I Feel like its very cliche to say “This was the best year we’ve had” and to a degree it is but Holy Shit it has never been more true then describing the year we had w/ 717 Entertainment in 2024. As I sit here reflecting I truly don’t know where to begin and I don’t want to do the basic in january we started with blah blah blah and go through the year month by month. So I’m gonna do the best I can in getting the feelings, emotions and events of the year down on, well not paper but in print at least.
The whole idea of 717 Entertainment from the beginning was to bring big concerts and big feel shows into a small and intimate venue. I think that was accomplished this year w/ some amazing shows. We had a few sellout shows like Silverstein who is playing much bigger venues but we were able to get them to you. Crown The Empire was another that we’ve brought to you twice and fully intend on doing again. They’ve become regulars when they come through the area. Probably the biggest bucket lister of the year for me personally was 10 Years. I’ve always wanted to book them and it was an amazing experience to do that celebrating our good friends in Irockradio’s 10th anniversary. Miss May I and Demon Hunter were late in the year additions to the 600 club (over 600 in attendence, we go to 650). What about fucking Soulja Boy? Did you ever in your wildest dreams think that you’d go to a 717 Show and see “Crank That” live by the legendary rapper himself? I know I sure didn’t. When I started this nearly 18 years ago I had visions of some bigger bands but this year far exceeded my original visions, now I have bigger idea’s. I see 1,000+ shows in the next year or two. Honestly I’m seeing double or triple that if I’m being honest. Will that be the norm? No but I’d like to scale back a tad on the number of shows and feature bigger ones instead.
Something I’ve been pretty proud of is the “Reimagined: Concerts From The Past” Concert series. I brought about 5 of those this year which is the basic number I set out to do, four or five a year. I don’t want to be the “Tribute Bands” Guy or over saturate these events either. I want them to be special. The Woodstock Tribute I did this year was my mecca if you will. I was so happy w/ that bill. I loved that bill so much I’d damn near consider re doing the whole thing. Just this past week I had one of the absolute best tributes Id ever seen Eminescence, a Tribute to Evanescence. Do yourself a favor and go see them. I cannot Wait to bring them back to Lovedrafts again. All in all I think everyone had fun and enjoyed these events and that’s all I set out to do with them.
The surprise of the year for me was winning a “Spot” Award for “Best Promoter” at the Central Pennsylvania Music Awards. Thankfully it was an advance thing announced online so I didn’t have to give a speech because I suck at those and probably would have just stood there and froze. Super proud of this honor. I really want to thank them for it. I typed up a whole thing about it so I won’t bore you w/ more about it but it was a huge deal for me so it must be recognized in the review.
Then we had the Cover of PA Musician magazine. Christ, that thing has had so many of my favorite bands on the cover of it. Bands like The Underwater, Julian Fist, Halestorm, Hierosonic and so many more. Now I’ll forever be included in that. I can’t even fathom that. Chris Rider took the absolute coolest damn pic of me for it to. I really enjoyed the questions as well as I felt there was a great range to them. I’ve been super thankful to be advertising in the magazine throughout the year and will continue this relationship w/ them. Always love seeing the crew out at shows as well. Josh and Rachel and of course Chris. Thank them so much for that inclusion and the continued relationship we have!!!
Another milestone for the year was being the guest on the Pretty Little Podcast. I was honored to be asked to be on it let alone to be the guest on the 50th episode. how cool? I really enjoyed the interview and would absolutely do it again. I’ve been trying to put my name and face out there a bit more as of late. I’ve always been the behind the scenes guy, hence why I do what I do and don’t really play in bands (Except Green Jelly). I’m pretty introverted but I’ve been told to get your face out there, get your name out there. So this year I started doing that and I guess w/ the success I had this year it at least didn’t hurt anything. So I’m open to podcasts, interviews or whatever. I’m not asking anyone to put me on but I’ll start saying yes more now.
Speaking of Green Jelly. I finally got to perform on the stage w/ them at Lovedrafts. It was hot as fuck on that stage. I feel bad booking bands in the summer months now. It was so fun to share the stage w/ my friends in the band and of course some of my favorite bands like Mantra of Morta among others who opened the show. Green Jelly is always one of the most fun, wild and crazy nights of the year. Nothing can prepare you for the madness. ha. I’ve been lucky enough to play Lovedrafts, Gullifty’s, Tourist Inn, Hmac, Reverb among a few others w/ the band which is so fun because I got to be on the same stages that I put so many acts on.
