Soundboard genius behind Tri-Cities events for 30+ years has died
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- Tom Fortier managed sound for Tri-Cities events for over 30 years.
- He owned and operated Kennewick's Concert Production Services since 1993.
- Fortier provided audio for acts from Keith Urban to presidential campaigns.
Thomas “Tom” Fortier, the soundboard magician who ran audio systems for virtually every public event, concert and gathering in the Tr-Cities, died Sept. 8 in Kennewick..
He was 72.
Fortier was born in Seattle but spent most of his life in the Tri-Cities, where he was a fixture known for expertly managing sound at all kinds of events.
He owned Concert Production Services for more than 30 years before he retired.
The Kennewick company started in 1986 as an offshoot of the former Music Machine, the iconic downtown Kennewick center, according to Tri-City Herald archives.
He bought the company in 1993.
Fortier and his team managed sound for high school dance competitions, the Benton-Franklin Fair & Rodeo, First Night Tri-Cities, Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre productions, Thunder on the Island concerts, car shows, state fairs and more.
Managers called him a good adviser with a keen eye for detail who spotted conflicts before they happened and made events run smoothly.
Fortier was raised in Pasco and graduated from Pasco High School in 1971. He picked up guitar at 12. He played in bands and briefly majored in music at Washington State University before turning to a more lucrative profession.
He initially worked as a pipefitter/welder, but made sound work his full-time profession in the 1980s.
While he was circumspect about the clients he served, he handled sound for musicians including Keith Urban and James Brown. He ran the sound systems used when presidential candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore visited the region.
“RIP Tom,” a friend posted to Facebook. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for the Tri-City music scene. Keep on rocking my man! ❤️”
Mueller’s Tri-Cities Funeral Home in Kennewick is handling his arrangements.
This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM.