Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Stevenson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was originally a mechanical designer for an HVAC company, but around 2005 when the economy took a crash, the company as a whole was laid off. I was booking local/regional shows at the time and had to use it as a means of income since I no longer had a job. Smaller national agents discovered my shows and began to send me some of their tours. After networking between them and larger agencies, I began to take on bigger national acts which has led to where I am now. I have now been producing and promoting shows in Austin, TX for 12+ years.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s always up and down with show attendance, but now being the co-owner of a venue in Austin, that has provided more stability in the industry since concessions are a financial factor.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Established in 2009 by up and coming music promoter Anthony Stevenson, Come and Take It Productions, LLC has established itself as the top-tier promoter in the Austin, TX music scene, with a focus on heavy metal and rock. Created to showcase the burgeoning musical talent of a genre lacking equal representation in the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Stevenson’s vision was to help national artists and booking agencies secure tour dates in the Central Texas area while also providing these acts with support from Texas’ extensive list of solid local talent, with the overall intent to help and motivate these smaller acts to prepare for a larger, more ambitious stage.
Backed by a staff of fair and dedicated music enthusiasts, Come and Take It Productions’ booking and promotion team of has brought tons of shows to Central Texas music venues of varying capacities. Showcasing an extensive booking archive of local, national and regional bands, Come and Take It Productions’ resume has grown throughout its tenure to include prominent artists of all musical genres.
Additionally, Come and Take It Productions provides full event production and promotion services, with the ability to produce specialized and custom-themed events to target specific needs and demographics. Ranging from festival style events to corporate functions, Come and Take It Productions has been able to grow in its vision while staying true to its love for live music. Some of these events, past and present, include: Texas Independence Fest, Texas Revolution Fest, a Cuddy Sark Whisky Promotional Event, official and unofficial SXSW showcases and much more.
In addition to working with artists in Texas, Come and Take It Productions has established a working relationship with artists from Mexico and South America in hopes of bridging the gap between international artists, cultures and metal scenes. Some of these artists include HeadCrusher, Koyi K Utho, Pressive, Perpetual Warfare and Aire Como Plomo.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Always involved with music and began producing live music events while in high school due to my hometown (Lockhart, TX) not having live music venues. I didn’t have the desire to pursue it as a career at the time, as I wanted to be involved in engineering. I wish I would’ve known then where I’d end up! haha
Contact Info:
- Email: Anthony@comeandtakeitproductions.com
- Website: www.comeandtakeitproductions.com
- Instagram: comeandtakeitproductions
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/comeandtakeitproductions
- Twitter: catiproductions
