Since its introduction in January of 2009, Taste of Music has proven that it’s not a cooking show, it’s a show that cooks!

While teaming up with famous musicians and band members from all genres of music, the show boasts an incredible technical staff of writers, photographers, videographers, pre and post production editors and a well-known host from all walks of the music industry, Tony Proffitt. In addition to his 18- years of radio hosting, programming, music promotions and production entrepreneurship throughout the Southeastern United States, Tony is also the creator of this unique and artistic show.

Anthony came up with the concept several years ago during a radio interview with Nickelback’s lead singer, Chad Kroger. During the interview, Chad asked “Do you mind if I eat?” Tony laughs and responds, “Lets cook it up!” The next thing you know they end up talking more about the Pierogies Chad had made than the music itself. The rest you can say…is history!

Since that historical moment of clarity, Tony came up with the concept of Taste of Music. The first episode featured Nonpoint’s Elias Soriano. This episode was filmed with a hand held video camera and a few friends helped to edit it. A few more joined the team and by the fourth episode with Theory of a Deadman this idea, was slowly becoming a reality. Mandi Dixon soon agreed to partner with Anthony on the idea and together they have built a solid Taste of Music crew.

With many more episodes filmed and produced, critics are calling it “The most innovative and captivating reality show of the new decade!” While it shares the passion of music and food preparation with its viewers, Taste of Music is much more. All people from all walks of life are invited to experience not only different tastes in food and music, but learn new techniques in different styles of cooking while learning the reasons an artist’s chooses to eat and prepare some of the things they showcase. Artists bring along their favorite ingredients, utensils, beverages, etc which opens up big opportunities for those looking for “just the right” touches to add to their meals and presentations.

Taste of Music is not your typical stand and stir cooking show, it’s a show that cooks. Taste of Music makes it fun and goes on the adventure of what it takes to prepare the artist’s favorite meal. It focuses solely on the taste of the musician in life and food. Taste of Music digs deep to the roots to find out where the musicians taste came from and learn how to make their favorite food.

Tony Proffit - Host/Creator - Owner

Anthony “Roach” Proffitt graduated from the University of Georgia. He got started in radio industry in 1991, in Daytona Beach. During his time in radio, he has been privileged to meet and discover many new bands. One of the bands he helped get signed was Ten Years, from Knoxville, Tennessee. Other bands he has been fortunate enough to work with from the beginning are: Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, 3 Doors Down, Saving Abel, Creed, NonPoint, Flyleaf, and Nickelback.

As a Program Director, Music Director, and an On-Air Personality, Anthony has helped to expose and expand many musicians' careers. Some of the markets Anthony has worked in include: Daytona Beach, Florida; Athens, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Ft. Myers, Florida. He has primarily been focused in the Southeastern United States, so you might consider him a “Southern Boy” at heart – “Southern Hospitality” and all.

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Mandi Dixon - Producer/Marketing - Owner

Mandi Dixon was born and raised in Florida. She graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2009. She has a BA in Communication with a focus in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing. She has worked in promotions, sports and special events for several years. She worked with Jagermeister (All-State Promotions co.) for 3 years which lead to many great networking opportunities.

Mandi began interning with Taste of Music her senior year of college and helped build it from the ground up. In return for her hard work and dedication, she was offered a partnership in the company and gladly accepted the responsibility with confidence and determination to take Taste of Music to the next level. She now produces the show and oversees all business matters involved. She is passionate about the show and determined to make the show and the team succeed

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Sara McRedmond - Marketing Assistant

Sara is a born and raised Florida girl. Orginally from West Palm Beach, Florida she moved to Coral Springs, Florida  where her love for music and outdoors began. From fishing the flats with her dad and jamming out in a four wheel  drive stuck in the mud, there was a song to correspond with the every memory.

In 2008 Edison State College brought Sara to study communications in Fort Myers,  Florida. The same year she got her first lucky break to work in radio promotions, not knowing at the time this would open up the doors of opportunity. While working a concert she was standing back stage and felt the energy from the crowd of fans. Listening to them sing the lyrics of a song that hit so close to home sealed the deal. This was her turning point to stay with the music. Find something you love to do and you will never work a day in your life.

Sara always describes music as being a universal language that no matter what walk of life you may come from a common interest for music will bring people together. Being apart of Taste of Music is a blessing for Sara and she hopes to bring her passion for the music and making memoires for the fans to the table.

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Heather Koenig - Photographer - Passionfly Photography

A lifelong passion for photography led Heather to finally pursue it on a more professional level over 3 years ago. Passionfly Photography was then created. Music is also a passion of hers, and with this she began shooting local bands at The Buddha Nightclub. The owners of the club and the bands saw the passion behind her photography which then led to the club/bands hiring her to create their banners/flyers. This has now multiplied into the multi-faceted ways that she promotes her photography and the local music industry. She's become very well-respected for her passion and professionalism to a point that she now creates/manages many social media websites to increase the public awareness of the musician’s passion. This has now led to her passion for tasteofmusiconline.com and she is very excited to be part of!

