"So what else do you do?"
One question I occasionally hear is, “So what else do you do?” (Haha never change New York City!)
The underlying assumption: Sing with the Stars must be a side quest and not the main one.
I get it. When projects start small, it can be tough for some to imagine how they might grow. But nearly every remarkable idea begins as a niche concept, a playful experiment within a specific community, before growing into something that hits widely.
In recent months, guests and friends have shared some incredible projects that illustrate exactly what’s possible:
- Die Hamburger Goldkehlchen (“The Hamburg Goldthroats”) is a comedic choir from Germany. They’re self-described as “70 Men – One Choir – No one can sing!” Despite (or perhaps because of) this tongue-in-cheek humor, they’ve built a loyal fanbase and perform widely across Europe.
- Massaoke, based in the UK, has transformed karaoke into massive live-band sing-alongs that pack venues and festivals across Europe. Our guests who’ve experienced it firsthand can’t stop raving.
- The Savannah Bananas reinvented baseball as “Banana Ball,” blending entertainment, sport, and viral content. They’ve filled stadiums, recently drawing 81,000 fans in South Carolina, and boast millions of followers.
- Sofar Sounds, hosting intimate, secret-location concerts globally, has been instrumental in the early careers of superstars like Billie Eilish and Hozier. They now operate in over 400 cities worldwide.
- Gaia Music Collective creates bold, joyful spaces for participatory music-making in NYC. Through vocal jams, open mics, and workshops, they invite hundreds at their events to express themselves freely in supportive, judgment-free community.
If these communities can achieve such incredible scale and impact, so can we.
Here’s where Sing with the Stars is heading next:
1. Expanding across NYC: I want us in more venues, more often. Imagine regular events across Brooklyn, Queens, Harlem, the LES, even Jersey City. Let’s see just how much excitement we can create city-wide.
2. Building a viral social media presence: Our events are bursting with incredible, shareable moments. We just need talented individuals (experienced or eager to learn) to help capture and distribute this magic online.
3. Creating bigger, immersive events: Picture an 18-room Midtown karaoke venue, each room featuring different musical genres and hosted by Broadway stars. Imagine hundreds of guests floating from room to room, experiencing everything from Broadway classics to rock and R&B.
4. National and global expansion: We’ve had demand from guests as far away as LA, Seattle, and London. Cities like LA and London already have a strong Broadway presence. In Nashville, we could host Karaoke With Country Stars; in Miami, Karaoke With Reggaeton Stars. The possibilities are endless.
5. Media and large-scale entertainment: A YouTube series featuring amateur singers collaborating with Broadway professionals could be massively popular. Eventually, we could host major events at iconic venues like Madison Square Garden, giving amateur talent a stage alongside established professionals and creating genuine opportunities for career advancement.
Beyond singing, I envision expanding into other creative experiences perhaps Write with the Stars, Act with the Stars, Bake with the Stars, and more. The concept of pairing talented professionals with enthusiastic amateurs can bring any creative pursuit to life, resulting in fun, unforgettable events.
What’s important to me is keeping Sing with the Stars genuinely fun for myself and everyone involved at every step of the way. Joy and creativity thrive when a project feels good to everyone involved, grows sustainably, and reaches as many people as possible without losing sight of what made it special in the first place.
Here are some ways you can help:
- Venues: If you know innovative hospitality leaders interested in hosting unique, recurring events, please introduce us.
- Social media: We’re seeking content creators (experienced or aspiring) who can help capture, edit, and share event highlights and testimonials.
- Media connections: Both traditional journalists and new-media creators, podcasters, influencers, YouTubers, with engaged audiences would find our story compelling. Introductions here are hugely valuable.
- Supporters and advisors: While I’m not actively fundraising, I’m always open to conversations with individuals who back innovative, creative ventures and can help accelerate our growth through guidance, networks, or strategic support.
- Event Sponsors: We have an engaged audience of over 5,200 email subscribers, with an average open rate of nearly 31%. If you or your company would like to reach our vibrant, culturally-engaged community, we’d love to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
Most importantly, attend our events. Be part of our growing community, reconnect with old friends, and make new ones.
If you have ideas, suggestions, or introductions, please reply to this post. I personally read and respond to every message.
Thanks for being part of this journey. Together, let’s take Sing with the Stars to new heights.