Behind the Scenes of Our Formal Filmed Showcase at ASU Kerr
- Emma Mattison
- 4 days ago
- 11 min read
On May 15, 2026, we presented Emma & James: Formal Concert and Filmed Showcase at ASU Kerr in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was our first formal filmed showcase at ASU Kerr, and in many ways, it felt like the premiere of our authentic selves. The night brought together original music, a full band, professional theater lighting, projected visuals, red carpet photos, a pre-show reception, and the kind of elevated atmosphere we hope to keep building through Emma & James Music.
Official footage from the evening is currently being edited, and we’ll be sharing video highlights soon. For now, we wanted to share a look behind the scenes — the meaning behind the show, the people who helped bring it to life, and why this first chapter mattered so much to us.
You can also click below to view the digital program from the evening.
The program includes the menu, program flow, musician bios, featured door prizes, and causes connected to the music we performed.
Why We Created a Formal Filmed Showcase at ASU Kerr
James explained this best.
For a couple of reasons, I guess. First of all, we both come from a live show background through acting and dance. We have been part of really big shows that were rehearsed and marketed as special events by the companies we worked with.
This is connected to the second reason, which is creating and performing our original music.
When the inspiration for an original song comes to us, it usually comes with emotion and some kind of visuals in our musical imagination. I imagine it does for most creators, which is why music videos can be so cool. When we really feel a song we’ve created, we see images almost like the beginnings of a music video.
The theatrical side in us wants to portray that to the audience, similar to a playwright with a script. We want to captivate the audience on every level and invite them to play into the stories, however they resonate with them.
From what we have seen so far in the world of live music at a regular gig, your songs can become background noise to the foreground noise in the bar or gig location. That can be great for cover songs serving as a live jukebox, but not as helpful for original content with a message or story for the listener who has never heard the song before.
We want to create an experience for the listener similar to what they would want from a live theater show that takes them on a journey.
What We Wanted Guests to Feel
We wanted guests to feel like they were part of something special.
You can’t get this experience at a bar gig while the game is on in the background. This is something you look forward to. You get dressed up, enjoy great food, and feel pampered as part of the experience.
It is the feeling you get by going to a great show, spending time in the VIP lounge, taking red carpet photos with your loved ones, and walking away with that glow in your chest that says, “I have a great life, and I’m living it to the fullest.”
This was great, and we would totally do this again. That is what James and I envision for the audience when putting a show together.
The night itself felt intimate, emotional, elevated, date-night worthy, and cinematic.
The Pre-Show Reception and Red Carpet Experience
The evening began with a 6:00 PM pre-show reception. Guests could mingle, enjoy small bites from Straight to the Plate, purchase beverages through ASU Kerr, enter door prize giveaways, and take professional red carpet photos before the music began. The digital program included the reception menu, bar details, giveaway information, and evening flow.
Our friends Mark Nowicki, a Phoenix photographer, and Kristen Jarchow helped elevate the evening with professional red carpet photos as guests arrived. Everyone looked great.
In my past in film acting, red carpet photos were always a highlight for me. I love the feeling they give anyone attending an event or premiere, and I wanted to provide that same atmosphere for our guests.
Add that to James’s positive experience after live theater shows with meet-and-greet photo opportunities, and we knew we had to include something like that.
We wanted guests to feel special. VIP. Because they are.
Opening the Night with Gary Beckert
Our good friend Gary Beckert opened the evening with guitar, vocals, and his very effective storytelling style.
Gary is a musician, storyteller, luthier, longtime arts supporter, and beloved figure in the ASU Gammage community. He recently retired from his longtime role at ASU Gammage, and his presence brought warmth and meaning to the night. The digital program introduced Gary as an opening act whose original songs and carefully chosen covers draw listeners in through story, melody, and presence.
Gary has been a generous supporter and friend to us as artists, and we were deeply grateful to have him open this special evening.
Original Music, Select Covers, and the Full Band
The show was mostly original music.
Half of our originals are very blues-influenced, and the others lean more alternative, with a focus on empowering messages. We also included select fun covers, including Peggy Lee’s “Fever” and Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good,” performed with inspiration from Muse and Michael Bublé.
