Want To Bring Your Own Concerts To Yakima? Here’s How To Start Your Own Business

It happens all too often in Yakima. They announce a big concert coming to town. Everyone is buzzing about it but ticket sales are always down. People in Yakima have the mindset to buy their tickets at the last minute because they don't know if the show will cancel or not. Ironically, most of the time, these shows have to cancel because not enough people bought tickets in advance. Whenever this happens I always say to myself "This wouldn't have happened if my buddy Adam brought them to Yakima." Who's Adam and how can I learn to successfully bring in my own concerts? Let me tell you the story of the Idaho wedding dj turned major concert promoter in the Pacific Northwest.

I first met Adam when I moved to Idaho Falls in September of 2003. He was just a part-time DJ on the weekend on Z103, a station just like 107.3 KFFM. He also owned and operated his own Mobile DJ service so he could DJ weddings in Idaho as well as parties. He always had a business mind. Even invested a bunch of money, money he probably didn't even have, in to lights and gear to make Adam the very best Idaho wedding dj.

Once he became part of the morning show on that station, he was on his daily commute when another co-worker suggested something that changed his life. Here's his story:

On the way home one day I told him that I felt stagnant in my mobile DJing business. He suggested that I try something bigger... like bring a national act to a local venue. I had little to no money but my father was happy to help in the adventure for a 50/50 split of the profits, if we were lucky to get any.

Eventually, after dozens of calls and emails, I landed a possible date with Bowling for Soup. I knew who these guys were but would they sell tickets? Then, I didn't have the tools in determining an artist's value. I paid them WAY too much. This is a band who normally, at the time (2006), sold about 500 tickets per show. I sold the show out in Idaho Falls. That's nearly 2000 tickets. The band was ecstatic. I was on a rush and booking agents were calling me left and right.

Next, Hinder. This show sold out in 90 minutes. 2000 tickets. Next, Three Days Grace & Buckcherry. 2000 tickets gone in 3 Hours. Sold out. One after another... shows were selling out.

You have to remember that Idaho Falls is a lot like Yakima in a lot of ways. Imagine the way it is now in Yakima where we'll get a show every once in a while, then all of a sudden, we get shows like Hinder, Three Days Grace, one after another virtually every other month over the course of a few years. It was a town that didn't have a lot of live shows but instead of complaining about it, he took a risk and did something about it.

It was fantastic for the local economy, too, as we'd get out of town travelers just to attend these shows.

Since then, He has lost BIG on shows but has also made BIG on shows. If you want to take a stab at what my buddy Adam does and be known as the guy who brings concerts to Yakima, here's his advice:

Those who decide to get in to doing shows, need to keep the art in mind and the money only a bonus... because the paydays are few and far between. DO YOUR RESEARCH and know what an artist is worth. There are so many things to worry about when doing a show. From obtaining the right insurances to picking the right ticket price. From selling sponsorships to aligning the right generators. From designing effective posters to making sure the bands will have the EXACT mic they need on show-night.

Even after dozens and dozens of shows, I have a lot to learn.

I was right there with him, helping however I could (which he compensated me for), for many of these shows so I know first hand the stress it can cause, but the finished product proves phenomenal. No way could I do what he does, but maybe you can? If you feel like Yakima is in desperate need of live entertainment, perhaps give it a shot. We'll support you all the way.

And, by all means, If you happen to need a wedding dj in Idaho because you know you're always in need of Idaho wedding djs, or if you'd like to email him for advice, you can contact him via Red Tie Concerts. redtieconcerts.com