In 1929 Tom Drake founded Tom Drake Productions in the basement of his home in Kansas City, Kansas.  Drake booked acts on the U.S. and Canadian fair circuit until 1964. 

The Jack Everett Orchestra was a success during the Big Band Era. The Everette band so much defined the term "territory band" that many historians cannot recall if the term existed before Jack Everette formed his band. The Jack Everett Orchestra had been playing their territiory which was defined as Houston Texas to Canada and Salt Lake City Utah to Cincinatti Ohio. The Jack Everett Orchestra's long list of performances is very impressive. 

He was born John Everette Jackson but when he started his first band in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in February 1926 he used his middle name because another band lead by a Jak Jackson has already been playing Cedar Rapids for two years. The band's "popularity" began with a weekly radio broadcast over KWCR. After years of playing for other people's ballrooms (Mayfair, Plamor etc.) he opened his own in Springfield, Missouri.

Disbanded during the war, they soon afterwards engaged in long tours, staying active until 1956. The same year his son, Dave Owens, started his own dance band...  The well known Dave Owens Orchestra. Then in 1962 he and his son opened the Jackson Artist Corporation, a booking office in Kansas City affiliated with New York, Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. 

Sadly, Jack Everette passed on Fathers Day 1972.

The Jackson Artist Corporation was then headed up by David who not only booked all the greats of the day but also founded Artist's Limited LLC.  Artist's Limited LLC assists Name Acts from previous generations in gaining past royalties for their estates.  For example, many bandleaders and stars from Bing Crosby and Cab Calloway to Bobby Womack and The Platters  are now receiving payments for recordings made during the Big Band Era and during the hey day of Rock and Roll the 1950's & 1960's, due to Dave's efforts in this important forgotten area.

In 1964 Tom Drake Productions merged with Jackson Artists Corporation to form the famed Drake-Jackson Productions.  By incorporating these two talent agencies, Drake-Jackson broke into the U.S. and Canadian Fair Circuits by wowing audiences with their variety of entertainment choices.  Eventually, Drake-Jackson moved into other areas of Entertainment.  From Bill Haley’s Comets, Elvis Presely, John Mellancamp, even Ziggy Marley and Rita Marley, Drake-Jackson has developed a reputation among some of the world's biggest acts as one of the most trusted talent agencies in the United States. 

In 2007, Drake-Jackson added a new partner in Kurt Tatro.  Kurt, eager to join forces with Drake-Jackson now owns a stake in the company with hopes of introducing new life into the entertainment business.  The next 89 Years  will be great years for Drake Jackson and Tatro Entertainment and Artist Management as they continue to provide superior service, exquisite ethics and honesty and the most affordable fees for acts and attractions in the world of entertainment.
 

Drake, Jackson, Tatro believe in a hands-on approach.  They believe in a higher moral ethic that is sometimes lacking in the entertainment business.  This ethos makes them the #1 choice for fulfilling your entertainment needs.

Thank You for Learning More about the History of the Great American Institution, Drake, Jackson & Tatro Entertainment and Artist Management Corporation.