Revenue was on the rise at Rupp Arena in Lex- ington, Ky. Also going up: a new facade, as seen in a rending.

38 FEBRUARY 2019 KENTUCKY  TENNESSEE

,  FIGHTING  bad weather were hardly a match for the venue operators in the Kentucky and Tennes- see region. Despite obstacles out of their control, most reported bigger grosses and increased ticket sales. All agreed 2018 was Fa solid year for the live entertainment business in the region and cited a good economy and the sheer number of fan-friendly acts out on the road as the reasons for the bump.

SPIRITTHE YEAR PRESENTED ITS CHALLENGES, BUT VENUES RESPONDED WITH STRONG PERFORMANCES

FEBRUARY 2019 3939 SPREAD: COURTESY NBBJ + EOP; THIS PAGE: BRIDGESTONE ARENA How did you do in 2018? up. were We gone We’ve up every year since 2012; we’re BRIDGESTONE ARENA, ARENA, BRIDGESTONE NASHVILLE 68 percent higher in gross on David Kells, senior vice entertainment president, and marketing of the year. We’re also upgradingof the We’re year. our concessions and our acous- tics. started We a $2.2 million roof repair project. Everything is expected be to completed by fall 2019. What went right purchased We the Brown Theatre, a historic theater on Broadway (in Louisville), million. $2 for We also created an equity, diversity and inclusion task that force looks ourat programming, sta°ng and policies. What went wrong had a ™reWe caused by sparks during the roof repair project. It caused of damage. a lot Since our arevenues connected by the roof, impactedit all of them. had to We cancel “Waitress.” How did you do in 2018? wasIt a great year for our venues. were We de™nitely up from 2017. THE KENTUCKY CENTER, LOUISVILLE, KY. Big shows “Les “Harry Miserable,” Potter in andConcert,” “The Nutcracker,” American PromiseJoe Biden’s tour was very popular. Changes by a new lobby theWe’ll have end What went right Our relationship with Oak View paid of dividends.lot a Group; it’s reallyThey’ve helped us improve our Not stacking revenue. com- petitive acts together was another thing that right. went What went wrong Cancellations. put of a lot We logistics and planning into those shows and the sta¦ does not need practice. presidentKim Baker, and CEO; vice Kentucky chair, Center for the Arts Foundation How did you do in 2018? Really well. Revenues up 15 were percent over 2017. - RUPP ARENA, RUPP KY. LEXINGTON, What went wrong isWeather a constant challenge. experienced We inclement weath- duringer 11 of our ™rst events 15 this constantly season. We’re exploring enhance new to ways the fan experience when weather is inevitably involved. Bill Owen, president and CEO Big shows Justin Timberlake set our all- time highest gross a single for performance. Chris Stapleton sold also out. We had The Eagles, Fighters,Foo Alan Jackson, Red White and Boom the Fest, Cirque Soleil du show “Corteo” and had 30,000 we guests in during a four-day run featur- ing Halestorm, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Alabama and Snoop Dogg. Changes kicked o¦We a $300 million project replace to our convention center fa cilities and complete- replacely the exterior of Rupp Arena. NBBJ is designing and it it’s the largest construc- tion project the city has undertaken. ever Construction started on Aug. 1 and will be by November done 2021. Rupp Arena will close in June thefor replacement of 8,000 bleachers spaces with 5,000 alsochairs. We’re updating our conces- sion stands and add- ing four new clubs. THE CIRCUIT THE FEBRUARY 2019 FEBRUARY How did you do in 2018? Last year was a re- cord-break- ing year Ascendfor ASCENDAMPHITHEATER, NASHVILLE 40 Isaac Thompson, general manager Amphitheater. In addition the to fantastic headliners that came through, collaborated we with the Nashville Symphony, Music City’s 4th of July Celebration, CMA andMusic the Fest Music City Marathon. Big shows Johnson,Jack Willie Nelson, Nine Inch Nails, and Roger Daltrey performing with the Nashville Symphony big were nights. Changes In enhanced 2018 we fan-facing public Wi-Fi, partnered with the environmental organization Lonely Whale all remove to sin- gle-use straws, and continued our composting and waste diversion programs. What went right Attendance in2018 was a major driver in the overall success of the experience Fan venue. and sus- tainability initiatives also played role. a key EXECS FROM FROM EXECS KENTUCKY SOME TOP TENNESSEE TALK VENUES STOPS THEIR ABOUT HOW GONE YEAR HAS

