
Pete Francis
As co-founder of Dispatch- a trio widely recognized as one of the biggest independent acts in rock history-singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist
Pete Francis, co-founder of Dispatch- a trio widely recognized as one of the biggest independent acts in rock history-singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Pete Francis proved himself to be an artist of boundless creativity and joyful versatility. Nearly two decades after the band first broke onto the New England scene, Francis continues to create boldly innovative music through his…
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Pete Francis, co-founder of Dispatch- a trio widely recognized as one of the biggest independent acts in rock history-singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Pete Francis proved himself to be an artist of boundless creativity and joyful versatility. Nearly two decades after the band first broke onto the New England scene, Francis continues to create boldly innovative music through his work as a solo musician, record producer, and member of the still majorly crowd-drawing Dispatch.
Growing up in Riverside, Connecticut, Francis first picked up guitar at age 13 and quickly discovered his undeniable passion for songwriting. At 19, while studying at Middlebury College in Vermont, he joined forces with classmates Brad Corrigan and Chad Stokes to form Dispatch and start honing the group’s earthy yet groove-laced brand of alternative rock. Soon after releasing their 1996 debut Silent Steeples on their own Bomber Records label, Dispatch steadily gained a colossal following across the globe, thanks largely to word-of-mouth from diehard fans. By 2004, with four full-length albums and countless tours under their belt, Dispatch decided to go on hiatus and part ways indefinitely. But before moving on, the trio put on a massively attended farewell show at the Hatch Shell in Boston, luring 110,000 concert-goers and enticing fans from as far away as Australia, Europe, and South America.
Several years before the start Dispatch’s extended hiatus, Francis made his debut as a solo artist with the release of 2001’s So They Say. Over the next 13 years he’d go on to turn out six more solo records, each further revealing his adventurously creative spirit and devotion to intricate songcraft. As heard of his most recent solo effort-2013’s fantastically psychedelia-tinged Immodal Implozego-Francis’s solo material endlessly blurs musical boundaries while delivering indelible melodies and sharply poetic lyrics. In the midst of cultivating that genre-warping solo career, Francis joined the resurrected Dispatch in 2007 for a series of sold-out shows at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. That three-night stint was captured in the double live album Zimbabwe, a 2007 release whose title references Dispatch’s donating the bulk of ticket-sale proceeds to various Zimbabwean charities. Several years later, in 2011, the band set out on a sold-out national tour, which included three shows each at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Boston’s TD Garden.
As Dispatch continues to tour and release new material (including the 2012 full-length Circles Around the Sun), Francis divides his time between the band and his own musical pursuits. In 2013, for instance, he constructed and began operating Dragon Crest Recording Studio at his home in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. The studio served as the main recording site for Volume 1, the debut album from his latest musical venture, Dragon Crest Collective. In bringing Volume 1 to life, Francis teamed up with local musicians to build a high-energy, party-ready but strikingly thoughtful hybrid of lo-fi hip-hop and groove-heavy rock. Working primarily out of Dragon Crest Recording Studio, Francis has also produced material for a host of acclaimed artists, including jazz pianist Paul Tillotson and jazz organist Brian Charette.
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Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
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