Stephen Gudis is one of those select people in Nashville that you can truly call a “Man about Town.” There’s nobody that’s been in the live event biz around Nashville for any length of time who hasn’t crossed paths with this guy. While the same can be said about most seasoned touring veterans on the music scene, one thing that sets “Gudis,” as he’s affectionately referred to, apart is that he’s worn just about all the hats…
Raised outside of the Knoxville area, he was in the music business before he graduated high school. Like many, he started out in a band, as a drummer. But he soon found he could make more money booking the band than playing in it.
By the time he was 17 years old he was booking shows around the University of Tennessee under his own agency. Upon graduation he went to work for a radio station in the promotions department. When tours came through Knoxville he became the local promoter rep, before the term existed in the music business. He found creative ways to get the job done, including renting limousines from the local funeral home to chauffeur stars. Within a few years, Gudis had worked regional tours with Sonny and Cher, Blood Sweat and Tears, BJ Thomas and The Grassroots, to name a few.
PLSN: What was you first full-time job?
Stephen Gudis: I took a job working for the Lashinsky Brothers’ National Shows. They were concert promoters. I moved to Charleston, West Virginia to represent the shows they booked. I was responsible for hiring the sound and lighting for every gig we promoted. There were no backstage caterers at the time, so I had to find a way to handle the catering riders. This often meant I was just trying to scrounge up some good local food.
Sounds like a lot of work.
Touring was a different animal at that time. Back then a tour might carry a road manager, a soundman and a single backline tech, if you were lucky. We would do about a week’s worth of gigs all over the Southeast with a band and then they would head out with the next promoter in another region. I would move on to the next band entering our region
Is it true that you have worked with Charlie Daniels for decades now?
I used to work for Joe Sullivan, his first manager. I’ve known Charlie since his first big record and worked with him on the first Volunteer Jam and many, many special events since then. In the early days, we had six semis full of gear, which was huge back then. Most recently, I stage-managed the 40th Volunteer Jam in Nashville. The CDB are like family to me.
But eventually you left West Virginia and came back to Tennessee?
Yes, I returned to Knoxville and started my own entertainment services company. I went on tour with the likes of Waylon [Jennings] and Willie [Nelson] as a stage manager, promoter rep and “jack-of-all-trades.” Then Knoxville hosted the [1982] World’s Fair, and it was a huge opportunity for me, serving as one of the Entertainment Directors. That experience opened many doors for me, and in many directions.
But still catering to the entertainment business?
Yes, I did a bunch of television work just as all the Country Music Award shows were gaining in popularity. I ended up doing a lot of different work in Florida. I did film work for what was referred to as Hollywood East, in Orlando. I did gigs like Roller Jam shoots and New Year’s Eve shows from Sea World. Shows that were connected to TNN [The Nashville Network].
By the late 80’s you migrated to Nashville?
In 1989, I started working with Pace Concerts, which booked the shows at Starwood Amphitheater. I became the in-house production manager. Pace concerts booked shows all over the Southeast, so I also traveled for them as a promoter rep.
How long were you at Starwood?
I worked there for four years straight. By 1993, sponsorship for tours had come around in a big way. Productions got bigger, as did festivals. In the mid 90’s I got involved with working on these giant Country Fest and Rock Fest shows that would play on huge speedways in Atlanta and Texas. I’m talking about close to a quarter million fans attending a single event. Today, we see this often, as festivals keep popping up everywhere, but back then a crowd that size was unheard of. As the production manager, I was involved with every facet of those shows. A company called TBA opened in Nashville about that time, and they helped bridge corporate sponsorship with live entertainment. They had a lot of divisions, and I found myself called on for lots of their projects.
How did your current company start up?
I opened The Production Dept., LLC in 1995. We handle a wide array of productions, including large music festivals, corporate concert events, record label promotional events, Farm Aid, and most recently, the Dailey and Vincent show with Travis TV for RFD TV.
Does that mean you are off the road yourself?
Not sure that will ever happen, because I still love touring. Last year, I helped my friend (country star) Jamey Johnson transition after leaving his record label. This included everything from helping him with the selection of a new agent, tour managing, production managing, and more for six months.
What has the Production Department been up to in Nashville this month?
This month we’re deep into Hockey down here in Nashville. The NHL is holding its annual All-Star game here. Our Arena is right downtown, and we have an Exhibition Hall at the Music City Center that will feature the Honda Concert Stage. I am serving as the production manager for that stage.
The Production Department seems to have their fingers in a lot of pies.
I like to think there’s no event we can’t handle with the support of our many production partners. In addition, we are fortunate to work on a variety of projects. We produce fundraisers and charity shows. A big part of my job is consulting with band managers and agents on every facet of the live event business on behalf of their artists. If there’s one thing I’m known for it’s using my skills, experience and relationships to keep an eye on the bottom line and cut the best deals, minimizing costs and reducing stress for my clients. That’s kept me gainfully employed for over 40 years.
Stephen and his wife, Beth Anne Musiker, reside in Nashville.
