Daddy Phantom (CHRIS FINLEY) | PORTFOLIO OF WORK
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a good poet and storyteller, blessed with the ability to captivate an audience. Whether it be on stage or telling amusing stories to a group of friends at a party, I’m a natural entertainer who enjoys sharing knowledge. When someone offered me a spot at an upcoming artist mixer at Patrick’s Cabaret in Minneapolis, I used it as a chance to deliver my message through spoken word poetry. Over 20 years later, I’m still finding ways to tell stories and spread information to audiences big and small. I’m proud of the creative evolutions I’ve made, but the collaborations with artists from many different genres are my greatest accomplishment. After all, that’s really what the Underground is all about.
As I became more visible in Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and the Bay Area of California, I found myself being invited to different events to speak or conduct workshops. That led to collaborations with poets, musicians, photographers, and visual artists across the nation. Now I find myself in the midst of another evolution, using my skills to bring ecological awareness to the frontline communities, who are affected the most, yet are often the least educated on the subject of environmental pollution and ecological risk.
Although my performances and subject matter focus on social, economic, environmental, and spiritual issues, the intention is to entertain while enlightening the audience. The perspective of my audience is always at the forefront of my approach. By focusing on the craft of storytelling, I am able to distill complex information into elements that are relevant and salient for my listeners. For example, when I first began studying metaphysics, I wanted to deliver the information I learned without sounding too preachy. I solved this challenge by integrating my natural ability to write entertaining poetic lyrics with my knowledge of various social issues and metaphysics, then turning it into presentations that could be easily digested and appreciated by all. It all sounds so easy, but my process of creating poetry and giving presentations on a variety of topics is complicated, and I prepare meticulously.
PERFORMANCE/SPOKEN WORD (ABRIDGED)
Patrick’s Cabaret
3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 724-6273
Performed as LaBron “PhotoTron” Finley the poet,
August 2003
Big E's
2805 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234
(941) 355-4432 Contact Eric
Performed for various events, including Poets' Response to “Notorious Art” Ringling Art School Exhibit featuring artists John Sims and Dread Scott.
April 2006
Rape Crisis Center of Sarasota
2139 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34237
(941) 365-1976 Contact Diane Muir and/or Michelle Witzer
Performed an exclusive poem for a special benefit supporting The Rape Crisis Center. May, 2006
Luna’s “Poetry Unplugged”
1414 16th St., Sacramento, CA
(916) 441-3931 contact Frank Andrick
Featured performer April 2008
Sacramento Area Youth Speaks (SAYS)/ UC Davis School of Education
1 shield Ave, Davis, CA 95616
(530) 370-2889 Contact Vajra Watson vmwatson@ucdavis.edu
Featured performer,
December 2007
Performed for a special event honoring Oscar Grant and President Obama.
November 2008
Community NETwork African American Telecommunication Professionals of AT&T
3600 Marconi Avenue, Rm 1SE Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 593-1579 Contact Tonie Johnson
Performed for the members at a special event sponsored by AATP of AT&T.
January 2009
The Edge
2399 University Ave. Saint Paul, MN 651-641-1656 Contact Daniel or Ya-Ya (Owner)
Master of Ceremonies and feature performer at a promotional event for a film festival. July, 2010
Arnellia’s Nightclub
1183 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104
(651) 642-5975 (Arnellia’s) or T.S. Arnice 651-331-6530
Master of Ceremonies and feature performer for “Conscious Mondays” weekly Poetry Hip Hop Show, August 2010-January 2011
The Blue Nile
2027 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN
(612) 338-3000 or contact Tinitha Warren (Black Pearl) tinitha.warren@yahoo.com
Feature Artist for the Twin Cities Battle League Show. December 2011
The Artist Quarter
408 St Peter Street, St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 292-1359
Feature Artist performing 2012-2014
Capri Theater
2027 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 643-2050 contact Crystal at cruiz@pcyc-mpls.org.
Feature Artist performing October 2012
The Greenway Glow
Community art festival and night bike ride on the Midtown Greenway.
Feature Artist, June 2013
Contact Rebecca rebecca@midtowngreenway.org
Northwood’s Elementary School
Principal Renee Scott-Fermenella
Celebrity Judge for Talent Showcase, April 2009
Crossroads Elementary School
Casey Gregor’s 5th Graders and Theresa Parker’s 6th Graders
Poetry workshop and performance, November 2014
Gordon Parks High School
1212 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104
Mara Combs (Teacher)
Poetry Workshop and performance, January 2018
University of Minnesota (Environmental) Sustainable Resources Class
Morrill Hall, 100 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Professor Kimberly Byrd (PhD)
Resident Artist for the Fall Semester of 2025
Connecting with students and faculty on solutions on how to bring environmental consciousness to impoverished and marginalized communities through education and artistic creativity.
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Hundreds of videos on multiple topics. Current events, social awareness, humor, African fables, environmental issues, poetry, and live performances. I research the topics, write, edit, narrate, record (audio and video), and produce these videos myself.
January 2015 to present
African American audio/video production for NRG Energy/Vivint for Black History Month.
Three-week projects focusing on influential African American historical figures.
Intensive research highlights significant African Americans who are not household names but have had a huge impact on art, music, activism, politics, business, and sports. After extensive editing of the research, I narrate, record, and add historical media to produce three videos (one for each week of February) that were viewed by over 1,000 employees.
February 2021 to present
University of Minnesota (Environmental) Sustainable Resources Class
Morrill Hall, 100 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Professor Kimberly Byrd (PhD)
Resident Artist for the Fall Semester of 2025
Produced and presented environmental videos with a poetic, philosophical, and artistic twist for the students and faculty at the University of Minnesota.
OTHER EXPERIENCE
AmeriCorps Reading Tutor, Wilder Daycare, Saint Paul, MN
Reading Tutor and Teacher’s Assistant, January 2015
South Minneapolis (Pleasant Ave.), MN Community Garden for Kids
Teaching inner city kids gardening skills and the importance of growing plants and vegetables in their community. April 1998
Hebron, IL Organic Farmer
Co-owner, farmer, and cultivator of a 60-acre organic farm in Hebron, Illinois
February 1999
VIDEO PRODUCTION AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Police Athletic League (PAL) Minneapolis 4119 DuPont Ave N, Minneapolis, MN
Photography and Videography project for the PAL Raiders 9 (year-old) youth football team. Fall 2011
The Art’s Garage 1533-35 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Photography and Videography project for Producer’s Mixer and Artist Performances, June 2012
Eddie Somerset (Philadelphia Rapper)
Videography and Photography August 2012
Chris Buggs (Philadelphia Rapper)
Videography and Photography September 2012
Middle Finga Mark (Philadelphia Music Producer)
Videography and Photography September 2012
J. Serious (New Jersey Music Producer)
Videography and Photography December 2013-14
Artist Collaborations
D.O. Music House Edgar Olivera and Justin Dollum (Musicians, Composers, and Producers)
Musical Collaboration with my Poetry December 2003
Ted Scott-Femenella (Professor, Sacramento, California State University)
Musical Collaboration with my Poetry April 2006
Karaeges Kay (Saint Paul Rapper)
Rap and Poetry collaboration (featured on multiple streaming services), May 2023