Photo by Jim Tate Brock Klaith of Marshall started a business called Small Town Events that deals with concerts and special events.

Brock Klaith saw the need. What he underestimated was how big that need was.

Klaith started the business Small Town Events a year ago. Think of it as an overall producer of concerts and events, much in the same way a wedding planner coordinates all aspects of a wedding.

“My priority is doing whatever it takes to make an event a success,” said Klaith.

His “day job” is a maintenance worker for the city of Marshall and the creation of Small Town Events grew out of his work with the Sounds of Summer committee, where he’s president, and also as vice president of the Lyon County Fair board. His father, Marc, along with Russ Labat, were early leaders in the establishment of Sounds of Summer.

His work with Sounds of Summer and the Lyon County Fair are “ways for me to give back,” he said. “I’m from Marshall, and it’s a way to give back to a community that’s given so much to me.”

Klaith has worked both big events, and small. He works with the local duo the Singing Q’s — Quinn Horvath and Quentin Brunsvold — to take care of their regional bookings.

“I’m their agent, in a way,” he said.

Klaith has also worked with larger events such as Vicki’s Camp ‘N’ Country in Redwood Falls, Prairie Jam in Marshall, Belgian-American Days in Ghent, Aebleskiver Days in Tyler, and the Luverne 4th of July celebration, to name a few.

It’s all about making an event successful, and can include everything from helping secure the entertainment, to coordinating food vendor placement, staging, and all the myriad of details associated with an event.

“It can be as limited or as broad as the client wants it to be,” said Klaith.

As an example, he points to his work with Gambler owner Shauna Bjorklund.

“She is the bar owner and also works there and and has other things to worry about,” he said. “Trust plays a part, you want to have that reputation where they trust you and you can shake hands and everyone’s happy.”

He said “indoor bar gigs are easier, you may have a few tables to move, taking care of the stage set-up, but people trust you to do your job and they appreciate not having to worry about those details.”

When a potential client contacts him, Klaith has several questions right away.

“What’s the budget, what are the demographics (of the crowd) and what are you looking for?” said Klaith. “Some may want an ’80s hair band, some may want a country cover band.”

When looking to secure entertainment for an event, he works with two booking agencies from the Twin Cities — Chad Higgins from Time Music Agency, and Kris Boden from 24-7 Entertainment.

“They are my go-to people as far as booking bands,” said Klaith. “They carry the bands, I am more of an event producer.”

The success of Small Town Events has been a bit overwhelming and has reinforced his idea of starting the business.

“We’ve had about 180 events in this first year,” said Klaith. “A lot of it is word-of-mouth, and the two agencies I work with in the Cities will also recommend me,” he said.

The success of Small Town Events has allowed him to work with some national touring acts, and that’s a direction he’d like to go in the future. Those performers have included Lauren Alaina, Sawyer Brown, Cooper Allen, Jo Dee Messina and Easton Corbin.

“I’d like to eventually work with national acts, and big stadium shows,” he said.

The biggest surprise he’s found in his first year has been “just how much of a need there is” for his type of services.

“Honesty and trust are big factors that have been important this first year,” he said.