Alumna looks to create country music culture of tomorrow

Stacy Vee has always loved music — so much so that she’s made a career out of celebrating it.

A graduate of St. Michael-Albertville High School, Vee didn’t need to look far when considering universities.

“St. Cloud State University had a wonderful reputation, both in academia as well as experience, and had a beautiful campus. I really wanted to stay on campus my first year, so having dorms and a bigger college was a priority to me,” she said. “I selected St. Cloud State University as my college and had a wonderful experience.”

While a student in the speech communication program, Vee joined the University Program Board — now called the Huskies Events and Activities Team — as the special events coordinator.

“That is really what made a huge impact on my life and was the first taste of experience — programming and curating and working with talent,” she said. “It was that experience at the University Program Board that really did set me on my path.”

Vee is currently executive vice president with concert and music festival promoter Goldenvoice. She does everything from booking talent to managing creative and marketing plans, ticketing, site operations and everything in between.

“Everything falls under my jurisdiction. I'm a very hands-on concert promoter, so everything from aesthetic to vibe to where things are placed,” she said. “I have a hand in all of that. And I really do think that is what makes the difference in live events.”

It’s been a long journey for Vee, as she’s been with Goldenvoice for 23 years. She started as an assistant and worked her way up.

“I gained a lot of experience being very hands-on and getting to do every single job that exists. I really do have appreciation for what it takes and what each member of my team does, because chances are I've done it myself at one time,” she said. “It’s been a really rewarding and exciting journey.”

From booking The Wallflowers while at SCSU to now producing the Stagecoach Music Festival, or “country music’s biggest party,” organizing and being a self-proclaimed ringleader have long come naturally to Vee. Taking things to the next level comes pretty easily, too.

“I like to push boundaries. I want to create the country music culture of tomorrow and create an environment where everybody feels welcome. I think that country music specifically is a really exciting genre that has deep history, but the genre is so dynamic and I just see an opportunity within this genre to grow,” she said. “It's the fastest growing genre internationally, and that's exciting to me because the path is not yet written in a lot of places. I feel by taking chances and giving unique voices a spotlight and trying new things, I can help determine that path.”

Vee’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by her industry colleagues. She was named the 2025 Country Power Players Executive of the Year by Billboard, and was presented with the award by Garth Brooks during the ceremony.

“That was incredible, because that is something that's determined by people who have been making an impact in the country music space for a long time,” she said. “To be selected by so many people who I respect and admire and have looked up to for a long time really, really means the world.”

While she’s worked with some of the biggest names in country music, one of the most rewarding parts of Vee’s job is seeing her staff grow and achieve their goals. Seeing them develop professionally has a mirroring effect.

Vee encouraged students to get involved with St. Cloud State and everything it has to offer. The University’s programs and clubs can provide real-life experience, add to resumes and help determine career paths. No job is too small.

“I graduated in 1998, so times have changed quite a bit, but I think the fundamentals have stayed the same. I come from an era where you really did have to pay your dues for a while to get to experience some growth, but there's so many lessons that can be learned,” she said. “Be open, and anything that you're responsible for, do it 10 times better than it needs to be. People will notice how seriously you take your work and that they can count on you and that they don't need to remind you to finish a project. That's when more responsibility and growth will come.”