Long Story; (4 Minute Read)

Aaron, me, I, has been involved with events since the age of 14.  In early childhood, I would build stages in the backyard or basement where my neighborhood friends and siblings would became my actors and backstage assistants.  

One memory that stands out, (I was maybe 10) was taking a carpet roll and attaching a super large yellow blanket to it, then with a red sharpie writing the name of the play on the blanket for all to see.  My parents though it was super creative, as they watched the curtain roll-up for our performance.  

The first real production as a student at Walled Lake Central High School was participating in the production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat where I ran a follow-spot light and assisted with other lighting.  

I loved it so much that during my High School career I was able to work on over 40 different events, ranging from Theater, Musicals, Mock Court Rooms, Children’s Theater, School Concerts, Orchestra Concerts, Graduation Ceremonies and much more.  

The concerts were my favorite because a sound and lighting company was hired and I was always the first to help the company with their set-ups.  This is when I knew I found my true calling with events forever.

After graduation from High School in 2001, my Parents recommended I attended Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts.  There I learned about TV and Radio, but truly always had my passion for Lighting, Audio and Video for events when it came to class-time.  

For One assignment a buddy loaned me a high end intelligent moving light for a presentation in class.  Our team had the best presentation and got an “A”, no one came close to our Theatrical Performance!  

Following graduation from Specs I started working full-time for a local metro Detroit production company.  There, I watched, listened, worked very hard and learned a lot about how the event industry ran.  

After 3 years at that company we parted ways.  Two days later after leaving I asked my girlfriend at the time to marry me…Thankfully, She said Yes!

In 2004, Visionary Sound Production LLC was officially founded and registered in the State of Michigan.

Using our 3rd floor apartment as a “warehouse,” Getting in a 2AM following an event, my fiancée and I would maneuver 10’ aluminum box truss over a balcony railing, up steps and into our Living Room.  

Truss and other equipment were stored behind our living room couch during the week and back down the balcony during event weekends.  

This went on for nearly a year, until we purchased our very first trailer for an event in Atlanta, Georgia.  Today we are working out of two warehouses and with far more modern methods of moving equipment.

I live in the quiet suburbs of Detroit with my Wife, 2 kiddos and Dog.  Now that the kids are older, they will often help in the warehouse packing cases and occasionally operating the forklift stacking cases.  They will also visit job-sites, realizing that their help in the warehouse helped make the event possible.  Our oldest loves to assist and helps Dad anytime he can!  

VSP’s growth would not have happened without dedicated family and crew.  While we have seen crew members come and go over the years, nearly everyone working with VSP today has been with us for over 5+ Years.  

We love working as a team making events come to life for our clients.  From the largest of events with 1000’s in attendances to the smallest of events with just 10 guests, we always go above and beyond to make the event a 100% success.  

Quoting Walt Whitman, “If you done it, it ain’t bragging.” 

Since 2004, we have had the privilege to work with many wonderful people and companies.  Folks from hundreds of special/personal events (weddings/mitzvahs/birthday parties), event/party planners, local rock stars, NFL legends, NASCAR Drivers, and other clients who have requested to remain anonymous.  

Bringing Mitzvahs, Weddings, Business Anniversaries, Schools Dance, Award Gala, Fundraisers, Fashion Show and beyond to life is what we love to do. And, as you’ve discovered; Lighting, Sound, Video, Staging and Design has been in my blood and a passion since I was a very young child.  

Having read this, please realize on a personal level, you are hiring a family owned company with a faithful staff and always expanding loyal client base.

Your event means everything to us from our first communication through design and completion.  

I truly look forward to each and every event and looking forward to meeting you very soon.

Aaron Barris

President/Owner/Operator

Visionary Sound Productions LLC