Welcome to the Entertainment Booking and Production Blog

This booking entertainment blog is hosted and administered by American Entertainement.

Since 1965, Don Podolor’s American Entertainment has provided complete and professional corporate event production, professional concert production, entertainment booking and event management for companies worldwide. We feature flawless planning and production with an event management team that delivers and executes the highest quality event production programs to fit each of our Client’s specific needs. Our 40 plus years as a talent buyers network and entertainment booking agency we have built strong professional relationships with the biggest artists and agencies in the entertainment world. Our international concert management team will partner with you on bringing major acts overseas and overseeing the management of your event.

Talent Acquisition Entertainment Booking
We are not a typical entertainment booking agency. We do not believe in the “Buy Sell” performance contract. As a network of talent buyers, we work with venues, casinos and festivals to acquire top name talent, acting as the “Buyers Agent” to negotiate the best artist rate for our clients directly with the artist or their agent or management. In addition to the performing artists we represent, and through our association with all major entertainment agencies, we can provide virtually ANY major name act, band or performer for your venue. Since 1965, we have commanded the respect of the entertainment community, and we have the purchasing power to negotiate the best price for your concert event.

Las Vegas Event Production and Management
Our home office and event production management center is located in Las Vegas, Nevada. With our strong local relationships in the Las Vegas hospitality and Las Vegas entertainment industry, we can provide full corporate event production services from the smallest of Las Vegas VIP parties to a sit down dinner for 10,000. We have access to any size venue from the small intimate Clubs to the largest arena’s. We can also augment your existing event plan with food and beverage services, stage, sound and lighting, Las Vegas Entertainment including local bands, major Las Vegas A-List headliners and celebrity look a likes. Our Corporate Travel Unit can also book large room blocks at Las Vegas hotels, flight reservations, transportation and other concierge services including group tours and Las Vegas VIP parties.

Concert Production and Management
If you have not actually managed a concert before or just don’t want the hassle, the talent will be cautious in contracting for your concert event. We will oversee the entire concert production from providing the Stage, Sound and Lighting to acquiring security, catering, transportation, backline and working directly with the artist as a liaison for all other performance rider needs. We are not a concert promoter but will advise on concert marketing strategy, choosing the right artist for your demographic, concert ticket scaling, sponsorships and other services to ensure a successful concert.

Event Stage, Sound and Lighting Design and Management
We are a full service concert and event entertainment production company with a complete inventory of sound reinforcement and staging equipment. Specializing in concert tours, trade shows, corporate, and other special events, we are well known for creating events that reach their maximum potential. From innovative concepts and designs through coordinating every stage of production, we provide our clients the tools to communicate effectively with their audience. Our event production team combines its dedicated, motivated, and highly experienced employees with the finest entertainment equipment available to achieve unparalleled success for our clients.

Corporate Event Planning
We provide complete corporate event planning and corporate event management for companies worldwide. We feature flawless planning and production with a professional corporate event management team that delivers and executes the highest quality event production programs to fit each of our Corporate Client’s specific needs. Our pro-active, not re-active approach to detail ensures a successful, exciting and fulfilling corporate event for our clients and their attendees. Our Corporate Event Producers provide the corporate event planning, corporate event management & event production.

Obama Trashes Las Vegas Again For Conventions

Before reading the following news story that made headlines tonight, understand that it costs less in Las Vegas to produce a corporate event production then ANYWHERE else in the US. The Hotel rooms, Airfare and related costs are far less then any of the cities, nationwide we have produced corporate events. Somehow Obama is punishing Las Vegas and for what? It is as if he is purposely trying to destroy a city.

On that note, we built the Yucca Mountain facility to house radioactive waste. We the taxpayers spent over 1 Billion Dollars to build it and now that it is completed it is being shut down. Hmmm, a West Coast bunker has been built and paid for. We are not going to use it for its intended purpose but trucks filled with consumer goods have been delivering products to the new Yucca Mountain Bunker.

Hey this is Vegas. Things are so crazy, Elvis might actually be alive.

President Obama Again Criticizes Trips to Las Vegas

Posted: // <![CDATA[// Feb 02, 2010 2:59 PM PST Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:59 PM EST Updated: // <![CDATA[// Feb 02, 2010 5:18 PM PST Tuesday, February 2, 2010 8:18 PM EST

President Obama is catching heat from Nevada lawmakers and business leaders regarding his comments Tuesday criticizing trips to Las Vegas.

During the president’s town hall meeting in Nashua, New Hampshire, he discussed the need to curb spending during tough economic times.  “When times are tough, you tighten your belts,” the president said. “You don’t go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don’t blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you’re trying to save for college.”

