We've all wondered about the delay in announcing the musical acts for CarolinaFest, the public festival uptown on Labor Day that will act as a welcoming party for the Democratic National Convention.
Now The Hollywood Reporter claims we can blame MTV's Video Music Awards for the wait. According to reports being picked up on other convention-watching sites, the VMA will air Sept. 6, the same night President Barack Obama will accept the party's nomination. So headline musical acts will be in Los Angeles getting ready and won't be available to entertain in Charlotte, at the stages on Tryon Street or at any of the other convention events.
In 2008, a number of musicians, including Sheryl Crow, Nelly and Death Cab for Cutie performed in Denver during the convention. But some of the organizations that put on those events, have cut back this year to save money for other campaign initiatives.
And, as Hollywood Reporter was happy to point out, it's not as easy to travel between Charlotte and Los Angeles, especially at the end of the long music-touring season. The Reporter quoted one Democratic activist as saying, "Charlotte is not Denver." But that activist speculated that Obama might still be able to put out an invitation to a star performer and have it answered: "My guess is (the convention) might not be the star fest that it once was, but it will still command some star power."
At least the Huffington Post says that MTV will keep the VMA broadcast between 8 and 10 p.m., so it won't interrupt Obama's speech, expected to happen about 10 p.m. EDT.
Kathleen Purvis
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26 comments:
Will this be held anywhere near the No Grease Barbershop?
He's right, Charlotte is not Denver. It's bigger.
Denver population: 619,968
Charlotte population: 751,087
And, as Hollywood Reporter was happy to point out, it's not as easy to travel between Charlotte and Los Angeles, especially at the end of the long music-touring season
GIVE ME A BREAK
Denver MSA - 2.6 mil/4 major league sports
Charlotte MSA - 1.7 mil/1 major league team, 1 semi-pro (Bobcats).
I haven't been wondering about the delay.
He's right, Charlotte is not Denver. It's bigger.
Denver population: 619,968
Charlotte population: 751,087
- William Lang
Oh please. The only reason why Charlotte is bigger than Denver and many other cities is because of its insanely large land area. Charlotte is roughly 298 sq. miles whereas Denver is 153 sq. miles, 50+ sq. miles of which is dedicated to DIA. Furthermore, the Denver metro area is much larger than the Charlotte MSA and has a lot more going on.
Let Denver have the DNC. Republicans will win this election anyway! 4 years is enough. Bawhahahahahaha!!!
So bad, so sad. It would be a blessing if no one came. The city should sell tickets for individuals to watch the goat rodeo (or in this case the jack ass rodeo) that's going to break out in center city. Or at least put it on pay for view. Those that live in and support the "land of the offended" are coming to Charlotte. Lord help us please!
Are people actually planning on watching President Obama's speech at this year's convention?
Do you blame musicians / bands for not coming? Most of the US population doesn't even know where Charlotte is while those who do, know it as "The City That Always Sleeps."
Mayberry lives!
What about Randy Travis? I hear he's already been released from custody.
Ha! Charlotte is NOT Denver. When will Charlotteans learn that the real world doesn't run around only citing "populations" when thinking of real cities.
The DNC is a lot like the Olympics (anyone remember Atlanta?)... all that time, money, more money, security, and preparation for what? It always leaves cities in debt.
Been to Denver...took a crap there. That's about the only thing worth mentioning about that place.
I lived in Denver and now I live in Charlotte. They are both really nice cities, each with their own unique styles. There are plenty of positives to be found at either one. So don't make the fact that an LA to Denver flight is easier than flying cross-country turn in to a city-to-city mud slinging contest.
Has b0b lost some of his cachet with the LA crowd?
(or, perhaps, have m0b's bar tabs scared people away?)
Lots of weird Charlotte haters for some reason. Charlotte doesn't have much going on, but neither does Denver. Some of you are making Denver seem like it's New York or Paris. Give me a break. It's a cold version of Jacksonville.
Well, heck, I've been able to fly NONSTOP between LA and Charlotte on a number of occasions. I guess it's only a problem if you're a star!
Denver has Peyton Manning and John Fox. We don't.
Absolute BS and lame speculation by a publication (the Hollywood Reporter) with questionable coverage of the music industry. Also misleading in the way this article conflates two separate events: the actual DNC appearance/entertainment schedule run by the Democratic Party and the Tryon Street event that’s being put on by city planners.
Take it from someone who’s been in the music business for a very long time. The Democratic Party found out how lackluster Charlotte’s public entertainment preparations are (especially Tryon Street which is an impending bomb) and is now in spin mode trying to get in front of the failure without publically criticizing the host city prior to game day. Trust me, the MTV awards have ZERO impact on assembling a winning Tryon Street lineup. Zero. The real problem has been that city planners have dropped the ball on public entertainment and now it’s too late to do anything about it.
September tours for most big artists as much as a year in advance, BEFORE the MTV music awards are even finalized. If the city’s host committee had actually done its job, the music would have been booked earlier in the year, at least by the start of the summer. We’re now less than 4 weeks out and there has been no public announcement whatsoever of what the “big” public entertainment event(s) will be. Any wonder we’re getting this article first? Total failure and unfortunately par for a city that continues its embarrassing record of absolute cluelessness when it comes to music entertainment. Mayberry could have gotten this done.
It's not a big deal, the VMA is a joke now a days. It's not like it's the Grammy. It's like a high school superlatives in the year books.
I'm sure they can book Foghat and Styx just like they do for Speed Street every year and all the mullet rock fans will show up like they always do.
8,000 media members in town for the week. 10% of their time will be spent covering the convention. The remainder of the time will give them ample opportunity to report on how lame Charlotte is as Eddie Money takes the stage to perform his rock n' roll hijinx for all those whacky college kids. Garden variety failure on stuff like Speed Street has come to be expected. The difference here: the whole world gets to watch this time. This city is lead by morons. Time to look at erlocating to Raleigh. Coincidentally, they have a music festival planned the same week and expect to draw 40-50k. Shame.
I wonder if Tampa is crying about the RNC coming to town and spending money? I wonder if the same complaints would be happening if the RNC were coming? Just when you think Charlotte is a "world class" city, some start whining about traffic. I can't wai fo 9/6. I've already volunteered enough time to secure a ticket. Now let's pray no three name cowards show up with grudges over being a loser.
Now that's funny, I don't care who you are.
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