July 25 2026 Stadium Concert - Jon Pardi

[EastHallApp]

Listening to Gillin on the Witten and Strelow podcast this past week, he's all in on concerts and comedy shows as revenue generators. Didn't mention the Pardi concert by name or date, which was odd.

Ever since Gillin badmouthed App Summer Festival and the Schaeffer Center to the BOT two years ago and decided Athletics should put on their own concerts and comedy shows, it seems to be an obsession for him.

If I want someone to book a quality lineup of shows featuring up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres that appeal to college students, I'm trusting APPS over the athletic department every day of the week.

I like App sports as much as anyone else, but not everything should be about funding sports. Let athletics do athletics, and let the arts do the arts.

[mike87]

Listening to Gillin on the Witten and Strelow podcast this past week, he's all in on concerts and comedy shows as revenue generators. Didn't mention the Pardi concert by name or date, which was odd.

Ever since Gillin badmouthed App Summer Festival and the Schaeffer Center to the BOT two years ago and decided Athletics should put on their own concerts and comedy shows, it seems to be an obsession for him.

If I want someone to book a quality lineup of shows featuring up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres that appeal to college students, I'm trusting APPS over the athletic department every day of the week.

I like App sports as much as anyone else, but not everything should be about funding sports. Let athletics do athletics, and let the arts do the arts.

Maybe Doug should focus on scheduling football. ie the 12 noon September game in Greenville.

[Yosef10]

Listening to Gillin on the Witten and Strelow podcast this past week, he's all in on concerts and comedy shows as revenue generators. Didn't mention the Pardi concert by name or date, which was odd.

Ever since Gillin badmouthed App Summer Festival and the Schaeffer Center to the BOT two years ago and decided Athletics should put on their own concerts and comedy shows, it seems to be an obsession for him.

If I want someone to book a quality lineup of shows featuring up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres that appeal to college students, I'm trusting APPS over the athletic department every day of the week.

I like App sports as much as anyone else, but not everything should be about funding sports. Let athletics do athletics, and let the arts do the arts.

Maybe Doug should focus on scheduling football. ie the 12 noon September game in Greenville.

Your gripe is with ESPN, an away teams AD has less than 0 say in the start time. I’ve got my issues with Doug, but football scheduling isn’t one of them - he’s done pretty well in that department.

[AppSt94]

Listening to Gillin on the Witten and Strelow podcast this past week, he's all in on concerts and comedy shows as revenue generators. Didn't mention the Pardi concert by name or date, which was odd.

Ever since Gillin badmouthed App Summer Festival and the Schaeffer Center to the BOT two years ago and decided Athletics should put on their own concerts and comedy shows, it seems to be an obsession for him.

If I want someone to book a quality lineup of shows featuring up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres that appeal to college students, I'm trusting APPS over the athletic department every day of the week.

I like App sports as much as anyone else, but not everything should be about funding sports. Let athletics do athletics, and let the arts do the arts.

Maybe Doug should focus on scheduling football. ie the 12 noon September game in Greenville.

ESPN sat the game in that time slot. Hard to find Doug at fault for that one.

[mike87]

I've heard the ESPN excuse as well. And I like Doug. Not buying it though.

[AppSt94]

It’s not an excuse. Has 10 said, we are the visiting team. Our vote on the matter is non existent. To be upset with a noon kick is understandable. Looking to blame someone that has no control over the matter is projection.

[Saint3333]

ESPN isn't calling the AD of the visiting G6 team for permission.

[BambooRdApp]

I do not think ESPN is really calling any Group team (home or away team) for permission. I think you take it and say "please may I take another".
From my coast peeps and EasyU grads, they are not real pleased with a noon KO in September.

[T-Dog]

If I want someone to book a quality lineup of shows featuring up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres that appeal to college students, I'm trusting APPS over the athletic department every day of the week.

I like App sports as much as anyone else, but not everything should be about funding sports. Let athletics do athletics, and let the arts do the arts.

Get why Gillin is going in on concerts and comedy shows; it's worth trying to diversify revenue streams and not rely on ticket sales and donations from the same people. RKS was a good get for last October and the comedy shows apparently have done well. But these two summer concerts have been a big whiff IMO.

