VME PARTNERS CREATIVE AFFILIATIONS
PRODUCTION • DIRECTION • TV • TOURING • PERFORMANCES • RECORDINGS
Whoopi Goldberg, James Stroud, Steve Thompson, Cory Rooney, Darius Rucker, Tommy Mottola, Dodger Theatricals, Jeff Calhoun
Whoopi Goldberg, James Stroud, Steve Thompson, Cory Rooney, Darius Rucker, Tommy Mottola, Dodger Theatricals, Jeff Calhoun
President Barack Obama’s historic “Neighborhood Inaugural Ball’, TOTO, SNL, NBC Macy's Thanksgiving, Ashford & Simpson, The Pet Shop Boys, Keith Sweat, Toshi Kubota, Nona Hendryx, Taylor Dayne, Melissa Morgan, Aretha Franklin, Lionel Richie, India Arie, Smokey Robinson, Dolly Parton, Olivia Newton-John, Elvis Costello, Anita Baker, James Taylor, Melissa Etheridge, Donald Fagan, Carly Simon, Patti Labelle, Michael McDonald, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, John Legend, Mary J Blige, Justin Bieber, Lalah Hathaway, Sting, Sir Elton John, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Vince Gill, Rosanne Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Bruno Mars, Jennifer Hudson, Mick Jagger, Usher, Arcade Fire
President Barack Obama’s historic “Neighborhood Inaugural Ball’, TOTO, SNL, NBC Macy's Thanksgiving, Ashford & Simpson, The Pet Shop Boys, Keith Sweat, Toshi Kubota, Nona Hendryx, Taylor Dayne, Melissa Morgan, Aretha Franklin, Lionel Richie, India Arie, Smokey Robinson, Dolly Parton, Olivia Newton-John, Elvis Costello, Anita Baker, James Taylor, Melissa Etheridge, Donald Fagan, Carly Simon, Patti Labelle, Michael McDonald, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, John Legend, Mary J Blige, Justin Bieber, Lalah Hathaway, Sting, Sir Elton John, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Vince Gill, Rosanne Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Bruno Mars, Jennifer Hudson, Mick Jagger, Usher, Arcade Fire
Nile Rodgers and Chic, Sting, Bono, Bette Midler, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Dua Lipa, Roger Daltrey, Notorious B.I.G., Queen Latifah, Slash, Eric Benet, Erykah Badu, Toshinobu Kubota, Vanessa Williams, D'Angelo, John Legend, Paul Simon, India Arie, NBC It's Showtime At The Apollo with Steve Harvey, ABC Caroline Rhea Show, BET Honors, BET Celebration of Gospel, BBC2 Jools Holland, BBC New Years Celebration, ITV X-Factor, Elvis Costello, Smokey Robinson, Slash, Mickey Dolenz, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Holiday, Freddie Jackson, Chris Botti, Martina McBride,
Nile Rodgers and Chic, Sting, Bono, Bette Midler, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Dua Lipa, Roger Daltrey, Notorious B.I.G., Queen Latifah, Slash, Eric Benet, Erykah Badu, Toshinobu Kubota, Vanessa Williams, D'Angelo, John Legend, Paul Simon, India Arie, NBC It's Showtime At The Apollo with Steve Harvey, ABC Caroline Rhea Show, BET Honors, BET Celebration of Gospel, BBC2 Jools Holland, BBC New Years Celebration, ITV X-Factor, Elvis Costello, Smokey Robinson, Slash, Mickey Dolenz, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Holiday, Freddie Jackson, Chris Botti, Martina McBride,
Ralph Rolle, John James, and Joe Shane, entertainers, and longtime friends who have collaborated with music industry icons, have jointly committed to transforming the conventional scene of corporate and wedding bands that has endured for more than five decades.
Joe Shane
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
Friedrich Nietzsche
Joe is a diverse artist with a background in music composition, songwriting, and performance across various mediums such as theater, film, television, and music production. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of collaborating with a mix of major label and independent artists and working alongside renowned producers.
Some highlights of Joe Shane's journey include:
Contributing music and lyrics to the production "White Noise," produced by Whoopi Goldberg & "Once Around The Sun," where he had the opportunity to enhance the storytelling through his compositions.
Collaborating with respected artists and producers like James Stroud, Steve Thompson, Cory Rooney, and Darius Rucker, showcasing his ability to work harmoniously with diverse talents.
