When watching a live musical performance, it can be easy to be captivated by the artist or performer.
It can be also just as easy to take for granted the labor-intensive hours the production crew puts into making that performance what it is.
“Growing up in church, my brother, Nathan and I watched my dad do sound production and I used to play guitar,” said Robert Baugh, junior in business administration. “Then Nathan moved to Nashville and eventually started working as Alan Jackson’s tour manager.”
After a few years, Nathan started his own production company, and Robert said they decided to name it 46 Entertainment after the number on their father’s high school football jersey.
“In 2009, my brother let me come with him to the CMA’s and just sit and watch him do everything,” Robert Baugh said. “During that time, I became enamored with the production lifestyle.”
In 2013, Nathan produced a show in Cullman called “Rock the South” that gave Robert his first opportunity to help produce music.
“As a 21-year-old guy growing up in the South, I love country music,” Robert Baugh said. “I learned how to find the satisfaction in producing a good show.”
For a single show, Robert Baugh and the production crew worked 18-20 hours per day usually for the seven days leading up to a show.
“The guys you work with and travel with become family,” said Steven Methvin, part-time employee of 46 Entertainment.
Methvin has been working in the music production industry for a couple years and worked for 46 Entertainment for the past year.
“My favorite show we’ve done was this Christian show called ‘Passion,’” Methvin said. “I like to let my life resemble Christ, and so I love seeing about 20,000-25,000, 18-25-year-olds coming together for Jesus and walking away changed.”
Methvin said he has been intrigued by music production since he was a child.
It wasn’t until he was older and started working in the industry that Methvin said he realized how much work is actually required.
“What many people don’t realize is that if there’s no one there to do a job, then you better pick up a broom and make sure it gets done,” Methvin said.
Tyler Porter has been the production manager for 46 Entertainment for the past two years.
Like Methvin, Porter also started out in the industry by enjoying music, but quickly decided there was more to be experienced on the production side.
“I first started in a band called, ‘Everlife’ that used to open for Miley Cyrus’ ‘Best of Both Worlds’ tour,” Porter said. “But I realized while I was at shows that I was most interested in how everything worked.”
Porter said producing a show requires intensive planning and hard work.
“First we figure out the fire codes and fire lanes,” Porter said. “Then we determine where we should hang the video screens and where to put the speakers based upon how many seats were sold.”
Although Porter loved the performance side, he said he is extremely happy where he is and enjoys different types of rewards with producing.
“For me now, I find gratification in making sure the overall experience for the patron is 100 percent,” Porter said.
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