Gulf Coast Entertainment

SMITH Celebrates its 40th Anniversary with Major Headliner Power

A look back at a weeklong, music-filled corporate celebration for the books.

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Nile Rodgers and CHIC at the Rustic in Houston, TX

At Gulf Coast Entertainment, we believe in creating experiences that resonate deeply and leave  lasting impressions. We had the honor of working with Sullivan Group on Houston-based SMITH’s  40th Anniversary Celebration, bringing to life a week of concerts for their employees. The weeklong  celebration featured iconic performances by Nile Rodgers and Chic, Fitz and the Tantrums, and  Weezer—three diverse and energetic acts that rocked the crowd with hits that spanned decades.  This was not just another corporate event; it was a milestone, and we were honored to be trusted  with the headliner entertainment for our music-loving client. 

The weeklong celebration, beautifully orchestrated by Sullivan Group, kicked off at the Rustic in  Houston with a concert by Nile Rodgers and CHIC, who performed hits like “Le Freak,” “Good  Times,” “Let’s Dance,” We Are Family,” “I’m Coming Out,” “Upside Down,” “Like a Virgin” and many  more. 

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Weezer at 713 Music Hall in Houston, TX

Weezer’s show for this rock-and-roll-loving-client, but this time, it took place on the 30th Anniversary of their Blue Album. The harmony of celebrating two milestone anniversaries in one night doesn’t get any sweeter than thatThe chart-topping evening set the tone for the rocking week, culminating in a gala, which took place  at 713 Music Hall in Houston, featuring Weezer as headliner and Fitz and the Tantrums who opened  up the night. Weezer performed their hits like “Buddy Holly,” “Say It Ain’t So,” “Africa,” “Holiday,”  “Island in the Sun,” and many others. This was the second time we had the privilege of producing  Weezer’s show for this rock-and-roll-loving-client, but this time, it took place on the 30th Anniversary of their Blue Album. The harmony of celebrating two milestone anniversaries in one night doesn’t get any sweeter than that. The harmony of celebrating two 40th anniversaries in one night  doesn’t get any sweeter than that.

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Fitz and the Tantrums at 713 Music Hall in Houston, TX

The process of booking, coordinating, and producing the entertainment for an event like this  requires focus on details and industry experience. As seasoned professionals in the entertainment  industry, Gulf Coast Entertainment brings 45 years of expertise in ensuring that every aspect of a  live performance goes off without a hitch. Here’s a closer look at why our team at GCE is the ideal  partner for any company looking to take their event to the next level. 

Expert Booking and Artist Coordination 

When you work with GCE, we do more than just book the artist. We are with you at every step, from  inquiry to execution. We believe booking world-class talent should be more than just securing a  name for your event—we strive for harmony at all levels, for our client, artist, venue, and vendors.  

Our goal is for there to be no questions on the day of the event so that everyone has a seamless and  smooth experience, so we work diligently on the front end to ensure that the artists’ expectations  align with the capabilities of the venue and the client’s goals. The result is a happy artist, who puts  on an incredible show to captivate your audience. One way we do this is by working with our clients before the offer is in, to understand their goals and needs for the event and translate that in the  offer we submit to the artist. Leading up to the date, we work with artist management teams to understand their technical needs, performance preferences, and schedule constraints. The 

process can be complex, especially when you’re working with multiple artists on one night, but our  industry knowledge and deep understanding of artist requirements make the production  coordination seamless for the venue, artist, and client. 

Logistical Coordination with Vendors 

Once the talent is locked in, we make sure that all the logistics align perfectly. Working in tandem  with the venue, vendors, and event coordinators, we coordinate the staging, sound equipment,  lighting, backline, and catering. Every detail has to be accounted for. We are honored to have decades-long relationships with the best vendors in the industry, who share our commitment to  excellence.  

We ensure that each entertainment vendor is well-briefed on their roles, timelines, and the specific  nuances of each artist’s performance. With multiple performances scheduled over several days,  we carefully plan the arrival, setup, and soundcheck timelines to avoid any overlap. This requires meticulous planning and constant communication with the venue and other event vendors, and it’s  one of the areas where our experience truly shines, because we know what questions to ask. Our  goal is to deliver a smooth experience for both the artists and client, without any surprises. 

Serving as a Resource for the Client 

At Gulf Coast Entertainment, our role goes beyond just booking the artists and coordinating  logistics. We are there every step of the way to serve as a resource for the client—whether that’s  handling last-minute changes or offering guidance based on our extensive experience. Our team  works closely with our client and event coordinators, keeping them in the loop on all decisions and  providing recommendations when asked. With every headliner show we produce, we are on site the  day of the performance to manage logistics, troubleshoot any unforeseen issues, and make sure  everything runs smoothly for our client. 

Why Choose Gulf Coast Entertainment? 

We believe producing headliner entertainment for private events should be fun for the artist and the  client. Our seasoned team understands the intricacies of the entertainment industry and what  private and corporate clients typically expect, and we make sure everyone is on the same page. At  Gulf Coast Entertainment, we have the experience, the relationships, and the passion to take your  event from concept to reality, ensuring that every detail is flawless. 

If you’re planning a corporate milestone, special celebration, or any event that requires exceptional  entertainment, look no further than Gulf Coast Entertainment. Let us handle the details, so you can  focus on creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Contact Gulf Coast Entertainment today to start planning your next unforgettable event! Call  713-523-7004 or email info@gulfcoastentertainment.com.