|
Lucknow Kinsmen plan two-day Music in the Fields this summer By Liz Dadson |
Huron-Kinloss council To Comment on this article Click Here |
||||
|
Building on a hugely-successful 2011 event, the Lucknow Kinsmen plan to expand the Music in the Fields to a two-day concert this summer. Speaking to Huron-Kinloss council last night (Jan. 16), co-ordinators Rick McMurray and Ken Irwin outlined the results of the day-long country music concert held Aug. 27 last year, and plans for the 2012 event, slated for Aug. 24-25. "We had a great day with 4,300 people in attendance," said McMurray, "and we had something we hadn't had before - sunshine!" He said the concert featured headliner Blake Shelton, plus two American bands and five Canadian bands. One note, he said, is the event will have to move to a new level of excellence as far as how backstage work is done. "We may have to hire a production company to do this," he said. More than 300 volunteers helped out with the Music in the Fields, said McMurray, and the concert made a profit of $28,500, which exceeded the $25,000 goal. Of that, $5,000 was donated to the Goderich Tornado Disaster Relief Fund, and when matched by the local tractor pullers group and the Kinsmen, a total donation of $15,000 was made, said McMurray. Now, with the matching dollars from the government, that donation has increased to $45,000. The Kinsmen have invested about $10,000 in electrical infrastructure and this year, all the electrical equipment will be assembled and ready to put in place prior to the event, said McMurray. He said the gross income has increased over the three years of the concert, to $400,000-plus in 2011, from $250,000 in 2009. There are also increased costs for the high-calibre talent being brought in - to $250,000 from $150,000 over the three years, he said. But the profits tell the success story, he said. The Kinsmen lost money in 2009, balanced the budget in 2010, and this year saw a profit of almost $30,000. That money was donated to the following organizations:
McMurray said the Kinsmen are looking at a two-day concert in 2012 because there are more funding opportunities for larger events. "Plus, we want to grow it a bit," he said. "We won't be sure what acts we're bringing in Friday night until February." Other considerations for 2012 include: improved infrastructure, newly-designed web page, backstage labour provided by the producer, and continued focus on generating funds through corporate sponsorship and festival grants, such as the Festival Ontario grant to be announced in February. "Is there anything else the township can do to help you out?" asked councillor Jim Hanna. "Everything you've provided has been top-shelf," said McMurray, noting that when a service is required from the township, it's provided quickly and efficiently. The final weekend in August is now locked in for this event, said McMurray.
|
 Jason McCoy revs up the audience at the 2011 Music in the Fields held at the Lucknow Soccer Fields "You should get 'Trooper' in for Friday night," said Hanna. "That would be excellent," said McMurray. "They're a great band to work with." "Thanks for everything you do," said mayor Mitch Twolan. "It's like a business - it takes three to five years to get it up and running. Your trends are moving in the right direction." Following the meeting, McMurray said the concert producer is in New York now looking for acts for the 2012 Music in the Fields, and working with the same agent that brought in headliner Blake Shelton last year. "Once we get the headliner booked, the others fall in line," he said. "We would like to have the line-up ready by December," said Irwin, "but that's not the way the industry works. They want bookings just six months ahead. So, we need to get the right talent, at the right time, at the right price." Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
|
||||
|
 for
world news,
books, sports, movies ...Monday, January 16, 2012 |
