Get to Know Your Entertainment & Events Expert

We all know that behind all “overnight sensations,” lie years of hard work, dedication and perseverance. It is the same whether we’re talking about a performer or a corporate enterprise. For Matthew Thomas, this is a truth he knows well, as both a former musician and current business owner.

After spending many successful years developing his craft as a musician, eventually adding talent booking to his skill set, and then branching out into other areas of event production and management, Matthew has combined his vast knowledge to launch All Stage Productions – a company name that encapsulates his deep and broad understanding of the events, live event production and the entertainment industry to execute flawless events from start to finish.

Just a year into his role as owner of the new company, Matthew secured Boyz II Men to perform for a conference client at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, comedian Sebastian Maniscalco for a private event client, top-caliber talent for client events from the West Coast to the East Coast, among numerous other big wins. But All Stage Productions is no “overnight sensation,” so let’s take a look back at how Matthew got his start and what led him to a successful career as a talent agent, event producer and business owner.

The Making of an Atlanta Talent Agent

Matthew’s appreciation for music began early when he discovered his neighbor’s piano. Around the age of 6, he convinced his parents to get one for their home too, and things snowballed from there. By middle school, he had added guitar, saxophone and trumpet to his repertoire.

During college, while attending Georgia State University, Matthew began singing and performing with bands in Atlanta, Athens and throughout the Southeast. Soon after, he landed a prime position as a systems engineer with a computer and networking company just as public use of the internet was getting started. But that did not put an end to his music career.

“For the next decade, I split my time,” he says. “Technology by day and music by night.”

Changes in the technology industry during the early 2000s were no match for Matthew’s true passion, and by 2005, he had decided to dive into the music and entertainment industry full time. A poolside chat led him to a local talent agency, and a more consistent thread from his daytime to night life.

“As a native of Atlanta, I didn’t want to move to LA, New York or Nashville, and this was a great opportunity to get into the music business full time,” he says. “I picked up the phone, made a cold call to one of the top agents, and created a new position for myself.”

The new role also gave him the chance to perform more frequently, as he had a direct line to the agency’s project needs.

Getting a Start in Talent Booking in Atlanta

If potential access to gigs was a benefit of his new career, taking on the job of booking talent proved more challenging.

“I had to start from scratch, developing a client base and learning all about that side of the business,” says Matthew.

Nevertheless, he was well suited for the job. Having worked so long as a performing artist, which included setting up audio and lighting on a nightly basis, learning what the audience wanted regarding variety and style of music, and understanding the level of planning that went into events and what all the moving parts were, he had a natural advantage.

“I just loved it,” he says. “One of the best things about what I and my industry colleagues do is work with clients on their big life events and celebrations. Yes, there is a lot of work and oftentimes a lot of stress involved with putting on a great event for a client, but the reward of seeing it come to life and having a client who is thrilled with the result makes it all worth it.”

Scaling Up with Live Event Production

About mid-way through an almost 17-year career with the agency he started with, Matthew had developed an extensive book of business, and the company was growing and coming out of the recession. The business side of his life was booming, and as much as he loved performing, it seemed like time to choose.

“I knew I was trying to serve two masters, and both were being impacted,” he says. “I was getting older and looking to start a family. I enjoyed my agency career and knew if I put all my energy towards that, it would pay off. It did.”

He soon became an equity partner in the company and things really took off from there. He celebrated record years in sales, won several awards for entertainment and event production, and produced award programs for clients’ incentive programs in the Caribbean and Mexico, as well as Hawaii.

There were big names on the ticket too, as Matthew produced celebrity artists for client events, including Maroon 5, Bon Jovi, Train, Carrie Underwood, Michael Bublé, Tim McGraw, Lady A, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and many more. One particular highlight of Matthew’s impressive career was producing a client conference and bringing in the legendary Bluesman, Buddy Guy, and doing it - where else - in Chicago.

“I didn’t go into it thinking I was going into the events industry,” says Matthew. “Once I started and was exposed to the kinds of events the company was booking talent for, I saw another side of the entertainment industry. Between corporate events, conferences and conventions, larger and higher-end galas, and weddings, as well as high-profile private events, it was an eye-opening experience, and I realized how much opportunity there was, and how much of a need there was, for great talent.”

Performing Solo with All Stage Productions

Following many successful years with the same talent agency, Matthew went the way of so many great performers and decided to leave the “band” for a solo career. Taking a leap of faith, he launched All Stage Productions, combining the many talents and skills he had acquired during his years as a performer and agent, as well as his business acumen and technological savvy.

“Being in the center of it all, producing an event, large or small, is always a thrill for me, and I get a boost of energy from every single one.”

All Stage Productions specializes in sourcing talent, managing all aspects of AV and event media production, and full event logistics. Matthew continues to work with the clients he had built relationships with during his nearly two decades in the industry, while also taking on a variety of new business.

“Being from the corporate world early in my career, I love doing business with people and making a deal happen,” he says. “Being in the center of it all, producing an event, large or small, is always a thrill for me, and I get a boost of energy from every single one.”

The Benefits of a Boutique Events Production Agency

Because All Stage Productions is a boutique agency, Matthew can deliver an extra level of personalized care to both clients and talent. It allows him to pay close attention to every detail of entertainment booking and event production logistics and have the bandwidth to provide curated customer experiences.

The range of corporate, social and nonprofit events held in Atlanta and all across the country allows him to meet a need for great talent. With his extensive experience in the entertainment industry himself, Matthew knows how to source the ideal performance for each event need, whether it is a celebrity talent, a contemporary musical group, comedians or a keynote speaker.

There is truly so much I love about my work,” he says. “Talking about my career and my work brings me a lot of joy and pride too. I look forward to each opportunity to engage with clients and help them bring their vision to life.”

If you’re looking for entertainment for your next event, we are here to help. Contact us today to get started with a complimentary consultation!