Receiving a nomination for a Chicago Jeff Award in the category of Outstanding New Work-Musical or Revue for his involvement in the production of "White Noise" at the Royal George Theater.
Conceiving and co-creating "The Duck Commander Musical,” produced by Tommy Mottola and Dodger Theatricals and directed by Jeff Calhoun.
Joe Shane's experiences in the entertainment industry reflect his dedication to music, live performance, and the arts. His collaborative spirit and passion for creating meaningful work shine through in his contributions across different genres and formats, showcasing his versatility and commitment to the craft.
John James
“Music is the air that I breathe. It runs through my veins like rivers; it heals and restores every part of my being.”
John James
…is an indelible voice and prolific songwriter continuing to make his mark on the soundtrack of music history.
In 2009, John performed the first dance of Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” for then Vice President Joe Biden and his wife at President Barack Obama’s historic “Neighborhood Inaugural Ball’ that also included performances with Stevie Wonder, Sting Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey.
John has recorded and toured internationally with the five-time Grammy award-winning band TOTO. Other tours include Ashford & Simpson, The Pet Shop Boys, Keith Sweat, Japanese Super Star Toshi Kubota, Nona Hendryx, Taylor Dayne, and R&B Songstress Melissa Morgan.
John James has worked with a long list of world-class artists on multiple platforms such as Aretha Franklin, Lionel Richie, India Arie, Smokey Robinson, Dolly Parton, Olivia Newton-John, Elvis Costello, Anita Baker, James Taylor, Melissa Etheridge, Donald Fagan, Carly Simon, Patti Labelle, Michael McDonald, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, John Legend, Mary J Blige, Justin Bieber, Lalah Hathaway, Sting, Sir Elton John, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Vince Gill, Rosanne Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Bruno Mars, Jennifer Hudson, Mick Jagger, Usher, Arcade Fire to mention some, and the list keeps growing. John was a member of the esteemed Sting Rainforest band since 2011.
John is the NY local chair of the SAG-AFTRA singers committee and a board member representing singers and recording artists. John also serves on several national SAG-AFTRA committees and is a member of the Recording Academy (The Grammys) voting member.
John’s other credits include Jingles, Broadway, Off-Broadway, Television, and Cabaret.
Ralph Rolle
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to by the music which he hears, however, measured or far away.”
Henry David Thoreau
Ralph is a drummer and singer from The Bronx, New York. As far back as he can remember, he marched to the beat of a different drum. He has been playing professionally since the age of 19, and It is no surprise that with more than four decades of professional experience within the music industry, he enjoys an illustrious career as a much sought-after drummer, teacher, and producer.
His live work, TV performances, and recording lists include Nile Rodgers and Chic (for which he is best known and for whom he currently plays), Sting, Bono, Bette Midler, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Dua Lipa, Roger Daltrey, Notorious B.I.G., Queen Latifah, Slash, Eric Benet, Erykah Badu, Toshinobu Kubota, Vanessa Williams, D'Angelo, John Legend, Paul Simon, India Arie, Elvis Costello, Smokie Robinson, Slash, Mickey Dolenz, Gwen Stefani and many more. Ralph also appeared in the David Bowie Tribute at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards in 2016. He recently played a stunning set with Chic at the Glastonbury Festival, wowing over 220,000 attendees with his performance of Let’s Dance.
N.Y.U invited Ralph to be a guest speaker to graduating students, where he utilized his lesser-known talent as a motivational speaker. The Masterclasses that he delivers are sessions in music and life, which attract not only drummers but all types of musicians, singers, and those who are interested in growing in a positive way.
For 14 seasons, he was the Drummer for NBC's “It's Showtime at The Apollo," and he has also played in Paul Shaiffer’s band on "The David Letterman Show,” subbing for Anton Fig. 1990 he founded Phat Kat Productions, Inc., a music production company. For over 18 years, Phat Kat Productions has produced and arranged orchestral and vocal musical segments for commercials such as Nike, Burger King, Miller Genuine Draft, and Dark & Lovely.
Movie soundtrack credits include Rocketman, Cats, Beat Street, Love Jones, and the On the Ropes Soundtrack (which was nominated for an Academy Award). Ralph was a band member in the recent remake of Annie starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx. Ralph can be seen performing in the Netflix documentary Once In A Lifetime Sessions with Nile Rodgers and Chic.
Ralph also owns a successful and nationally sold cookie company, The Soul Snacks Cookie Company, which operates from New York.
