MADISON, WIS (CelebrityAccess) Madison, Wis.-based production company Frank Productions has been acquired by Live Nation, both entities have confirmed to CelebrityAccess.
The deal is being finalized today, Jan. 11, and is effective Feb. 1. It also brings under the fold the team of Scott Leslie and Matt Gerding, which runs the Majestic Live venue in Madison and the Blue Note in Columbia, Mo., and was acquired by Frank Productions.
The deal means Live Nation will acquire Frank Productions’ investments in Nashville promotion company NS2 and Boise, Idaho’s CMoore Live, but both will continue to operate as stand-alone companies, Billboard reports.
“Frank Productions has been around for over 50 years because we have continuously found new, innovative ways to help artists grow their careers the way they choose, which is a vision we share with Live Nation and should make for a very seamless partnership,” said Larry and Fred Frank, brothers and co-owners of Frank Productions, Inc. “Our relentless entrepreneurial spirit has helped grow Frank Productions from an independent family operation into a full-service concert promotion company based in the heart of Madison, Wisconsin with over 70 employees and key affiliates like Frank Productions Concerts here in Madison, NS2 in Nashville, CMoore Live in Boise, and now Live Nation across the globe.”
“This partnership made sense for Live Nation on every level, as we’re excited to welcome Larry, Fred and all of Frank Productions to the team,” said Bob Roux, Co-President, Live Nation, US Concerts. “They bring valuable industry expertise, solid market representation, and most importantly, an artist-centric approach that will benefit both performers and music fans.”
Frank Productions, originally founded in 1964, acquired the Madison’s High Noon Saloon in 2017 as well as merging with Majestic Live and breaking ground on The Sylvee, a new, 2,500-capacity concert hall in the city expected to open later this year.
Under the new partnership, Live Nation has asked Frank Productions to take over operations at Madison’s Orpheum Theater effective immediately, according to a statement.
