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.
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 reflect on the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.