Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2021
Beatboxer Stevie Soul Wins Detroit’s Big Shot Talent Competition
Stevie Soul Claims the Top Prize in the 7-Week Contest at Planet Ant in Hamtramck
HAMTRAMCK, Michigan — For seven weeks, singers, musicians, comedians, impressionists, burlesque dancers, sideshow acts, and more battled for the title of “Detroit’s Big Shot” in a talent competition at Planet Ant. In the end, beatboxer Stevie Soul emerged victorious.
During his winning performance, Stevie explained to the audience how he used beatboxing to overcome his childhood stutter. He also played a game of “Name That Tune” with the crowd.
Singer/songwriters Spoo Willoughby and Marty Kohn placed second ant third, respectively. The contest was judged by Ryan Patrick Hooper, host of Culture Shift on 101.9 WDET-FM, Jaime Wilkins, Production Manager and Music Director for Arts, Beats & Eats, celebrity interviewer and movie critic Greg Russell, and Daniel Jackson, the President of the Planet Ant Board of Directors.
“We launched this competition to provide a way for up-and-coming local artists to return them to the stage safely,” says competition producer Seth Resler, “and in the process, we’ve seen the diverse range of talent our city has to offer.”
More information can be found at http://thedbriefdetroit.com/bigshot/, including the list of prizes, the list of judges, and ticketing info.
The D Brief podcast, hosted by Seth Resler and Becky Scarcello, shares the stories of local artists and entertainers to educate and inspire others in the community.
For more information, please contact Seth Resler at seth@thedbriefdetroit.com or (248) 800-6767. You can also email Stevie Soul at steviesoul@gmail.com.
Stevie Soul Video
Stevie Soiul Bio:
Stevie Soul is a Detroit-based artist, beatboxer, and multimedia producer. He is known for his ability to perform the sounds of numerous musical instruments in perfect harmony with this mouth. He’s achieved national acclaim for his appearance in H&R Block’s “Never Settle Campaign.” Soul has performed with George Watsky, Whitney Cummings, Cody Simpson, Jeff Bass & Kevin O'leary from Shark Tank, and other musicians.
As a child, Soul stuttered. Beatboxing enabled Soul to cope with his stutter. Today, he is is recognized for popularizing the concept of beatboxing through stuttering, and has gained international press attention for his work in the music industry.
Photos by Monjoa Likine of Fako Media:
Key Links:
- Detroit's Big Shot Talent Competition (main link)
- Stevie Soul Website
- List of Judges
- List of Prizes
- Planet Ant (venue) homepage
- The D Brief (producer) homepage
Logos:
About the Host:
Tam White is a stand-up comic and improv actor from Detroit, MI. She is currently a resident cast member at the Go Comedy Improv Theatre in Ferndale and producer/host of the improv game show ‘Hip-Prov', which streams live on Facebook.
Other appearances include ComedySportz Theatre, Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle Detroit to L.A. Challenge (finalist), Detroit Women of Comedy Festival, Second City Break Out Comedy Festival, Grand Rapids Laughfest, Chicago Women's Funny Fest (headliner) and Joe Dombrowski's ‘Indoor Recess Tour'.
About the Venue:
Planet Ant Theatre is an epicenter for the arts in Hamtramck and the greater Detroit area. Throughout our 25+ year history, we have been the birthplace and homestead for scores of artists and performers. Across our three venues, Ant Hall, Ghost Light, and The Independent Comedy Club, our stages provide emerging and established creatives with a platform to pursue and refine their crafts.
The Ant is proud to be a longstanding institution and artistic hub for the Detroit creative community at large. Every week, hundreds of people are drawn to Planet Ant's myriad stages to enjoy live music, theatre, comedy, and other forms of performance art (e.g. film screenings, art exhibitions, burlesque shows, staged readings, live podcasts, etc.). We frequently host large events and festivals throughout the year (e.g. Hamtramck Music Festival and Detroit Women of Comedy Festival) highlighting local artists, performers and vendors from all mediums, and the City of Hamtramck itself.
About The D Brief Podcast:
“Meet the Creatives Shaping Detroit”
The D Brief podcastshares the stories of local artists and entertainers to educate and inspire others in the community. Podcast hosts Seth Resler and Becky Scarcello interview Detroit actors, authors, brewers, chefs, comedians, curators, dancers, DJs, mixologists, musicians, storytellers, visual artists, and more.
About Event Producer Seth Resler:
Seth Resler is a 25-year broadcasting veteran who has worked at radio stations in New York City, Boston, Seattle, St. Louis, Providence, and Silicon Valley. He moved to Detroit in 2015 to take a job consulting radio stations on their digital strategies. He regularly speaks about podcasting at conferences around the country, including at the NAB Show, the Radio Show, the Worldwide Radio Summit, the Nielsen Audio Client Conference, Podcast Movement, Morning Show Boot Camp, Talk Show Boot Camp, and state broadcaster association conferences. He has produced hundreds of events, including the WBRU Summer Concert Series, the New England Nightclub and Bar Expo, and the Taste Trekkers Food & Travel Expo.
Social Media Assets:
- Videos for social media
- Planet Ant: @planetantdet on Instagram
- The D Brief: @thedbrief on Twitter and Instagram
- Host Tam White: @tamwhitecomedy on Instagram
- Instagram Handles for Judges:
@curlyhandshake
@detpubtheatre
@pipercarter
@wefoundhiphop
@shannoncason
@abdulelsayed
@egomichele
@the_jason_of_all_trades
@katehlms
@brandyjoeplamby
@chefmikeransom
@gregrussellmovies
@bekwitt
@detroithistorytours
@steph_steinberg
@adrieldetroit
@thrillapark
@herrshiro
@AmerZahr - Twitter Handles for Judges:
@CookingWithQue
@curlyhandshake
@pipercarter
@wefoundhiphop
@shannoncason
@abdulelsayed
@ridetroit1
@recyclerex
@gregrussellfilm
@DHSRebecca
@steph_steinberg
@adrieldetroit
@atrajanodetroit
@AmerZahr - Instagram Handles for Prize Donors:
@detroithistorical
@detroitreptheatre
@detroitwritingroom
@greyghostdetroit
@handlebardetroit
@onenightstanscomedy
@planetantdet
@SignalReturn
@valentinedistillingco
@vidlingsandtapeheads
@thefrontporchmi
@greenbraincomics
@elclubdetroit - Twitter Handles for Prize Donors:
@DHSDetroit
@detroitrep
@DETWritingRoom
@GreyGhost_Det
@N__Management
@onenightstanscc
@SignalReturn
@vidlings
@FrontPorchMI
@GreenBrainCMX
@elclubdetroit