Beyond the Spotlight

Alex Prince has been involved in the live music industry for years, working primarily as a Production Coordinator, but also as Tour Manager and Production Manager. He is a California native who recently relocated to Minnesota.

His list of credits:

Production Manager
Ground Branch Management Freelance
Dates Employed Sep 2020 – Present
Production Managed the Biden Harris Live TV Studio from both remote and on-site settings.

Production Coordinator
Tyler, The Creator
Dates Employed Jan 2018 – Present
IGOR Tour - Tyler, The Creator Tour w/ Opening Acts Blood Orange, Jaden Smith & GoldLinkFlowerboy Tour - Tyler, The Creator Tour w/ Opening Acts Vince Staples & DJ TacoJanuary 2020: GRAMMY's PerformanceDecember 2019 - January 2020: Australia and NZ Headline FestivalsNovember 2019: Camp Flog Gnaw Headline FestivalAugust - October 2019: IGOR Headline Arena Tour across North America & U.KFebruary - July 2019: Headline Festivals including Gov Ball & III Points MiamiApril - November 2018: North America Headline Festivals (Coachella, Beale Street, Sasquatch, Boston Calling, Soundset, Life Is Beautiful, Posty Fest, Mala Luna, Camp Flog Gnaw)January - March 2018: Headline Arena & Large Hall North America Tour …

DOS Tour Manager
A$AP Ferg
Dates Employed Apr 2019 – Sep 2020

Tour Manager
Kali Uchis
Dates Employed Nov 2018 – Dec 2018
Tour Manager:2018 Camp Flog Gnaw Festival2018 Tropicalia Music Festival

Tour Manager / Production Manager
Overstreet
Dates Employed Oct 2018 – Dec 2018

Tour Manager
Pat Metheny Dates Employed Sep 2018 – Oct 2018 Tour Manager for North American tour. Assistant Tour Manager / Merchandise Dates Employed May 2017 – Sep 2018 August 2018: 4 in-a-row US DatesJune - August 2018: 5 Week European TourOctober - November 2017: 6 Week European TourJune 2017: 6 in-a-row US DatesApril - June 2017: 5 Week European Tour

Tour Directors' Assistant / Project Coordinator
the loop.
Dates Employed May 2016 – May 2018
Daily work with show advances, visas, production books, flights/hotels, budgets, calendars, and everything else related to ensuring successful tours for 15+ active artists.

Road Manager
Survivor
Dates Employed Mar 2017 – Mar 2018
Consistent one-off fly date shows ranging between casinos, outdoor amphitheaters, and state/county fairs across the continental United States.

Touring Freelance Short Term Projects
Freelance
Dates Employed Oct 2013 – Oct 2017

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT • Gypsy Kings (West Coast shows of North America Tour, 2017) • Kendrick Lamar (DAMN. Tour Southern California Shows, 2017) • Travis Scott (Coachella, 2017)• R Kelly (West Coast shows of North America Tour, 2017)• Temple of the Dog (Los Angeles One-Off, 2017)• Bad Boys Reunion Tour (Los Angeles Rehearsals, 2016)• P!NK (Jimmy Kimmel Live, 2016)• The Fray (Los Angeles One-Off, 2016)• Natasha Beddingfield (Los Angeles One-Off, 2016)• Nick Jonas (West Coast shows of North America Tour, 2015)• Big Sean (West Coast shows of North America Tour, 2015)MUSIC VIDEO PRODUCER• Watsky, "Tiny Glowing Screens Part 3", 2016• Hoodie Allen, "Act My Age", 2015

Audio Coordinator's Assistant
The GRAMMYs 2016, The GRAMMYs 2017
Dates Employed Jan 2016 – Jan 2017

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexpprince/

After 20+ years of traveling as a Tour Manager and FOH Sound Engineer, Paul Dalen retired from touring in the ‘90s and worked for Bill Graham Presents in San Francisco as production manager at The Fillmore, The Warfield and a number of other bay area venues.
In 2001, he moved to New York and spent the next 5 years at David Whitehead’s highly respected firm Maine Road Management. At the time of his departure, the music roster included David Bowie, David Byrne, Luna, Joe Henry, Beth Orton, Helmet, Dean and Britta, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Air, Jim White, Laura Cantrell and Joe Ely; and the producer roster featured Kevin Killen, Ryan Freeland, Tucker Martine and others.