THE CIRCUIT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40 We had a total of 274 ticketed events — that’s 195 concerts non-hockey events since 2012. and 79 Opry at the Ryman shows. Big shows U2 played the arena for the ™rst Big shows time. We had Justin Timberlake, We saw a slew of really great the SEC Women’s (Basketball) headliners this year, among Tournament, NCAA Men’s (Bas- them Kelsea Ballerini, Luke ketball Tournament) Rounds 1 Combs, Shakey Graves, and 2, Brad Paisley, Paul Simon, Margo Price, Old Dominion, Harry Styles, Maroon 5, two Tony Bennett and Ben Rec- Bruno Mars concerts, Childish tor. One of my personal fa- Gambino, Elton John and the vorites of the year was David CMA and CMT Awards. Byrne. He sounded awesome, and it was one of the most Changes innovative shows I’ve seen in Q&A We started a two-year project a long time. for new in-bowl game pre- sentation equipment. Phase Changes one started in the summer of We made some signi´icant CHARLIE JENNINGS, SENIOR 2018 and included new ribbon production upgrades in 2018. boards and new lighting and We installed a complete video VICE PRESIDENT, DANNY a new (point-of-sale) sys- system capable of producing tem. Phase two will be in the broadcast-quality linecuts summer of 2019 when we’re as well as ISO recordings WIMMER PRESENTS installing a new center-hung to complement our existing scoreboard. On the concourse audio broadcast/multitrack the Kentucky/Tennessee region we put up a carousel that goes recording suite. This video include Louisville’s Bourbon & up 15 feet above the fans’ heads upgrade followed the recent Beyond, Hometown Rising and that delivers team jerseys that substantial upgrade of the Louder Than Life. Although Jen- fans have bought in the merch Ryman sound system to a nings now lives in Los Angeles, store. It’s increased sales of the JBL A12 rig. Additionally, we he’s never far removed from his jerseys dramatically. upgraded to Yamaha PM7 con- Southeastern roots. soles. … We also improved our What went right key light system with Ayrton How would you compare the All the projects came together Ghibli ´ixtures. Kentucky/Tennessee mar- in the end and we didn’t have to ket to other markets in the close down the venue for any of What went right country? the upgrades. We continue to see a lot of Both states are in major growth multishow runs at the Ryman, mode. In Knoxville there is very What went wrong which have been a big hit. robust music programming. Chat- We could have scheduled in Having acts bring in a di¦erent tanooga is a town that’s exploded more time after the new gear guest star each night of a mul- over the last 10 years from being came in to train the sta¦ on how tiday run was another hit idea. a town known for country and to use it. We also increased the number Christian music to being a town of Amy Grant and Vince Gill known for all genres. Christmas at the Ryman shows ¸  ¹ º A lot of people never saw Chatta- RYMAN AUDITORIUM, from 10 to 12 and added Rod- » born in Bristol, nooga as a strong market, but over NASHVILLE ney Crowell as support, which Tenn. Before joining time it’s gone through tremendous Sally Williams, general was a fantastic addition to a Danny Wimmer Pres- growth and is now getting some manager show that has become a holiday ents, he worked for AC respect. Across the board all the tradition. Entertainment, which cities in Tennessee have seen rising How did Chas o°ces in Knoxville and Nash- revenue and attendance. Louisville you do in What went wrong ville, for 11 years. is a cool, hip town and right behind 2018? The amount of on-sales going DWP, which bills itself as the Nashville as the premier live event Last year on in the city at once can create largest independent festival city in the region. was an ticket tra°c. We need to sched- producer in the country, produc- incredi- ule on-sales in a way that gives es 14 annual festivals in 13 U.S. What’s fueling the growth in ble year. all shows the room they need. cities. DWP-promoted fests in the region?

42 FEBRUARY 2019 GETTY IMAGES Note: Capacity shownNote: Capacity islegalcapacitylistedinPollstar database. Compiledby teamboxo“[email protected]. Ranked by tickets from sold.Basedondata andevents concerts Dec. 1, 2017-Nov. 30, 2018, asreported toPollstar. updatedasofJan.3. Data 2,000 OR LESS CAPACITY 2,001 5,000 CAPACITY 5,001 15,000 CAPACITY MORE THAN 15,000 CAPACITY KENTUCKY & TENNESSEE TOP 5 5 4 3 2 1 5 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1 RANK

W.L. Lyons Brown Theatre, Louisville 3rd &Lindsley, Nashville City Winery, Nashville Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville Marathon MusicWorks, Nashville Atlantic CityBoardwalk Hall,Atlantic City, N.J. Orpheum Theatre, Memphis Palace Theatre, Louisville Whitney Hall,Louisville Andrew Jackson Hall,Nashville Ryman Auditorium, Nashville BB&T Arena, HighlandHeights,Ky. UTC McKenzie Arena, Chattanooga Mud IslandAmphitheatre, Memphis Municipal Auditorium, Nashville Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville NashvilleNissan Stadium, Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky. KFC Yum! Center, Louisville Arena,Bridgestone Nashville VENUE

