About Planning Stages

Planning Stages, Inc. is an entertainment event planning organization. We produce live music events for festivals, theaters, performing arts centers, night clubs, and any room that needs a stage. Our mission is to help individuals and organizations understand their markets in the interest of producing quality entertainment. We do this by assessing the needs and challenges of the client through the exchange of ideas. Our passion for creative presentation is delivered through events and performances that are unforgettable.

The Doobie Brothers' Tom Johnston performing at the 2014 IEBA Honors & Awards Ceremony, CMA Theatre, Nashville.

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Here's What We Can Do For You

Our services are listed below. They can be provided through a contractual arrangement for a custom package based on the client's needs:

• Consulting: Will provide written evaluation for event by working with principals, citing creative ways to present, save, improve, and succeed. 

• Negotiating contracts:  Making offers, negotiating fees and contracting artists for performances for one event or for an entire season, assuring contractual obligations of artists are fulfilled.

• Reviewing contracts & advancing the show: Reviewing contracts and contacting band representatives to coordinate all information in advance of the performance, which includes production information, travel information, band members, guest lists, backline, and organizing artists’ riders and credentials.

• On-Site Management: On-site management of artist relations activities on performance dates. This would include pre- and post-event: project management, advancing shows, working stage details with production staff, booking hotels, arranging transportation, arranging backstage craft service, setting up rehearsal times and schedules, and programming stages and concert series. 

• Rent Execution: Rent a facility for the client and put together the entire production keeping within desired goals and budget.

• Production in non-traditional venues: Coordinate with clients who are setting up events and showcases at conference centers, hotels, private homes, and other non-traditional venues.

• Support: Provide support in various capacities for larger events that would include management and operational positions such as artist relations coordinator, vendor coordinator, hospitality manager, stage manager, credentials coordinator, festival administrator, transportation coordinator, and volunteer coordinator.

• Event coordinating: During an event, Planning Stages would execute such responsibilities as Artist check-in management, completing artist packets, inventory control for hospitality, set-up for dressing rooms, scheduling artist ground transportation and flights, along with a runner schedule, and making hotel reservations.

• Assistance: Work closely with and assist the Venue Director and Venue staff.

• Special Projects: Work on special projects—songwriting contest; workshops; showcases; master classes, children’s workshops/classes; learning panels; and performances based on history of folk, bluegrass, Americana music.

The Infamous Stringdusters performing at 2015 Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival. Photo compliments of Elmore Magazine.