The power of music is something to behold at Aberdeen’s Pauer of Music Festival. Three days of music, food, activities, community, and engagement will take place from July 25-27.
The festival is put on by Pauer Sound, a provider of professional sound, visual, and lighting services. Pauer Sound owner Alex Bartlett says his team’s ability to work hard and cope with stress puts them above the cut.
“My main goal is to leave the customer happy, understand what I installed or what we did for them, and want us to come back to help them if they have an issue,” said Bartlett. “Our customers are our customers for life, and I don’t just install something and walk away.”
Bartlett bought the company in 2023 after working with the previous owners and founders Scott Sauer and Kevin Pleinis, who combined their last names to create the word, “Pauer.”
Both Sauer and Pleinis had backgrounds in music and decided to offer their expertise to Aberdeen and the surrounding area. In the infancy of the company, they provided music lessons, fixed instruments, and hosted live bands on a stage behind the business.
Pauer Sound has evolved into the business it is today, offering a wide range of sound and production services including live sound and light production, rentals, system design, AV projection, and installations.
“I saw how the former owner led, and I respected and loved how he trained me. He took someone that had no experience and put me under his wing.”
-Alex Bartlett
Bartlett says the business is projected to grow as time goes on and he aims to expand the Pauer Sound customer base. Him and his team aren’t afraid to travel, he added, with clients across the state and into Montana.
“I would love to see our live sound concert production grow and become bigger,” added Bartlett.
This year marks Bartlett’s 13th year with Pauer Sound. He started working part time right out of high school and says things only blossomed from there.
Friday, July 25: 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
That 60’s Band is scheduled to open for the headliner Lizzy Hofer Band on Friday, July 25.
Saturday, July 26: 3-11 p.m.
Saturday’s headliner is Transit Authority and Six Appeal will open for them. Three local bands including The Retro Rockets, Murphy Slaw, and the Starling Call & the Glitter Bois will be performing as well.
“I had done technology stuff in the theater and choir department at high school, so I knew the company through that,” revealed Bartlett. “I walked up to the business on Main Street at the time and talked to the former owner now, and started part time with him, learning the ropes on the install side.”
Bartlett was greatly influenced by the former owners and is still inspired by the work that made his current position possible. He was especially close with Sauer, who taught him directly.
Sauer passed away last October. This year’s Pauer of Sound festival will be in his honor.
“(Sauer) was a big music lover, and he was an amazing bass player, probably the best one in our area,” said Bartlett. “He was in praise bands and one of his original praise bands is going to be performing on Sunday.”
Sunday will be a day of nondenominational worship, complemented by the praise band performances.
Sunday, July 27: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sunday will consist of non-denominational praise, worship, and praise band performances.
Along with the two previous owners, Bartlett says he could not do what he does without the help of Caleb Crosby, his “right and left hand,” and secretary Lois Flanigan.
“I don’t see us going anywhere anytime soon. I’d love to stick around for years on end,” added Bartlett. “I want to see the business blossom and keep going. Now we’re looking for that next generation of sound people and techs to start training.”
For more information, visit PAUERSOUNDLLC.COM+