STOPS roo. festivals, Bonna area’s many the of one at Lanco of er Brandon Lancast - -

to live events again and it’s and stuck. events again to live to going got used people rebounded, economy the When vital. and strong business music live the keeping as far it as behind city of the leadership the had Nashville here. of music there’s history astrong Timberlake, Justin to bluegrass to Kentucky Elvis From region. the in performances oflive to arenaissance led has area the in ofmusic history rich The

40,999 42,137 53,049 64,402 70,470 118,854 36,988 46,836 124,831 151,832 275,306 8,669 13,961 17,496 46,676 150,024 76,296 157,182 207,154 271,440 732,760 TICKETS SOLD

314 9,400 1,441 500 1,645 1,800 14,770 2,308 2,597 2,377 2,472 2,362 11,121 5,061 6,800 21,678 68,000 23,500 20,000 CAPACITY 9,432 22,000

collection helps fuel the artists’ presence in in presence artists’ the helps fuel collection The on. and on goes list the Fest, and CMA the has Nashville ter, Tenn., we have Bonnaroo. Manches- in ment’s’ Over Festival. Forecastle AC plus Entertain- festivals, Louisville DWP We’ve There’s here. got alot offestivals our region. the in space festival the Tell about us CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

FEBRUARY 2019 $1,846,638 $476,669 $1,529,271 $762,105 $4,339,556 $1,998,507 $7,816,049 $2,916,965 $2,953,399 $6,313,327 $10,136,037 $14,622,678 $673,969 $969,970 $6,355,799 $4,807,350 $18,433,548 $13,359,852 $58,619,825 GROSS $2,427,032 $18,005,563

SHOWS 272 139 132 48 48 66 38 68 33 82 79 22 27 10 19 21 12 6 3 5 2 43 • CIRQUE DU SOLEIL • FOO FIGHTERS • FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH • SHINEDOWN • FESTIVAL OF PRAISE • MONSTER JAM • TIM McGRAW • FAITH HILL • CHRIS YOUNG • COLE SWINDELL BRAD PAISLEYBRAD •KANE BROWN •JAKEOWEN •LUKECOMBS •TOBY •THOMASRHETT KEITH•MARVELUNIVERSE LIVE •JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY IN RUPP ARENA’S 42 YEAR HISTORY BOOKING INFO: DAVID FARRAR BOOKING INFO: DAVID JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - SEPTEMBER 19, 2018 JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - SEPTEMBER 19, [email protected] • (859) 551-3067 [email protected] HIGHEST EVER YEAR GROSSING HIGHEST EVER SHOW GROSSING 22 018 018

A BANNER YEAR A BANNER • CHRIS STAPLETON • A PERFECT CIRCLE • PAW PATROL LIVE! • JEFF DUNHAM • HALESTORM • TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA • ALABAMA • RICKY SKAGGS • BONE THUGS ‘N HARMONY • SNOOP DOGG • DOGG SNOOP • HARMONY ‘N THUGS BONE • SKAGGS RICKY • ALABAMA • ORCHESTRA TRANS-SIBERIAN • HALESTORM • DUNHAM JEFF • LIVE! PATROL PAW • CIRCLE PERFECT A • STAPLETON CHRIS • HARLEM GLOBTROTTERS • ALAN JACKSON • PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS • MIRANDA LAMBERT• MIRANDA RIDERS BULL • BRANTLEY • ALAN PROFESSIONAL • GILBERT EAGLES • • WWE JAM • WINTER • SKILLET JACKSON GLOBTROTTERS HARLEM

GETTY IMAGES X2 - In Memphis’ venue mix: Can- non Center for the Performing Arts and (above) the New Daisy Theatre (below left). fans from Little Rock (Ark.) or Nashville driven who have a few hours — but here then get to we often compete to have with those two cities the for de›- tour. I have nitely seen tours that skip us in fa- of thosevor cities and often when on a Tuesday. a big get tourwe it’s been trueThat’s least at for the last years. 10 Luckily, of a lot artists want come to Memphis to just Memphis. because it’s On the other hand … the have mostWe fantastic local live music scene of any city in America. The genres are diverse. from go hip-hopWe Americana to garageto rock. Does country music play a big role? The perception that are we a country music town is not ac- curate all. at I can only think of one or two artists who identify as country music artists. What is your prognosis for the Memphis live entertainment scene? growing constantlyWe’re and we know that live music is the 1 No. reason people come Memphis. to comingThey’re the for legacy. celebrating our bicenten We’re nial in and May there are a ton of andevents collaborations going on and a great energy surrounding conversations about what the next years100 are going look to like. community here with folks who are constantly acti- vating unexpected music events. That’s changed our venue community the over past year few because there are more venue people for ladders to vin-climb. have We tage clothing shops that opened have room;a 25-seat distilleries run con- certs. also We have venues as well;venues nontraditional arevenues really big here. While every-size have we legit rooms touring for here bands, also we a robusthave house-concert Sofar Sounds company (a here that activates concerts in secret locations). All this has upped the creativity and here changed the notion of where people can enjoy music. live Where does that leave tradi- tional venues in the market- place? theirThey have place and won’t very beever replaced. There’s little competition if are you huge a band and sell to able out an arena; the FedEx Forum is the place Minglewood go. to Hall holds roughly 3,000 got people. We’ve lots of rooms with 1,200 1,500 to the smallercapacity. It’s rooms where the competition exists. Do touring acts work in Mem- phis? often struggleWe with touring acts. Where regionally sit we is challenging. I often next sit to

