Country Music Showdown Possible for Arnold's 2012 Concert Series

Arnold’s tourism commission members are considering two bands—a tribute band and the Allman Brothers Band—for this fall’s concert series and a country music showdown performance for the 2012 season.

The showdown, named the Texaco County Showdown, is similar to TV music talent shows, said Greg Hall, Arnold’s director of administration and the mayor’s liaison to the committee.

Hall and commission members met at City Hall, at 2101 Jeffco Blvd., on Wednesday afternoon.

Contestants would eventually compete for a $100,000 grand prize in a national competition, Hall said. Missouri would be among seven regional competitions that whittle down contestants toward the national championship.

In the showdown’s 30-year history, past participants included Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood and Tim McGraw, marketing documents state. 

About 450 showdowns occur throughout the U.S., Hall said. Two showdowns occur in Missouri, a north and south event, because country western music is popular with the population.

The showdowns for 2011, which occur during the fall, were already booked and unavailable to Arnold, Hall said.

The prospective event would cost about $5,000 to the city, Hall said. “The showdown is sponsored by local radio stations, and they take care of much of the costs for marketing, advertising, judges and back-up bands.” Hall said.

The showdown could draw between 350 to 2,000 people to Arnold, Hall said.

The highlight would be a 90-minute broadcast show in which six to 10 contestants perform in front of judges and a live crowd, Hall said to commission members.

“I’m not too sure how excited I would be to watch only six performers,” said Mark Hood, a Tourism Commission member. He said he preferred to see 10 acts.

Ward 3 Councilman Phil Amato, who sits on the commission, said, “But there’s minimal financial risk to having the showdown in Arnold.”

For this fall’s concert series, commission members are considering a local band that specializes in musical tributes to The Eagles, Led Zepplin and Aerosmith.

The band, which was unnamed during the meeting, performed for 10,000 people in a St. Charles arena, Hood said.

“I’ve heard them and they sound great,” Hood said.

If the city selected the tribute band, Hood said the musical tribute should focus on a single music group. Ticket buyers might become upset and leave early because they did not hear their favorite song, Hood said. 

The tribute band would charge $2,500 for a three-hour show. “They are giving us a hometown discount,” Hood said. The tribute band usually charges between $3,500 to $4,000, which includes travel and hotel costs, per performance.

Tourism commissioners also supported having Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, the Allman Brothers Band perform during 2011-2012 concert season. 

The Allman Brothers would cost about $15,000, Hall said.