“You know that saying, ‘You can take a horse to water but you can’t make him drink’? I’m trying to take these people to the music,” said Weede, 55, senior vice president at King Southern Bank.
If ticket sales for the first River Bend in the Round concert at River Bend Winery are any indication, the people are responding to Weede’s efforts.
The $25 VIP tickets for this Saturday’s concert at the Winery (120 S. 10th St., 540-5650) are gone, but there is still limited seating available for $15. Tim Krekel, Georgia Middleman and Aaron Crane are scheduled to perform.
Weede says he got the idea after attending similar singer-songwriter concerts at the famed Bluebird Café in Nashville and Swallow at the Hallow in Atlanta.
“I really enjoyed it, and decided that we needed something like that here in Louisville,” said Weede, who says he has committed to doing three more Rounds.
Most singer-songwriter shows are in bars, and some who attend don’t necessarily want to see the music but would rather have a drink and converse with friends.
With the River Bend series, Weede says the focus is on the artist, much like the Bluebird, which warns its customers that they can be asked to leave if they talk during a set.
Weede says he’s aware of the financial pitfalls promoters face when they try to do something new. Judging by his enthusiasm, he’s not wringing his hands over meeting the bottom line.
“My biggest risk is I might lose 1,000 bucks,” he said. “But I’m willing to take that risk. I enjoy doing it.”
The concert begins at 8 p.m. A cash bar and food will be available. For more information, call 445-1050.
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