[ShagNC]

My son went to a concert at Clemson a short time ago to see some fellow named Morgan. Couldn’t get out of the parking lot for hours afterwards. Traffic nightmare. He said there was a wonderful lead-in, a good-looking and good singing gal from Alabama.
I don’t go to concerts unless you count the blue grass performances. What would the cost be to hear Billy Strings? (I have no internet skills.)

Seeing Billy Strings has gotten to be a hassle now, too. You're going to pay at least $100 to see him, expect $200+ for pit tickets. That's if you even get tickets, fighting through bots and all that junk. My wife and I have been to 7 shows and at this point it's just too much to deal with.

[AppSt94]

My son went to a concert at Clemson a short time ago to see some fellow named Morgan. Couldn’t get out of the parking lot for hours afterwards. Traffic nightmare. He said there was a wonderful lead-in, a good-looking and good singing gal from Alabama.
I don’t go to concerts unless you count the blue grass performances. What would the cost be to hear Billy Strings? (I have no internet skills.)

Seeing Billy Strings has gotten to be a hassle now, too. You're going to pay at least $100 to see him, expect $200+ for pit tickets. That's if you even get tickets, fighting through bots and all that junk. My wife and I have been to 7 shows and at this point it's just too much to deal with.

I can justify the rising costs as you are now seeing 2-3 openers before the headliner. The problem is that I’m getting to the age where I don’t want to sit through 4 acts.

[Bootsy]

The 2026 Beech Mountain Music Festival was this past weekend. A great atmosphere for live music lovers: bands playing original song (not covers) at multiple venues on both days. Big-time headliners (Gary Clark, Jr.; Turnpike Troubadours) and up-and-comers with serious fans/followers (i.e., Buffalo Traffic Jam).

The common theme? The Beech Mountain folks bring in serious talent that draws crowds…not just during the summer, but throughout the year. They know what they’re doing and have perfected a “fan friendly" set up: from great food/beverage options to free parking to getting off the property quickly after the shows. Tickets for this music festival routinely sell out months in advance. It’s a fun, festival-type atmosphere.

Why am I bringing this up? Because being skilled at hosting sporting events doesn’t automatically transfer to hosting other forms of entertainment. There is a tremendous amount of groundwork /networking that goes into landing these acts, and touring schedules are set years in advance. You have to develop those networks of promoters, agents, etc. that get your venue into consideration for top-tier acts who are out on tour. This isn’t something that happens on a whim. It takes time and expertise. Arranging a concert at KBS is a recipe for failure unless you have a top-tier act that will draw people up the mountain. We’ve seen what can happen when the right band is headlining KBS…but it typically takes time/energy to produce those types of results.

Gillin trying to show up the Appalachian Summer team and others by hosting concerts will result in red numbers on a spreadsheet when App Athletics can’t afford to lose money on anything right now. At any rate, it’s unlikely DG will divulge how much money is being lost on these events, which is similar to curing a fever by hiding the thermometer.

[BallantyneApp]

The 2026 Beech Mountain Music Festival was this past weekend. A great atmosphere for live music lovers: bands playing original song (not covers) at multiple venues on both days. Big-time headliners (Gary Clark, Jr.; Turnpike Troubadours) and up-and-comers with serious fans/followers (i.e., Buffalo Traffic Jam).

The common theme? The Beech Mountain folks bring in serious talent that draws crowds…not just during the summer, but throughout the year. They know what they’re doing and have perfected a “fan friendly" set up: from great food/beverage options to free parking to getting off the property quickly after the shows. Tickets for this music festival routinely sell out months in advance. It’s a fun, festival-type atmosphere.

Why am I bringing this up? Because being skilled at hosting sporting events doesn’t automatically transfer to hosting other forms of entertainment. There is a tremendous amount of groundwork /networking that goes into landing these acts, and touring schedules are set years in advance. You have to develop those networks of promoters, agents, etc. that get your venue into consideration for top-tier acts who are out on tour. This isn’t something that happens on a whim. It takes time and expertise. Arranging a concert at KBS is a recipe for failure unless you have a top-tier act that will draw people up the mountain. We’ve seen what can happen when the right band is headlining KBS…but it typically takes time/energy to produce those types of results.

