Eleven years have passed since a start-up theater called Country Tonite made its debut in Pigeon Forge. After years of nightly shows with a country theme, plus bringing in some of the biggest names in country music for special concerts, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
That's the motto the theater and the only general manager it's ever had, Jeff Taylor, stick by. "I personally didn't think I was going to live here this long," said Taylor, who came in 1997 along with his wife, Laurie, who serves as sales and marketing director. "I thought this would be a stepping stone for me. Once things changed and we started working for the owner of the theater, this was going to be a long-term deal for us. Country Tonite is going to be here for a long time."
The show will be 85 percent new this year, according to Taylor. The theater has a new stage floor, purchased new risers for the band, new scenery, new lighting system and a new DVD video system that puts a crisp image on its screens. New talent includes two young females taking a three-day-a-week stint. Pat Corn, a local musician and music teacher, has been hired as the new lead guitar player.
"This year's show is a perfect example of a win-win situation," said Mike Caldwell, the musical director. "We have youth, experience, energy and quality. The best way to describe my enthusiasm for the show is that I'm just as excited going into my 11th year as I was the first day."
"I spend a lot of time with these people," Taylor added. "In this business, when you're working with people you want to surround yourself with the best talent. This is going to be a phenomenal year. Every year, people come to me and say we didn't think it could get better, but this year was better than last year. 2007 is going to be by far the best show we have ever done."
The theater will continue to host its series of concerts throughout the year, promoted by First Class Productions. Among the returning performers are George Jones, Ronnie Milsap, Ronnie McDowell and the E-Connection, Mickey Gilley, Ray Price and the Nashville Legends Show. New performers include George "Goober" Lindsey and Boots Randolph, Con Hunley and Mel McDaniel, and Chubby Checker and the Drifters.
"We've talked about putting other acts in here besides country," Taylor said. "The first year George Jones performed at the theater, he had an opening the following day and wanted to perform again. I was thankful but we had a Country Tonite show the next day and had seats sold, so I had to turn him down. Once we get performers in this theater, we treat them like guests. Anyone who comes in and rents the theater, they are the boss. Everyone wants to come back. We have a reputation in Nashville with big names."
Can the theater be bigger and better than what it is?
"That's a hard question to answer," Taylor said. "Our repeat business is phenomenal. Every year people want to see new things we're doing. Every year have to raise the bar to ourselves. In a successful business, you can never rest on your laurels. You have to keep continuing to get better and better. People will be looking for quality entertainment, and we will be there to take care of it."
Information courtesy of The Mountain Press