The president’s comments come nearly a year after he criticized companies that received federal money for taking corporate junkets to Las Vegas. “You can’t go take that trip to Las Vegas or go down to the Super Bowl on taxpayers’ dime,” he said at the time. Local business leaders say Nevada tourism suffered last year in part because companies canceled trips to Las Vegas in the wake of the president’s comments.

His statement Tuesday drew sharp criticism from Nevada lawmakers. “The President needs to lay off Las Vegas and stop making it the poster child for where people shouldn’t be spending their money,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat. “Las Vegas is suffering through one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, and we cannot afford for the President to bring us down any further,” added Republican Senator John Ensign. “Nevada has one of the most distressed economies in the country, and the President has done little to focus on job creation over the past year.  Discouraging people from coming to our state to make a political point adds insult to injury,” said Republican Congressman Dean Heller.

“Tourism is the number one economic stimulus for Southern Nevada and for many cities and states across the country.  While we appreciate Las Vegas is top of mind for the President, we would ask that he offer words of encouragement instead of criticism,” Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Rossi Ralenkotter said.

President Obama is scheduled to visit Las Vegas this month.

List of Grammy Winners

Full list of Grammy winners:

Female R&B Vocal Performance: Beyoncé, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”

Male R&B Vocal Performance: Maxwell, “Pretty Wings”

R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: Jamie Foxx and T-Pain, “Blame It”

Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: Beyoncé, “At Last”

R&B Song: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”, Beyoncé

R&B Album: Blacksummers’ Night, Maxwell

Female Country Vocal Performance: “White Horse,” Taylor Swift

Male Country Vocal Performance: “Sweet Thing,” Keith Urban

Dance Recording: “Poker Face,” Lady Gaga

Electronic/Dance Album: The Fame, Lady Gaga

Urban/Alternative Performance: India.Arie and Dobet Gnahore, “Pearls”

Rap Solo Performance: Jay-Z, “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)”

Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: “Crack a Bottle,” Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent

Rap Song: “Run This Town,” Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West

Rap Album: Relapse, Eminem

Country Collaboration With Vocals: “I Told You So,” Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis

Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: Lady Antebellum, “I Run to You”

Country Instrumental Performance: “Producer’s Medley,” Steve Wariner

New Age Album: Prayer for Compassion, David Darling

Contemporary Jazz Album: 75, Joe Zawinul & the Zawinul Syndicate

Jazz Vocal Album: Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman, Kurt Elling

Improvised Jazz Solo: “Dancin’ 4 Chicken,” Terence Blanchard, soloist

Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group: Five Piece Band—Live, Chick Corea and John McLaughlin Five Peace Band

Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Book One, New Orleans Jazz Orchestra

Latin Jazz Album: Juntos Para Siempre, Bebo Valdés and Chucho Valdés

Gospel Performance: “Wait on the Lord,” Donnie McClurkin featuring Karen Clark Sheard

Gospel Song: “God in Me,” Mary Mary featuring Kierra “KiKi” Sheard

Rock or Rap Gospel Album: Live Revelations, Third Day

Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: The Power of One, Israel Houghton

Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Jason Crabb, Jason Crabb

Traditional Gospel Album: Oh Happy Day, Various Artists

Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: Audience of One, Heather Headley

Latin Pop Album: Sin Frenos, La Quinta Estación

Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album: Los De Atras Vienen Conmigo, Calle 13

Tropical Latin Album: Ciclos, Luis Enrique

Regional Mexican Album: Necesito De Ti, Vicente Fernández

Tejano Album: Borders y Bailes, Los Texmaniacs

Norteño Album: Tu Noche Con…Los Tigres Del Norte, Los Tigres Del Norte

Banda Album: Tu Esclavo y Amo, Lupillo Rivera

Americana Album: Electric Dirt, Levon Helm

Bluegrass Album: The Crow/New Songs for the Five-String Banjo, Steve Martin

Traditional Blues Album: A Stranger Here, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott

Contemporary Blues Album: Already Free, The Derek Trucks Band

Traditional Folk Album: High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project, Loudon Wainwright III

Contemporary Folk Album: Townes, Steve Earle

Hawaiian Music Album: Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Volume 2, Various Artists

Native American Music Album: Spirit Wind North, Bill Miller

Zydeco or Cajun Music Album: Lay Your Burden Down, Buckwheat Zydeco

Reggae Album: Mind Control—Acoustic, Stephen Marley

Musical Show Album: West Side Story

Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: Slumdog Millionaire

Score Soundtrack Album tor Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: Up, Michael Giacchino

Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “Jai Ho” (from Slumdog Millionaire), A.R. Rahman, Sukhvinder Singh, Tanvi Shah, Mahalaxmi Iyer and Vijay Prakash

Instrumental Composition: Married Life (from Up), Michael Giacchino

Instrumental Arrangement: “West Side Story Medley,” Bill Cunliffe

Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): “Quiet Nights,” Diana Krall

Recording Package: Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, David Byrne and Brian Eno

Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: Neil Young Archives Vol. I (1963–1972), Neil Young

Album Notes: The Complete Louis Armstrong Decca Sessions (1935-1946), Louis Armstrong

Historical Album: The Complete Chess Masters (1950-1967), Little Walter

Engineered Album, Non-Classical: Ellipse, Imogen Heap

Aerosmith Looks For New Frontman to replace Steven Tyler

Aerosmith Looks For New Frontman
Posted: Fri., Jan. 22, 2010 04:49:54 PM MST

BOSTON (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Aerosmith has announced that they have started a search for a new frontman to replace Steven Tyler who is currently undergoing rehab for an addiction to painkillers.

