Artists to Know: Rick Marcel and Myra Washington
Business to Know: Rick Marcel’s Live Café
Years performing: Eight
What big names have you worked with?
Ron Isley, Charlie Wilson, Lil Wayne, James Fortune and Fiyah, Cash Money, Juvenile Manny Fresh, Teena Marie.
What made you want to venture into the restaurant business?
With a lack of music venues for live R&B, we decided to go into partnership with Ruggles Grill to provide a much-needed live entertainment venue where people can enjoy great dining and great entertainment all in one place.
How do you balance running the café and performing at the café?
It’s a bit stressful doing both but we have many supportive fans who were longing for a centralized location to hear us play. So we take even that much more pride in our café just from knowing that our fans have something to look forward to.
What makes your café unique?
We have great food, great drinks and it gives you a great concert feel while being in a more intimate setting.
What advice can you give other entertainers who would like to brand themselves in other markets?
It’s [about] more than getting on stage and performing. [It’s about] making yourself accessible and having a true connection with fans on and off stage, and that will take you a long way in the long run.
What’s Next?
We are currently in the studio with Manny Fresh working on a few projects and we have also started a Sunday gospel brunch at the café.
For more information Please Visit: www.rickmarcelband.com www.facebook.com/rickmarcelslivecafe www.facebook.com/rickmarcelslive
