Landon Michael/National Artist/Singer Songwriter

Music to Their Ears...
Representing National Artists is Newest Change for SMS Productions.

Written by Blair Townley; Photo Provided

First they were local; now they have become national as SMS Productions has recently welcomed their first national artist, Landon Michael, to the SMS family.

The company has become a household name in the Lake and Sumter County communities for their "one-stop shop" business of sound, lighting and stage production for concerts and events.

The addition of marketing local artists, such as Michael Ray and Jeff Hurst, branched out the capabilities of SMS Productions and quickly brought them notice on the national music circuit.

"Having national and local acts brings SMS Productions back to being the one-stop shop business, which is what we have always wanted to be and this is just another avenue for that," says Steve Ellis, Owner and Manager of SMS Productions.

"If there is a need for stage, sound and lighting for our national and local artists, we can provide that too. We can be a start to finish process for the show or provide as much or as little as the venue needs."

Going National

Landon Michael, an enterprising country musician, learned of SMS Productions through a friend on facebook. He is excited to see what the future brings with the Lake County-based company.

His single, "This Ain't California," has already entered the Billboard music charts and he has a new music video playing on Country Music Television (CMT).

"I was very impressed with the philosophy of SMS Productions. They are planning to do what they can to help my career," says Landon, via phone from a promotion stop in Missouri.

"It's a great company and I can see why they are growing. I believe in timing and working hard and SMS definitely follows the same belief."

The partnership with Landon has been part of the encouraging changes happening to SMS Productions since the first sold-out show in July at Orlando's House of Blues.

Attendance for the "Orlando Rocks Country" show numbered 2400, with building capacity at 2200, and a second show in January set a new record for the venue at 2700 people.

"The other House of Blues called the Orlando location and asked how they received those recorded numbers and how they can do the same for the other locations," says Susan Snell, SMS's Entertainment Specialist. It was neat to be a part of that and House of Blues is already asking for more shows." Although SMS was a part of the House of Blues shows, the credit should be given to Jeff Hurst who is the mastermind behind putting the shows together and of course there is no show without the performing artists… A great group effort by ALL!

SMS Productions has also been named a Florida contact with national management teams for artists ranging from George Strait to Mariah Carey. It has actually given us access to every major artist that is out there on every music variety, whether it is gospel, jazz, country rock, etc.," Susan states.

Still Local-Oriented

As SMS artist Jeff Hurst gets the word out to national artists in Nashville, where he works as a staff writer for Dan Hodges Music, Steve and Susan have made the rounds at area jam nights to continue finding the newest in rhythmic talent.

The company recently signed local cover band Trainin' Lucy and recently met Country rapper Colt Ford, who will be performing in Tavares in April.

SMS Productions' services are also available to chambers and cities in the Lake and Sumter Counties for their large events, festivals and fairs.

Even as they become more known on the national music sphere, SMS Productions have always kept their company mission the same – to benefit the community and its people.

"We are highly involved in what is going on here because it is where we come from and that's who we want to give back to," Susan concludes.

For calendar and news about SMS Productions' national and local artists, check out SMS's website at www.smspro75.com.

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SMS PRODUCTIONS
ENTERTAINMENT SPECIALISTS
      Written by: LISA RAST
      DINING & ENTERTAINMENT >FOCUS MAGAZINE

Lake County's SMS Productions has a unique philosophy when it comes to promoting local musicians. "We find out what the artist wants and we promote them," said Susan Snell of SMS. "We want to help local artist move up a notch." Founder Steve Ellis began his career in the music industry as a sound engineer for local artist and venues. He soon moved into management and promotion when he discovered there was a need; many of the talented musicians in Lake County didn't know where to turn to further their careers.

SMS handles everything from management, artist image, marketing, advertising, and booking local venues as well as state fairs, festivals, and full-blown concerts, such as the recent House of Blues Orlando Rocks Country concert.

Over 2400 fans showed up for a sold-out concert that featured local artist Michael Ray of Eustis, Patrick Gibson of Clermont, Whiskey Basin of Deland, and April Phillips of Apopka. The event was hosted by radio personality Bubba"Whoopass" Wilson, who said "It' was a spectacular night. I had so much planned and ended up winging it because the crowd was feeling the good vibe."

Ellis said House of Blues is ready to do it again; another Orlando Rocks Country concerts is in the works. SMS Productions is truly a one-stop shop for artist and venues. Beyond artist management SMS can also provide marketing/advertising, sound, stage management, and event planning. Artists and venues can contact SMS Productions through their website, www.smspro75.com or call 352-267-2505.