Some of the original songs performed included “Can’t Sleep,” “I Get a Fever,” “They’re Comin’ for You,” “I’m Coming Home,” “Leopard in a Cage,” “Soul Flame,” “Savior,” “I Need Another Hero,” “Falling for You,” “I’m Gonna Whine,” “As the Sun Goes Down,” and “Nothing Standing in My Way.” The full tentative song list was included in the digital program.
For this showcase, we were joined by:
Felix Sainz, Jr. on bass
Nick Armendariz on drums
Tim Sadow on violin
PA Dave on trombone
Felix, in his own words, wanted to make sure he was the “big fluffy pillow” supporting our songs. Indeed, he was. His expertise was very effective.
Tim added cinematic texture and the exact emotional pull we were hoping for in select originals, where we wanted that message delivered. He was effective in every song and really drove the message home in “Soul Flame,” where it was just James, me, and Tim.
Nick is an exceptional drummer. He served the songs perfectly. It is hard to find a drummer so versatile that they can find the right blend in genres while staying true to the original song. Wow — Nick accomplished that perfectly.
PA Dave brought that jazzy, bluesy horn energy. And boy does he bring it. It is a privilege to play with someone so attentive, especially in his awareness of wanting to make sure he did not run over vocals.
It can be hard to find such good team players, but we definitely found a great team for this event.
Visuals, Lighting, and Filming
This showcase was designed to feel cinematic, not just like music on a stage.
We included a projector screen, music video elements, messages before certain songs, professional theater lighting, and official videography.
Robert handled both lighting and sound for the evening, elevating the night even further. The lights changed throughout the show, helping each song feel more connected to its message and mood.
Clayton Lindley, a professional Scottsdale-based cinematographer, filmed the official footage. Mark Nowicki captured the event and red carpet photography.
Official footage is currently being edited, and we’ll be sharing video highlights soon.
“Soul Flame” and the Message Behind the Music
One of the most meaningful moments of the night for me was performing “Soul Flame” live.
The music video for “Soul Flame” was endorsed by the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, a national nonprofit in the United States dedicated to education and prevention of teen suicide. In the digital program, we included a featured section for SPTS, the story behind “Soul Flame,” and mental health support resources.
We played the music video on the screen behind us while performing the song live.
This was important to me because I released “Soul Flame” in 2021, and I’ve since wanted to make improvements. For this showcase, I slowed the song down drastically to better serve the message, and we included live violin by Tim Sadow.
The room was moved by the end of Act I, and it is my hope that the moment encouraged audience members to become involved in supporting SPTS.
A Moment We Will Never Forget
There were a few moments that stood out, but for James, the biggest one was Walt Richardson showing up.
If you don’t know who Walt is and his 50-plus years of becoming a Tempe legend–and a star with his name on it in the sidewalk in Tempe next to the Gin Blossoms–well then, Google him, and you can find all you need to know about the hall of famer.
Like most people around here, we have our own special story and relationship with how Walt came into our lives. It’s the type of stuff you look back on and say, “Yep, the universe was guiding that one. I couldn’t have planned that.”
So, of course, for our first big show, Walt not only showed up but also hung out in the green room with us before the show and during intermission.
We had a couple of his longtime friends and bandmates playing with us that night: Felix Sainz on bass and Tim Sadow on violin. So, of course, Walt was there to support his longtime friends as well.
Walt was very supportive and helped keep the energy loose before the show. About five minutes before we took the stage, all the other musicians left the green room, and it was just me, Emma, and Walt.
He told us how we are doing everything right — from the musicians we hired, the stage at ASU Kerr, the red carpet event, food, bar, photography, and the videographer we hired.
“This is how it’s done,” Walt said.
We thanked him and jokingly said, “Now let’s hope the performance goes just as well.”
At that moment, Walt said, “Don’t hope. It’s already done.”
He then grabbed our hands, and we formed a circle. Walt said he would like to say a few words. His prayer was special and unique for us. What a gift.
The prayer involved the seeds sown today and energetically touching the souls in this room by God speaking through us musically.
It was beautiful. It was poetic. And most of all, we could feel the love through Walt’s hands into ours.
It was one of those things we will never forget.
What We Felt After the Show
James said the first feeling was relief.