- ELIZABETH ELIZABETH CAWEIN Founder and director, Music Export Memphis Scene: Memphis - - -

Memphis. She and ustold why she tique music publicity and marketing founded Signal Flow Public Relations, a bou †‡ˆ‰Š‹ŒŽ ‘‰’‹‡“ ‘‰’‹‡“ †‡ˆ‰Š‹ŒŽ ”“•’– Cawein spent some time with ›rm, in 2011 after discovering pas her musicsion for pub licity while working as communications and development coordinator the for Memphis Music Foundation. She’s also the founder of Music Export Mem phis, a nonpro›t that creates showcases, festivals and tour grants showcase to local Memphis artists. VenuesNow thinks Memphis is one the great- est music towns in America. us aboutTell the Memphis music scene. a DIY have personality.We We’re very entrepreneurial. That spirit runs across every genre of music true here. It’s of our played that’s

HOME TO GRACELAND, GRACELAND, TO HOME HAS BEALE STREET OF BLUES, LEGACY ROCKABILLY SOUL, AND MORE E - - - - - ings, so per caps are strong here. prices Ticket are below othermajor markets; this is a price-sensitive region, and that pocket money leave helps thefor concessions and mer chandise. chandise and drink and a lot take part in the food oƒer the region and gives them ex- posure, and when they come the to back market play to individually, business is better because the fans are coming out see to something familiar. isWhy region such fertile ground for festivals? 1 isNo. the The geography. population around Louisville is very tons big and there’s of potential ticket-buyers. a beautiful it’s partTwo, of the a got country. We’ve great park system and people want out and get to things do outdoors here. Three would be the amazing spring and summer weather here. We of highs a lot get and don’t consistent. — it’s lows Do you see country music as the to the key region? highlyIn general, we’re country and bluegrass. Cer tain cities are more rock-ori or soul-oriented,ented but our roots are still solidly on the country and side, the live music scene is illed with country artists. Do touring bands often play in both states? Most bands will stop in Nash- ville, Memphis and Louisville. Smaller bands typically in add Knoxville, Chattanooga and Lexington. Are ticket prices and per caps healthy in the region? The fans are here enthusiastic and they buy of mer a lot HARLEM GLOBTROTTERS • ALAN JACKSON • PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS • MIRANDA LAMBERT • SKILLET • WINTER JAM • WWE • EAGLES • BRANTLEY GILBERT • CIRQUE DU SOLEIL FOO FIGHTERS FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH • SHINEDOWN • FESTIVAL • MONSTER JAM • TIM McGRAW • FAITH OF PRAISE HILL • CHRIS YOUNG • COLE SWINDELL A2 BANNER 018 YEAR HIGHEST GROSSING YEAR EVER IN RUPP ARENA’S 42 YEAR HISTORY HIGHEST GROSSING SHOW EVER JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

BOOKING INFO: DAVID FARRAR [email protected] • (859) 551-3067

• CHRIS STAPLETON • A PERFECT CIRCLE • PAW PATROL LIVE! • JEFF DUNHAM • HALESTORM • TRANS-SIBERIANORCHESTRA • ALABAMADOGG • ‘N HARMONY • SNOOP • BONE THUGS LIVE! • JEFF DUNHAM HALESTORM • RICKY SKAGGS PATROL • PAW CIRCLE • A PERFECT • CHRIS STAPLETON BRAD PAISLEY • KANE BROWN • JAKE OWEN • LUKE COMBS • TOBY KEITH • MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE • JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE • THOMAS RHETT RHETT THOMAS • TIMBERLAKE JUSTIN • LIVE UNIVERSE MARVEL • KEITH TOBY • COMBS LUKE • OWEN JAKE • BROWN KANE • PAISLEY BRAD