Its not entirely clear if the band’s new frontman will be a temporary or permanent replacement for Tyler. When he entered rehab in December, Tyler stated that he planned to be “writing, recording and performing with Aerosmith” as soon as he was sorted out.

The band’s guitarist Joe Perry didn’t seem quite as sure, telling the Toronto Sun that: “It’s kind of hard to get a straight answer about what’s going on, he has to have leg surgery and foot surgery and it’s basically going to take him out of the picture for about a year, year and a half. So, in the meantime, the rest of the band wants to play. And I want to play with the other guys in Aerosmith. So the four of us are just making our plans. We’re gonna find somebody to get in there and fill that spot. Just like when Tom was sick — we got David Hull to come in and play bass. When Brad was sick, we got somebody else to come in and play for him. That’s basically how I look at it; we need another singer to fill in.”

Still, Perry didn’t close the door on Tyler’s return completely. “I’m ready to write with him, to play on stage with him anytime he’s physically ready and wants to do it,” Perry told the Sun. “But it’s really up to him. And the last things he said to the press were that he wanted to work with the band and sing with the band, so we’ll see.” – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers

Detroit Lakes’ WE Fest Announces ‘10 Lineup

Detroit Lakes’ WE Fest Announces ‘10 Lineup

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (AP) ¯ Promoters have announced the lineup for this year’s WE Fest, the three-day country music festival at a campground near Detroit Lakes.

The headliners for this year’s events are country superstars Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney, and rocker Kid Rock. The festival kicks off on Aug. 5 with performances by Urban along with Montgomery Gentry, Randy Houser and Gloriana.

Kid Rock performs on Aug. 6, along with Eric Church, Blake Shelton and Kid Aldean. Chesney headlines the final day on Aug. 7, along with Gretchen Wilson, Dierks Bentley, Joe Nichols and Hitchville.

Rothbury 2010 Cancelled

Rothbury 2010 Cancelled

ROTHBURY, MI (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Festival organizers have announced that they are pulling the plug on the 2010 return of the festival, making it, with Live Nation’s Pemberton to be the second major North American festival to be cancelled this week.

AEG Live and Madison House, the event’s producers, claimed that a contributing factor in the decision was difficulty in assembling an solid artist lineup because of scheduling conflicts.

“The result for this year is that we are not able to move forward with the integrity and high standards that we demand from ourselves and for the festival.” Madison House Presents’ Jeremy Stein said in a statement.

The event’s producers took pains to note that the cancellation of this year’s event doesn’t mean that Rothbury is down for good. Organizers said that they are already moving forward with Rothbury 2011.

“This event is something very special, and we are unwilling to potentially tarnish what Rothbury is, and can become, by working under conditions that will produce anything less than a magical experience. Our efforts are certainly not coming to an end.” Stein said.

Rothbury has had a troubled existence. It debuted in 2008 to solid attendance and favorable reviews but nearly went by the boards in 2009 when the resort where the event is held went into bankruptcy, but organizers managed to stage the event anyways, reporting an attendance increase of 30% over the previous year. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers

Eric Woolfson of The Alan Parsons Project Passes

Eric Woolfson dies from cancer on 2nd December 2009.

Since then there have been a number of touching tributes made to him in the press and online (Alan Parsons’ tribute is included below). A selection of obituaries can be seen on the APP website NEWS section.

Eric Woolfson’s FACEBOOK page has also become a place where many fans have left wonderful messages about what his music meant to them.

TRIBUTE FROM ALAN PARSONS

“It is with great sadness that I announce that Eric Woolfson, the other half of the Alan Parsons Project died on December 2. I knew of Eric’s illness, but bravely, he always asked that it not be made public. Eric was one of the most generous, musically gifted and knowledgeable people I ever met. He was also – and I mean no disrespect – the most stubborn individual to set foot on the planet – a trait which made him a great businessman. His songwriting talent speaks for itself. He not only wrote the majority of the songs we recorded together but after we had two or three albums under our belts he proved – contrary to my own opinions – that he had a singing voice that would be loved by millions. He never let me forget that I actually disliked Eye In The Sky when he first played it to me – arguably my most famous mistake. One newspaper rather cruelly, but nevertheless to Eric’s amusement, referred to him as “The Songwriting Accountant” . It was also once said that in his music business dealings he managed to achieve the sale of the Eiffel tower and then having done it, sold it again.

