About Us
October, 2023 – NASHVILLE, TN
Live Arts & Attractions Inc. Acquires Producers Inc.
Nashville-based talent booking agency, Live Arts & Attractions officially acquired Producers Inc.
Both companies retain independent operations and staff, but will be jointly owned.
Live Arts & Attractions, a Nashville-based talent booking agency founded by Matt Davenport in 2016, has officially acquired Producers Inc. - an agency founded by Craig Hankenson in 1980. A trailblazer in the industry, Hankenson and his unparalleled career were celebrated by colleagues from across the country following the conclusion of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) booking conference in New York City in January.
Determined to see his legacy continue on, Craig approached Matt Davenport, President/CEO of Live Arts & Attractions, Live On Stage, and Matt Davenport Productions, in early 2023 to begin discussions about the acquisition. The process was finalized on 10/1/23 and Davenport officially became the owner of Producers Inc., which is now a Division of Live Arts & Attractions.
Tampa/Nashville Offices
(813) 988-8333
(615) 581-5233
Link to Live Arts & Attractions, Inc. www.livearts.biz
Producers, Inc. has been serving the entertainment community with excellence since 1980. Our commitment to quality service and steadfast integrity makes Producers, Inc a trusted partner for our clients. We seek to serve the growing demands of the performing arts community with a diverse roster of talented, professional artists. While we maintain a roster of quality artists we also provide a variety of fee price points to accommodate any venue size or budget.
Our vision is to continue to be a leader in the booking agency field by being an exceptional supplier of quality entertainment which enhances our clients’ relationships with their audiences. Our reputation is very important to us and we maintain a premiere presence in the Arts community, now as a Division of Live Arts & Attractions.
Our reputation of distinctive integrity in our field provides you confidence that your experience with Producers, Inc. will be a peerless chapter in your search for talent.
Meet The Team
Craig Hankenson
Founder
craigh@producersinc.com
Craig Hankenson served on the staff of The San Francisco Opera, Chair of the Voice Department of Auburn University, as Associate Director of The Brevard Music Center, Director of Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Executive Director of Wolf Trap Foundation For The Performing Arts, and as Chair of the Department Of Arts Event Management at the University Of South Florida.
Craig is the Founder of PICASTAR, aka Producers, Incorporated and WatchLive, a streaming service for venues and artists alike.
Producers, Inc. is now a division of Live Arts & Attractions based in Nashville, TN with offices in Tampa, FL.
Kathy D. Hankenson
Senior Agent
kathy@producersinc.com
Kathy D. Hankenson was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Arlington, VA. Drama was her interest in high school and her degree major from George Mason University. Employed at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, she was one of the first hired by Producers, Inc.
Her experience in the box office and education office at Wolf Trap prepared her for her current role. Kathy is responsible for the company's social media presence, corporate policy, artist relations, contracts and sales.
Kathy 'KC' Smith
Agent
Contracts
kcsmith@producersinc.com
KC Smith, Agent and Contracts.
Oversees Issuing of all contracts between Performing Artists and Presenters, includes tracking of Contracts and Deposits. As agent, KC is responsible for contract negotiations and artist tour management. Her goals: To provide fast and quality service to our clients as well as our top-notch roster of performing artists.
Specialties: Contract negotiation, tour management, artist management, sales, communication, and conference organizing.
Milt Orkin
Senior Agent
milt@producersinc.com
Milt Orkin attended a conservatory music program at Carnegie-Mellon University where he obtained a performance degree in trombone with a secondary specialty of Euphonium and Baritone. He also obtained a double-major in administration and management. Milt worked as a professional musician for many years with River City Brass, The Balcony Big Band, George Gee Swing Orchestra as well as numerous freelance engagements as both a brass player and a vocalist. He was involved in the management and coordination of touring for River City Brass. In 2004, Milt took a position as a full-time agent with Producers, Inc. in Tampa, FL.
Specialties: Contract negotiation, marketing, tour management, artist management, sales, editing, talent identification, conference organizing, grant writing, sponsorship, listening.
Don Smith
Tech Guru
~ IN MEMORIAM ~
Our beloved colleague.
Donald Smith, Jr.
06/23/78 - 06/15/23
Don Smith was born in FL and grew up in Lakeland. He started building computers professionally in ’94. He came to work at Producers, Inc. in 2005. He stayed immersed in cybersecurity, data recovery, medical storage, system design, broadcast streaming, teaching, learning, stage and multimedia technologies. Don was responsible for all things tech at Producers, Inc. Never a computer breakdown, or software glitch that he couldn’t fix. Don spent every opportunity outside work in identifying and educating others on Marfan Syndrome and its related medical disorders.