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ROCKstar of the Month of October: Marissa Diaz

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October’s ROCKstar of the Month is Marissa Diaz! While she has always excelled in her role as Executive Assistant to the COO, her responsibilities and skills have grown significantly in her four years at RTH. At any given time, you may find her coordinating large-scale event planning efforts, in the warehouse prepping, or on-site assisting with video and media content!

RTH Rockstar of the Month, Marissa Diaz

My favorite thing about being on the RTH team is the culture because everyone is a like a family member. It’s not like most workplaces where you just show up, do you job, and leave. On top of that, you learn something new every day… but it’s when you least expect it. For example, I came on board as an admin, handling paperwork and being an assistant, but now I’m also a content manager and handling on-site video. At Rock The House, you can choose your path and are encouraged to branch out and expand your knowledge. It’s an amazing place to learn, grow, and challenge yourself. – Marissa Diaz, ROCKstar of the Month

Marissa has a lot of experience being quick on her feet – literally and figuratively! As a dancer, figure skater, and instructor, she has spent years honing her technique as well as directing and producing Skate Dance Dream (SDD). Before joining the Rock The House team, she was also a researcher for IceNetwork.com and “Olympic Ice,” a figure skating show which covered stories during the Winter Olympics. After working on the show and producing SDD, she learned to troubleshoot a variety of situations that were thrown at her. And she felt the event industry was a logical next step!

RTH Rockstar of the Month, Marissa Diaz

A Few Fun Facts About Marissa Diaz:

  • Favorite guilty pleasure song? It’s a tie between Hanson’s “Where’s the Love” and S Club 7’s “S Club Party”
  • Favorite artist? *NSYNC
  • Favorite movie? Another tie… between Mulan and Blades of Glory
  • Favorite TV show? Alias
  • Favorite pre-event snack? Fruit by the Foot
  • Favorite cartoon? Animaniacs
  • Biggest fear? Failure. Also spiders… but I can step on them. I can’t step on failure.
  • If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? Teleportation because I hate waiting to get somewhere.

“While Marissa has always excelled in a support roll, she also saw a deficit between the capabilities of our amazing technical team and the opportunities our sales team was able to present to clients through the craft of video and GFX. To close that gap, she worked with our technical managers to learn the top softwares that we use for GFX, blending, video playback, switching and special visual effects, allowing her to better design shows with our clients that truly allowed them to come to life!” – Ryan Konikoff, Chief Operating Officer

RTH Rockstar of the Month, Marissa Diaz

Of the many events Marissa has worked on, she shared that one of her favorites was the Great Lakes region awards celebrations for Metro last year. “It was so fun to bring their region to our backyard and have a chance to show off Cleveland,” says Marissa. “Their company is known for creativity when it comes to company celebrations and it was definitely unique. We had the chance to coordinate two very different parties for their team – the internal awards at Tenk West Bank, which was 90s hip-hop themed, and the dealer awards at the Hilton, which was modern, classy, and very cool.”

When not at Rock The House, Marissa continues to ice skate and dance, working both as a coach and teacher. She also enjoys going to concerts and theater shows.

Congratulations to Marissa on being October’s ROCKstar of the Month! Interested in working with rockstars like Marissa to produce your next event? Contact our team of event professionals today to get started! Photos courtesy of the Rock The House Photo Archive.

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ROCKstar of the Month of January: Evan Guffin

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New year, new ROCKstar! This month’s honoree is Evan Guffin, one of our Lead Technicians. Evan has been with Rock The House for over six years. Since joining the team, he has progressed from working as an audio technician to leading a team. He is willing to lend a hand to anyone in need and strives to make everything around him better.

Evan Guffin, Rock The House Technical Lead

Evan grew up around performance and performed as a kid, but eventually realized that he liked the behind-the-scenes factor more than being on the stage. His interest in the technical side of things even led him to study event production.

“Evan has excelled in and helped develop and mold our audio department in a positive way. He continues to make improvements on the look, feel, and sound of all of his events. His knowledge and attention to detail has given him the opportunity to project manage several Signature Events successfully.” – Ryan Durfee, Production Manager

Evan Guffin, Technical Lead at Rock The House

While Evan works in many areas and on many types of events, he shared that his favorite event to work on was the Cleveland Metroparks Centennial Celebration. “The Metroparks is a great organization and client of Rock The House,” said Guffin. “Their event was a great display of many of Rock The House’s audiovisual aspects.”