Paul returned to full time touring and festival production in 2012 and he remains enthusiastic about traveling the world utilizing his skills in Artist Management to great effect in his current roles as Tour Manager / Production Manager / FOH mixer.

FESTIVALS (PRODUCTION MANAGER / STAGE MANAGER)
Bonnaroo 2011–2015 (stage manager)
Firefly Music Festival 2012–2015 (stage manager) 2018 (overnight head of production)
Googamooga Festival 2012 (stage manager, main stage)
Governors Ball NYC 2012–2014 + 2019 (stage manager)
Life Is Beautiful 2018 (stage manager)
Lockn' Festival 2014–2015 (stage manager, both stages)
Outside Lands Festival 2011–2014 + 2017- 2018 (stage manager)
Rock the Bells 2012 SF / LA / NYC (stage manager for Nas)

TOURS (VARIOUSLY AS TM / PM / FOH)
** 1970’S
Robin Trower / 1979
Styx / Paradise Theatre World Tour / 1979
** 1980’S
Barry White / 1988 Full strings, over 70 inputs
Chicago / 1989–1990
David Sanborn / 1986–1994, 2001–2003
Psychedelic Furs / 1986–1987
** 1990’S
Aimee Mann / 1999–2001
Barry Manilow / 1991–1995
Fiona Apple / 1996–1998, 2007–2008, 2010
Joe Henry / TM 1999–2016
Chris Isaak / 1994–1997
Lisa Stansfield / 1990–1992, Hong Kong 1997
10,000 Maniacs / 1992–1993
** 2000’S
Christopher Cross / 2001–2012
Cowboy Junkies / 2007–2010
** MORE RECENTLY
Animal Collective / 2012–2017
Bonnie Raitt / 2014–2021
Fiona Apple / 2007–2008, 2010
Jim James / 2018 - 2019
”Live From Here” NPR Radio Show 2019 - 2020
Luna / 2001- 2018
Marc Cohn / 2013–2015 + 2019
My Morning Jacket / TM 2019 - 2021
Nick Swardson / 2014
Nickel Creek / 2020
Punch Brothers / 2019 - 2020
The Decemberists / 2020
The Wallflowers /2012–2013
The Jayhawks / 2010 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020

ONE-OFFS AND MINI-TOURS, VARIOUSLY AS TM / PM / FOH
James Taylor (assistant TM) / Juana Molina / Rosanne Cash / Bruce Hornsby / Tune-Yards / Suzanne Vega / Al Jarreau / Ella Fitzgerald / NAS / Joan Baez / Calexico / Nick Lowe / Luther Vandross

Member of Event Safety Alliance since 2014
Board Of Directors / JusticeAid.org

https://www.reverse-thread.com/

Pam Matthews is a proven industry leader with four decades of experience in the entertainment business. She began her career at age fifteen as a runner for Mid South Concerts in Memphis. Today, she serves the live entertainment industry as Executive Director of one of its most influential trade organizations.

Matthews toured as an accountant for KISS and Ozzy Osbourne in the early 80s and was part of the Pace Concerts (now Live Nation) team that designed, constructed, and managed Starwood Amphitheatre in Nashville. In 1988, after three seasons at 18,000+ capacity concert venue, Matthews accepted a marketing/accounting position with The Judds’ in-house booking agency and production company Pro Tours, Inc. In 1991 Pro Tours promoted 110 of the 128 sold-out concerts on The Judds Farewell Tour, which was second to the Grateful Dead as the highest grossing North American tour that year. As Wynonna began her solo career and restructured her business, Matthews joined the management side of the organization and eventually became Vice President & Treasurer of Wynonna, Inc. and J2K, Inc. As an officer of J2K, Inc., Matthews headed the multi-company team that produced The Judds’ sold-out New Year’s Eve 1999 concert and the 2000 reunion tour that followed.

