Digital EPK

Band Members for Freddie “Songs of a Legend”

JJ Midnight - Lead Singer

Every Queen Tribute hinges on the lead vocalist. JJ Midnight is the best.

JJ Midnight is every bit the full-throated, yet dynamic vocalist Freddie Mercury was...listen for yourself. (See audio samples below)

As singers, the similarities cannot be ignored. They are startling.
JJ Midnight is not an impersonator. He is a strong vocalist and showman with a warm personality. He has an amazing nearly 4-octave vocal range that will captivate any audience. He has studied the voice of Freddie Mercury since 1975, and has mastered it!

Midnight "Tributes" the songs of Freddie Mercury and the music of Queen on the big rock show Celebrating Queen, with not only the finest live vocals available, but also backed by a stellar full rock band, and an audio/video multimedia package that will thrill your audience.

He also performs an intimate show Freddie: Songs of a Legend which is a tribute to the music and life of Freddie Mercury with the Queen hits as well as delving into definite deep cuts in the catalog as an homage to Freddie’s singing and songwriting genius.

These tribute shows are fastidious and precise. JJ Midnight leads the way. Let Them Entertain You!

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Shane McDonald - Keyboards / MD

One of the features of a great Queen song is the majestic keyboard parts which feature heavily in their hit songs. Shane McDonald has spent the last 25 years reviewing the works of Queen, specifically interested in learning every piano track from the back catalog.

“I had heard songs like Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop me Now, Radio Ga Ga, and I want to Break Free when I was younger but I didn’t really know much about Queen. But in 1993 when I heard a track called Procession from the Queen II album, I was hooked. From that point, I knew that the music of Queen resonated with me and that it would be with me forever.” Although Shane had interests in other bands like Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, and Metallica, Queen provided Shane with the outlet to play wonderful piano arrangements. Over many years, Shane took these songs apart and transcribed them. These transcribed songs later appeared on his Queen Website “Shane’s Queen Site” which at this point has been running for over 18 years.

Shane, from Waterford, Ireland, had played piano from a young age & was involved in the music scene locally from the age of 15. In recent years was involved in local bands & theatre, including performances of the Chris D'Arienzo stage show ‘Rock of Ages’ at the local Garter Lane theatre. In 2015, Shane also had the amazing opportunity to perform at the Glastonbury Festival. In 2019 Shane joined a local classic rock band called ‘Custom160’ performing hits from AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Whitesnake, Van Halen, and of course QUEEN. Shane is our Spike Edney!

Shane's favorite Queen songs to play include Don't Stop Me Now, Somebody to Love, Save Me, Play the Game, Seven Seas of Rhye, Bohemian Rhapsody and We are the Champions - obviously, all have huge piano parts which is why these are his piano playing highlights.

Shane is delighted to be taking to the stage as Celebrating Queen keyboardist and Musical Director with Celebrating Queen and the Freddie show in 2023 and beyond.

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CJ Midnight

CJ Midnight, better known as Carl, is regarded as a secret weapon within Celebrating Queen. He has been an integral part of Celebrating Queen from the beginning and loves to perform.

With his Voicestravarius, he sings and replicates Queen’s fastidious and precise vocal arrangements.

As a lead vocalist himself and brother of JJ Midnight, Carl adds exacting layers and astounding depth to the replication of some of the world’s finest music with his vocal configurations.

His tremendous talent is the key that unleashes the awe-inspiring wall of vocals behind JJ Midnight.

CJ on Voicestravarius provides Celebrating Queen the nearly perfect match for recreating the iconic Queen vocal sound.

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Freddie “Songs of a Legend” Tech Rider

PROMOTER SUPPLIED BACKLINE

PA, CALL (Full with wireless monitors, a teleprompter and microphones)

Keyboards
1 88 key digital piano, weighted, preferably Korg Kronos (Not Nord Stage piano) or similar with sustain pedal or Grand Piano or Baby Grand Piano this should be tuned and made available for the show with appropriate mics
1 Keyboard Stand (for use with Kronos).
1 Adjustable stool / piano seat.
1 boom microphone stand
1 small table or laptop stand for laptop use
1 Direct Input for Laptop samples
1 Monitor wedge and IEM headphone drop – both with band mix

VOICESTRAVARIUS

( VOCALS HARMONIZER DRIVEN BY VOICE AND MIDI KEYBOARD )

1 – adjustable scissor-style keyboard stand (to hold a 49 to 88-key keyboard) – No bench / piano stool needed
1 – sturdy adjustable microphone stand with 5/8” male tip for Samsung Galaxy Tab 8 Ultra holder connector (Just need the adjustable microphone stand and 5/8” male tip)
1 – sturdy music stand (back up in the event Galaxy Tab has issues for sheet music
1 – small side table (approximate 2’x 3’ size) to hold electronics (lightweight)
1 – boom microphone stand
1 – monitor wedge and wired IEM headphone drop – both with band mix (I will control my IEM to my liking)
• 1 – quad box for power needs
• All XLR and traditional backline cables used from to board and back
Note: will run sound – Microphone to Harmonizer, midi-out from keyboard to harmonizer then harmonizer out to house (two ¼” outputs for left and right). This will carry my voice through the harmonizer to the house. The return to my IEM and wedge will return with that.

Note: Will run sound out of harmonizer as left and right stereo to front of house. CQ band provides Digitech Vocalist Voicestra box and backup unit

Lighting arrangements

Note: The “Celebrating Queen” / “Freddie Songs of a Legend” lighting designs are available a minimum of two weeks prior to the contracted event.

Freddie will rearrange the existing house, front, and rear lighting, and front stage lighting.

We will complement existing lighting with special lighting that is specific to use in the Freddie live production.

We will require:

1 hazer with consumables

2 follow spots

1 fogger 

Stage Risers

We will require:

2 x stage riser units- 12 inches high, 8 feet long, 4 feet wide with lockable attachments.

Video production equipment

1 rear projector with a high-lumen delivery system

1 Video screen- 8ft by 12ft

1 Teleprompter Suite with all necessary functionality

Crew

Promoter will have 2 stage crew (strong, able-bodied), to assist Freddie in setting up and preparing for the evening’s production.

1 show-runner

1 stage assistant

Promoter will have 2 Follow Spot Operators and 1 Sound Engineer for the evening’s production.

HOSPITALITY

Clean dressing room area with Full-Length Mirror

Throat Coat Tea I box with water and tea cups

Towels: 3 Large for backstage, 3 Hand Size Towels for Stage

Water Bottles: Voss Preferred-Aqua Panna Acceptable