Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Simmons III.
Hi Frank, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Frank Simmons III. I started my journey becoming a musician at the age of 3 yrs. old. I could literally listen to any song and play it back by ear.
I did not formally know how to read music nor did I have any classical training until late in my musical career. As the time passed, I would grow to fall in love with music.
I was blessed and fortunate enough to start playing in a band called “Late Nights, Early Mornings”. The band consisted of 6 members. We were all related. LNEM would perform all over Detroit. We would plead with local bar owners to let us perform at their establishment. In the beginning, it was rough because we were always getting the short end of the stick. Playing for long hours and barely making any money. That’s when we decided to start producing our own shows. We learned on a curve fairly quickly. But this is where I believe the foundation was built for the start of my own entrepreneurial endeavors.
In 2015 I released my first album “The Chocolate Noise Affect”. It was an R&B/Jazz fusion project in which I had no idea it would do as well as it did when it was released. The album went number 1 in 3 different categories Jazz, R&B, and Soul. My second release was entitled “BlackSuite”. which received international acclaim climbing all the way to number 3 on the UK Soul Charts.
This is where everything kinda changed for me. I started to travel the world playing music and witnessing the power of social events and networking. I started to formulate my own ideas that have transformed into many networking events that the City of Detroit has embraced and supported continuously.
I created my business F3 Music Group that originally only dealt with musical endeavors such as my holding house for live performances and albums. Then my business expanded to more endeavors such as my festivals, Wine mixers, Candlelight concerts, and even my restaurant endeavor SweetVine. Recently I even added a speed dating event to my portfolio.
I know that may seem like a lot and it is lol. But I have witnessed some amazing things happen at these events. The networking, people enjoying art, music, & food. Also, there are so many amazing gifts that are put on display to give exposure to a lot of local businesses that I support. My business has grown into a huge melting pot of Culture, and Diversity. It’s so cool to witness!
My most prized endeavor is “Vibe Oasis”. It is a musical concert series that I started along with my uncle Quendell Scharfner in 2017. It started with me and a few of my Detroit Musicians family setting up and playing in my uncles’ backyard. The event has always been free to the community. In 2017 we had maybe a crowd of 60 people. Fast forward to now it has grown so big that I’ve lost count. Thousands of people attend. I went from worrying about small stuff like keeping paper towel in the bathroom to worrying about planning stage logistics, parking, artist stage times, audio, seating charts, vendors, chefs, etc.
Vibe Oasis has become a staple in the community. I am very proud of that. I never charged for the concert in any way. The majority of my events I try to make affordable or free. I get yelled at all the time from my team but I truly believe in providing a space to make everyone feel comfortable and feel welcomed. All of these events are funded out of my own pocket. I didn’t have any grants or funding. I just get happy seeing the community at large enjoy themselves and also realizing I played a major role in that.
I’m excited for the future!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I can remember vividly a lot of the challenges I’ve faced. Some of the most memorable? I can remember during my festival “Ponchfest” was a 3-day festival. on the second night there was a wine mixer in downtown Detroit. At the time I had already worked a 12-hr. shift and was running late for setup for the event. Guest had were set to arrive at 7:00 pm and I didn’t get off of work until 6:40 pm. At the time I drove a company vehicle and instead of taking it back to work, I drove it downtown to set up the event. I was able to get everything set up but I made a huge mistake and left the company car keys in my parents’ vehicle. The event ended at 2 am. I stayed and cleaned up broke down all of the equipment and everything knowing I still had to return the company van back to the company lot. When I went to leave, I received a call from my mother that they had made it home to Toledo which is roughly an 1hr and 20 min drive from where I was. I had to get another vehicle and drive all the way to Toledo and back to get the company car keys and still had to return the vehicle. I didn’t get home until 7 am.
The next night was the finale of the festival and it was a black-tie ball called the “PonchBall”. I went on the news and promoted it. I had commercials shot for the event. I even had a VIP reception and red carpet installed at the venue. The VIP reception was supposed to start at 7 pm. The regular entry time for general admission was supposed to start at 8 pm. I chefs were supposed to be able to start prepping and preparing dinner. I had an ice sculpture created and everything. After just getting home at 7 am I had appointments before going down to the venue. Keep in mind that it had snowed a few days prior and the snow melted. The weather was perfect for a November night. I was able to get everything together and head to the venue for setup at 5 pm. Off of 1 hr. of sleep. When I walked into the venue there was water everywhere! Dripping from the ceiling, puddles on the floor, on the tables, etc. The venue had a flat roof and the snow that had evaporated a few days prior had turned into water. The venue staff was scrambling trying to clean it up but the more water they cleared up the more it came down. I was distraught. Calling guest telling them that the event would be pushed back. It was a nightmare. The event still went on but I was really hurt about it because I had put so much work into it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an Artist, Musician, Producer. I specialize in music and social events. I’m most known for my career as a musician and producer. I’m most proud of my creation of Vibe Oasis. It helps the community and small businesses in a ton of ways. It’s become my staple. I believe what sets me apart from others is just my ambition. My will the get things done no matter what the consequence. Whether good or bad. If I say I’m going to do it, it’s gonna happen. Also, what sets me apart is embracing my fear of failure and not being afraid to keep going.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m always one e-mail away. I have so many endeavors in my business that touch many aspects of talent that I am always willing to collaborate. Please reach out.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @F3Music
