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I am blessed to have so much health and happiness. The people at AEC are like my family and you know who "dad" is.
Entertainment has always been my blood. My 1st memory is sitting at the feet of the drummer in my dad's 16 piece big band, "Michelle Martell and His Society Orchestra" in the mid-40's.
...and so it started. Drums were my life. They paid my way through college and made a living for me over the next 12 years. It was all about Rock and Roll, Funk, Rhythm and Blues and Jazz. I kid about playing today's "oldies" when they were Top 40.
The band life led to a great learning experience when, at the age of 34, I went to work for a "slave driving hotel-chain owner" named Ted Richter. He became my guru, teaching me about the beverage, hotel and food service industry as well as giving me the insight to clearly define music from a producer's view ... as opposed to a performer's way of looking at things. This helps in today's ever changing market when we are called upon to walk the tight rope between the event producer and the artist.
I went from the Hotel Industry to the Music Booking Industry. I became an agent, booking bands throughout the 50 United States. Keeping a roster of bands working full time was a major project, but they were good years.
It soon became evident that Discos were replacing Live Music. Bands were being discovered in garages, not nightclubs and it was time to change my thinking ... again.
So, in 1984, I started Associated Entertainment Consultants. Our aim was to provide the best corporate entertainment in the industry. Some bands we helped create. Some we would discover ... in every town ... in every state ... and offer the best of the best to our corporate clientele.
...and so it came about. Our network of entertainers and attractions stretches from Coast to Coast.
It's a good life.
Dennis "Gig" Xifaras
* Born in New Bedford, Mass - Greek/American heritage
* Graduated Burdett College with a BA in Marketing
* Professional musician for 12 years - Performed Nationally
* Worked at National Diversified Services, National Hotel chain - 1973
* Became Director of Entertainment and Beverage Services for NDS
* Joined Windfall Artists' Management Agency, San Francisco - 1976
* Joined John Vinatieri and Associates as a partner - 1979
* Founded Associated Entertainment Consultants in 1984
Associations
* Founding member of ITAA - International Theatrical Agency Association
* 186 talent agencies world-wide
* ISIS - International Society Events Specialists
* NACE - National Association of Catering Executives
* SFCVB - San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau
Hobbies
Travel and pets ... and making Rae happy
Pets include:
Sage - Golden Retriever
Pork - the cat
Bean - her sister
Mitten - the kitten (found on our doorstep)
Junior - Our Newest Kitten and only Male pet
Fallon - Cockatoo
Jasmine - Myers Parrot
Squeeky the Squirt - Sun Conure the love of my life, but boy, is she loud!!!
Comments: I am blessed to have so much health and happiness. The people at AEC are like my family and you know who "dad" is.
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