An Industry Nite

The best music party ever? International stars make Houston their first U.S. visit

Looking for a party this Saturday night?

The Ayva Center on Richmond Avenue will be a rockin' host to a top Industry Nite. The set list features up-and-coming and established international artists who plan to own the stage for fans. Not to mention the leading industry heads in attendance searching for the next international star.

Performers will include 2Face, DJ Neptune, Ice Prince, D'Prince and Seyi Shay.

No newbie to show biz, she was once in a girl band produced by Mathew Knowles called From Above.

The Spinlet sponsored event has toured the United Kingdom and various places in Africa, but this weekend marks its first ever venture to the United States. What better place to start than Houston?

Not only is Houston the most diverse city in the country, but it also has one of the largest African immigrant populations in the nation according to 2010 Census.

Pioneer music producer Matthew Ohio first started Industry Nite in Lagos, Nigeria. Over time, the event has grown more popular by featuring local artists and allowing sponsors like Spinlet to enhance a major movement in the African music industry.

A Unique Mission

Mark Redguard, chief marketing officer has been a major creative force behind the success of Spinlet, a Nigeria-based music distributor.

"Think of Spinlet as a hybrid form of iTunes in Africa," Redguard said. "Two years ago in August 2011 there was an idea to launch a mobile music app that Spinlet uses as a platform to build report with artists and to track their fan base. You download Spinlet to any smartphone and it gives you access to a vault of music. This creates wide exposure for new and upcoming artists.”

"They want to celebrate the way we celebrate. So, the initiative is to carry out this demand . . . to put on shows in places like New York and Houston."

Before joining Spinlet, Redguard worked with big names like Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Whitney Houston, Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith, on projects for various record companies. Spinlet now tries to keep the focus on local artists. The company works to get this music heard not just in Africa, but around the globe.

"By signing these artists up it allows them to sell their music outside of the country or area and prevents problems with piracy," Redguard said."A major problem in Africa is that there is no music distribution."

Industry Nite, Spinlet and of course the performers will make some kind of profit. However, Shay the only female touring with Spinlet, sees the show as an initiative rather than just pure entertainment.

“I think there is a strong demand in Houston from the African population," Shay said. "They want to celebrate the way we celebrate. So, the initiative is to carry out this demand . . . to put on shows in places like New York and Houston."

Shay was originally raised in the United Kingdom and is what she calls an "Afro-Pop" artist. No newbie to show biz, she was once in a girl band produced by Mathew Knowles called From Above. The band opened for H-town's own Queen Bey in Beyonce's I Am . . .World Tour, released one album and starred in a MTV (UK) reality series in 2011. During this run, Shay lived in Houston for six months.

Now, she stays busy touring and promoting her solo tunes. "Loving Your Way" is one of her best (take a listen).

"The more in demand in contemporary music those artists become, the more Industry Nite will become more popular,” Shay said. "It’s a Nigerian initiative, but not only for Nigerians."

Tickets for Industry Night are $30 ($70 for VIP) and are available at the door. The show starts at 8 p.m. at Avya Center (9371 Richmond Ave).

Mark Redguard

Courtesy photo

Mark Redguard

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Music icons

Willie Nelson honors 'king of roadies' in buzzy new documentary

Film poster for Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies at DIFF, cropped

Photo by Piper Ferguson

Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies follows the career of Benjamin H. Dorcy, III, a.k.a. Lovey.

Behind great touring musicians are teams of roadies, and Willie Nelson is helping draw attention to one of the men who first made it possible. A new documentary called Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies follows the achievements of Benjamin H. Dorcy, III, a.k.a. Lovey, who the film credits with being the world's first roadie.

The film will premiere at the Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF) on Sunday, April 27 at the historic Texas Theater. It's a long-awaited event, as the film has been in the works for 16 years.

Put simply, a roadie is someone who travels with a band to help set up equipment. But a roadie's life isn't always lived completely behind the scenes. Some bands have legendary roadies that were with them every step of the way, generating fan-favorite stories or even inspiring creative revelations.

“It’s one thing to have a bunch of good ideas, but to make them work and to put them into action, you need someone like Ben to do it, and he never failed," said Nelson, as quoted in a press release.

The release describes Dorcy as "the first and oldest roadie who shaped music history, pioneered an entire profession, and rivaled time itself to keep the show on the road." He made his mark in country music, specifically, working with Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, John Wayne, and more. Waylon Jennings even wrote "Ode to Ben" as a tribute to Dorcy.

Some of the above musicians appear in the film to discuss Dorcy's impact alongside some clips of the man himself.

The film dives into some of Dorcy's past, including family tragedy, a World War II head injury, and his escapades across a seven-decade career. It does more than shine a light on the work Dorcy did; the trailer raises the question of how Dorcy came to be associated with so many significant stars, implying that he had an eye for (or a hand in) who would later make it big.

“Ben has a shared legacy with all the artists he worked with because he was able to help them create their legacy,” said co-director Amy Lee Nelson. “We want as many people as possible to get to know Lovey. I hope audiences come away with a deep appreciation for the folks working behind the scenes in all the ways we don’t usually think about. Let us consider and appreciate the folks who chose vocations where, when they’re really good at their job, they go largely unnoticed.”

The release also notes Dorcy's perseverance several times, painting a picture of a resilient worker not just in body but in spirit.

“When you stop doing what you love is when you fade away,” said Amy Nelson. “Ben was happy until the end.”

Film poster for Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies at DIFFPhoto by Piper Ferguson

Folks tuning in from home can listen to the companion concept album for Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies, which compiles songs used in and inspired by the film, "reimagined by some of today’s top artists." Finally, Dorcy's 100th birthday, March 19, 2025, will mark the first-ever National Roadie Day.

Festival passes are now on sale starting at $100.

benjamin dorcy country music documentary film live music music musicians willie nelson