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Mike Drudge
Mike, founder of Class Act Entertainment, worked for four years performing with the Grand Ole Opry's Jim & Jesse Show. In addition to performing in the band, (click here for photo) Mike represented the legendary duo as booking agent. A graduate of Purdue University, Mike grew up on a northern Indiana farm and had plans to become a veterinarian when Jim & Jesse offered him a job performing in their band. He accepted, and later became their booking agent. He served on the International Bluegrass Music Association's Board of Directors for ten years, chairing the board for the last three of those years. The Commonwealth of Kentucky recognized Mike in 2004 by awarding him the title of Kentucky Colonel for his service with the IBMA. Email Mike here.
Susan Huston Drudge
Susan runs the contract, itinerary and bookeeping department at CAE, and also processes all artist itineraries, press requests, etc. She produces the nicest looking contracts in the business! She is originally from Arlington, Texas, where she was active in the music scene. Email Susan here. View a pic of Susan with Roy Acuff backstage at the Grand Ole Opry here.
Patsy & Buck
The truth is that Patsy and Buck run the entire operation here at Class Act. Patsy is in charge of security and intimidation while Buck covers all aspects of goodwill and public relations. They are a team, we answer to them for all aspects of the business. Delinquent on returning a contract to us? Stand up one of our artists and don't pay them? Expect a visit late one night from these two. It won't be pretty.
Class Act Entertainment is a member of the following professional organizations:
IBMA - International Bluegrass Music Association
APAP - Association of Performing Arts Presenters
WAA - Western Arts Alliance
SAF - Southern Arts Federation
CMA - Country Music Association
AMA - Americana Music Association
NATD - Nashville Association of Talent Directors
NCPC - North Carolina Presenters Consortium
IFEA - International Festivals & Events Associon
KFEA - Kentucky Festivals & Events Association
North American Folk Music & Dance Alliance
Other Services
In addition to representing an exclusive roster of performing artists, we also secure talent for corporate functions, parties, and other events. We have produced corporate events with America, Sha Na Na, Michael Feinstein, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Crystal Gayle, The Lettermen, The Little River Band, Oak Ridge Boys, and many others. Whether you are looking for a top regional act or an international headliner, we can secure the talent for your needs.
We are proud of the many wonderful artists we have represented since our company's humble beginnings in 1993. We are proud to have offered exclusive representation to:
The Lonesome River Band, Claire Lynch, Lynn Morris Band, The Reno Brothers, Blue Highway, Wyatt Rice & Santa Cruz, Rambler's Choice, Ryan Holladay, The Heartbeats Rhythm Quartet, The Whites, Jerry & Tammy Sullivan, Tim O'Brien, Darrell Scott, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Jim Hurst & Missy Raines, J.D. Crowe & The New South, Dan Crary, Red Wine, Russ Barenberg, Bryan Sutton, Caroline Herring, Billy Joe Shaver, Austin Lounge Lizards, Michael Martin Murphey, Dale Ann Bradley, Longview,
Following are just a few snapshots of some of the many wonderful folks we have worked with over the years.
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Dennis Hopper and Susan Huston Drudge get cozy at the CineVegas Film Festival in Las Vegas. |
Mike Drudge, Portrait of Billy Joe producers Luciana Pedraza and Robert Duvall at the CineVegas Film Festival in Las Vegas. |
Mike Drudge, Sam Bush, Ricky Skaggs
Backstage at IBMA Awards Show, Louisville, KY, 2004
Mike Drudge with Sam Elliott - National Cowboy & Western Heritage
Association's Wrangler Awards, Oklahoma City, OK, April 2007
Lynn Anderson, Mike Drudge, Michael Martin Murphey
Rural Rhythm Showcase at IBMA, October 2009
Robert Duvall, Susan Huston, Billy Joe Shaver
Hollywood, CA - March 2004
Susan Huston and MIke Drudge with The 5th Dimension
Mike Drudge and Susan Huston surrounded by The Lettermen
....and with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Jeff Hanna, Susan Huston, Jimmy Ibbotson, Mike Drudge, Jimmy Fadden, John McEuen
Logan Rogers, Luke Wilson, Billy Joe Shaver, MIke Drudge, and an important dude from Gibson's Hollywood location (sorry..we .forgot your name!).
Cracker Barrel founder Dan Evins, Mike Drudge, IBMA Executive Director Dan Hays, NCTA Director Joe Wilson
Mike Drudge next to the greatest country singer alive, Ray Price
Billy Joe Shaver, Mike Drudge, Kris Kristofferson
NSAI Banquet 2006
L-R Mike Drudge, Bill Bryson (Desert Rose Band), Mike
Fleming (Holly Dunn) and Taras Prodaniuk (Dwight Yoakam)
at Country Gold in Kumamoto Japan, September 1992.
My brother Mark and me conducting high level work-related research on a trout stream on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, Colorado, September 2008.