It is a regret to me that after 15 years of million-selling successes, that his decision to step from the shadows and into the limelight for his first real solo moment of musical glory – Freudiana – was so plagued with personal conflicts with his business partners. Ultimately and sadly, Freudiana was the last occasion we worked together. Speaking of Limelight – my favourite song of Eric’s – was according to him no reflection on his own reaction to stardom or the lack of it. But anyone who knew him will surely agree that upon hearing Limelight’s lyrics that there is a message about his feelings in his chosen profession.

The hiccup that the Freudiana debacle caused, fortunately had no long-lasting effect and he continued in musical theatre with notable success, particularly in Germany, Austria and the Far East.

I look back upon our times together making The Alan Parsons Projects very fondly. The legacy that Eric created as half of The Alan Parsons Project lived on with a lasting power few artists have ever enjoyed – and I will always be grateful for that.”

ALAN PARSONS – December 2009

Bloggers note: Pyramid was my first Alan Parsons Album. I have been a fan of the project my entire life. The project would not have been possible with Eric. He is Now “The Eye in the Sky”

Simon Cowell To Produce Charity Single For Haiti

Simon Cowell To Produce Charity Single For Haiti

LONDON (AP) — TV mogul Simon Cowell said Thursday he would produce a charity single within 10 days to benefit victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

The “American Idol” and “X-Factor” judge said he was asked by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to help with the relief effort.

Performers have yet to be chosen, but may include British singers Susan Boyle, Leona Lewis and Cheryl Cole, Cowell said.

“I don’t know who’s available, but I will get a record out within seven to 10 days,” he said, adding that the goal was to raise as much money as possible in a short period of time.

Brown said the government had agreed to exempt the single from sales tax, so more money would go to Haiti.

“Simon Cowell can make a huge amount of money to help the people of Haiti,” Brown said.

The British government and many private agencies were sending large aid shipments to the stricken Caribbean nation.

Joe’s Rant on the Entertainment Booking and Production Industry

I won’t start off with a major rant on the business of booking entertainment, but I can assure you a serious rant is on it’s way. Everything from clients that have NO CLUE to the middle agents ripping off the clients with Buy/Sell agreements. With the exception of Responsible Agents(RA’s), this industry is ripping off the promoters on a daily basis.

In fact, WE were ripped off. Imagine having a friend/webmaster/internet hosting company place a blind redirect on all of our leads within our lead generation database and having all of those e mails and booking forms being forwarded to one of our booking entertainment competitors in New York. All for a credit card payment of $1,250 dollars a week.

I am going to go off over time I can assure you and it will not be pretty.

Joe

Industry veteran Bob Kinkead will be joining Paradigm as their latest agent.

Kinkead To Paradigm
Posted: Tue., Jan. 19, 2010 06:33:45 PM MST

NASHVILLE, TN (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Industry veteran Bob Kinkead will be joining Paradigm as their latest agent.

Kinkead has long experience with more than 25 years in the industry, working as both an agent and a manager at various firms including APA, William Morris and most recently, Buddy Lee in their Nashville office.

Among Kinkead’s clients who will be making the transition with him are Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy and Bill Engvall, bolstering Paradigm’s comedy roster.

“We have a comedy division, but this puts us on the comedy tour map in a major way. Live performance obviously but also TV Lit for packaging, TV and MP talent obviously,” an unnamed Paradigm source told Deadline Hollywood’s Nikki Fink.

Kinkead will continue to be based in Nashville and work out of Paradigm’s offices there. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater Becomes Comfort Dental Amphitheater

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater Becomes Comfort Dental Amphitheater

ENGLEWOOD, CO (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Live Nation has pacted with Comfort Dental, the largest dental franchise in the United States in a naming rights deal to rename Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre to the Comfort Dental Amphitheatre.

The 17,000 capacity shed, owned by the Museum of Outdoor Arts and operated by Live Nation opened in 1998 under the name of Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre but was also known for a time as the Coors Amphitheatre. The amphitheatre typically stages approximately 25 events a year andin 2009, played host to shows by Toby Keith, Nine Inch Nails, Aerosmith and Nickleback among others.

No details about the total price of the naming rights deal were made public but the agreement will last for at least 3 years.

“We are excited to place our name on Comfort Dental Amphitheatre. Ultimately, good dental health and good overall health is what we deliver to patients. When people enjoy the music at Comfort Dental Amphitheatre, that positive feeling carries over to our brand and their next dental visit. The partnership with Live Nation underscores our commitment to a positive experience with Comfort Dental.” said Dr. Neil Morton, Vice President for Comfort Dental.