Music In The Perfect Room

Concert series returns with new name, original philosophy

When Dick Renko booked music, people listened.

The 801 Concert Series, founded a decade ago by Renko and John McIntosh, became the most exclusive ticket in Fort Smith, says Mike Smets, who remembers feeling "like a special person to be invited to go."

FYI

Artist, Audience

& Community Live!

2014-15 Season

Sept. 4 — Ariana Gillis: Canadian singer/songwriter. arianagillis.com

Oct. 28 — Chuck Mead and his Grassy Knoll Boys: “Country music played the way it should be.” chuckmead.com

Nov. 6 — Darlingside: Boston-based indie/folk quartet with four distinctive lead vocalists. darlingside.com

Dec. 12 — Kevin and Dustin Welch: Oklahoma native Kevin Welch has written hit songs for people like Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Ricky Skaggs, Don Williams, but there is a special father/son magic that happens between these two on stage that makes their show a must see. kevinwelch.com and dustinwelch.com

Only four of eight dates have been announced. Season tickets are $250 at rtistAudienceandCom….

"Dick had the great talent of being able to catch people as they were passing through, like Bruce Cockburn, who played a few years ago," Smets says. "Dick would just catch (musicians) between Oklahoma City and Memphis. He'd tell them they needed to stop and play for a 10th of what they normally do. The logic Dick always used was, 'We'll give you enough to fill up your bus with gas, a night's rest, and it's an easy crowd of serious music lovers.' Pop-up concerts, he called them.

"But the most success and most fun was with people you've absolutely never heard of. I didn't even look them up. I knew it would be great."

Since Renko's death, the current incarnation of that series -- renamed Artist Audience & Community Live! -- is relying on Tom and Libby Ware to bring in the same caliber of artists.

"And we're coming back" to that level of success, Smits says. A brief move to the building on Second Street now known as The Blue Lion at UAFS Downtown was "shooting a little bit high," and the series is once again at home at 5 Star Productions at North Eighth and A streets.

"It's like sitting in your living room," Smets says of the plushly appointed facility.

But 100 concertgoers is about all it takes to fill the house. Season tickets at $250 are already almost sold out.

"We hope people who can't make it as a season ticketholder will turn in their tickets" for individual performances, he adds, to let others experience "some of the most comfortable seating and best acoustics in the area."

-- Becca Martin-Brown

[email protected]

NAN What's Up on 08/29/2014

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