TBAIMS' history, TBAIMS History

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TBAIMS History: In 2010, Jon Landers started a networking event in Danbury, CT as part of a networking group called Network Plus founded by the late Ted Fattoross and later became Networking With Music. Jon invited a local band to come to the Palace Theatre in Danbury to connect with different businesses. And there was a meet & greet with the band at the end. This was the catalyst to start The Big Apple Indie Music Series in New York City starting at the Gibson Guitar Studios on the West Side of Midtown Manhattan. Some of the other venues where the showcases were held  was Tammany Hall, Ella Lounge, The Cutting Room, Tobacco Road, Latin Quarter and finally Toshi's Living Room. All but one has since closed down.

In the process of getting this started, Jon added the team of Brian Jaccoma, Jerry D'Imperio and Qiana L. Williams to run the showcases and had a few different people to MC the showcases. The artists that performed were always introduced by the MC with a short bio of the band and/or artist. We also offered a Music Pitch Session to any artist, whether they were performing or not to bring a set of headphones and a iPod or device to have any of the industry executives attending that night to provide any feedback on the artists music. Some of the people that were guest MC's included Alysia Stern, Susan Rybin, Maria Camila Hernandez, Lucy Norris, Craig Allen, Nina Martinez, Lauren D, Latisha McDougal, Qiana Williams and Dan Nainan. 

There was always a Step & Repeat at the venue for interviews and photo shoots. This was no ordinary music showcase; it was an event, a happening that quickly became one of the most popular music showcases in New York. They averaged from 100 - 300 attendees per showcase. There were always celebrities that showed up from time to time to enjoy the music as well. 

On October 10, 2013 we were part of one of the last CBGB's festivals. 

July 8th of 2015 was the last showcase held in New York City as Jon was about to relocate to Florida to be near his new granddaughter in Tampa.

Today TBAIMS will now be known as The Best Artist Indie Music Series and the showcases will be called Connecting Through Music.