It’s extremely hard to pinpoint the most important thing that happened for us in 2022. Obviously the reletionship with Lovedrafts is high on the list. Working with some national acts and keeping a relationship w/ them such as Hedpe, Crazy Town among others. Establashing new releationships with nationals like Texas Hippie Coalition, Wednesday 13, Adema, Tantric and others. One relationship that I find to possibly be the biggest is OMG Promotions. They have not only become business partners but friends and even family. We absolutely adore them.
Here’s a story on how to hustle. I had the evening sun festival packed tight w/ I believe 9 bands, possibly 8 but either way it was jammed front to back. I recieved an email late one night from an Alyssa inquiring about getting her band LYLVC on this bill along w/ City of The Weak as they were trying to get a short run going w/ them. She promised an incredible performance and even gaurenteed to sell an extremely high number of tickets. I couldn’t believe it. At first I’ll be honest and say I was skeptical, they are from North Carolina after all. How would they sell any tickets let alone the number she was talking?? But (and this is something you gain over the years) I had a feeling about her and her band. I can’t explain it but something was telling me to give them a shot. I did and they did not dissappoint. I’m not getting into ticket numbers however they outsold all the local bands combined (take notes kids) and then the most important part was once they hit that stage (and let me tell you they had the most anticipated set I’ve seen in while) they absolutely crushed it. It was one of those performances that the room stands still, one where there’s 40 people at the beginning of the set and twice that towards the end. I am so proud of the relationship we forged w/ this band and cannot wait to work w/ them in the future as they have become friends and family as well.
One more story (ok maybe two). I kept hearing of this band of kids called Nailbite. I had spoke w/ John (Bassist, dad, manager) a few times and we both held interest in working together but dates hadn’t worked out and basically logistics hadn’t lined up yet. We finally linked up on a date opening for The Bunny The Bear. This would be a Sunday night in April. Here’s where things got fun and I got that little voice in my head again. John mentioned adding them to a show only 4 days later (same week, that thursday) w/ Fate Destroyed and Living Dead Girl. I said “John, those are only 4 days apart, I’m concerned you’ll split your audience”. He assured me that wouldn’t happen because he had something up his sleeve for that Fate Destroyed Show. Once again that “Feeling” came over me and I said to him “Fuck it, lets do it”. Now I had this band that I had only heard about on 2 shows only 4 days apart. I was then informed Danny Wimmer Presents w/ Balz and Bobby Schubnenski would be attending the show and doing a live broadcast. They were flying in from California for this. I watched as Eventbrite began to grow and we sold 30 tickets for the show in 10 minutes. The Bunny The Bear show came and I got to witness the Live Epicness of a Nailbite show. All I could think 5 minutes into thier set was “Holy Shit, I get to see them in four days again, I cannot wait”. The Bunny The Bear show was a success and thanks in Huge part to the effort and work by Nailbite that Fate Destroyed show was huge. It brought so many eyes to us and Lovedrafts. I am so so proud to call them friends and be in the Nailbite family and they’ll always be in the 717 Entertainment family. So exited to build on ou rrelationship in 2022.
I’m on a roll so one more. Early in the year I booked a band called Evil Like You. I fell ill and was unable to attend this show (and now I’m even more pissed about it). I booked them again and this time was able to catch the set. I was literally blown away. I had a feeling wash over me after the set that said; I just witnessed something special on that stage. Thier next assignment was The Ozzfest Tribute show (more on that in another section). My goal with ozzfest was big tribute bands and buzz bands. Evil Like You made that early day so special w/ the “buzz” they had around them. It felt exactly like seeing a band on side stage w/ all the hype behind them and then being so excited that they lived up to it all in spades. They tore the place down at like 4:00 in the afternoon. They then impressed me further by bringing a crowd of nearly 30 people out on 4 days notice opening up for Defending Cain. Again they tore the roof off. This is the point I felt they were ready to headline. The stars would align as they were intending to release thier first EP at the same time of our 3rd Evening Sun Festival of the year. They took on the roll of Headliners. Let me explain something here, they took the roll humbly and showed up at doors, watched every single band, started pits during some bands and was attentive to everyone. I was so impressed. Then they took that stage and proved w/out a shadow of a doubt why they are Headliners. They owned that stage for 50 minutes. I can’t say enough about this group of guys and once again these boys have a place in the 717 Family for Life!!!!
Both Nailbite and Evil like You will be opening for Soulfly in February. They both have it all. The songs, the presence, the attention to everyone else who plays the stage and the respect for everyone that steps in the venue when they are apart of an event.
I need to say a little something more about OMG Promotions and one of my best friends Rob (and his wife Ginger). A lot of people throw around the term “I live for music” and I’m here to tell you unless your name is Rob, no you don’t. This team of two goes to shows constantly, always out to support bands and when they are home they are on social media sharing bands and inviting people to “like” bands. Every breath taken is another to support and spread the love of local / regional and national bands and I’m super honored to say 717 Entertainment as well. I caught wind of them on Facebook early in the year and finally met up w/ them I believe at the Paralandra show. Its been all love ever since. They are out to at least 2 of every 3 shows and cover it w/ thier unique blend of pictures, social media coverage. Most importantly we have a killer time at every show and Its gotten to a point where the shows feel a bit underdressed w/ out them there… So thanks to them and I am so so glad to have met them and made new friends for life (so what if that sounds lame :).

NEW RELATIONSHIPS FORMED

LYLVC

NAILBITE

EVIL LIKE YOU