The first big show felt similar to the first open mic night. You know that you have practiced and rehearsed. You know about possible parts you have messed up on in the past, and you hope to hit your mark when they come.
But there is always the fear of the unknown lurking that simply can’t be prepared for until you’re in the moment.
So by the end of the show, there is a big feeling of relief, especially when things go even better than you could have imagined.
What People Shared Afterward
The audience response meant so much to us.
Paula told us, “The show was awesome; your voice is incredible and I love hearing original music. And thanks for the buffet, it was delicious.”
Kristen wrote, “Emma & James performance at ASU Kerr was stunning! Their original songs mixed with some memorable covers made for an unforgettable evening. The music they make is full of energy, emotion, and fun all mixed together.”
Gregory K. shared that he first saw us at an open mic at Pho Cao and wanted to see us in our element. He wrote that we were “passionate, intimate, expressive, whole, and utterly unique,” and that he nearly cried at the end of the first act.
Marsha Hindman said she and her friends had a blast watching us perform at ASU Kerr and described the performance as full of positive messages of peace and love.
Krisenna described the evening as elegant, welcoming, classy, intimate, and full of positive energy. She wrote that our connection with the audience and with each other created an entertaining and memorable evening.
Those responses mattered deeply to us.
Encouragement from the Musicians
Another thing that stood out was hearing that the musicians would love to play with us again.
All of these players have been in music for 30-plus years, so their feedback meant a lot.
Tim Sadow told us the show was unbelievably fun to do. He said, “I don’t just say that to anyone. I really mean it, and would love to play with you guys again.” Tim even texted us the next week to play with us at an open mic night at Tempe Center for the Arts.
The big standout for James was Felix Sainz, Jr., one of the most sought-after bassists in the Phoenix area. He plays many high-class jazz events and festivals and is not easily available for hire. We got lucky with him.
Felix is super professional. He does not say much. He shows up to do his job. He is incredibly stoic, so you are never really sure what he is thinking. You are always hoping your playing is living up to his standards!
After the show, the big man of few words came up to James as we were packing up outside the green room. He told James what a wonderful time he had playing with us and said he was proud of how far we had come in such a short time. He asked us to please keep him in mind for future shows and said it would be an honor to play with us again.
Then he gave James a big bear hug and told him to stay in touch.
He told me something similar and gave me a kiss on each cheek.
Felix turned out to be a gentle giant who expects the best out of you and rewards you for doing so. That approval from Felix will be another thing that stays with us, and we will be forever grateful for it.
Why This First Showcase Mattered
This first showcase was essentially the premiere of our authentic selves.
This is how we want guests to feel at every event, and the beginning of the messaging we wish to convey through our original songs, performance, and total event atmosphere.
The first showcase was important because it literally set the stage for how we want things to unfold and continue to develop in this direction.
In a sense, yes, this was about proving the concept to the world, not just to ourselves.
In my mind, the vision of how this would go was almost clear as day. But there is this need to “prove” it, or more accurately, allow it to be created.
I love dreaming, but I love making things happen even more.
It’s selfish to keep visions locked in your own brain, especially if that vision is ready for the world.
I used to have mentors in college get after me about not giving them projects that were definitely finished. Back then, I would have never let the projects see the light of day because they were “never finished.”
One of my favorite professors, Dr. Zelieann Craig, once told me about a project I had been working on:
“It’s ready. It’s been ready. Let it go so it can do its work for you.”
That is what needed to happen with this first showcase. It was ready. It was time to let it do its work.
The First Chapter of a Larger Vision
This was the first chapter of a larger vision for Emma & James Music.
We are taking everything from this night and letting it shape what comes next. We’ll continue sharing more photos, phone clips, and official video highlights as the footage is edited.
Our next official big event will build upon this first one, with more original music, more positive messages, and more of the atmosphere that helps guests feel like they are part of something bigger than a typical night out.
You can click below to view the digital program from the evening, musician bios, featured artists, and causes behind the music.
You can also follow Emma & James Music on Instagram and Facebook, view the full Facebook photo albums from the showcase, and join our email list to stay connected as we share official footage and future show updates.
More is coming, and we are grateful you are here for it.
— Emma & James Music
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