About Us

With over 50 years of experience in live sound, recording, and event production, Rick Ott is a true veteran of the audio/visual industry. Born in Cairo, Georgia and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, Rick developed his passion for sound at an early age—long before professional audio systems were widely accessible. What began as a junior-high hobby of experimenting with radios and microphones soon evolved into a lifelong career in music technology and production.

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Rick’s professional journey began when his early band dissolved in the late 1970s—just as Florida State Universityreached out to rent his growing sound system for an outdoor concert on Landis Green. That moment marked the start of his full-time career as a sound technician, and he has been deeply involved in live production ever since. Over the decades, Rick has witnessed and adapted to every major shift in the industry—from analog tape and 4-track mixers to the rise of digital and computer-based recording systems.

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Entirely self-taught, Rick built his first speaker cabinets and lighting controls by hand, learning electronics from textbooks and real-world experience. His expertise now spans sound, lighting, video, and production logistics, with a focus on delivering seamless experiences for concerts, festivals, conferences, private events, and church productionsacross the Southeast.

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Rick takes pride not only in serving clients but also in mentoring the next generation of production professionals. His early work in Tallahassee helped lay the foundation for many of the region’s thriving sound and production companies, inspiring countless technicians who went on to build successful careers in the music industry.

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Today, as owner of Ropp Performance & Production, Rick remains dedicated to quality, innovation, and teamwork, striving to create an environment where talented individuals can do their best work. His vision is simple yet powerful: to continue growing while providing dependable, high-quality services that bring every event to life.

Based in Tallahassee, FL, Phoenix Gibson brings over 15 years of experience in live production. His career has spanned logistics, security integration for the State of Florida and the Department of Defense, and a growing focus in IT and networking over the past two years.

Phoenix specializes in Front of House (FOH) engineering, but his expertise extends across live video production, system design, and lighting. He has built his career through corporate AV, music festivals, and church production, with occasional work in theater. One of his most memorable roles was serving as monitor engineer for Passion when the group performed in Tallahassee.

A self-taught professional and lifelong learner, Phoenix values reliability, teamwork, and problem-solving—always willing to do what it takes to ensure every event runs smoothly. He’s passionate about working with Rick Ott Performance & Production, where he says the client-first mentality and close-knit team make it feel like family.

Originally from Sarasota, Florida, James brings more than 25 years of experience in live event production and audio/visual services. His career began as a musician—playing trumpet, guitar, and keys—before transitioning into studio sound engineering and eventually finding his true calling in live production.

James has spent the majority of his career as a sound engineer and video/graphics technician, with a strong emphasis on mixing FOH (front of house) for bands and managing high-end conference A/V. His work spans an impressive range of events, from intimate concerts to large-scale corporate gatherings.

Over the years, he has run sound for artists including Buckethead, The Funky Knuckles, Rebirth Brass Band, Vox Fortura, Queens Six, Electric Six, The Supervillains, Banda Blanca, Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers, We The Kings, and Flip Turn—each event showcasing his versatility and dedication to delivering quality sound.

Known for being the opposite of the stereotypical “angry sound guy,” James approaches every show with positivity, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm. Colleagues and clients alike value his calm presence, technical expertise, and passion for creating memorable live experiences.