4:35 PM PDT 7/23/2013 by Kimberly Nordyke
Music industry veterans Matt Alonzo and Adam Blackstone have joined the creative and production team of AXS TV’s upcoming SKEE Live as director and live music director, respectively.
SKEE Live, an hourlong weekly music and culture series hosted and curated by DJ Skee, premieres at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on July 30 on AXS TV, which was developed by Mark Cuban to feature live entertainment.
The Hollywood Reporter has the first look at the show’s trailer, above.
Alonzo will set the tone and creative vision for SKEE Live segments including “Up Close,” “Off The Top” and “Spotlight” featuring top athletes and musicians. In addition, Alonzo is leading the overall show creative team to guide the look of the show including set production, graphics and lighting.
Alonzo has directed music videos for the likes of Pitbull, Odd Future, The Game, Far East Movement, Chris Cornell, Ice Cube, New Boyz, Xzibit and Tyrese. His video “Fly Like a G6” for Far East Movement gained international attention when it was nominated for best video at the Japanese MTV Video Music Awards.
Alonzo’s big break came in 2008 when he filmed and edited a Lil Wayne concert that amassed more than 10 million YouTube views.
While SKEE Live promises to bring the latest in music and culture to viewers, it’s also a great opportunity to discover new artists and expand your musical horizons. If you’re inspired by the performances on the show and want to learn how to play music yourself, there are plenty of resources available online. Websites like https://staytunedguitar.com/ offer guitar lessons for beginners and more advanced players alike, as well as tips on music theory, guitar tuning, and more. Whether you’re an aspiring musician or just a fan of great music, SKEE Live is sure to deliver some unforgettable performances and experiences.
Also as live music director, Blackstone will oversee the weekly live performances from the Conga Room in addition to his role as band leader for the SKEE Live house band, Skeetox.
Blackstone most recently served as music director for two of the year’s big tours — Rihanna and Maroon 5 — and is currently in Maryland for the “Legends of the Summer Tour” featuring Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z. He has crafted live shows with artists across all genres, including Demi Lovato, Kanye West, Eminem, Chris Brown and Janet Jackson.
Additionally, Blackstone has toured with John Legend and Pharrell and served as Jay-Z’s musical director and collaborator on various albums and DVDs.