Toby Keith drew about 5,000 to the BB&T arena last month. I don't think he can sell anywhere close to that many.

 

Not to divert from the topic, but that is a lot more on BB&T and their inability to correctly market a concert and an event than it says about Toby Keith. He could sell out Riverbend in a hot minute. BB&T does a horrible job telling their story broadly.

 

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled broadcast.

Chris Stapleton admittedly doesn't do a whole lot for me

 

I've seen Stapleton twice live, and while I appreciate his voice, style and music, he isn't great live and in person. George Strait could get away with standing still behind a mic and thrilling 20,000 people...Stapleton isn't George Strait.

 

Sheryl Crow's voice is special, for sure.

Not to divert from the topic, but that is a lot more on BB&T and their inability to correctly market a concert and an event than it says about Toby Keith. He could sell out Riverbend in a hot minute. BB&T does a horrible job telling their story broadly.

 

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled broadcast.

 

I think you are way overestimating Toby Keith's audience.

I think you are way overestimating Toby Keith's audience.

 

I probably don't know as much about the music and concert business as you do, but I do know he just sold out Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh with 8,500 people.

 

I stand by my other comment, the folks who run BB&T and their shoe-string marketing budget do a terrible job promoting their events and shows.

I probably don't know as much about the music and concert business as you do, but I do know he just sold out Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh with 8,500 people.

 

I stand by my other comment, the folks who run BB&T and their shoe-string marketing budget do a terrible job promoting their events and shows.

 

I would say we are agreeing. 5-10,000 is the range I would estimate the crowd Toby is able to attract locally. I am sure there are other areas where he can still draw bigger crowds.

 

As far as BB&T, my understanding is they have a new concert promoter, which is why you have seen an uptick in bookings with Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, and Bob Dylan all either having played dates or scheduled this fall. Nice to see.

I would say we are agreeing. 5-10,000 is the range I would estimate the crowd Toby is able to attract locally. I am sure there are other areas where he can still draw bigger crowds.

 

As far as BB&T, my understanding is they have a new concert promoter, which is why you have seen an uptick in bookings with Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, and Bob Dylan all either having played dates or scheduled this fall. Nice to see.

 

How are they promoting those? I haven't seen a single TV spot, streaming OTT spot, billboard, or heard a single radio spot?

How are they promoting those? I haven't seen a single TV spot, streaming OTT spot, billboard, or heard a single radio spot?

 

No clue.

I read somewhere that the Kroger Field layout would seat 40K for the concert. I'd assume that's everything except the south end and then adding some seats to the field.

So who's going?

As I hoped/suspected, one of the companies I work closely with will have this concert. Looks like I got my calendar marked!

So who's going?

It’s possible that mcmama would utilize me as a chauffeur so she could see Chris Stapleton. I wouldn’t mind seeing Willie.

Chris Stapleton admittedly doesn't do a whole lot for me, and Sheryl Crow doesn't interest me in the least. But Willie....man....he's on my bucket list.

I like Willie too, but I saw him on an awards show last year and he stumbled through his song, forgetting some of the words, and his voice was breaking. Which is understandable considering he’s 86. But my guess is those attending Kroger expecting the Willie of yesteryear will soon see it’s not the same. But he is a star and I may go just to see the man and hear him. I’m not a huge fan of Stapleton but he’s popular in Kentucky. Sheryl Crow has has had a good career too.

 

I wonder how many tickets they’ll sell for this event. I doubt they fill up the stadium.

I like Willie too, but I saw him on an awards show last year and he stumbled through his song, forgetting some of the words, and his voice was breaking. Which is understandable considering he’s 86. But my guess is those attending Kroger expecting the Willie of yesteryear will soon see it’s not the same. But he is a star and I may go just to see the man and hear him. I’m not a huge fan of Stapleton but he’s popular in Kentucky. Sheryl Crow has has had a good career too.

 

I wonder how many tickets they’ll sell for this event. I doubt they fill up the stadium.

 

That's kind of my gut feeling as well.

I like Willie too, but I saw him on an awards show last year and he stumbled through his song, forgetting some of the words, and his voice was breaking. Which is understandable considering he’s 86. But my guess is those attending Kroger expecting the Willie of yesteryear will soon see it’s not the same. But he is a star and I may go just to see the man and hear him. I’m not a huge fan of Stapleton but he’s popular in Kentucky. Sheryl Crow has has had a good career too.

 

I wonder how many tickets they’ll sell for this event. I doubt they fill up the stadium.

 

Willie is still entertaining, but he mostly talks over his songs and doesn't follow the traditional melody line of any of his songs. His guitar looks like someone took a cheese grater to the face of it and abused it. It sounds like it looks. His sister plays piano for him and they look to be about the same age. He plays for about an hour going from one song right into the next and talks very little. Despite everything I have just said, he is still very entertaining because he is an icon and his setlist is good.

 

Most disturbing thing you will see when Willie takes the stage.... his arm hair. Like his signature braids he wears, his arm hairs are long enough that they could be braided as well and when the fans on the stage hit them they sway back and forth. It is almost mesmerizing.... almost. None of this is an issue if you don't look at the screens.

Chris Stapleton is selling out shows everywhere he goes. I think he is what Country Music use to be and sorely needed. He makes this show, not Willie or Crow. I'd pay up to $100 for a ticket myself and the wife would love to go. The crowd will be huge. Mark it down.