Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater Signs 5-Year Deal With Live Nation

NASHVILLE (CelebrityAccess) — Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater just inked a five-year deal with Live Nation after a disappointing 2015 in which the venue seemed to lose many of its past concerts to the new downtown riverfront Ascend Amphitheater, according to The Tenessean. The concert promoter will now run both venues and owners of the Woods Amphitheater hope the new partnership with Live Nation will reinvigorate attendance and lead to creative ticketing opportunities that incorporate other assets on the unique Fontanel property in Music City.

“On behalf of (co-owner and board chairman for venue owner Fontanel Properties) Dale Morris and I who have been in Fontanel for 15 years now, the Live Nation relationship could not have come at a better time,” said Marc Oswald, co-owner and CEO of Fontanel properties. “It’s the exact formula we need to grow and evolve the venue.”

Oswald is considered a music industry veteran according to The Tenessean, he also manages the country duo Big and Rich. Country legend Barbara Mandrell once owned the property which has been home to the her historic mansion as well as, a restaurant, a winery, a liquor distillery, a zip line and public walking trails and most importantly a concert venue

The Tenessean states that the Venue had two strong years with AEG Live operating the Woods Amphitheater, but said Oswald the venue took a step backward in 2015 when concert attendance dropped by 35 percent. The Woods has a capacity of 4,500 fans, and Ascend has a capacity of 6,800.

“There were not enough shows because 10 or 12 shows that went to Ascend were shows that played at Fontanel in the past,” Oswald said. “You can’t be Music City, USA and not have a variety of venues. And to have an urban area amphitheater that’s beautiful and a rural area amphitheater that’s beautiful to me makes sense, like a lot of other good markets.”

As part of the new arrangement, Live Nation will contribute to upgrades to the luxury seating area, the stage, backstage and food and beverage service.

“From a synergy standpoint, we look at it as we’re not going to be slugging it out,” said Brian Traeger, Live Nation Tennessee division president. “We all know guarantees drive ticket prices. Ultimately, ticket prices will be more reasonable for the fans, so we look at that as a positive for everyone.”

“The Woods is part of a 212-acre, rural eco-sensitive lifestyle complex,” Oswald said. “It’s a thing. It’s not just a venue.

“There are a lot of assets on the property — whether it’s the distillery, or the winery, or the restaurants, or the bars, or the Fontanel mansion or the ziplines — that you can weave into the music experience. We’re starting to do it now, create an experiential situation that could last all day, and music’s part of it.”