A Few Fun Facts About Evan Guffin:

  • Favorite guilty pleasure song? “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls
  • Favorite movie? Blues Brothers
  • Favorite TV show? The Office
  • Favorite song/artist? Foo Fighters
  • Favorite pre-event snack? Banana
  • Favorite post-event snack? Chips and salsa
  • If you could have a superpower, what would it be? I’d like to fly, I hate sitting in traffic.
  • What’s something not many people know about you? I’ve been drinking coffee since I was a little kid.
  • On that note, how do you take your coffee? Black.
Evan Guffin, Rock The House Technical Lead, Crowd Surfing

Yep, that’s Evan getting a “lift” from the RTH team!

“One of my favorite things about being on the RTH team is seeing the concept that a client has imagined for an event come together and then seeing their reaction to it when it is done.” – Evan Guffin, ROCKstar of the Month

When not at work, Evan can be found working out at the gym, enjoying craft beers, and spending time with his friends and family.

“Evan is someone who we know can handle whatever we throw at him. He personifies RTH culture by always being willing to step up and help out. He does what needs to be done and is more than willing to help anyone that asks!” – Tricia Adams, Production Assistant

Congratulations to Evan on being January’s ROCKstar of the Month! Interested in working with rockstars like Evan to produce your next event? Contact our team of event professionals today to get started! Photos courtesy of the Rock The House Photo Archive.

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Get to Know Our Band: Rock The House LIVE!

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ROCK THE HOUSE LIVE! – HIGHLIGHT REEL from RTH Multimedia on Vimeo.

Cleveland is a town that loves to ROCK. And the words “rock and roll” invoke all kinds of imagery – heads banging, messy hair, and all manner of debauchery. Now let’s try “party band.” What do you see? Your uncle’s classic rock cover band playing in a divey bar? Sloppy, neon-clad dudes dancing around at a college bash? Or perhaps you imagine a group that specializes in only one style of music – Top 40, Motown, Rock, Pop, etc.

So, what is a party planner to do? You want entertaining, genre-spanning music and professionalism, but you’re struggling to find it.

A few years back, Rock The House Entertainment encountered this exact challenge. Our team was planning a couple big events that needed a strong party band. “As we searched around the region, we couldn’t find an act that we felt comfortable putting on stage at an array of events and that could consistently and frequently perform at a top level,” says Matt Radicelli, Founder and CEO of Rock The House Entertainment.

True to form, the team came up with a solution. “We set out to bring together truly talented individuals that were passionate, caring, and sincere about their work and the people around them,” says Radicelli. “Our goal was that the band would have the same style and flair of our brand. They would be clean cut and professional, without any of the negative stereotypical characteristics of a party band.”

Amanda Corrigan, Singer of Rock The House Live!     Jovan Wilder, Singer of Rock The House Live!

Enter Rock The House Live!, a high energy, dance-driven party band, made up of Cleveland’s most talented musicians and vocalists. The group tailors its music to any occasion – be it a wedding, corporate event, high school dance, or bar show – and they’re constantly adding music to their repertoire.

Dennis Nero, Drummer of Rock The House Live!

We interviewed Dennis Nero, bandleader and drummer of Rock The House Live!, and Jeff Kutz, VP of Sales, to find out more about this impressive group.

How would you describe Rock The House Live?

Jeff Kutz: “Our band’s specialty is that they’re a party band. That means that they cover all genres and don’t just specialize in oldies or current music. On top of being talented musicians, they’re energetic performers. They go out into the crowd and interact with guests and really put on a memorable show.”

How does the band prepare for different types of shows?

Dennis Nero: “Once a show is booked, the RTH team gives us an idea of the genres and specific artists that the client likes, and we start tailoring the set list. We figure out how many of the songs we are able to start learning and we get to work. We’re always learning music and always trying to change and grow. It keeps it interesting!”

Besides rehearsals, how does the band prep for shows? Is there a pre-show routine?

