Exploring Life & Business with Matt Rappaport of Detroit Event Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Rappaport

Hi Matt, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story has been anything but linear, but it’s what has made it such a great adventure. I started my career in accounting after graduating from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business in 2003. At the time, I was deciding between law school and truly taking the chance to “make it” in the music business as a songwriter and performer. A mentor encouraged me to give music a try so that I never looked back and wondered what might have been. So, I gave music a shot, which was met with mixed success. We had meaningful conversations about a record deal, but the manager we had met with decided to move forward with Seether—yes, the Seether! That moment was my cue to pivot, and we transitioned from writing original music to becoming a cover band that thrives on creating unforgettable moments at weddings and events​. At the same time, I took a job in accounting so I could pay the bills while continuing  to pursue something in the world of music.

Fast forward to 2015. Collision Six had been performing at weddings and events for 5 years, I was the Director of Accounting for a reputable real estate investment and management company, and I found myself feeling antsy about the future. So, I took a chance! I left my job and founded Detroit Event Company. The focus grew from managing just a couple bands to building a concierge service that matches clients with the perfect entertainment—from live bands to DJs, soloists to small ensembles, and even full event production. I still get to play with Collision Six, alongside my wife Sarah, which keeps the performance side alive for me. A major highlight was rocking the stage at the NFL Draft in Detroit, where we played for more than 800,000 people over 3 days. I love combining music and business, and I’m proud that our work helps create incredible memories for people. The journey hasn’t always been what I expected, but looking back, every step prepared me for exactly what I’m doing today​.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. The first struggle was getting passed over for the record deal. Then, about a year later, my writing partner in Collision Six left the group, and it was left to me to pick up the pieces and assemble a new lineup, along with a shift away from original music to being a cover band. From there, we experienced a lot of ups and downs as we raised the bar from being an average bar band to becoming a premier corporate/event band. It took years to dial in exactly the type of musician we were looking for to create stability in the lineup, while ensuring we had amazing showmanship and musicianship during the performances.

When I started Detroit Event Company, I actually co-founded it with another band leader. Within a year of us working together, he decided to leave the company, and I was left to start over and run the business solo. Since then, we’ve had our ups and downs, as we’ve worked to simplify our processes, ensure consistency across the lineup, and expand our offerings. The entire journey has felt like two steps forward and one step back, but hey, at least we’re moving forward!

We’ve been impressed with Detroit Event Company, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Detroit Event Company, we help our clients select the perfect vendors to create a flawless event, so that their guests have a great time and are amazed by their hosts. We specialize in weddings, but that experience has allowed us to expand naturally into holiday parties, country club events, fundraising events, sports experiences, and more. Our goal is simple — we learn about what our clients are seeking and then match them with artists that align with their style and budget. This isn’t just about booking talent; it’s about creating moments that matter—moments where people feel part of something bigger than themselves.

There are other companies in Detroit and beyond that do similar work, but we believe 3 things truly set us apart:

1) We ensure that every act on our roster meets our standards for musical and performance ability, customer service and reliability. We interview artists (like a job interview) and go see them perform live to ensure we know exactly what they’re great at (and not great at), and that we know they will treat our mutual clients amazingly well.

2) We follow an ethics-driven sales process to provide customized solutions to our clients. When our clients share their budgets with us (which people are naturally hesitant to do), we treasure that information and use it appropriately. It means providing a range of acts from the low to the high end of our client’s budget, rather than sending only acts at the top. We also ensure the artists are paid appropriately for their work, so we truly act as a match-maker so the artists earn a fair rate and clients pay what they are comfortable with.

3) We obsessively follow systems and processes to ensure results. Our clients know that whether they book a 4pc band or a 10pc band, a DJ, a solo artist, or a jazz ensemble, they are going to get an amazing musical experience and be treated respectfully and honestly by our team. We love when clients ask us for a variety of bands over the course of time, so we can ensure they get the variety they seek, while maintaining a personal relationship with a single person during the selection and planning phase.

We are most proud of our focus on creating environments where people can be themselves and feel like they belong. That starts internally with our team members, it expands to our clients during their selection and planning process, and it translates to the events. Whether you’re a wallflower or the center of attention, we want every guest to enjoy their experience at the events we work on, and feel they can truly be themselves. That’s what it’s all about!

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is creating environments where people can be themselves and feel like they belong. I do this in my personal and professional life, trying to ensure that group decisions don’t lead to people feeling excluded. It started as a kid when I would invite my brother (who is 9 years younger than me) to participate in sports with my much older friends. I remember him at 9 years old playing football with my buddies at my college dorm. It could be something simple like ensuring my wife (who is gluten-free) has food to eat at a public event. It means encouraging people to share their ideas in meetings at the office, knowing they will be celebrated for contributing vs. ridiculed if the idea doesn’t work. It means helping couples choose the perfect entertainment, when they are buying something for the first time and don’t know what to do or who to trust. To do that, I have to build trust with them so they share what’s really on their minds and what really matters so we can connect them with artists that align perfectly with their vision. And last, it matters at the events themselves. We want to deliver a performance that encourages everyone to participate — whether that’s sitting and watching, quietly singing to yourself or tearing up the dance floor in the middle of the room. In the end, if everyone we work with feels as though they can truly be themselves and enjoy the experience, then we’ve done our jobs.

Pricing:

• Bands: $3,000 to $15,000
• DJs: $2,000 to $6,000
• Small Ensembles & Solo Acts: $300+
• Photo Booths: $500+
• Staging: $1,000+

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.DetroitEventCompany.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detroiteventco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DetroitEventCompany/
• Twitter: https://x.com/detroiteventco
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DetroitEventCompany
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@detroiteventco