.  He has been spinning at Hydrate Nightclub in Boystown for more than three years and has been an official resident since January, 2015.  Mercado spins at Hydrate six times a year, with his next stop at Hydrate is on April 29.  Plus, he’s been a resident DJ at Steamworks for the last five years, spinning at the bath house on the fourth Saturday of each month for its Bears, Bath and Beyond event.

“As a DJ (for gay venues), it’s very rewarding,” Mercado said.  “Everyone on the dance floor faces one another and feeds off of the energy of the music as well as each other, which allows me to take the crowd on a journey over the course of several hours.  I can play very high energy music and have them working up a sweat, then take them down a darker sexier path and watch sexual tensions rise.  It’s really fun to orchestrate and something that is very unique to the gay community.

“When I DJ a daytime event, the vibe is more carefree with lots of tracks that people can sing with and throw their hands up in the air.  When it’s a club event or something like Steamworks, it’s a sexier tribal or tech house sound with less vocals and hard driving beats.”

From do312.com

World renowned DJ & Producer Cajjmere Wray (aka: CCW) has been a staple in the dance music/club scene globally for many years. He stirs a mix of house styles primarily of circuit & tribal with vocals mixed in, which is definitely a part of what makes him a must see DJ.

In the studio Cajjmere Wray has officially remixed many of the world’s greatest talents including: Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Nelly Furtado, Paulina Rubio, Offer Nissim, and Deborah Cox to name only a few. His widely supported productions are a large piece in the history of his notable style and sound. His contribution to dance music has helped many artists land the #1 spot on the Billboard Club Play Charts. Cajjmere’s remixing effort on singer/songwriter Natalia Safran’s “All I Feel Is You”, is featured in the Sony/Columbia Pictures major motion picture ‘FLATLINERS’ from 2017.

With 20 years and counting now behind him in the business, Cajjmere Wray has successfully headlined festivals & events on 2 major continents in various cities including:

White Party – Miami, 1LIFE Festival – LA, PRISM Festival – Toronto, DIVERSITÉ Festival – Montreal, VINYL WARRIORS Tour – Serbia. COUTURE LA, SCORE Miami, TRACKS Denver, STEREO – Montreal, CIRCUS – Montreal, and others.