Meet Jim Porter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jim Porter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jim, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I grew up in a musical family and have played guitar since I was very young. After raising three boys, I devoted a little more time to music.Writing, recording and getting together with friends to have fun and play. In 2008 I started a group called ‘digital blues band” and did a few shows in town. In 2011 it evolved into outside the line band, and we played a variety of cover tunes and originals. It was a fun thing and we did 25 shows a year. Now we do 175! I never thought it would become a business!

Social impact: When you do a show and see people are having so much fun, enjoying music, dancing & supporting local, you can’t help but feel something you love doing brings happiness to many

Risk: Follow your heart & be humble, and good things will come in time. Not everything is an instant success, and there’s many degrees of success and comfort

As a parent, having your kids here and appreciate music is a good thing. A group also becomes an​ extension of your family! We all continuously learn and balance​ family, work and shows. We all help one another whenever the need arises. Communication is very important

​Success is something we’ve built as a group. We’re always trying to make things better and expand on what we have created. While we’re just a cover band, we’ve grown to be one of the most popular party dance bands in the state! We started doing clubs and now we do everything from corporate events,weddings, resorts and festivals! While we’re not getting wealthy in any way. It is certainly a very good supplemental income that we all very much appreciate.

Over the last three years we’ve added three tribute shows!

Soul Town Train is our tribute showcase that plays the songs and honors the artists like The O’Jays, Temptations, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Sly & The Family Stone, Gladys Knight and Al Greene & brings a wonderful show full of energy and memories.

Simply the best Tina is a Tina Turner tribute that’s packed with 90 minutes of high energy, including four dancers/backing vocalist the Ikettes and Shaun Johnsn as Ike Turner.It starts with the early years and finishes with her 80’s hits. It’s a show packed with non-stop energy!

Lastly we offer a tribute to the legend Gladys Knight “Midnight Train”. It’s an intimate and heartwarming show where Deandra Johnson transforms into Gladys Knight!

I’m happy to say that all our tribute show performances have sold out! And I’m so very proud of what my music family has created. We work so hard to make every show a success. I can say this, if you surround yourself with good people, good things happen. That brings happiness to everyone involved.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
If you want to be a musician and earn enough to pay bills. You have to wear many hats, and have a lot of patience. Unless you’re a successful touring artist, musicians do not make a great deal of money. You have to work smart & be open and learn to be flexible. Surround yourself with great talent, and be thankful and appreciative of anyone and everyone that supports your passion and talent.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well that’s a real good question. I’m one for supporting local & love great food and live entertainment. Here’s a list in no particular order.
Italian food: Vincitorio’s Restaurant, Tempe
Va bene in Phoenix
Sam and Luca Italian Bistro in Mesa
Outdoor fun: The Monastery Mesa
Great dive bar: Murphys Law Irish Pub Chandler
On the green sporte grill Mesa

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife Toni Porter for always being supportive and helping in many ways.
Deandra & Shaun Johnson are both not only band members, & extended family, but are parents of 6 children!
Shaun is a school teacher to boot! They have made an art of time management.
Chris Strong, Kent Moody & James Logan are all part of this extended family. We all rely on one another to not only
keep everything moving forward, but to help each other in what has become a way of life over the last 10 years

Website: https://outsidethelinemusic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outsidethelinemusic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/outsidetheline_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outsidethelinemusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/outsidethelinemusic

Other: STT Promo https://youtu.be/WwVu7jhfwKU
STT sampler https://youtu.be/EM9yaSndads?si=qDG0C9D4bqmOmyNN

TT Promo https://youtu.be/ObKLktLn_08
TT Sampler https://youtu.be/e9-xNj9Nw7E?si=bNxC4Z2fVyX7D38b

Gladys Knight:Neither one of us https://youtu.be/pih4VQHgc6I?si=z4YgSBGC4xcWki0i
Gladys Knight: Your the best thing https://youtu.be/MRYYDGrJmls?si=hT1AcYSWKy59HQ31

Image Credits
Toni Porter