Gillin trying to show up the Appalachian Summer team and others by hosting concerts will result in red numbers on a spreadsheet when App Athletics can’t afford to lose money on anything right now. At any rate, it’s unlikely DG will divulge how much money is being lost on these events, which is similar to curing a fever by hiding the thermometer.

And Lord Huron!

There is a world where our venue produces a profitable series but it takes lots of investment as already mentioned and I’m not sure our ad can handle that investment and focus when we have other pressing needs.

I still think our resources are better spent fundraising in Charlotte.

This is our largest alumni base and all of the middle and high income people spend some time in the mountains. Uncc just got a million dollar nil check from Ric Elias. He has no connection to the university he was most likely roped in for a relationship at quail hollow and eventually paid out. We can do that too.

[311neers]

The 2026 Beech Mountain Music Festival was this past weekend. A great atmosphere for live music lovers: bands playing original song (not covers) at multiple venues on both days. Big-time headliners (Gary Clark, Jr.; Turnpike Troubadours) and up-and-comers with serious fans/followers (i.e., Buffalo Traffic Jam).

The common theme? The Beech Mountain folks bring in serious talent that draws crowds…not just during the summer, but throughout the year. They know what they’re doing and have perfected a “fan friendly" set up: from great food/beverage options to free parking to getting off the property quickly after the shows. Tickets for this music festival routinely sell out months in advance. It’s a fun, festival-type atmosphere.

Why am I bringing this up? Because being skilled at hosting sporting events doesn’t automatically transfer to hosting other forms of entertainment. There is a tremendous amount of groundwork /networking that goes into landing these acts, and touring schedules are set years in advance. You have to develop those networks of promoters, agents, etc. that get your venue into consideration for top-tier acts who are out on tour. This isn’t something that happens on a whim. It takes time and expertise. Arranging a concert at KBS is a recipe for failure unless you have a top-tier act that will draw people up the mountain. We’ve seen what can happen when the right band is headlining KBS…but it typically takes time/energy to produce those types of results.

Gillin trying to show up the Appalachian Summer team and others by hosting concerts will result in red numbers on a spreadsheet when App Athletics can’t afford to lose money on anything right now. At any rate, it’s unlikely DG will divulge how much money is being lost on these events, which is similar to curing a fever by hiding the thermometer.

And Lord Huron!

There is a world where our venue produces a profitable series but it takes lots of investment as already mentioned and I’m not sure our ad can handle that investment and focus when we have other pressing needs.
Agreed- we need to tap into those clubs somehow, some way.

I still think our resources are better spent fundraising in Charlotte.

This is our largest alumni base and all of the middle and high income people spend some time in the mountains. Uncc just got a million dollar nil check from Ric Elias. He has no connection to the university he was most likely roped in for a relationship at quail hollow and eventually paid out. We can do that too.

Speaking of Quail, Mike Malone (new UNC) basketball coach was there last night speaking to a group for fundraising. I played the App State fight song while walking by their room.
Agreed that we need to tap into these higher net worth groups somehow, some way.

[WASU 93]

The 2026 Beech Mountain Music Festival was this past weekend. A great atmosphere for live music lovers: bands playing original song (not covers) at multiple venues on both days. Big-time headliners (Gary Clark, Jr.; Turnpike Troubadours) and up-and-comers with serious fans/followers (i.e., Buffalo Traffic Jam).

The common theme? The Beech Mountain folks bring in serious talent that draws crowds…not just during the summer, but throughout the year. They know what they’re doing and have perfected a “fan friendly" set up: from great food/beverage options to free parking to getting off the property quickly after the shows. Tickets for this music festival routinely sell out months in advance. It’s a fun, festival-type atmosphere.

