Bob Payne
photo by Mark A. Herndon
As you read this, I am in the Music City, more commonly known as Nashville, TN. Dixie Fuller and I are going to the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) show to wrangle up some talent for next year’s Riverbend. This is a fun event, as all of the major booking agencies are there and each present a “showcase” of their available talent. Featured acts get on stage and perform three songs. It’s a little 15-minute glance to see the performers live.
Two years ago, Dixie had a chance to see a new group called Florida-Georgia Line.
He liked what he saw and signed them right on the spot to headline the Bud Light Stage at the following Riverbend. Jackpot. By the time Riverbend had rolled around, FL-GA Line had 3 top 5 hits, including a long running number one song in “Cruise”. In fact, they had gotten so big, Dixie tried to shift them to the Coke Stage, but they were not available for the remaining un-booked night on the big stage. They came to Riverbend and performed for the biggest Bud Light Stage crowd in history. Dixie hit pay dirt with that one, as they played Riverbend in June for about 1/10th of their going rate at that time.
Needless to say, we always look for that once-in-a-lifetime deal to repeat each year. I got a kick out of last year’s IEBA, as one of the “new breakout” acts was Charlie Daniels. While he wasn’t a new act by any means, he was showcased because he was new to the booking agent and that agency wanted the world to know that they now had the CDB.
This year, showcases feature Martina McBride, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Foghat, Corey Smith, Trombone Shorty, Mo5aic, Alter Ego, El Camino, MC Hammer, Phil Vassar, Big Smo, Gaelic Storm, Vertical Horizon, Andy Grammer, LoCash Cowboys, Blues Traveler, Cody Cooke & The Bayou Outlaws, Tony!Toni!Tone!, Recycled Percussion, Native Run, Chase Bryant, Aaron Watson, Needtobreathe, Dallas Smith, Theory of a Deadman, Sundy Best, Taylor Hicks, Robby Johnson, The Roys, Gunnar & the Grizzly Boys, Radio Romane, Brooke Hogan, Jason Michael Carroll, Demun Jones, The Lacs, The Weeks, The Features, Taylor Dayne, the Brothers Osborne, Dee Jay Silver, Frankie Ballard, and Chris Young.
The lineup sounds fun, and the best part is I get to go with Dixie Fuller. There is nobody on earth as much fun as Dixie. Everybody in Nashville knows Dixie and he is always a riot. And while he has a sense of humor the size of an entire continent, he is also a pro at this business, and is recognized as such by booking agencies, performer management, and industry professionals. He has probably forgotten more about this business than I will ever know, but I never stop learning from the master.
And, here’s a word of advice to you performers that may eventually find yourself under contract with one of these major booking agencies. Get a commitment at signing that they will include an IEBA and a Pollstar showcase spot. Bands get booked there for festivals, fairs and arenas every year. Maybe I’ll get to see you there next year!
Bob Payne grew up in Chattanooga and graduated from Baylor School. He is the Entertainment Editor for the Chattanoogan.com and assistant talent buyer for Riverbend Festival.
Email Bob Payne at davrik2000@yahoo.com or catch him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/davrik2000.