Sean Elphick, co-owner of The Tailgate, said hip hop artists are hard to secure due to limited direct flights to Medellin, but partner JD has leveraged his strong relationships to make it happen. Elphick, along with Ariel Herrera, co-owner of The Tailgate, was a guest on a recent episode of the Best of Midland Podcast.
“The hip hop artists are difficult to get, mostly because Midland doesn't have many direct flights, and they don't want to come from California or New York with a layover,” said Elphick in a recent edition of the Best of Midland Podcast. “It makes it difficult to get them out here. But partner JD has made a lot of good relationships, and he's made that happen. He is the connecting factor in that.”
“A lot of it is about the relationships we have with these agencies, but JD does a really good job of forming relationships with people,” said Herrera. “Especially this past year, he's been able to use his connections in our favor by mentioning it to them in a casual setting or bringing up the Tailgate in some form or fashion; he's been able to make it happen. I think a lot of that also is how he's feeding artists. When the artists feel like they've been taken care of and that we genuinely care, they want to come back, tell their friends, and tell their agencies.”
The Tailgate is a 5,000-square-foot venue in Midland’s Permian Basin, offering family-friendly entertainment, local talent, and a variety of food options. With features like food trucks, a stage, a video wall, and a turf area, it hosts sporting events and private gatherings, making it a popular spot for unforgettable experiences.
Best of Midland Podcast is hosted by Ryan Shewchuk and Terra Avery. It is an extension of the broader Best of Midland program, which aims to support small, local businesses by showcasing them and the people behind them. Their website lists top businesses and upcoming live events happening in the area.
The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.