DN: “This group is a bunch of really professional, amazing musicians that all take complete pride in doing what they do. With this band, it’s all homework. You learn your parts, then at practice, we see where we’re at and what work needs to be done. Literally, 100% of the time, we hit the stage for a show and it is gold. Everyone knows what they have to do. These are the highest quality musicians I’ve ever played with.”

What are some common concerns/misconceptions about hiring a live party band?

JK: “People tend to think that a DJ can cover more music than a band. In this case, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Our band covers every single genre.”

DN: “We’re like a live band running as a DJ, in a constant medley. Like a DJ, there are no stops. By doing that, you get to hit on almost 60 songs.”

JK: “On top of that, when you book our band, you get a DJ/MC combo as well. So when the band is on break, the music doesn’t stop. Also, you get a master of ceremonies who will run your evening flawlessly, entertain the crowd, and make sure all formalities are taken care of.”

Final thoughts?

JK: “In the end, every client’s needs are different. Booking a live band has to be the best decision for the client. However, if someone is on the fence and concerned about sound or style, we’d be happy to invite them to a band practice or put them in touch with someone who has booked the band in the past.”

DN: “From my experience, if a client wants the energy at their event to be at a completely different level, bringing in Rock The House Live! sets a whole new bar for the energy and fun.

Interested in having Rock The House Live! at your next event? Contact our team today for details and availability! Photos courtesy of the Rock The House Photo Archive.

 

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ROCKstar of the Month of December: Tricia Adams

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As we wrap up 2017, we’re excited to end the year showcasing one of our hardest working team members, Tricia Adams! Since joining the RTH team almost 5 years ago, Tricia has grown from her role as a part-time dancer to take on the recently created position of Production Assistant. Although she hates being the center of attention, we couldn’t help but honor her this month!

Tricia Adams Rock The House Production Assistant - Black Tie Wedding Photo

Tricia is truly a force to be reckoned with! On a given day, you may find her tackling everything from production to staffing to rentals and more. “Tricia’s attention to detail and ability to see a project through to completion has helped streamline several areas of the production team. She is continuing to learn every day; her knowledge about what we do and how we do it has grown ten-fold.”– Ryan Durfee, Production Manager

A Few Fun Facts About Tricia Adams:

  • Cartoon character that best describes her? Margo from Despicable Me
  • Favorite movie? The Boondock Saints
  • Favorite song/artist? Norah Jones
  • Favorite pre (and post) event snack? Chocolate
  • Biggest fear? Taking life too seriously
  • Favorite thing about being on the RTH team? Getting to work with such a fun group of people!

Tricia Adams Rock The House Production Assistant - Donut Photo

“I find working for RTH rewarding because I get to be involved with so many awesome events in the city of Cleveland. It’s not just about the opening night of new local restaurants or massive parties, but also the charity events, fundraisers, and galas that show what Cleveland is really all about. I am lucky to be a part of it!” – Tricia Adams, ROCKstar of the Month

When not in the office, you may also find Tricia working a photo booth or striking an event. Of all the events she’s done, Tricia shared that she loved getting to travel to her hometown of Pittsburgh back in the day for events. “Getting to work with Matt and the A-Team and hanging overnight with an awesome crew makes those events stand out still to this day,” she said. When Tricia is off the clock, she enjoys spending time outdoors, drinking scotch, and going to yoga.

“[Tricia] has the capacity to see the bigger picture and make an early catch on potential issues. She has continued to push the responsibilities of this role and make our team better in the process.” – Ben Allison, Director of Human Development

Congratulations to Tricia on being December’s ROCKstar of the Month! Interested in working with rockstars like Tricia to produce your next event? Contact our team of event professionals today to get started! Photos courtesy of the Rock The House Photo Archive.

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ROCKstar of the Month of November: Jaime Kravitz

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November’s ROCKstar of the Month is….Jaime Kravitz! When Jaime started at Rock The House eight months ago, she immediately fit right into our ROCKstar family. Whenever Jaime is behind the microphone, whether it’s a mitzvah, wedding, or corporate event, we know the event is in good hands! We are so lucky to have her as one of our leading entertainers!

