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How Kate Clodfelter Found Her Beat in Orlando's Music Scene
A group of downtown entertainment venues called The Block are an essential part of downtown Orlando’s night time economy and the clubs, bars and theaters in that cluster have helped define authentic Orlando for decades. The owners will be the first to tell you that without the people, the places alone wouldn’t mean so much.
Through the years, gifted staffers have shaped live music and social experiences in these spaces, among them, Kate Clodfelter, the director of live music for Foundation Presents — the live music production company behind The Beacham and The Social.
Starting as a production manager in 2018, she grew into her current role where she oversees all aspects of live music, from booking talent to managing day-of-show logistics and post-event finances.
“We sometimes joke that we gamble every day,” said Clodfelter. “Sometimes we book stuff because we like it and we want to continue to have an eclectic variety of show offerings on our books.”
But it’s not all guesswork. Booking talent involves research, relationships and a lot of love for music, artists and audiences.
“Different variables go into booking and how we book. It's obvious when certain artists are going to do well. They're already popular. They already have a big following. We've had them here before and we know how they are going to sell,” Clodfelter said. “With newer artists, it's more of a gamble. You do your research on how popular they are, if they have any new music out, if they're trending.”
Some genres, no matter what, are going to do well and with other genres, it’s the opposite, she said.
Clodfelter’s interest in music goes beyond booking acts.
"I love when bands are like, ‘This is the greatest show we’ve played all tour.’ I honestly hear that a lot. And I think Orlando brings a certain energy to shows,” she said. “Fans are especially ecstatic when anyone plays in Orlando and the bands can feel that energy. It’s electrifying for them.”
Local musicians are among Clodfelter’s priorities. She sees local venues as incubators for talent.
"The Beacham and The Social are so important for the ecosystem of live music here in Orlando,” she said. “Most artists are not going to immediately be playing a stadium or even House of Blues. They need to start somewhere.”
With capacity for 400, The Social is where many bands play their first live shows or launch their first tours.
“Eventually they’ll grow and play at the Beacham and then they’ll sell that out and they’ll go play House of Blues or Hard Rock,” said Clodfelter. “Then they’ll go play a stadium. You can’t get from A to Z without all the spaces in between.”
It’s all about how large a crowd the band can pull. The Beacham fits 1,250; House of Blues, 2,500; and Hard Rock Live, 3,000. Soon, a new Live Nation venue to open in downtown Orlando will have room for 3,500.
Early life and career
Clodfelter describes herself as a child who "liked to do things [her] own way". Her individuality blossomed from a young age. Her passion for justice and animal welfare led her to unconventional activism, including at age ten confronting a KFC employee about the company's treatment of chickens.
“I just started listing off all the horrible things that KFC has done to chickens to this poor girl that had no responsibility for these chickens," she recalled.
Her opinions and values were strong, but while her peers seemed to have clear career aspirations, Clodfelter struggled to find her calling. She initially considered writing but realized it wasn't her forte. This uncertainty led her to pursue a communications degree, first at Valencia College and later at Full Sail University, where her mother worked. She admits to feeling lost even after graduating, unsure of her next steps.
A New Year's epiphany
A pivotal moment occurred on New Year's Day in 2018 when Clodfelter resolved to find a career that brought her joy. Her brother-in-law, who worked in music licensing, introduced her to various roles within the industry.
Leveraging her local connections, Clodfelter began networking with bands and music professionals in Orlando. She reached out to Michael McCraney, the founder of Foundation Presents, expressing her eagerness to work in any capacity, including selling merchandise.
Although initially offered a social media role (a task she disliked), Clodfelter persevered, taking on hospitality gigs at The Plaza while working at Full Sail as a marketing coordinator.
Her dedication paid off. With the support of her boss at Full Sail, she landed a position on the Vans Warp Tour. As the tour neared its end, she bravely resigned from Full Sail, trusting in her newfound passion. Serendipitously, McCraney contacted her the following day with a production manager opening. She was hired soon after.
Future aspirations
Clodfelter has praised The Block's owners for their dedication to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment on the job. She appreciates their hands-off approach, trusting her to lead while offering guidance when needed. This dynamic, she believes, contributes to the close-knit bonds formed among staff and even between fans.
Looking ahead, Clodfelter envisions Orlando's music scene further flourishing, with venues expanding and providing more opportunities for diverse artists. She hopes to play a role in revitalizing the vibrant scene that once thrived in the city.
When asked what defines the Orlando Life, Kate says, "I guess the Orlando life is community and engagement and different groups of diverse cultures and backgrounds coming together to create something really beautiful and magical outside of just our theme parks. I've seen it change immensely over the last, 15 to 20 years since I've lived here. Some change is not great, but a lot of it is really good, and I think that people are really what make up the community and make Orlando the life that it is."
