The Fred

LIVE MUSIC IS BACK!

A Slate of Family-Friendly Shows will Rock The Fred’s 2021 Concert Season

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

THIS SUMMER, MUSIC’S greatest hits will fill the air again at the Frederick J Brown, Jr. Amphitheater. Voted “Best Music Venue” in 2018 and 2019 by INsite readers, “The Fred” is one of Georgia’s favorite live music showcases. This year, a slate of tribute acts will be featured, blending state-of-the-art production values with quality, family-friendly performances for fans of all ages. With a history that spans over forty years, the Peachtree City arena has hosted many of the world’s legendary performers, from oldies to opera. Known as The Fred since 1991, in honor of former Peachtree City Mayor Frederick Brown Jr., the popular attraction features table, theater and lawn seats. Since 2018, the 2,500-seat location has partnered with PTR, a joint venture of Atlantabased companies - Premier Events, RCS Productions and Ticket Alternative. INsite recently spoke with Stephen Moore of RCS to discuss the Fred’s innovative new 2021 season and the perils of the pandemic.

It’s been a hectic year for everyone. We’ve never seen anything like it. For RCS productions, in March of 2020 we were expecting our best year ever. We were coming from an incredibly strong 2019, and most of the events that we were implementing were all set and ready to go. I think we had 200 or so events on the books and we ended up actually executing eleven of them. So it was quite a shock. Basically, that meant our business was down 94 percent. There were four of us working full-time in January of last year and we spent March and April moving shows to the fall. Then we spent May moving shows to 2021. After that, it got very, very quiet. We cut down to two people and we were basically working one to three hours a day. But we came up with what’s called mutually agreeable dates for shows in the future. Most of our clients were on board with that, which was fantastic. It helps to keep everyone’s reputations solid within the industry.

tops. So it’s getting harder to see and hear these songs in the live setting. If you’ve got a reasonable representation, people will support it by coming out, having a good time and enjoying the entire experience with a massive library of hits. People come for the hits and the whole communal atmosphere the live show can offer. Absolutely. We do shows for a number of municipalities all around the area. They’re all very different but the one thing they Georgia Players Guild Presents “Georgia Rhythm – Hits from Georgia Artists” & Tribute – The Music of the Allman Brothers Band on July 10 have in common is people love to come together to enjoy music with their friends and family. These parks, bandshells or the more proper amphitheaters like The Fred, allow people that opportunity. They don’t have to drive long distances to see a quality show and 2020 was a depressing time, but when things enjoy a quality night out. finally open again, the live concert industry is going to explode. Now that we’ve been so isolated, that That’s the idea. I think the first experiment community spirit is more important now we had with that was down at The Fred. than ever. Visiting The Fred, for example, is Our management team met with the city like seeing a big show in someone’s backyard, in December and there was willingness to because it actually is in a neighborhood. The do something good in 2021. By January, the big sheds don’t offer that same sort of small decision was made to put up some shows that town charm. we knew we could complete. There’s definitely a place for the big venues. They’re able to host the big touring shows but So that became the announced schedule for you’re right, the hometown vibe of The Fred, The Fred. for example, is hard to beat. Most of the shows That’s right. That’s how we came up with we do for municipalities are free and whole the ten shows that have been announced so families come out for a night out together. far. They’re all popular tribute shows and they And because of that, we are careful to make seem to make the most sense when you’re sure it’s a family-friendly event, all around. going from 2,500 seats down to 900. Often those shows are a kid’s introduction to The demand for tickets was impressive, from the live scene. what I heard. It’s truly heartwarming to see families Absolutely. We sold out six shows in one sharing the experience of live music. I’ve got day! Now, eight of the ten are sold out. People a great picture from one of the shows we did are ready to come out and buy tickets for a in Woodstock. I don’t even remember which responsible music experience. That’s what we’re show it was but the picture captured such a going to deliver - not sweet moment. Two dads had their kids up only at The Fred but on their shoulders, for all of our clients. I took the picture from behind them. Audiences really But what really got love the tribute to me was that the shows. dads were loving the They really do. The show, but these kids shows have gotten were just having a bigger and bigger ball, too. That’s what and that’s forced the it’s all about. Families tribute bands to get come out, mom and better and better dad probably grew with incredible up with the music production values and now they’re to their shows. Most introducing their of them are touring with a pretty nice production package, Whot’s That Girl – The Ultimate Diva Experience will play on August 7. own kids to the songs that meant so much to them. It makes whether it’s video for an unforgettable or special lighting packages. It’s not just any experience. But that’s the beauty of live band standing up there on a stage, these are music. It brings people together and creates a fully produced shows, featuring a variety of moment. I’m glad to see that it’s coming back. artists and an impressively comprehensive set It’s like a visit with an old friend, so I urge of hits. The market has definitely evolved and people to come on out, have a safe, fun time - people really enjoy the results and it’s all about and get re-acquainted with something we all the music. They are playing the greatest hits took for granted. of these artists and it’s a good way to hear this music played live. Some of the original artists The Fred is located at 201 McIntosh Trail are getting up there in age and sometimes they in Peachtree City. For more information, visit don’t want to play 120 shows a year. Some amphitheater.org, or call 770-631-0630. of them are down to 30 or 40 shows a year,