November Rockstar of the Month - Jaime Kravitz

In her time at RTH, Jaime has grown quickly and tremendously. No matter the event, she takes great care in making her clients and events her top priority. Before heading to an event, she always makes sure she has a clear understanding of all the necessary details in order to execute the event perfectly.

While Jaime works all sorts of events for Rock The House, she shared that her favorite event to date was emceeing Michael and Adam’s wedding in September! She loved that the dance floor was so packed, there was barely any room for her! 

A Few Fun Facts About Jaime Kravitz:

  • Most Relatable Cartoon Character? “Linda Belcher” from Bob’s Burgers — sing-talking is Jaime’s favorite!
  • Guilty Pleasure Music Genre: Country
  • Favorite Post-Event Snack? Pretty much anything! Jaime says she “eats like there’s no tomorrow” after events
  • First Thing She’d Buy After Winning The Lottery? An “Around-The-World” plane ticket
  • Favorite Thing About Being on the RTH Team? The RTH crew is truly a TEAM! I feel so lucky to work with such talented, fun, like-minded, hard-working individuals who are dedicated to making every single event ROCK!

November Rockstar of the Month - Jaime Kravitz

“Nothing brings me more joy than to make people happy. At the end of the day, it’s a dream job bringing smiles and laughter to our clients and their guests.” – Jaime Kravitz, ROCKstar of the Month

When Jaime’s not working she can be found hanging out with her cat, traveling, spending quality time with friends, trying new things, or teaching herself the ukulele! Jaime is a natural entertainer at heart and we are so glad to have her on the RTH team. Our events would not be the same without her!

“Jaime is a ball of energy and has quickly become part of the RTH family.  While she has only been with us a short while, her previous experience and overall attitude towards events truly incapsulates the ideal image of a Rock The House entertainer.” – Ben Allison, Director of Human Development

Congratulations again to Jaime on being November’s ROCKstar of the Month! Interested in working with Jaime at your next event? Contact our team of event professionals today to get started! Photos courtesy of the Rock The House Photo Archive.

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PartyPalooza 2017: Cleveland’s Premier Event Planning Showcase

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It’s baaaaaaack! The 22nd annual PartyPalooza will be on November 5th from 11am-3pm at the Cleveland Marriott East. PartyPalooza is Cleveland’s entirely FREE event planning showcase! PartyPalooza features a variety of event vendors, from catering and entertainment to accommodations and venues. If you have an event coming up, PartyPalooza is an amazing opportunity to book all your vendors at incredibly discounted rates.

Rock The House is proud to be the presenting sponsor of PartyPalooza 2017.  When you think of Rock The House, you naturally think of amazing parties. With over 100 entertainment options, the RTH team knows the importance of keeping your guests engaged. At PartyPalooza, Rock The House offers amazing incentives and promotional pricing that can save you UP TO 70% at your next event! With just a $200 deposit, you can reserve your event date right then and there. This offer only comes around once a year, you won’t want to miss it!

While Rock The House has a team of incredible DJs and MCs, we are also very proud of our other entertainment packages! From upgraded dance floors to photo booths and giant games, RTH has everything you need to host your best event yet. Read on for a sneak peek of some of our favorites and make sure to come to PartyPalooza to learn more!

Get Lit with LED Lighting

Rock The House is excited to introduce our new LED panels which are guaranteed to leave your guests in AWE! These light-up panels are customizable to just about any shape or size, whether that be an upgraded LED DJ booth, dance floor, creative wall façade, or even a tunnel for your grand entrance! Whatever you can imagine, Rock The House can make it happen! The possibilities are endless and are sure to bring the WOW factor to your event!

Rock The House Extra Entertainment LED Panels

Mirror Booth

Rock The House’s Mirror Booth is the latest and greatest photo booth option available. Guests take their photos through an interactive mirror that prompts them to do various actions, sign their pictures when they’re done, and even print and share their pictures on social media!

Interactive Sports & Games

Be sure that all your guests have a great time at your next event, on AND off the dance floor, with new interactive activities! From modern classics like LED Ping Pong and Giant 22-Player Foosball to Rock Shots Ultimate Basketball and their new Sports Simulator, Rock The House allows guests of all ages to test their skills and win ultimate bragging rights!

