At first glance, you wouldn’t even notice Jamie Graham at a steppers set. He’ll sit quietly perched atop a chair with a content look on his face as he gazes out into the crowd of steppers. However, this Alabama born promoter has a pen and pad in his head and he is constantly storing information in his mental Rolodex. The information that he is storing has probably contributed to him being one of the most effective promoters in the south thus far. His 2007 All White Affair had over 600 attendees. His 2008 Soiree in White this past June boasted an over capacity crowd of 800 people, which housed some steppers and many non steppers! After hearing those numbers, Alabama would seem to be the cash cow market for many traveling instructors but hold on … Mr. Graham has a specific blueprint that Montgomery, Alabama will follow that will lead them to success!

Chistepper: As I sit here observing you, you strike me as very meek and mild. How is a quiet 29 year old able to influence 800 people to buy into steppin with the majority of them never having seen it before?

Jamie: It is all about building relationships, having good character and being able to present yourself in a positive manner so that people will listen to you. As a young man, I started building relationships that I didn’t even realize which is paying off in the present. Even though I’ve always been a laid back kind of guy but I’m still a people person. The people that I meet usually turn out to be my support system or “God sent people.” Also, supporting other promoter’s events can help in getting other support as well. It’s called showing respect and love for the dance. If what they are doing is positive and if one sees where some improvement can be made, then that person should find a respectful way to voice their opinion or keep the negative comments to themselves. I’m working hard to be positive all the time and only voice my thoughts about some things when given the opportunity. I’m about bringing people together not separating them.

Chistepper: I understand that you’ve only been stepping for a year but you move like a veteran on the dance floor. To whom do you attribute your steppin style and grace to?

Jamie: Thank you, but that all depends on who’s watching. (laughing) I learned a lot from watching contest videos. Being from Alabama there was very little steppin' going on at the time. There were a few steppers in Huntsville so we had very little exposure to knowledgeable steppers. I like the smoothness of the dance when I first saw it and I enjoyed watching the faster moving steppers. I traveled to Atlanta and had an educational experience in being shown the basics of the 8 count by Cheron (Atlanta). I took one lesson from her and I came back to Alabama and worked on my basics for 3 to 4 months. I went back to Atlanta and put what I had practiced to work. Steppin' with the better girls helped me out a lot as well. They gave me constructive criticism and made me feel comfortable because I was willing to listen. I saw my errors on videos and learned from them. I’m just now getting help from Tyk Myn and Charnice for the original style and technique of the dance.

Chistepper: As a stepper from Detroit who has had this dance for going on 11 years now, our city boasts a steppin' community of close to 200 steppers. We’ve brought in a myriad of instructors over the years and have had the out of state driven parties but yet our numbers don’t match Chicago party numbers and certainly not yours. I’m sure there are other states that can relate to this dilemma. How have you been able to come out the gate with your numbers?

Jamie: I promote something that’s good. It takes a certain type of person to appreciate this dance. They have to appreciate the music and the learning curve of this dance. There’s an age demographic of 25-70 that this dance draws. You will get the 25 year old that doesn’t want to drop it like its hot anymore and the 70 year old that doesn’t want their dance to involve a lot of loud violent music and wild movements. You have to promote the concept of quality that appeals to people in this broad range. They have to buy into the idea that you can offer them a good time. The people can’t feel like it’s going to be violence at the party. I invite friends, promoters and their people. It all boils down to networking. Invite 20 people that will invite 20 more people and let the people appreciate your presentation of good character and quality then you will have no problem in getting them to come back. The dance does what it’s supposed to do. We as promoters have to do our part. Be a great host, present a good product and people will come. People are hungry for entertainment. They like the atmosphere of steppers sets and they do want to learn this dance.

Chistepper: How are you handling the list of “heavy hitter instructors” waiting to come to your state?

Jamie: That’s a very sensitive question. Steppin' is a beautiful thing. I want to invite heavy hitters that have the heart to build a rapport with my people. Teach me first so that when you leave, I can show my students what you showed them. I have to have the knowledge so that I can share in your instruction. Heavy hitters should groom the instructor of that city first before they step foot on any workshop floor. There are a lot of things you have to take into consideration when you are inviting people. I think that’s one of the mistakes that happen from state to state … showing your community all these different faces. We can’t afford to bring heavy hitters in every month so in the meantime something has to be taught on a weekly basis so that the next time that heavy hitter comes, the people will be better prepared to receive him/her.

Chistepper: Since you have “year old” eyes in terms of being on the national scene, what are some things that you feel should change about how out of towners promote their parties?