David Cintron - Director - DP Productions

David Cintron, directs, and produces feature films, shorts, music videos and commercials. Growing up in Florida, and spending much of his time on studio sets around the southwest Florida area, he became enamored early on with the magic of filmmaking.

Back in 2004 he was one of 3 cameramen on the show “On Course”, a local TV golf show that was rated number two on Wink TV and immediately began working on production and graphic design for commercials and music videos. Realizing he could never afford the kind of visual effects he desired for his projects, he took to learning industry-standard software for editing in Final Cut Pro, and all Adobe products. Building his skill he has moved to bigger projects working with stars such as Hulk Hogan, and became chief editor for an Internet company called LoyalTV, also working alongside companies like Harley Davidson. He recently is working on training videos for the automotive industry and Coproduces, Films, Edits, the Internet TV show Taste Of Music.

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James McGonigal - Culinary Advisor

James McGonigal trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Minnesota and Thai Sushi & Cooking School in Bangkok, Thailand. He has had the opportunity to work alongside some well known chefs including Jean George and Jerry Hayden of New York, Michael Meehan of Mill River Inn and Tom Schaudel of Bluefish & Passionfish in New York.
James currently resides in Southwest Florida, but prior to, he taught the art of sushi at Rylee Mac Market and Cooking School in Colorado. He has also exposed his talents in both sushi preparation and teaching as a participant in Operation Frontline/Save Our Strength, a program that provides cooking training and opportunities for under privileged children. James has experience in most areas of cooking and brings a great amount of knowledge to Taste of Music.

Nic Southwick - Driver/Security - First Class Limo Bus

Nic Southwick, born and raised in Fort Myers, Fl is married and has two adorable little girls. After graduating high school, he got his Associates Degree in Child Development and worked for the family daycare business. Nic and his wife Tracy own the limo business, First Class Limo Bus which is known for Fort Myer’s best Limo Bus! In addition to the limo business, they also own and operate a daycare center as well. Nic has worked for the daycare for 10 years and been part owner for five. Thanks to Nic and First Class Limo Bus, Taste of Music has the best transportation possible for the show!

Leo Navarro - Driver/Security

Leo Navarro works for First Class Limo Bus. He has been with First Class going on a year soon. He is married with three children. He served in the United States Marine Corp. in 1999 and was honorably discharged. He is a former Corrections Officer with Florida Dept. of Corrections. He is a native of Ft. Myers and a proud Florida cracker! He met Taste of Music through the limo bus and is proud to be a part of the Taste of Music team!

Dezi Marino - Production Crew

Dezi Marino has had an interest and gained experience in the film and TV industry for 5 years, where his involvement has gained recognition through short films, independent features, web series and everything in between. After graduating high school with a background in theater his aspirations switched gears from being in front of the camera to working behind it. Since then his love for the industry has grown as well as his loyal commitment to provide quality entertainment for any multimedia medium. His well rounded industry knowledge from pre production to post, has enable him to maintain positive business relationships with those he’s worked with.

Kevin Watermier - Culinary Advisor

Kevin began his career in the restaurant industry when he was only 8 years old. At the time his father owned several semi fast food establishments in the northern Virginia area (Tippy’s Taco). It was there he learned the principals of the grueling restaurant business. His first Job was to wash dishes but by the age of 16 he was running his own store.

He relocated to Florida at the age of 18 and continued on in his restaurant career waiting tables and attending Bartending School. He later became a bartender and worked in every kind of place, from rough country bars to sophisticated country clubs. After spending several years slinging drinks he came to realization culinary was his path. He then attended culinary school where he received my Hospitality management degree and culinary arts.

After he graduated he took a job managing a Ruby Tuesdays in Fort Lauderdale and although he appreciated the opportunity the cookie cutter restaurant was not for him. He packed his bags and headed home to the Washington D.C. area. He worked for the some of the biggest names in the business Al Copeland, Ruth’s Chris and The Capital Grill. These restaurants were power houses of fine food, fine wine and big money. He was able to gain experience and learn everything he now knows from these places.

He later decided to move back to Florida. Not long after his arrival in Fort Myers he found a company that was building a new concept called Shane’s Rib Shack. During his time with Shane’s he met Anthony Proffitt . They did several cross promotions during Anthony’s radio career and became friends. When Anthony began Taste of Music he asked me Kevin if they could use his restaurant knowledge to help them for the show. Needless to say he jumped on board and the rest is history.

Ryan Gonzales - Web Developer/Graphic Artist - Creative Genius Design

Ryan Gonzales is a native of Apalachin, NY. Ryan is a creative to the core. He appreciates anything art, music or literature related. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a CH-46E Helicopter Mechanic and Enlisted Flight Crew. After being Honorably Discharged Ryan went on to receive a degree in Graphic Design. He currently works full time as the Creative Director for The American Legion Department of Florida, The Nation's Largest Veterans' Organization. Ryan is also the owner of Creative Genius Design in Lakeland, FL. He is an Adjunct Instructor of Graphic Design at Keiser University's Lakeland campus as well. Ryan is the proud father of three children. He has been passionate about art & design since childhood, and is the perfect fit for the crew because of his long time appreciation for both music & cooking.

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