In 2000, Gaylord Entertainment selected Pam Matthews to be General Manager of Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. During her tenure, the Ryman became one of the top-grossing theaters in North America and received its National Historic Landmark status and numerous awards including its first-ever Pollstar Theatre of the Year, Academy of Country Music Venue of the Year, and IEBA Venue of the Year honors.

In 2008, Matthews resigned her position at the Ryman to be with her husband, a decorated Special Operations Team Leader in the U.S. Army, while he was stationed at the Presidio of Monterey, California. Matthews and her husband, who is now a legislative attorney with the Tennessee General Assembly, settled back home in Nashville in 2012.

Matthews joined IEBA as its Executive Director in 2013. Since then, the 50-year-old organization has tripled its membership and attendance at its annual conference continues to sell-out year after year. In 2017, IEBA established its Educational Outreach Fund, a 501(c)(3) charity that has endowed over $1M in scholarships at universities across the country and awards $75k annually to students seeking a career in the entertainment industry.

Matthews attended Christ Church College, Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. In 1989, she passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination. During her career, Pam Matthews has been featured in numerous publications including Billboard, Pollstar, Better Homes & Gardens, and The Tennessean. In 2006, Billboard magazine ranked Matthews on its first “Women in Music” list.Recent honors include Nashville Business Journal “Women in Music City” and VenuesNow “Women of Influence.” Matthews has served on the Board of Directors of the Opry Trust Fund, Nashville Downtown Partnership, Leadership Music, and Americana Music Association, and currently serves on the Music City Music Council’s Leadership Forum and Leadership Music’s program committee. She is a frequent speaker and moderator at conferences and universities worldwide.

https://ieba.org/

Victor Reed Sr. has been on the road since the late 70s. From his early days with Bobby Brown, Bell Biv DeVoe, and Rick James, to Stevie Wonder’s performance at President Obama’s 2nd inaugural, to recent tours with Kendrick Lamar and Mary J Blige, Victor has built an impressive resume of achievements and eventually became CEO of his own company, Global Events Production Network, LLC.

Highlights from just the last 10 years of Victor's career:

2020
NICK CANNON – (Wild-N-Out Live US Tour) Production Manager
JILL SCOTT – (“Who Is Jill Scott” 20 Year Anniversary World Tour) Production Manager

2019
A$AP Rocky – (Injured Generation – US Tour) Tour Mgr. & Production Mgr
Kendrick Lamar – (Lollapalooza South America - Festival Tour) Production Mgr
Mary J Blige & NAS – (Royalty - Summer Tour) Production Mgr

2018
Kendrick Lamar – (Championship - North American Spring Tour) Production Mgr
Kendrick Lamar – (Damn – Australia, Japan & Korea Summer Tour) Production Mgr
J. Cole – (K O D – North America Summer Tour) Production Mgr

2017
Mary J Blige – (Australia and Japan Spring Tour) Production Mgr
Jill Scott – Summer Tour (Domestic Tour) Production Mgr
Mary J Blige – (Domestic and European Summer Tour) Production Mgr
J. Cole – (4 Yours Eyes Only - European Fall & Australia Winter Tour) Production Mgr

2016
Jill Scott – Summer Tour (Domestic Summer Tour Jun – Sep) Production Mgr
Mary J Blige & Maxwell – (King & Queen World Tour Europe) Production Mgr (MJB)
Mary J Blige & Maxwell – (King & Queen World Tour US) Production Mgr (MJB)

2015
Nicky Minaj – Pink Print World Tour ( Domestic and International ) Production Mgr
Jill Scott – Summer Tour (Domestic Summer Tour) Production Mgr
Jill Scott – Summer Tour (Domestic Winter Tour) Production Mgr

