Orlando, FL. USA—You can hear a 'pin drop' in the offices of John Regna in Orlando, Florida where a staff of highly specialized entertainment professional's culminate daily with their Guru and the Legendary Leader of blockbuster entertainers and entertainment events worldwide.
The peaceful atmosphere 'is' out-of-the-ordinary in the fast-paced, high-stress business of entertainment's most sanctified operation – multi-level production, record deals, TV deals, movie deals, merchandise deal and managing the talent.
'The Man' with an international reputation for success in keeping box offices sold out and audiences happy, scrambling-for-tickets and literally begging for 'more' is John Regna.
Talent Scouts, Promoters, Producers and Entertainment Business Icon's seem to congregate in John Regna's office and fight for the chance to share a power lunch. "He's today's man", stated Grammy Award winning Producer Rudy Perez. "He is respected and known for his honesty and integrity and gets along with everyone, which is not easy in show business," added the seasoned Producer and recipient of over 200 Platinum and Gold Albums along with hundreds of industry tributes.
The quiet, dignified Regna is soft-spoken and carries a big stick in entertainment. He not only 'knows' the business…but, he 'knows' the people in-the-business…how they 'tick' and what motivates them, a talent he has performed for over 37 years in the industry. (See the list of his past Artist promotions at the end of this page).
"I was a drummer when I was a little guy," John Regna informs seated casually in an overstuffed black leather sofa that faces a floor to ceiling, wall to wall bubble glass window that overlooks a bustling Orlando skyline of multi-faceted amusement centers and parks. "I was five years old when my parents sat me down at my first drum set. I guess it's creating the beat and providing the rhythm that got into my blood."
Indeed, today Regna's 'beat' is like the pied-piper himself with some of the best international entertainers being attracted to his success record rhythm and becoming a part of his roster of the most celebrated, famous and successful Artist's in show business which have in past years included Electric Light Orchestra, Part II, Six time Grammy Award winner Jose Feliciano, French superstar Richard Clayderman, The Commodores, The Mamas & The Papas, Julio Iglesias, Raul DiBlasio, Lesley Gore, Gloria Trevi, The Nelson's and Dionne Warwick are just a few of the celebrated world-acclaimed Artist's along with many other Artists of similar esteem. The family entertainment division is now in discussions on developing new "live" tours and have completed tours of "Magic of the Dance" along with mounting new tours in 2008 for "Circus Venus" (the first all girl circus) and The Royal Circus of Moscow On Ice (a collaboration with his colleagues at Paradise Artists) and so many more shows, they are too numerous to mention.
From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Regna enjoyed his collaboration with the Trans Continental companies, the creators of the Backstreet Boys, *N SYNC, L.F.O. and O-Town which entailed developing some new and interesting entertainment opportunities for up and coming Artists in the same market niche.
Regarded as a 'master' and 'maestro' of managing Artist's, their Talent and their Careers, John Regna started out at the age of fourteen promoting local dances in his home state of New Jersey and, at sixteen years of age, started playing backup for legendary national acts such as The Shirelles, The Belmonts, The Drifters, The Reflections, Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry.
On October 14, 1971 in Jersey City, New Jersey he was the first one ever to start promoting bands using the words "Classic Rock". Years later, the term was embraced by a radio station disc jockey and the rest is history. That factor alone is one of his memorable achievements.
While in college, and in the role of promoter or co-promoter, Regna worked with such infamous luminaries as The Bee Gees, Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker, Savoy Brown, Cheech and Chong and…he debuted the Northeastern leg of the first major tour of Ms. Bette Midler, which also helped launch Regna into international entertainment promotion prominence.
Parlaying his profits, Regna continued his college education at Saint Peter's College and their Hudson County Campus graduating with a double major in Business Management and Advertising. He spent his four years of higher education also promoting, co-promoting, co-marketing or acting as a consulting department head for concerts by Bruce Springsteen, The Bee Gees, Led Zeppelin, Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker, David Bromberg, The Grateful Dead, The New Riders of the Purple Stage, Jefferson Airplane, Blue Oyster Cult, Aerosmith, Cheech and Chong, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Richard, The Jackson Five and many others.
As a lover of classic American film, it was during his college years that John Regna met his longtime idol, legendary film director Frank Capra ("It Happened One Night"), whom he invited to his college for Capra's first-ever film forum. So successful was the session that the aspiring Regna developed a phenomenal additional area of expertise – giving and managing Lecture Tours himself personally as well as with very select clients. President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Senator Orin Hatch, Senator Ted Kennedy along with other Congressmen and Senators have availed themselves of Mr. Regna's services on choice occasions.
Through his promotional and marketing magic, Regna could transform any truly talented act into a success through his self-designed press kits and media publicity vehicles unlike any in the entertainment industry at that time. He learned extensively all aspects of the printing and graphic design businesses to the extent of forming an associate operating company which, today, still impacts the marketing strategies he launches exclusively for his signed Artist's.
