Innovative Entertainment’s newest team member, Executive Producer BRAD WILSON knows first-hand what goes into performing AND producing entertainment for events. Over the span of his career he has contributed to thousands of events as a performer, an entertainment producer and sometimes even as the MC. You may or may not have had the opportunity to get to know Brad during the 12+ years that he worked with The Three Waiters Int’l USA. Either way, we’re sure that you’ll find our first ‘Meet The Team’ interview with him to be a fun read. Like Brad’s theatrical personality, it’s chock-full of entertaining stories and his unique perspectives on life…enjoy!
Photo: Orange Photography
IE:
Hi Brad, thanks for spending some time today to chat. As the newest event professional on the Innovative Entertainment team we have lots of questions for you. To start, share with us where you’re originally from and where you call home today.
BRAD:
I was born in Zanesville OH, because Gratiot OH didn’t have a hospital. In fact, Gratiot only had one business, owned by my Grandpa and Grandma. I lived in Gratiot till I was 5 and then relocated to Zanesville, where I lived until I was old enough to be on my own. I now am back in Ohio after many years of living in New York City, though I do still consider NYC home and go there often.
IE:
You referred to your family as the ‘Kennedys’ of Gratiot. Are there other interesting stories about your family?
BRAD:
I’ll start with Gillogly’s General Store in Gratiot OH. They sold: gas, produce, groceries, tools, homemade food, and my Aunt Peggy did perms in the back, which stunk up the whole place. My Dad’s side of the family were from Roseville OH, the one-time pottery capital of the universe, and my Grannie and Pop worked in those potteries for many years. My Dad and his Brother did, too, for a while.
IE:
As a young adult, was there performance or music education that led you to your current career?
BRAD:
Absolutely none. Singing and acting started as a hobby and turned into a job, which eventually led me into arts management and eventually on to Innovative Entertainment as an Executive Producer.
IE:
Tell us about your career before Innovative Entertainment.
BRAD:
I was the General Manager of The Three Waiters International from 2005 to 2016. I started with them as a performer in 2002 and moved up from there. I got to travel all over the world, performing and organizing shows of one of the greatest corporate acts ever.
IE:
How did you know that being in the entertainment industry was what you wanted to do as a career?
BRAD:
I started taking singing lessons for a hobby and my singing teacher became very excited. I thought he was just doing that to keep me coming back for lessons, but after I won a 4th or 5th singing contest I thought there might be something to all this. I didn’t have the courage to jump into pursuing it professionally until I was in my 30’s, though.
IE:
If you weren’t doing what you are now career wise, what else would you choose to be doing?
BRAD:
I’d probably lock myself in a recording studio and never come out. I love recording! I’d also probably get back into printmaking (aquatints, etchings, etc.). If I ever retire I’ll probably start auditioning for theater again.
IE:
Between producing and performing, you’ve had an interesting career. What do you like best about booking artists? What do you like best about performing?
BRAD:
With booking, I enjoy putting people and performers together that both end up loving the experience. It’s a real rush and I have gotten a little emotional from time to time watching one of my groups on stage in front of a cheering audience.
With performing, I love it! I’m addicted to it. I love reacting to audiences and going where they take me. I love to get applause. I don’t have a shy bone in my body.
IE:
What has been the most memorable performance of your career? And what has been the most memorable event you’ve booked talent for?
BRAD:
Most memorable performance: It’s a close one. I performed on a show for the troops in Afghanistan and that certainly changed my life forever. Another one would be when we did Tenors Undercover for the Prince of Monaco. I was portraying myself as a 2 Star Michelin Chef. The hoax was so realistic that early in the evening the Prince gave me a royal audience in front of the entire ballroom. The problem was the entire conversation was in French. I don’t speak French. I lost 3 years off my life.
Most memorable event I’ve booked talent for: Booking Sierra Boggess for the celebration of a factory opening in Texas, mainly because of the setting. Imagine the ballroom being a big curtained box in the middle of an unfinished factory. Inside the box it was glamorous, outside it was a construction zone. It was surreal.
IE:
What are a two things that people would be surprised to learn about you?
BRAD:
I once caught two guys that were robbing a convenience store. Wasn’t the brightest thing I ever did, but adrenaline makes you do weird things.
I’ve almost drowned twice, which is strange, because I’m actually an excellent swimmer.
IE:
What are some of your favorite places to travel?
BRAD:
Hong Kong, Singapore, Italy, UK, Australia, Northern California, and the Bronx!!
IE:
What do you do when you have time off?
BRAD:
Kids, kids, kids. My daughter is high on the autism spectrum, and my son has the most active imagination I’ve ever seen. I joke that one of my kids won’t talk and the other one won’t shut up.
IE:
Anything else we should know about you?
BRAD:
I love helping people!
IE:
Yes, people helping people makes this world a better place! Thanks again for the quick interview – we’re happy to have you on the IE team!