2014
OutKast 20 Year Reunion Tour (USA and International Fest Tour) Production Mgr
Steven Wonder – Songs In The Key of Life Tour (Winter Leg) Tour Mgr
Mary J Blige -­‐ (Superbowl Party w/ John Legend & Marc Anthony) Production Mgr

2013
J. COLE -­‐ (“What Dreams May Come Tour” – US and Canada) Production Mgr
JILL SCOTT – (US, Australian, and African Tour, New Year’s Eve RCMH) Production Mgr
MARY J. BLIGE -­‐ (“Liberation Tour 2013”, US, Jamaica, & Italy) Production Mgr
STEVIE WONDER – (Presidential Inaugural Ball) Production Mgr

2012
STEVIE WONDER – (Obama Presidential Campaign for Ohio & Virginia, 2012) Production Mgr
MARY J. BLIGE -­‐ (“Liberation Tour 2012” w/ D’Angelo, Melanie Fiona) Production Mgr
JILL SCOTT -­‐ (“Jill Scott’s Summer Block Party 2012”, US & European Tour) Production Mgr

2011
JILL SCOTT -­‐ (“Jill Scott’s Summer Block Party 2011”, US & European Tour) Production Mgr
KEYSHIA COLE -­‐ (R. Kelly Love Letter Tour w/ Marsha Ambrosias) Production Mgr
STEVIE WONDER – (Private Event in LA & Tribute to Joseph Lowery in Atlanta) Production Mgr

2010
EARTH, WIND, & FIRE -­‐ (US Tour 2010) Production Manager

https://www.instagram.com/gep_network
https://www.facebook.com/Global-Events-Production-324548604594850

For the podcast:
http://www.beyondthespotlightpodcast.com
https://www.instagram.com/BeyondtheSpotlightPodcast

Many people have seen Marcia Ramirez performing on stage with artists such as Rodney Crowell, Patty Loveless, Pam Tillis and Tanya Tucker. Now people are discovering Marcia's own music as she's becoming an in-demand performer at many venues across the country, such as the world famous "Bluebird Cafe" in Nashville, TN. Marcia is a multi-instrumentalist, as well as one of Nashville's busiest session singers. Marcia has 5 solo albums, “Compromise”, "The Barefoot Sessions", "Life Goes On", "Beautifully Lived" and her newest project, released in June 2017 "Abba's Child", her first faith-based project.

Her song, "God and My Girlfriends" is currently on Reba McEntire's new CD, "Sing It Now: Songs of Faith and Hope", and her song "You Belong In The Sun" is on Jo Dee Messina's Greatest Hits, garnering Marcia her first Gold Record.
Marcia has also had her songs cut by American Idol finalist Scott McIntyre, Australian Country Music Star Melinda Schneider, Grand Ol' Opry stars, The Whites, Nashville Star finalist Rachel Williams and many others, including Brandon Rhyder, Supersonic Blues Machine, Leather and Lace, Shari Rowe and Canadian Star Tara Oram. She is currently touring with pop legend Christopher Cross and squeezing in her own shows across the country as well.

In 2017, Marcia felt called by God to start a new kind of women’s ministry that encourages diversity and serves women of all faiths and beliefs. Together with her childhood friend, Lisa Schmitz, Marcia started “God and My Girlfriends Ministries”. As Founder and President, Marcia oversees content, leads the online community, serves as host for the quarterly “G&G Gatherings” in Nashville, TN, and performs and speaks at women’s events across the country. You can find out more about “God and My Girlfriends Ministries” at www.godandmygirlfriendsonline.com

Marcia has performed live with:
Patty Loveless, Rodney Crowell, Christopher Cross, Tanya Tucker, Lee Ann Womack, Pam Tillis, Mindy McCready, Bill Anderson, Henry Lee Summer, Jason Sellers, Linda Davis, Deborah Allen, Shane McAnally, and many more.

