Stephen Taylor Gudis, a beloved music executive who worked with artists ranging from Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin to Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, The Marshall Tucker Band and Charlie Daniels, died on Jan 6 at age 68 in Nashville. Called “a production legend” by Pollstar, he was the beloved dean of road warriors. Known for making artists feel safe and understood with his Southern demeanor, he was the last person artists preferred to see before they took the stage and the first one to greet them when they finished.
Born in Morristown, TN, on Aug. 21, 1951, he and his sister Patricia were raised by their parents, Bertram Gudis and Jean Taylor Gudis, as well as their doting grandparents, two uncles and an aunt. Uncle Emanuel mentored him to become the generous, calm and giving person that he always was to everyone around him. He became a Bar Mitzvah and attended Temple Beth El in Knoxville with his family throughout his life.
While attending Morristown West High School, he worked at his family’s P. Taylor Shoe Store, but found his life’s calling at age 15, when he formed the Stephen Gudis Talent Agency. His 10-year-old sister served as the firm’s receptionist and the family basement was the rehearsal space for R&B artists such as Percy Sledge. He cherished his early career years, where he was on the forefront of a musical movement while taking R&B and soul bands around the South.
He attended Walters State Community College and studied criminology. He was a sergeant in the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office, a member of the Morristown Civil Defense, Morristown Fire Department and the Tennessee Air National Guard during the Vietnam War.
In the early 70’s, Stephen joined the Lashinsky Family, who were promoters of live entertainment and Broadway Productions, in Charleston, W. VA. During that time, he learned the skills of being a stage and production manager with The Doobie Brothers, America, KISS, Elton John, Aerosmith, Journey, Michael Jackson and the list goes on.
He moved to Nashville in 1994 to serve as in-house production manager for Pace Concerts, which booked shows at the Starwood Amphitheater, while traveling throughout the Southeast as a promoter rep.
Beginning his career as a rock show promoter provided him the opportunity to become an expert in live shows, television and production. Indeed, he was known for mastering virtually every job that contained the word manager—stage manager, tour manager, road manager and production manager—for live shows and television. His shows always ran on time and on budget. A true connector who was invigorated by mentoring young people, he was the first one many called with questions because he knew everyone, and everything related to the music business.
He served as the TV stage manager for more than 20 Farm Aid shows, stage managed Volunteer Jam for over a decade, managed country music awards shows and launched the first Nashville Hard Rock Cafe’s New Year’s Eve guitar drop. He recently worked on both the Music City Irish Festival and Music City Jazz Festival on Public Square Park and served as talent booker/production manager for Innovation Amphitheater in Georgia.
He was the artists’ safe space, the calm in the middle of the pre-show storm of nerves and chaos. He not only solved problems, but also anticipated and avoided them altogether. He had an old-school approach, treating people with kindness no matter what their title or affiliation.
He spent much of his life on the road, working with The Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, Charlie Daniels Band, Toby Keith, Paul Stanley, Brooks & Dunn, Marty Stuart, Shooter Jennings, Jamey Johnson and more. But after he met singer/actress, Beth Anne Musiker, on a blind date and marrying her in 2005, he wanted to spend more time at home, so he took on more event management opportunities with his company, The Production Department LLC, for clients including, Nissan, T.J. Martell Foundation, Tennessee Performing Arts Center and Warner Music Group. He was also a board member of the Parnelli Awards and longtime stage manager for the awards show, which was one of his favorite events annually. Known for his limitless generosity with friends, he loved fishing, hunting, boating, collecting coins, eating lobster and cheering on University of Tennessee football and the Tennessee Titans.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Beth Anne Musiker; his sister, Patricia Gudis Smith (Chesterfield Smith, Jr.); nephew Chesterfield Smith, III. (Elizabeth Beasley Smith); niece Taylor Vivian Smith; father-in-law Seymour Musiker (Marsha Hills); sister-in-law Jamie Nemirov (Michael); nephews David, Daniel and niece Samantha Nemirov; sister-in-law Randy Musiker (Ed DeLoreto) and sister-in-law Debbie Chizewer (David) and nephews Andrew and Jeremy.
A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, Jan. 13, at 11 a.m. at Congregation Micah. A Celebration of Life Event will take place in a few weeks, details to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to MusiCares or the Tennessee Kidney Foundation.
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