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Making Music History
      posted by eric on July 23rd, 2010
      Sold Out "Orlando Rocks" Concert Brings Local Talent to Main Stage
      View complete photo gallery at Lake Magazine Gallery
     Written by Blair Townley; Photos by Anthony Rao

One night your band could be performing during an open mic night at a local restaurant; the next thing you know you are performing before a sold-out crowd on the stage at Orlando's House of Blues.

Local acts from around Central Florida were given that rare opportunity recently when they performed for the "Orlando Rocks" concert on July 17.

The concert marked the first time a show of local country acts was featured at the venue as well as one of the first main-stage concerts orchestrated by the efforts of SMS Productions and Jeff Hurst.

"'Orlando Rocks' is a show that singer/songwriter Jeff Hurst and House of Blues put together for [Eustis musician] Michael Ray to have his CD release party. Jeff also put together the other local acts to come in and open for Michael," says Steve Ellis, the show's stage manager and president of SMS Productions.

"We are hoping the show brings more notoriety on a local level that there are local acts that are just as talented as those on the national level," Jeff Hurst says.

"A lot of people don't have that opportunity and I think putting together a show like this opens that door for them."

Firefighters Turned Musical Innovators

One could say the "Orlando Rocks" concert, and the musical dreams of local artists, became a reality when Steve and Jeff joined forces in 2002.

Steve began his journey into the music industry after fellow Altoona firefighter and friend Jeff asked him to help behind the scenes for some of the local shows he played.

"I came out to see him [Jeff] perform at local establishments some nights and then he asked me to help with mixing background music during shows because he was doing everything by himself," Steve recalls.

"I told him I didn't know what I was doing but he said he didn't either. Jeff progressed from there in shows, with me doing the sound after taking some classes [including one sitting in on a digital boards class with Yahama]. I decided I wanted to get more involved with other local artists and places around town as well, which is where SMS Productions started."

Among the services SMS Productions have provided are those of production management and sound engineer, services used by recognized artists like the Oak Ridge Boys and "American Idol's" Danny Gokey.

Jeff himself became more involved in music eight years ago and is currently a staff writer for Dan Hodges Music in Nashville. He has written country hits like "23rd Psalm" and "Any Given Afternoon."

"I've been writing country songs for about six years and have five songs I wrote on Michael Ray's new album. I've also been playing for almost eight years and am self-taught on the acoustic and electric guitars," Jeff states

"I didn't have help in the beginning and I had to learn everything the hard way. That's why I've always been open to helping everybody because besides helping them, the hope is that they will pay it forward.

Part of that pay it forward mentality included putting together the "Orlando Rocks" show that allowed area musicians Whiskey Basin from DeLand, Patrick Gibson from Clermont, April Philips from Apopka and Michael Ray from Eustis the chance to musically shine.

Getting Music Out There

The success of the "Orlando Rocks" show has encouraged Jeff and Steve to seek out more opportunities for the up-and-coming talent in the area.

"'Music is the Laughter of the Soul' is one of the sayings we have [at SMS Productions] so we can get your music out there. It's true that the soul comes out with music, and musicians and songwriters bring out the soul in their performances and music." Steve says.

Jeff hopes to also start his own music publishing company to where he can work personally with enterprising singers and songwriters.

One way local talent and get their names out in the community is through participating in open mic nights, specifically those on Wednesday nights at Gator's Dockside in Eustis and Sunday nights at Ruby Street Grille in Tavares. Both are regularly attended by Jeff and Steve.

"Don't be afraid to play a place for free," Jeff states. "You have to pay your dues but you have to go out there and try it."

To learn of upcoming shows with Jeff Hurst and SMS Productions, visit SMS's Web site, www.smspro75.com or visit Jeff's MySpace page at www.myspace.com/jeffhurstmusic.

Photos taken in House of Blues Orlando

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Lake & Sumter Style
     Flip-Flops & A Dream

Lake County firefighter Jeff Hurst hopes to write his way to country songwriting success.

Pursuing his dream of becoming a country music songwriter, Jeff Hurst knocked on Nashville's famed Music Row doors not in Wrangler jeans, a cowboy hat, and boots, but wearing flip-flops. Even in the wintertime with snow on the ground. Say this with a little twang: Guess you can take the boy out of Florida, but you can't take Florida out of the boy.

Considering the results, Jeff just might want to get those flip-flops bronzed...

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