We had the good fortune of connecting with Tami Thomsen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tami, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
When people hear that I work in music and events, their first response is, “That must be so fun.” And yes, at times, it is. But it’s also really hard work. It requires a lot of attention to detail—booking tons of travel and then dealing with inevitable travel issues, negotiating and reviewing contracts, and handling logistics that could apply to any business. It’s long hours with lots of stress. I don’t think the public realizes just how much general business goes into the business of music.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
After COVID ended, I started my own entertainment company, Ann Arkey Productions, where I manage bands, work in events, and consult for a few record labels. I’m extremely fortunate to collaborate with the people I do and to be involved in such a wide range of projects. I never know what the day will bring—sometimes that’s a double-edged sword—but I love it.

The two most valuable lessons I’ve learned are, first, to never stop learning. No one knows it all, especially with today’s changing technology – you’ve always got to be open to doing things differently. And you’ve got to be open to learning new things in your industry.

Equally important, if not more so, is the importance of people and relationships. It sounds super old-fashioned to say, “Treat people like you want to be treated,” but it’s true. Learn how to communicate good news and bad. Be able to have “tough” conversations and still maintain friendships and working relationships. Surround yourself with great people, treat them with respect, and you’ll always be better for it.

My goal is simple: to do good work and work with good people.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love it when people visit Dallas. A friend from NYC came a while ago, and in one night, we visited the Munster Mansion in Waxahachie and then saw Tanya Tucker at the Granada. You can’t do that in NYC!

I’m definitely taking visitors to Resident Taqueria—I could never move away because I can’t go a week without their cauliflower taco. The same goes for Terilli’s and their Italchos. I love vintage shopping, so we’d hit East Dallas Vintage, Dolly Python, and Curiosities.

We’re definitely grabbing a drink at SingleWide or Yoo-Hoo Yee-Haw at DoubleWide—or both! I also love Midnight Rambler at The Joule. Oh, and the Lakewooding Landing – they have the best veggie burger in town. Fight me on that! Depending on who’s playing, we’ll catch a band at The Kessler, Longhorn Ballroom, House of Blues, The Factory, or Ruins. Goth or not, Im gonna try to take you to the “darkside” and go to a Panoptikon club night, or if it’s a Sunday, the Church night at It’ll Do.

I love Fort Worth, too, so a day trip is a must: visiting The Modern, getting a real cowboy hat from Best Hat, having a margarita at the Drover Hotel, dinner at Bricks and Horses at the Bowie House, and then catching a concert…and maybe some bull riding too…at Billy Bob’s. Country is cool everywhere right now but it’s always been that way in Fort Worth.

One thing we won’t be doing? Going to a damn Mavs game. Im so mad about the Luka trade that I dont know if I’ll ever be able to support them again.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m gonna shout it out to music in general. Music saved my life. It is my life. It connected me to most of my friends…to everything. I expereince my entire life through music.

Website: https://annarkeyproductions.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ann.arkey.productions/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tami-thomsen-894707

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.