Come On Out To Shakedown Street!!

If you live anywhere within the Triangle area, you've probably heard about Shakedown Street!! Located directly across from the NC State campus at 2500 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, NC. It's owned by a husband and wife, affectionately known to the artists and fans that come through there as "Uncle John and Darlene". By the many photos on the walls within Shakedown Street, I knew there had to be a history behind Uncle John, I was right...


TaraMarie: How long have you owned Shakedown Street? Did you open it to be primarily as a music venue?



Uncle John: We opened Shakedown Street in January of 2010. We started it as a Pub/Bar with weekend Entertainment. After a year, the Entertainment Value of the room grew so that we added additional nights of Live Entertainment. I have been involved for over 40 years Managing/Agenting/ Tour Managing and Promoting LIVE Entertainment. So I guess it all came back at me full circle. Nine months ago we realized that the best thing Shakedown Street had to offer to Raleigh was our LIVE Entertainment. We then decided to remove the kitchen and enlarge the bar and stage so that we could offer more Entertainment space.


TaraMarie:  What genre's of music have come through Shakedown Street? 


Uncle John:  We offer ALL genre's of LIVE Entertainment. I learned a long time ago that ALL music has a message and that LIVE music is BEST. So we embrace ALL of the acts that perform at Shakedown Street and welcome them as family.


TaraMarie:  You've become one of the most popular venues for the Hip Hop scene lately, even having K97.5 radio DJs booking shows here, is that something you expected?


Uncle John:  We have been very fortunate of how the LOVE of the HIP HOP Community has embraced the room. I owe a lot of the Hip Hop success to A.Robb and Eargasm Entertainment. She approached me over a year ago about hosting SUCKER FREE SUNDAY every Sunday and once the HIP HOP Community got a feel of the Showcase Room we have created it has exploded into The Triangles Premiere Hip Hop Venue. 


TaraMarie:  What are some of your most memorable shows that have come through Shakedown Street?


Uncle John:  We are very fortunate to get National & Regional Entertainment Performing at the venue as well as BREAKING some of the BEST local acts through the room. I have always taken care of the artist first and fore most in every stage of the Music Industry that I have been involved. So as the Old Saying goes "What goes around comes around" and I am blessed to have numerous acts that want to perform at Shakedown Street for not only the vibe they get from performing but for all the LOVE that they feel from the fans when they perform at this venue. I really thought that The SUCKER FREE SUNDAY 1st Anniversary Party was a stand out. ALL the LOVE that night that was felt was incredible!


TaraMarie:  What are your future plans with this location? Can you see expanding?


Uncle John:  I have been approached by investors to take Shakedown Street into other locations in North Carolina and we have thought of franchising the concept. Shakedown Street works because of the Showcase environment that we have created in a small venue concept. It fits in perfect with the larger venues in the area so we don't have to compete with them because we look at acts that only need to draw 80 to 100 fans to have a successful show. When some of these acts go to the larger venue's and draw those figures, 2 things happen 1. The energy is NO way what it is at Shakedown Street and 2. They have a hard time connecting with their audience because the crowd looks so slim in a large venue.


TaraMarie: What is your background in the music industry? Tell us about some of the photos that hang on the walls inside Shakedown? 


Uncle John:  The photo's on the wall in Shakedown Street are ONLY a few of the acts and artists that I have represented in some phase of the Industry over the years.

Previous Companies owned:
King Construction
Krisis Kontrol
John Moyer Management
Luvlite Production
Luvlite Records

I have been actively involved within the Music Industry for over 40 years. Personal Management, Tour Management, Production Management, Agent, Promotional Director, Executive Producer and now I currently bring Raleigh GREAT LIVE music in a unique setting at Shakedown Street.

TaraMarie:  Do you feel that the Hip Hop scene in the Raleigh area is a positive movement? And will you continue to support it?

Uncle John:  We are fortunate to have had over 100's of Hip Hop Shows ONLY to have one negative incident in the venue that took place when a few of the acts had bad blood against one another. I was totally blown away from the reactions and I had to bring in my Guru the next day to cleanse the room from the negative vibes (hehe). No, I am very fortunate to receive the LOVE that all the Hip Hop Community brings with them to Shakedown Street. I was so happy to see that they all felt the LOVE & GRATEFUL Vibes that I have worked 40 years to create and bring to The LIVE Music Scene. Remember SHAKEDOWN STREET is not only the Hippest Place On The Planet we are now also The HIP HOPpiest place on the planet. PEACE & LOVE to ALL!! Uncle John  

To Contact Shakedown Street:

@ShakedownSt_Ral

www.shakedownstreetraleigh.com 

919-899-6381

unclejohn@shakedownstreetraleigh.com