Local promoter now working with big-name entertainers

As one of country music’s biggest superstars, Morgan Wallen has millions of fans worldwide.

But his biggest fan might be right here in Shreveport-Bossier.

“It just took that one big break, and luckily the Morgan Wallen team took a chance on us, and we’ve been able to be a part of really cool experiences since then.”

Krystal “Chica” Montez, founder of Bringing Life to the Party, a professional entertainment company, got a phone call back in 2022, before Wallen’s concert at Brookshire Grocery Arena. Wallen needed a DJ to host his VIP party before taking the big stage.

“I guess they googled DJs in S’port,” Montez told 318 Forum. They said, ‘This is what we really want to do. Is this something you guys can do?’ I said, ‘Yes’ without thinking twice. I just knew it was going to be an amazing opportunity.”

It was, in more ways than one. Not only did Montez (who signed a non-disclosure agreement) provide entertainment for fans of the reigning Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year, but she did such a good job that her reputation in the music industry began to grow.

“After that, we gained a really great rapport with a lot of promoters. Before we realized it, we started getting phone calls.”

Like calls from Mariah Carey’s team.

That led to Montez and her company working on Carey’s Christmas in Wonderland pre-party at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Montez also was asked to work a fan party for the band Linkin Park at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

“You get to meet these superfans and be a part of their experience. You get to hang out with them, and they get to hang out with you right before or right after a meet-and-greet. Everybody is on this crazy, fun high. Because of these awesome promoters and our relationship with them, we get to be a part of these really fun, exclusive parties.”

Fun, yes. But what Montez (who is also a local radio personality) and her crew do takes a lot of effort.

“Working with people like the Morgan Wallen team and people and Mariah Carey’s team is proof that if you put in the work and you can match their energy – these people move fast. You have to be able to keep up with them. We will have 30 minutes sometimes to break down or set up. They’re looking for a lot of things when they ask you to come on board. They’re taking a huge risk. With these people, if you can prove you can keep up with them, even though they do this multiple times a week and they have the best of the best on their team, if you prove you can keep up with them, it’s a very, very tight-knit community. All of these promoters work with each other and share their resources.”

Perhaps Montez is being a bit modest when she says, “I’m not the best DJ in town. I am far from being a great DJ.” But perhaps she’s not being modest when she says, “We work hard. We’ve all heard the saying that hard work beats out talent every time. … Word travels. It’s a very small, tight-knit community where they all communicate with each other and talk about not only who can keep up on the work front, but who can bring the energy and get everybody hyped, and get everybody ready for the big, big show. You’re the first show they see. You’re the first show they experience.”

Montez, who will tour our region this year with another music superstar (she can’t say which one just yet), isn’t totally surprised by her good fortune.

“I’m a dreamer and have been since I was a little kid. Not to sound cocky, but it was almost like (when Morgan Wallen’s team called), that was just the little boost of confidence we needed. Of course they want us there. When we got more phone calls to do these big events, and we were signing contracts, of course they’re going to hire a company out of Shreveport-Bossier. You guys want people to bring Life to the Party, and that’s literally the name of the company.”