Album credits (background vocals):
Rodney Crowell --- Fate's Right Hand
Rodney Crowell --- The Outsider
Rodney Crowell -- The Essential Rodney Crowell
Billy Dean -- Let Them Be Little
Marty Raybon -- At His Best
Cletus T. Judd -- Bipolar and Proud
Brandon Rhyder -- Live at Billy Bob's
Brandon Rhyder -- Conviction
Brandon Rhyder -- That's Just Me
Ray Scott --- Rayality
Ryan James -- Directed
Elizabeth Cook -- Balls
Walt Wilkins -- Hopewell
Sam Baker -- Pretty World
Kylie Harris -- Love, Lessons and Lies
Jason Eady -- From underneath the old
John Berry -- Hits
Jimmy Fortune -- I believe
Hank Williams Jr. -- I'm one of you
Shane McAnally -- Shane McAnally
Carolyn Martin -- Cookin' with Carolyn
Hal Ketchum --- Lucky Man
Rachel Williams -- Lonely at the Bottom
Britt Savage --- Fingerprints

TV appearances include:
The David Letterman Show
Good Morning America
The CBS Morning Show
The Conan O'Brien Show
The ACM Awards
The Grand Old Opry Live
PBS Presents: Christopher Cross and Friends

https://www.marciaramirez.com/
https://www.instagram.com/marciaramirez/
https://www.facebook.com/marcia.ramirez

Lady A began her performance career as a back-up singer in a Motown Revue band during the 90's. Her love of music, gospel background, Louisiana roots,and musical family always led her back to the blues and gospel music, mixed with flavors of soul and funk like a perfect jambalaya. Known as "The Hardest Workin Woman in Blues, Soul, Funk & Gospel" continue reading and find out why...

Voted Best Blues Performer of the Year 2020 ~ Lady A's NEW CD Project: Lady A Live in New Orleans released in July of 2020. She and co-producer John Oliver IIIhave been dreaming of doing a live project for some time, and they enlisted the assistance of her Mississippi producer, Dexter Allen.Though born and raised in Seattle, Washington, you can clearly hear the southern undertones in her music and lyrics .

Lady A also performs as a solo act when on the road and has been front woman for European bands such as Sweden's Top Dogs of Soul and The Netherland's band Blind Bart & the Visionarries.

Lady A also works and performswith her accompanist and pianist/producer John Oliver III, doing special projects such as, United by Music Europe and North America,for which she was a mentor from 2011 - 2016. Because of her assistance with the UBM organization, she was asked to come to Denmark by Music Unites Europe in order towork with and teach a Gospel Music Workshop with bands and singers from Germany, Holland, Sweden and Denmark. Both organizationhelp intellectually disabled persons sing and perform on stage and are dear to Lady A's heart. Her belief is to always "Give Back, that which you have been Blessed with"

She produced her first mini tour, Buzin The Northwest, in March of 2015 featuring Deep Rush Record Recording artist, Dexter Allen and herself, from Seattle to Portland.This tour wasmet with acclaimed success by sold out audiences and festival producers have praised her accomplishment of producing and performing during this tour. InMay of 2017, she produced The Big Blues Blowout with mentor and friend, 2017 Grammy Winner Bobby Rush, Chicago's Nellie Tiger Travis, and Producer, Dexter Allen. Again to a sold out Seattle audience. Proving she is a producer as well as an artist.

She is also a mentor to young people as well as a community activist.

https://www.ladyababyblues.com
https://thetruthisloud.info/
https://www.ladyababyblues.com/moments-in-black-history-2021-food-for-the-souls
https://www.instagram.com/LadyA_bluesdiva/

Gabi Parra is a tour production specialist with over 15 years in the live event business. Having begun as venue staff, production runner, and stagehand for a wide array of artists such as Elton John, Bob Dylan, Blue Man Group, Lil Wayne, and Tom Petty, she would then go on touring life.

