Production Live! Preview: A Matter Of Trust – The Artist/Crew Dynamic In Tedeschi Trucks Band Featuring Susan Tedeschi And Derek Trucks

Speakers
Ray Waddell | OVG Media & Conferences (Moderator)
Derek Trucks | Tedeschi Trucks Band
Susan Tedeschi | Tedeschi Trucks Band
Skip Richman | Tour Manager, TTB
Brian Speiser | Production Manager, TTB

When the house lights go down and the curtain comes up, the last thing anyone should notice is something other than the magic of live music. Before the band takes the stage, their instruments are in place, mics are on and working, and the sound and lights are perfect. Every cable, bolt and speaker is in place. The venue staff is watching and happy. The magic happens.

Tedeschi Trucks Band, led by the husband and wife team of Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, not only are consummate professional artists, but their production crew is best in class. With its 12 members and crew in support, Tedeschi Trucks Band has been running a village down that blues/rock road since 2010, building a career as one of the best bands of its type in the world.

“As I’m sure you can imagine, it’s not always easy coordinating, traveling, and creating an amazing live experience as a 12-piece band,” Tedeschi and Trucks tell Pollstar. “Logistics are everything, and we rely on our crew and trust their expertise as they work every day to keep things running smoothly.”

Among the band’s highlight of any year is a much-anticipated Beacon Theater run. The 2024 edition is scheduled in New York City Feb. 29 and March 1-2.

Tedeschi Trucks Band also has North American dates booked on its “Deuces Wild” winter tour Feb. 16 through March 16, followed by a run of shows in Australia and U.S. festival appearances.

Tour Manager Skip Richman not only keeps the train and the trucks running on time, but also handles any number of hiccups along the way that could become catastrophes in lesser hands. Everyone arrives at the hotel on time, rooms are ready, and transportation to the venue for sound check is waiting.

Production Manager Brian Speiser is on hand to talk about his role making sure the stage is everything it should be – that video screens, props, cables and rigging are in perfect working order and designed to give the most visual and audio bang for their buck so that everything comes together to execute an artist’s vision and wow the crowd. Trust between artist and crew is paramount.

Expect Tedeschi, Trucks and their managers to talk about that trust and the relationship building that goes into creating a road “family” – because, in myriad ways, that’s the level of relationship the best artist and crew road families have.

A happy artist and crew, operating at the top level of elite musicianship and showmanship, also makes for a happy venue – one that’s happy to have them back, over and over. A high-quality show, with an immaculately professional and communicating team, is a dream to work with for most venue managers and their staffs, from settlement managers to ticket takers.

Moderator Ray Waddell will mine the depths of the artist / team relationship dynamic and how it all comes together to deliver the coveted “easy day” when he leads the panel on Feb. 6, during Production Live!

Trucks and Tedeschi will stick around for a second day, as they sit for a Q&A with Live Nation President of Global Concerts Bob Roux in the first of two Pollstar Live! Rainmaker Sessions, “The Intersection of Art & Commerce featuring Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi.”