Andre Davis grew up in the black entertainment capital of the world, Detroit, Michigan. He was fortunate enough to have associated with many of the ‘old school entertainment legends’ of our time. 
The Four Tops used to take him back and forth to school. They were just boys, just like Andre, and were trying to get merit badges from Andre’s dad, who was the Boy Scout leader of them all.
As he got older, he became more interested in singing, than in Boy Scout outings. At 15, he’d go to Detroit’s Northern Recreation Center where he used to practice with The Miracles. He was offered a job on WCHB radio, by a disc jockey that lived next door to him. He got to host most of the Motown acts at the 20 Grand Ball Room, Grey Stone Ball Room, and the Ford Ballroom, when Detroit was the hottest musical scene in the country.
In 1962, after Andre’s parents died, Andre moved to Omaha, Nebraska. Here is where his real musical career began. He met and started managing a group called “The Impacts” with Sylvester Johnson, Joe Edmondson, Herman Franklin, William Franklin, Donnie Beck and Vaughn Richard Chatman. He later changed their name to “The New Breed of Soul”, expanding the membership to ten different members. They played in every major hotel and Ballroom in Omaha and all over the Midwest from Rock Island, IL to Yankton, South Dakota. They became one of the biggest show bands around. He added a vocal group called “The Show Pushers”, shortly thereafter. “The New Breed Of Soul” and “The Show Pushers” became the most sought after group throughout the Midwest.
By the 70’s, he decided to go back to college to take broadcasting. He believed this would further his career as a disc jockey. This was also the launch of taking his radio career into the world of promotion, inspired by one of his mentors, actor and movie star John Beasley.
During this time, two of his cousins, George and Carol Davis, called and asked him if he would be interested in booking their recording acts. At the time, the Davis’ owned Chest and Chi Town Records. This opened the door for a Chicago and Omaha connection bringing in groups, such as the Chilites, Windy City, and Barbara Mason. In addition, one of Andre’s other cousins, infamous singer Tyrone Davis, helped jump-start his career as a promoter.
He started promoting dances in different venues and looking for a place large enough to promote concerts. Upon meeting Terry Forest Burg, who was Civic Auditorium manger, he was offered the Assembly Hall every Saturday night to promote teen dances, and the Civics’ Mancuso Hall, as well as, the Music Hall to promote concerts and dances.
His first successful act was Marvin Gaye, which sold out the Civic Auditorium Arena. He went on to promote Parliament’s Funkadelic, Rick James, and another one of his famous relatives, Melvin Franklin, the bass singer of the Temptations, automatically creating a string of successful sellouts. When the Temptations were coming to Omaha, they would phone Andre to do a show, and the word ‘success’ became as natural as the sun coming up in the morning. Andre had the Midas touch and the incredible music of Motown to back him up. Omahans looked forward to every concert Andre could muster from The Motor City.
The owner of Peony Park heard of his thriving musical successes and asked him if he would like to promote dances for Peony Park and the Warehouse in Carter Lake, Iowa. Of course he did! And the Midwest dances emerged. He set up dances at the Warehouse on Friday and Saturday nights, a facility that held up to a thousand people. He also started Sprite Night at Peony Park Under The Stars every Thursday night.
The promotions didn’t end there. He set up free dances every Sunday afternoon outside at Levi Carter Park, which averaged 14,000 people. He went on to originate the Stone Soul Picnic, which takes place every Fourth of July and is still in place ‘til this very day. Kevin and Scott Cernik, owners of Skateland, allowed him to promote Sunday Soul Nights every Sunday for many years.
Today, Andre is still in the DJ business, with a contemporary high-tech twist. He’s been a DJ for more than 40 years, with his company Stepping Out Productions Disc Jockey and Video Jockey Service. His company features a giant 10 by 10 foot video screen, digital cameras, DVD music videos, laser light shows and a dazzling light show that rocks to the beat of the music.
Andre is a recipient of six keys to the City of Omaha from former Mayor Mike Boil. He’s received numerous awards from Boys Club Of America, YMCA, Boys Town, Omaha Public Schools, The Peoples Choice D.J. Award, and voted as the Midwest’s #1 Disc Jockey. He was inducted into the Galaxy of Stars as a living Legend.
During his promotional years, he promoted the likes of Natalie Cole, the Manhattans, LTD, Prince (sold out twice), Jeffery Osborne, Cameo, Roger Troutmen & Zapp, The Whispers, Lakeside, The Barkays, The Deele, New Edition, Switch, Bobby Womack, The Isley Brothers, Ray, Goodman and Brown, Instant Funk, B.B. King, Evon Mason & Crew, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Al Hudson & One Way, Con Funk Shun, The Dazz Band, R.J.’s Latest Arrival, Mass Production, Shalamar, Sky, Temptations, Rick James, Peabo Bryson, Atlantic Star, Midnight Star, Star Point, Coolio, OutKast, Dabrat, Salt N Peppa, 69 Boys, 95 South, TLC, Rose Royce, Boys II Men, Brandy, Subway, R. Kelly, Pleasure, Curtis Blow, Big Daddy Kane, Slave, Slick Rick, Sugar Hill Gang, The Invisible Man Band, Mutiny, Fat Back Band and The Fat Back Singers, The Jackson Five, Chocolate Milk, The Time, Morris Day, Carol Carolton, Sly Stone, The Jones Girls, Heat Wave, and The SOS Band.
In 2007, Andre is producing and directing numerous television programs on Cox Cable, Channel 23 in Omaha, Nebraska. One of the shows is old school music, called Back In The Day. He also produces six religious programs and is currently working on a local dance program, featuring local artists, along with his daughter, Ginger Davis.
Andre Davis is one of Omaha’s legendary promoters, who has brought decades of musical entertainment to the city and pleasure to the lives of all of us who were lucky enough to grow up there.