For the past 10 years, she has served as the lead production coordinator for Earth, Wind & Fire. Parra also has experience working in the corporate world as a freelance production coordinator for corporate and festival events. She has worked high profile events for the Democratic National Committee, Superbowl and Glastonbury Festival. Gabi also currently works as regional operations manager and backstage coordinator for Musical Chairs in the New York tri-state area. She also is bilingual – English and Spanish.

We chatted with Gabi back in early November, 2019 to find out how she found her way into the touring life, how her interest in psychology helps her on the road, and why pickles on your sandwich aren't really a problem in the bigger picture.

https://www.instagram.com/gabbers29/
http://www.tourforensics.com/
https://www.musicalchairsbackstage.com/

Sarina Larson is the Co-Founder of Merch Roadie. In pandemic times, she is focused on Digital-Tour Management work,a new approach to the music businessfor artiststhatshe's hypothesized. She is from Sacramento, CA, and currently lives in Nashville, TN, frequenting Germany and the UK. She has lived in Thailand, The Netherlands, and the USA. She has a Bachelor's degree in International Business and is currently applying to law school.

http://www.merchroadie.com
https://www.instagram.com/merchroadie

Jim has spent three decades bringing celebrated talent to stages across the globe. Longtime Director of Touring for multi-platinum recording artists Linkin Park, he has shepherded productions for diverse and high-profile clients including Enrique Iglesias, Backstreet Boys, Marilyn Manson, The Bolshoi Ballet, Phil Collins, and Bon Jovi.

Jim’s is passionate about event safety, sharing professional knowledge, and driving positive change in the industry. He is the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Event Safety Alliance, and recently co-founded SHOW MAKERS, a non-profit designed to educate, develop standards, and strengthen the live event community.

Jim is a board member of the Behind The Scenes Foundation, 4-time Tour Link Production Manager of the Year, and the 2012 Parnelli’s “Production Manager of the Year” award. He regularly serves as a conference keynote speaker where he speaks on matters relating to event safety, event production as a trade, and the often challenging human condition in live events.

Co-Founder - President
Event Safety Alliance

Founding Partner
Show Maker Symposium 501(c)(3)

Principal
Show Makers Productions Inc

Production Manager / Director of Touring
Linkin Park Touring Inc + Bill Silva Entertainment

Production Manager
Various Artists: Meghan Trainor 2018, Hootie & The Blowfish-1996-97, Blues Traveler-1997, Bolshoi Ballet-1998-99, H.O.R.D.E. Festival 1998, Marilyn Manson-1999-01, Back Street Boys-2008-10, Linkin Park-2002-17

Multiple Advisory Boards and Volunteering

List of resources mentioned in episode, suggested reading & social media handles:

https://www.eventsafetyalliance.org/
https://www.showmakers.com/
https://www.instagram.com/eventsafetyalliance/
https://www.instagram.com/weareshowmakers
https://www.behindthescenescharity.org

Ashley Lomax has 12+ years of singing and songwriting and 8+ years of VIP touring experience with such companies as Live Nation and On The List Presents. She has a deep love and passion for music, songwriting, and the arts in general. Ashley is one of the lucky ones who has figured out a way to incorporate the things that are actually a part of her skill set into her career and into her daily life.

Ashley has been involved on various tours such as Kanye West, Slipknot and Janet Jackson as a VIP Coordinator, and she was production assistant to Cher for two years during her MGM residency in Washington D.C. Since 2018, Ashley has acted as Hospitality Coordinator for BIG 3 Basketball, the pro basketball league founded by Ice Cube.

Ashley’s goals in life are to be a music supervisor and/or work on a music tour. Currently working on her bachelors in music business and or entertainment business, Ashley would like to receive her Masters in ethnomusicology at some point. She is currently based in Maryland.

https://www.instagram.com/theashleyalexander/
https://www.instagram.com/batbuddha/
https://www.youtube.com/c/Ashleyalexandertv