Today we’d like to introduce you to Jody Aka “Bon Jody” Underwood.
Hi Jody aka “Bon Jody”, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Mixtape – 80’s Tribute Band was born of 7 friends and professional musicians who just wanted to put on a single show, featuring their favorite (and best) decade of music: the 80’s! No sooner had that first, oversold show concluded, fans were asking “when is the next show?!” We really hadn’t thought that far ahead. So we booked another show, and another, and soon the birthday party and corporate requests started coming in. Here were are, 10 years later, with nearly 100 shows played over the last 2 years alone, with dates ranging from Montana to Orlando, South Padre Island to Dorr, Michigan, and all points in between. In the last decade, Mixtape – 80s Tribute Band has headlined festivals, packed music venues, and rocked corporate events for companies ranging from small businesses to massive Fortune 500 companies. The members of Mixtape have toured in over 6 countries with internationally known recording artists, as well as shared stages with Bon Jovi, Rick Springfield, .38 Special, Foreigner, Mickey Thomas and Starship, Anthrax, Kiss, Brett Michaels, Chicago, and many more!
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?
Mixtape – 80’s Tribute Band is known as the nations #1 touring tribute to our 80’s mixtapes. To that end, some of the challenges we see are differentiating ourselves from any number of “cover bands” playing songs from the 80’s. This begins and end with Mixtape – 80’s Tribute Band making sure every guitar lick and drum hit you remember is present during the show.
Mixtape – 80’s Tribute Band has always set out to be a throwback to the time in our lives when we would sit by the boom box and wait for the DJ to play that request so we could hit “record!”
Another way we set ourselves apart is in being a complete sensory experience, featuring period-specific lighting, complete 80’s costuming (the HAIR and the FLAIR), and 80’s props like Marshall Amp stacks and neon colors. The band also features dual front men who bring all of the biggest hits from the widest variety of artists and bands to the stage. Rounding out the experience are the original MTV videos and custom video content in synch with every song.
We have also found that some buyers don’t quite understand the concept: a TRIBUTE to a DECADE. While ordinary “tributes” will play hits from one specific band or artist, Mixtape – 80s Tribute Band will keep you on your feet all night long with number one hit after number one hit! This is truly a show you have to see to believe.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At every Mixtape – 80’s Tribute Band show, you’ll relive the biggest hits from artists and bands like Journey, Bon Jovi, Toto, Huey Lewis & The News, Van Halen, REO Speedwagon, Mr. Mister, Chicago, Bryan Adams, The Outfield, Tears For Fears, Dire Straits, The Romantics, Poison, Night Ranger, A-ha, Yes, Glass Tiger, Bad English, Don Henley, Peter Gabriel, Loverboy, and a ton more! The members of the band have toured the globe with Grammy-winning artists and strive to make sure every song is as close to the original as is humanly possible.
This year, The ‘ROCK N’ AMERICA TOUR 2025’ will immerse you in an 80s extravaganza complete with jaw-dropping arena lighting, mind-blowing special effects, vintage video clips, authentic wardrobe, and official tour merch. It’s the full 80s experience, brought to life!
What does success mean to you?
In 2023 we were booked for a Cracker Barrel corporate event in Orlando. As a part of that, they asked us to re-record 80’s hits to specific lyrics they had written, paired with custom videos of the managers from their locations. We flew down and played a rocking set to over 1500 mangers and executives, with EACH and EVERY ONE dressed to the nines in 80’s costumes. The stage was massive and the production was that of an arena-rock show: right up our alley. What a night!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mixtape80sband.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mixtape80sband
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/mixtape80sband
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mixtape-80s-tribute-band
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mixtape80sband