Why am I bringing this up? Because being skilled at hosting sporting events doesn’t automatically transfer to hosting other forms of entertainment. There is a tremendous amount of groundwork /networking that goes into landing these acts, and touring schedules are set years in advance. You have to develop those networks of promoters, agents, etc. that get your venue into consideration for top-tier acts who are out on tour. This isn’t something that happens on a whim. It takes time and expertise. Arranging a concert at KBS is a recipe for failure unless you have a top-tier act that will draw people up the mountain. We’ve seen what can happen when the right band is headlining KBS…but it typically takes time/energy to produce those types of results.

Gillin trying to show up the Appalachian Summer team and others by hosting concerts will result in red numbers on a spreadsheet when App Athletics can’t afford to lose money on anything right now. At any rate, it’s unlikely DG will divulge how much money is being lost on these events, which is similar to curing a fever by hiding the thermometer.

And Lord Huron!

There is a world where our venue produces a profitable series but it takes lots of investment as already mentioned and I’m not sure our ad can handle that investment and focus when we have other pressing needs.
Agreed- we need to tap into those clubs somehow, some way.

I still think our resources are better spent fundraising in Charlotte.

This is our largest alumni base and all of the middle and high income people spend some time in the mountains. Uncc just got a million dollar nil check from Ric Elias. He has no connection to the university he was most likely roped in for a relationship at quail hollow and eventually paid out. We can do that too.

Speaking of Quail, Mike Malone (new UNC) basketball coach was there last night speaking to a group for fundraising. I played the App State fight song while walking by their room.
Agreed that we need to tap into these higher net worth groups somehow, some way.

We have many high end resorts within 30 minutes of Boone that have $1M+ homes and members who are higher new worth. What are we doing to attract those members to support the "local" university?

[DontPlayWithYosef]

Great show last night - perfect weather with a pretty good turnout. Hope we made some $$$

[mike87]

The 2026 Beech Mountain Music Festival was this past weekend. A great atmosphere for live music lovers: bands playing original song (not covers) at multiple venues on both days. Big-time headliners (Gary Clark, Jr.; Turnpike Troubadours) and up-and-comers with serious fans/followers (i.e., Buffalo Traffic Jam).

The common theme? The Beech Mountain folks bring in serious talent that draws crowds…not just during the summer, but throughout the year. They know what they’re doing and have perfected a “fan friendly" set up: from great food/beverage options to free parking to getting off the property quickly after the shows. Tickets for this music festival routinely sell out months in advance. It’s a fun, festival-type atmosphere.

Why am I bringing this up? Because being skilled at hosting sporting events doesn’t automatically transfer to hosting other forms of entertainment. There is a tremendous amount of groundwork /networking that goes into landing these acts, and touring schedules are set years in advance. You have to develop those networks of promoters, agents, etc. that get your venue into consideration for top-tier acts who are out on tour. This isn’t something that happens on a whim. It takes time and expertise. Arranging a concert at KBS is a recipe for failure unless you have a top-tier act that will draw people up the mountain. We’ve seen what can happen when the right band is headlining KBS…but it typically takes time/energy to produce those types of results.

Gillin trying to show up the Appalachian Summer team and others by hosting concerts will result in red numbers on a spreadsheet when App Athletics can’t afford to lose money on anything right now. At any rate, it’s unlikely DG will divulge how much money is being lost on these events, which is similar to curing a fever by hiding the thermometer.

And Lord Huron!

There is a world where our venue produces a profitable series but it takes lots of investment as already mentioned and I’m not sure our ad can handle that investment and focus when we have other pressing needs.
Agreed- we need to tap into those clubs somehow, some way.

I still think our resources are better spent fundraising in Charlotte.

This is our largest alumni base and all of the middle and high income people spend some time in the mountains. Uncc just got a million dollar nil check from Ric Elias. He has no connection to the university he was most likely roped in for a relationship at quail hollow and eventually paid out. We can do that too.

Speaking of Quail, Mike Malone (new UNC) basketball coach was there last night speaking to a group for fundraising. I played the App State fight song while walking by their room.
Agreed that we need to tap into these higher net worth groups somehow, some way.

We have many high end resorts within 30 minutes of Boone that have $1M+ homes and members who are higher new worth. What are we doing to attract those members to support the "local" university?

We need some dang pickleball courts.