In the early 80's John Regna realized the world was shrinking and audiences were becoming closer and communication easier through global technology. He began what not many in the entertainment industry foresaw – building a strategic network of exclusive and non-exclusive partners in over 20 countries. Today, the network is over 50 countries and growing. There used to be an inside joke in the industry which was, "call Regna and he'll book you a tour in a country you haven't even heard of yet," chuckled the impresario.
As he was building the network, he set out to book Dionne Warwick, Donnie and Marie Osmond, The Commodores, Natalie Cole, KC & The Sunshine Band, Joan Jett, The Temptations, Paul Anka, Barry White, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and others in select worldwide concert events and appearances. He also enjoyed a five year focus on the career of the late superstar Ricky Nelson and worked with Ricky and his team until his death. The comeback tours of Fats Domino, Junior Walker and the All-Stars, Brook Benton and Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits were also among the 'family' that he took into second and third generations of fans.
Following a natural inquisitive instinct, Regna pooled all his resources of the day and began building relationships within the world of Soviet and Chinese entertainment and within only two years had successfully produced and booked the first fully Soviet Ice Show to ever perform in the United States which he titled 'Moscow On Ice'. This was not only a first, but also a record breaking thirteen-week non-stop sellout performance tour.
He is also the exclusive worldwide Owner and Producer of 'The Imperial Circus' that has recently completed tours of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Lebanon, India, Dubai, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Chile, Brazil and Mexico. Upcoming tours include a host of other countries. Regna, along with the Producers of the Tropigala Showroom in the Fontainebleau Hilton Hotel in Miami, mounted a special two year presentation of The Imperial Circus in 2002-2003 especially designed for a more intimate audience experience. This is the start of an effort to have more intimate companies of The Imperial Circus appearing at hotels and casinos around the world.
Regna has worked with three White House administrations (on the annual "Pageant of Peace"), the Vatican (on "Christmas at the Vatican"), the government ministries of China and Russia (on circus, ballet and theater projects) and India (serving on the Board of Directors for India's first film awards – The Bollywood Awards) and is today at the forefront of opening the doors of entertainment to the world with new forms, new acts, new talent and new productions that crossover boundaries of the past. "There is no such thing as being limited in entertainment," stated this man who represents some of the world's most infamous celebrities. "And the world provides an unlimited stage and an unlimited audience potential not only for Artist's but for their Record Labels, Managers and Producers as well as the Merchandising possibilities now available through global communications. There is 'no' limit he concluded. "This is the most exciting era in entertainment".
Regna's enterprising staff also consists of experts in the field of female entertainers and entertainment with Regna having been one of the 'first' in the business to open select doors internationally for special U.S. events and overseas tours by Dionne Warwick, Mary Wells, Helen Reddy, Connie Stevens, Freda Payne, Rita Coolidge, Lesley Gore and Peggy Lee as well as others. His firm also houses strong divisions of targeted expertise in African-American Entertainers as well as a Latin Music Division.
Known as one of the founders of the North American 'classic rock' touring tradition, Regna and some of his colleagues were the first to develop and produce summer concert tour packages with multiple acts on the bill. "The Happy Together Tour", "The Greatest Voices of Rock & Roll", "Shake, Rattle and Rollerblade", "Three Men & Their Guitars", "Six String Heroes" and "An Evening of California Dreaming" debuted with such impact that their success is still remembered today.
John Regna really is a Renaissance Man who takes every day in stride, step by step. He 'takes it slow'… methodically… researches and analyzes not only the people but also the deal they place on his conference table. He relies on honesty, loyalty and dedication from the experts within his corporate ranks. "Everybody's happy here," he'll tell a visitor as he exudes with personal pride and a broad smile. "Everybody's doing what they love to do and what they do they are the best at or they wouldn't be here".
And with that, the man that fought for women Artist's to be recognized in a more prominent, respectful, fair and dignified way in American entertainment and who has launched and maintained some of the most successful Artist's and Tours in the world…rises from the leather sofa in his office framed with gold and platinum records and personal letters of 'thanks' from celebrities and U.S. President's. He sits down in front of his computer on his wrap around executive credenza surrounded by personal photos of his Wife, his three grown children, his new baby and his Mother and Dad, all of whom the Renaissance Man says…are 'the most meaningful focus of my entire life'. Will you excuse me? I just had an idea while we were talking."
And he logs-on…with his creative juices flowing again, fast at work creating something or someone…brand new for the world to enjoy.
John Regna is available for personal, exclusive feature interviews with private photography and/or photos which may be provided upon request.
Contact: Joyce Makinajian at (407) 993-4000
Pre-publishing copy review by Mr. Regna's Media Manager
is requested and appreciated