Rock The House Extra Entertainment Giant Games

Interactive Touch Screen DJ

Take your event to a whole new level with the Touch Screen DJ by Rock The House! This DJ system allows your guests to see the DJ mix the music right before their eyes. Thanks to the two-way touch screen technology and interactive control surface, you won’t just be able to hear the music…you’ll watch it come to life! And yes…the guest of honor can help!

Rock The House Interactive Touch Screen DJ System

Sparkular Indoor Fireworks

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have fireworks at your event? Now you can with Rock The House’s brand new Sparkular units! Sparkular is Cleveland’s first and only pyrotechnics effect created for indoor use. Perfect for your grand entrance, special effects, a unique photo, or your grand finale!  Sparkular is guaranteed to make your guests say “ooh” and “aah” at your celebration!

There’s a reason Rock The House has been entrusted for nearly twenty years with more than 2,500 Simchas. RTH goes above and beyond to ensure that every client’s expectations are met and surpassed. We want to make your event ROCK, too! Register for PartyPalooza 2017 to SAVE BIG on Rock The House party packages. We hope to see you there!

 

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ROCKstar of the Month: Bryan Wolbert

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This October we’re excited to showcase Bryan Wolbert as our ROCKstar of the month! Bryan has been with Rock the House for almost three years now working as an audio technician on our production team.

RTH Rockstar Bryan Wolbert

Bryan has grown alongside Rock the House over the past few years and has truly shined as we have continued to add more and more hotel and corporate events. He is regularly found supporting Cleveland’s many event centers and ballrooms, meeting and surpassing client A/V needs and expectations.

A Few Fun Facts About Bryan Wolbert:

  • Favorite Movie? Blade Runner
  • Most Relatable Cartoon Character? “Bender” from Futurama
  • Guilty Pleasure Song? Careless Whisper
  • Favorite Pre-Event Snack? C’mon is that even a question…Chipotle!
  • Favorite Thing About Being on the RTH Team? The bond with coworkers and how we can always joke with each other. We have a great team!

RTH Rockstar Bryan Wolbert 2

“It’s nice to be recognized for the time and effort you put into your job. It’s not ultimately needed but nice to be noticed for your hard work.” – Bryan Wolbert, ROCKstar of the Month

Bryan’s family is what motivates him to be his best and when he isn’t at work or Chipotle, he can be found spending time with his two sons, Clay and Evan. Bryan is a cherished and respected member of the Rock the House family and our events would not be the same if it wasn’t for all his incredible hard work and dedication!

“Bryan has been with the team for roughly two and a half years and quickly moved to one of our top Audio Engineers. He is a hard worker with a ‘get it done’ mentality that pushes teams to make it home before Chipotle closes.” – Ben Allison, Director of Human Development

Congratulations again to Bryan on being October’s ROCKstar of the Month! Interested in working with Bryan at your next event? Contact our team of event professionals today to get started! Photos courtesy of the Rock The House Photo Archive.

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RTH Signature Event: Rock Your Prom 2017

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 Rock The House Entertainment MC

Since 2012, our team at Rock The House has partnered with 96.5 KISS FM to bring an extravagant night to one lucky school for prom.  Each year, thousands of students nominate their school to win, and the school that receives the most votes is deemed the winner of an ultimate prom package valued at $5,000. This year’s winner was Brookside High School, who received the most votes of any school in the campaign’s 6-year history.

DJ Mattitude at Rock Your Prom 2017

Around 6:00 pm students started pouring into North Olmsted’s Springvale Ballroom ready to witness a night that they would never forget. After enjoying an exquisite dinner from the Springvale Ballroom staff, the Brookside students were ready to get ROCKED. As soon as KISS FM DJs Party Pana and Mattitude hit the stage, a crowd of students swarmed the dance floor ready to jam.

DJ Party Pana at Rock Your Prom 2017

State-of-the-art dance floor lighting and audio were just a few of the incredible features our team provided for this incredible night. Brookside’s students danced the night away as one of our skilled Lighting Designers lit the venue up and the DJs spun their favorite tunes, creating a memorable prom experience the students will remember for a lifetime. Another prom, ROCKED.

