Council debates choices for music entertainment

It's still several months away but a key component of this year's "American Heroes: A Salute to Veterans" event is already an important topic of discussion in city council chambers.

Recreation Manager David Swain updated the council last week on which bands might be available to headline the event. While a handful of intriguing options have been considered, the amount of funding available may ultimately limit the choices to only a few.

Swain has worked with KenRan Productions, a booking agent, to compile a lengthy list of possible headliners. However, based on funding from last year's budget of approximately $15,000 (which includes money for opening acts), that list was eventually narrowed to 10 bands including: the Toadies, the Bellamy Brothers, Loverboy, Little Texas, Seven Mary Three, the Lt. Dan Band, Diamond Rio, Blackhawk, REO Speedwagon, and 10,000 Maniacs.

Of those, most already had a date booked or would require additional funding in terms of travel expenses or hotel accommodations.

Following up on the success of last year's band, Bowling for Soup, Swain said their first choice for 2012 was the Toadies.

"The Toadies are an alternative band that has local ties very similar to the band we had last year," he said. "We kind of draw from the same audience and we got a good result last year so we thought, why not go that way again? Unfortunately they have a prospective date in Dallas that is offering more money than we are."

Swain said Little Texas and Seven Mary Three also fell within the price range and were available, but that the city staff ultimately chose the Bellamy Brothers. When it became time to review terms of the contract, however, it was decided to bring in the city council for feedback.

"Our goal going into this is how to get the best bang for our buck and [book] somebody that people have heard of and want to come see so we can get a good crowd," Swain said. "A lot of folks that were there last year were there to see Bowling for Soup."

Seemingly unhappy with the choice, Council member Jeff Connelly said he felt it was evident the city should find a way to provide additional funding for the event.

"We need to be able to get some better talent in. During the budget process (later in the year), I recommend we look at ways to get more funding," he said. Connelly also suggested alternative headliners such as a comedian like Gabriel Iglesias.

Mayor Joe McCourry agreed that the options were limited. "I'm from an older generation but I'm not sure the Bellamy Brothers are going to attract the crowd size that we had last year," he said.

Both McCourry and Connelly, as well as Council member Perry Schrag, suggested finding out more about Little Texas and their ability to draw the desired crowd.

Regardless, Swain was directed by the mayor to continue researching the city's options with last year's budget in mind.

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