Tree Power & Sound began about eight years ago in Norcross, GA. Owner Paul Diaz’s Tree Sound Studios was hired to record the Echo Project live event in 2003, and he was taken by Sustainable Waves’ solar-powered stage. It inspired him to build a solar-and-wind-powered generator for future remote recording gigs. Later, one of Sustainable Waves’ smaller stage rigs became available, and Diaz bought it. He now operates two solar-and-wind-powered sound systems. They are modest but effective for small- to mid-sized gigs. For the 30 percent of clients that are nonprofits, Diaz tries to simply break even after supplying the equipment and operators. For-profit clients usually pay about $3,000 per 15-hour day. Tree Power & Sound has been providing a stage for Bonaroo for the past four years, where it commands about $2,000 per night. The same stage was used for gigs featuring the singer/songwriter duo, The Civil Wars, in the Atlanta area late last year. The alternative-energy systems might not put Diaz’ kids through college, but they are still profitable, with additional value coming from the good will it brings to Diaz’ studio business.
Dan Daley, from “The Biz,” PLSN, Feb. 2012