Photos courtesy of The Rock The House Photo Archive.

Want us to ROCK YOUR PROM? Contact our team of event professionals today to get started!

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ROCKstar of the Month of May: Brian Raymont

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This May we are happy to shine the ROCKstar of the Month spotlight on Brian Raymont, one of our many talented MCs! No matter what happens while he’s at an event, Brian is always ready to adjust and puts nothing before the event and needs of our customers.

RTH ROCKstar Brian Raymont

Specializing as a wedding MC for Rock The House for 3 seasons now, Brian’s enthusiasm on the microphone captivates the audience’s attention at every show and ensures that the energy of the room is always at an all-time high. Working hard to facilitate his events and keep all scheduled formalities on time week in and week out, both Brian’s organizational and interpersonal skills are among some of the best on our team.

A Few Fun Facts About Brian Raymont:

  • Favorite TV Show or Movie? The WWE Network… Especially old school legends like Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and Macho Man Randy Savage.
  • Favorite Song: “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey (“I’m an old soul… An 80’s baby!”)
  • Favorite Musical Entertainer? Billy Joel
  • Most Relatable TV Character? Doug Funny from “Doug”
  • Favorite Snack Before or After An Event? None – “I usually don’t eat right before or after events… I’m often too busy focused on making sure everything on the show goes right!”

RTH ROCKstar Brian Raymont 2

“At every event I do, I treat it like game 7 of the NBA Finals; You’re never gonna get another chance to have a perfect wedding and to go for the gold. Anytime I get to work with our other great entertainers… Or anytime you can win a game 7 and have a great night, you have it made. It’s the best job in the world.” – Brian Raymont

When not performing with Rock The House on the weekends, Brian prefers relaxing and spending time with his wife Erin. Additionally, Brian also serves as the Assistant Atheltic Director at Padua Franciscan High School and has received both his Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Studies and Master’s Degree in Arts in Education and Sports Administration during his time spent at The University of Akron.

“The lengths Brian goes to guarantee our clients’ satisfaction are unmatched. That surely has something to do with the constant praise we get from past couples who have worked with him.” – Ben Allison, Director of Human Development

Congratulations again to Brian for being awarded ROCKstar of the Month for May and for being an invaluable asset to our team! Interested in working with Brian for your next event? Contact our team of event professionals to get started today! Photos courtesy of Kelly Crews Photography and the Rock The House Photo Archive.

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ROCKstar of the Month of April: Clay Sullivan

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As we slowly ramp up into our busy summer season, we find it only fitting that RTH Technician Clay Sullivan is awarded our April ROCKstar of the Month award! Clay is currently a student at Kent State University and has been a part of the Rock The House family for about a year now. While ROCKstar of the Month is usually reserved for more of our veteran ROCKstars, Clay’s knowledge, skill, and diligence make him more than worthy of this title.

RTH_Rockstar_Clay_Sullivan

“Clay has an incredibly strong work ethic and is always a team player. If you have something that needs to get done, Clay is definitely the guy.” – Ben Allison, Director of Human Development

Clay is an audio pro and does many different tasks, including assisting with working sound for Rock The House Live!’s band practices and live shows. Holding near and dear to our world-class customer service standards, Clay is known for doing whatever it takes to make our clients’ events a success each and every week!

A Few Fun Facts About Clay Sullivan:

  • Favorite Group or Artist? The Foo Fighters
  • Favorite Movie: The Shawshank Redemption
  • Favorite Snack? Salted Almonds
  • Most Relatable TV Character? Ben Wyatt from “Parks & Recreation”
  • Favorite Thing About Being on the RTH Team? “Getting to do different things every day!”

RTH_Rockstar_Clay_Sullivan2

“I really enjoy working with such a diverse group of people, and learning skills that will help me with my college major: Digital Media Production.” – Clay Sullivan

We thank Clay for all the hard work he puts in at every time he’s with our team, and congratulate him again on his ROCKstar of the Month award! From miscellaneous shop tasks to live event production, Clay is always eager and ready to help out any way he can!

Interested in working with Clay for your next event? Contact our team of event professionals to get started today! Photos courtesy of the Rock The House Photo Archive.