Jamie: Well … as far as out of towners promoting their parties, it’s hard for me to say how each city should promote because every city is different. Alabama is nothing like New York. Chicago is not Detroit. Atlanta is not Florida. The person should know their city and should know how to promote. A Chicago person might not be able to promote a party in Alabama because we are not as fast (laughing).You need to know your people, how they think and how to formulate the price of your events. What’s low in cost for some may be high in cost for others. If you don’t know your environment it’s gonna be hard to promote effectively. Also, everybody doesn’t have the same charisma. A lot of people need to develop their people skills and exemplify good character. You should promote inside your city before you promote out of your city. Look at it this way. Are the heavy hitters bringing 100 people to support that party that you’ve invited them to? Are they bringing 10 people? One more thing…you always have to invite non steppers to your party. When the out of town steppers go home, who are you going to teach?

Chistepper: I understand that many people at your party were taken aback by what they viewed as “too close proximity” in witnessing steppin' for the first time. Why is that?

Jamie: You have to look at this. Most people from out of town think that southern states are known for juke joints and hole in the wall clubs. The south has stepped their game up a whole lot when it comes to entertainment. This new generation loves to fast dance and booty shake so this new generation hasn’t been exposed to close dancing in public like it used to be done. It’s foreign to them. I introduced the closeness of steppin' to my city so my people could see that it’s okay to see a man and woman dancing close together. Now days, people don’t even look like they are dancing together. I think it’s important that we promote that. Even though I’ve only been steppin for a year I can see how this dance makes people feel. People get dressed up and are feeling good about themselves. The man makes the woman feel sexy and elegant. The woman makes the man feel good because she’s soft and smelling nice. They both get to do this dance and hear great music. This dance unifies people.

Chistepper: What steppers do you admire … not just for their skill but their business savvy in the promotion of this dance?

Jamie: The steppers that I admire off top … (pause) as far as promoting the dance I admire every stepper that promotes steppin' in their city. Whether they are a beginner, an instructor or part of a group, the promoters that give you places to go and do this dance … I admire. It’s hard to put these events on. These promoters are not millionaires or even thousandaires. (laughing) They have a passion for the dance and the marketing of the dance.

Chistepper: What are your thoughts in choosing the right instructor for an education in steppin'?

Jamie: When it comes to the dance styles all of the heavy hitters come from the same foundation. All of them have something different to offer that the steppin' community needs. People learn from who they get an opportunity to see or want to learn from. People learn from people that are reaching out to them. How can you blame a heavy hitter for coming to a city, teaching in that city and people saying that he taught something wrong? My question is where are they when these people need help learning this dance? We as students are just hungry for the dance period. There are only a handful that do travel and spread this dance. Every city has a favorite heavy hitter. As I grow in the dance, I hope to accept all of the dance styles that I feel comfortable enough with. Every heavy hitter has something to offer somebody. If one heavy hitter can learn from another heavy hitter, then why can’t a student?

Chistepper: Contests seem to be a constant point of controversy these days. The integrity of contests i.e. sponsorship, proper promotions, etc. seems to play a part in deciding if the contests are actually going to happen. Do you see contests as a necessary tool in the steppin' community?

Jamie: I think contests are good. I think people need to start looking at contests for what they are. If you feel that your basics deserve attention after your personality gets into the dance then by all means … showcasing your skill is fun! When you are not copying anybody else’s style and you know your style has become entertaining then it may be time for a contest if you choose to be in one. Sports are like contests. It brings people together and allows other people (the fans) to see how their skill has grown. In sports, just like contests, money is a motivating factor as well. The fun leaves the contests when the favorites are always picked and people question the qualifications of the judges. I don’t think competitors should be allowed to judge. There should be a central board that judges the larger contests all over the country but once again that’s just my opinion. There are enough people that understand the science of this dance all over this country that can be objective.

Chistepper: The year is 2012. Where will Alabama be in the steppin market?

Jamie: Wow! In 2012, I pray that like Atlanta, we have one of the largest populations for steppin' in Alabama. I pray that Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery grow to become one family in steppin so that when someone visits from another city, there is no differentiation amongst the different cities in Alabama. I want someone to come here from Chicago and see anyone from different cities in Alabama and we say we are all steppers from Alabama …period. (Sighing and nodding) That’s a wonderful date … 2012. Hopefully we’ll have 500-600 steppers. If cities promoted within, they wouldn’t have to depend on out-of towners making their sets successful sets. We’ll make it a success at home using us. That’s what I pray for. That’s what helped make my sets successful in the last couple of years. We’re like family.

Chistepper: Any last thoughts?

Jamie: This goes out to all of the traveling instructors. Please collaborate with each other … talk about what each one of you stands for … I bet it’s the same thing. Even if you don’t like each other, respect each other and get together so that we as students, instructors and future heavy hitters can all come together. Students strive to be lead by you. I want to give my set a shout out! (Laughing) I look forward to seeing a lot of out of towners coming to visit us in 2009 info on Montgomerysteppers.com. Come and bear witness that Alabama is on the map for steppin'. Thank you Chistepper for this opportunity!

Vote Result

Score: 10.0, Votes: 2