Eco Energy Best Cellars Benefit Another Success

Monday night our GMP team produced the Eco Energy Best Cellars Dinner at Nashville's Hutton Hotel. The unique evening benefited the T.J. Martell Foundation's work in AIDS, cancer, and leukemia research. The Best Cellars exclusive guest list included many of the music industry's biggest celebrities along with Nashville's most celebrated wine enthusiasts. Hence the clever use of "sellers" (recording artists) and "cellars" (wine connoisseurs). Under the leadership of GMP producer Bert Hensley, GMP has provided decor and audiovisual support for this stunning annual event for the past 12 years since the event's inception. A special thanks goes to Executive Director Laura Heatherly, and title sponsors Jamie and Larry Beckwith. For more information on the work of the T.J. Martell Foundation, go to tjmartellfoundation.org

Here are some shots taken at Monday night's wine themed gala dinner.

Auditions

Brentwood Star Gala

Saturday evening, Brentwood/Cool Spring's premier social event of the year, the Star Gala, took place at the Embassy Suites in Cool Springs. The theme of the night was "An Evening at the Acropolis" complete with Greek themed props and food.

Gary Musick Productions own, Brandon Scott Thomas, was the scenic producer for the Star Gala. Kudos to all the crew for a great show and a lot of hard work!
Here are some pictures from the event--

 Gary Musick Producer, Brandon Scott Thomas with wife, Sheryl and John and Melissa Lowry

One of our artists painted the Gala logo onto the header "An Evening at the Acropolis"



Brandon and Sheryl Thomas


It was a lovely evening. Thanks to Anna, Tressia, Connie and all those at the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce for asking us to be a part of this event. Thanks to all the Gary Musick Productions scenic crew and others for your hard work!

SAYING "THANK YOU" TO FIRST TENNESSEE'S STAR PERFORMERS

The financial services industry has experienced incredibly challenging times over the past few years. One of our clients, First Tennessee Bank, has successfully returned to profitability in just two short years. FTB is an outstanding bank and is known for offering remarkable customer service. GMP is a customer of First Tennessee, and I can attest to the outstanding service we receive every day. The bank has found a way to reward its top employees who helped achieve a return to profitability through a recognition program called the "Horizon Awards". Over the past 3 weeks, the bank's top sales performers were honored at 5 Horizon Awards dinner events in the bank's key market areas across Tennessee. Our GMP team staged the production and decor for all five events, including audiovisuals, room decor, draping, centerpieces, linens and seating. All five events were identical in design and execution. This "road show" approach helped the client manage costs and control the quality of the events while offering an outstanding recognition experience to their top performers.

Here's what Connie Washburn, First Tennessee's event planner, had to say about the programs...

" I can’t thank you and your staff enough for everything. It’s always such a pleasure working with you guys. Everything you do is top notch and you make it fun along the way. Your professionalism and expertise in every element of the event planning is why I come back year after year. I’ve said it so many times but it’s so true – I wouldn’t even want to think about doing an event without you. I’ve gotten so many compliments on the décor and the event itself and I know that’s because of you and your team. We’ll have to get together soon to review everything and possibly lay the ground work for next year’s event. I’m already getting lots of calls and emails from a very excited sales force."

Thanks to Connie Washburn and First Tennessee for continuing to include us as partners in their recognition events. Their program is a model for maintaining employee morale and encouraging sales performance through special - yet affordable - recognition events.

Here are some shots from the Johnson City, Knoxville, and Memphis events...

Kid Rock's Touring Set

Gary Musick Productions spread our creative wings a bit over the last few weeks having just finished the touring set pieces for Kid Rock’s Born Free touring set. The design was commissioned by our friends at Accurate Staging and featured the American Bad Ass eagle logo as well as two 24 foot long Winchester rifles that are flown over the stage.

Thanks to our Scenic Shop artists that included Keith Tucker and Dean Tomasek, technical design by Eric Cardwell, and carpentry and project oversight by Phil Barnes.

Tennessee Governor's Inauguration

Gary Musick Productions is proud to have been engaged by Tennessee governor-elect Bill Haslam's Inaugural committee to provide production design for the recent inauguration. Led by producer Bert Hensley, the GMP design and scenic operations team put together a production design plan that "raised the bar" for future inaugurations.

Working under severe weather conditions the week of the inauguration, the GMP team implemented the design plan, which offered a modern take on the traditional Tennessee flag as the inspiration. Another component of the design was to create a look that built upward starting at the front of the stage with a tri-star custom stage wrap, up to a sleek lectern with the state seal, a three-tiered seating configuration, a backdrop behind the stage, and a “waving” flag, all framed by the Tennessee State Capitol.

The photos below show the stage set from a few different angles, including an aerial shot taken from atop the First Tennessee building. In addition to the Inauguration, GMP provided the décor for the Inaugural Ball, held at Gaylord Opryland. GMP would like to thank the Haslam Inaugural 2011 team for allowing us the opportunity to participate in this historical event.

JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE (NOT!)

One of the most memorable experiences in our business is to create and install entertainment productions for new, state of the art, 5-star cruise ships. For the past 2 weeks, our GMP team has been in Genoa, Italy, doing just that for our new client, Oceania Cruises. Oceania is about to launch the MARINA, an amazing new 1200-guest cruise ship that will be making its inaugural voyage from the shipyard at Genoa later this week. The Marina is a beautiful vessel with elegant appointments and incredible experiences and destinations awaiting its guests. Following the launch of the MARINA, we will be installing new productions on Oceania's other 3 existing ships - the REGATTA, INSIGNIA, and NAUTICA. Needless to say, its going to be a busy spring!

New-builds are full of excitement, long hours, waiting for shipments to arrive, and construction challenges. We’ve experienced all that with the Marina. After days of patient waiting, last night we had sound, lights, costumes, and the band for the first time since arriving on January 3rd. We’re finally making great progress and our 6 new productions are coming to life! This is our sixth new-build, so we’re accustomed to the stress and chaos. Because as we’ve seen in past, the end result is worth it! Here are a few shots from the past 2 days.

Technicians have been working long hours to complete the lighting and sound systems in the theater.

A shot of the aft end of the ship bearing her name "MARINA".

This is the theater still under construction. Wide aisles and comfortable seating will make entertainment productions even more enjoyable for guests!

This is a shot of Bruce Stegmann and David Patton heading to the "office". The shipyard is full of hundreds of workers from around the world (literally) putting the finishing touches on MARINA. She's going to be beautiful!