Seven Nations and a Symphony Performance in KC
Pat McGinnis questioned my downbeat post on a possible Seven Nations appearance in KC, and we then explored the subject a little bit further, before Pat finished with a question for you.
With Pat’s permission I am reproducing the e-mail conversation here, because I believe it merits more attention than being tucked into the comments on that post. (My words are in italics)
7N Correspondence
Eolaí, I am just a little mystified about your comment re 7N and the low attendance at the Savannah orchestra…and that not being a reason to think more about the bands appearance with the KC Symphony.
Savannah does not have its own orchestra and for a first time effort that had only a week of advertising, 420 is remarkable. Surely you know that the band has played sold out houses all over the south. They have played 7 times with the Jacksonville Symphony in Jacksonville, the South Carolina Symphony in Columbia, The Greenville Symphony, and with the 17-time grammy winning Atlanta Symphony.
This summer, Seven Nations will once again be pioneers…playing with the Columbus Symphony at the Dublin, OH Irish Festival. So if the question is really can 7N put KC butts in symphony seats, the answer would have to be a resounding yes. Kirk and I have already discussed his pursuing KC as a venue for this mesmerzing show.
Pat,
Thanks for the e-mail. I didn’t actually say that the low attendance at the Savannah Orchestra was a reason not to think more about 7N’s possible appearance with the KC Symphony. What I was doing was introducing the article in the Savannah Morning News that spoke about the impact in the fall off in attendances. That article makes it clear that Orchestra was visiting, and also discusses the attendance at other local performances when visiting classical musicians
perform.
My words “Lest you get very excited…you should know…” suggest a pause for thought and a consideration of the attendance and financial figures in the Savannah Morning News article. It wasn’t a dismissal of the idea of 7N in KC with the Symphony.
I’m aware of the significant support 7N has in the KC region, but are you saying that 420 would be fine for KC with a KC based Symphony, although it would also be a first time effort?
Eolaí, Not saying 420 would be good for KC…just saying that one can’t compare KC and Savannah for what might be the attendance here.
I believe the attendance here would be record breaking for the symphony…both because it is a unique concept catering to those of us who live at festivals and to those who have never stepped foot onto a festival ground, but love symphonic music.
First job I had out of grad school was as assistant pr director for the Philharmonic (am I showing my age?) so I know a little about the inner workings of what it takes to get a show of this size off the ground. I worked in tv and pr for ten years before moving onto lawyering.
This is the kind of special event that would draw an audience from hundreds of miles around…the kind of special event people fly in for, dress up for, and talk about months later. It’s the kind of event that will draw young and not so young, suits and jeans, rock fans, trad fans, and classical fans. It will do us all proud. I’m willing to help. Who are the others?
See Also:
• Seven Nations at O’Malley’s Irish Pub of Weston, MO
• John Morris & Eddie Delahunt open for 7N
• Interview with Kirk McLeod of Seven Nations
Eolaí gan Fhéile:
This seems like a really great idea. I would love to see this show.