TUNICA RESORTS — Gold Strike Casino Resort’s Millennium
Theatre has been busy this year as headliner after headliner performed on stage
there. Kool & the Gang was the last act of 2011 and the first of 2012
in the Millennium Theatre as the band hosted a “celebration” on New Year’s
Eve.
There is much to celebrate for concertgoers in the coming
year, as Gold Strike isn’t letting up on the throttle for 2012. A lot of
headline entertainment has already been booked for the new year and more is in
the works, said Anthony Gibson, director of entertainment for MGM Resorts
International’s Gold Strike and Beau Rivage casinos.
Gold Strike guests can look for such names as Willie Nelson,
B.B. King, Loretta Lynn, The Charlie Daniels Band, the Oak Ridge Boys, Pam Tillis
and Lorrie Morgan to appear at the Millennium Theatre in 2012.
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| B.B. King |
The concert venue provides a unique opportunity to see top
performance artists in an intimate setting. There really is not a bad seat in
the house at the 800-seat theater.
One might wonder how such an intimate setting can attract
the most famous of performers, accustomed to playing larger venues. Gibson
explained, saying he often books big-name entertainers at the Gulf Coast’s Beau
Rivage Theatre, which seats 1,500, and packages the booking with another
booking at Gold Strike, which helps bring more headliners to the Tunica
property.
“B.B. King is one of the most memorable plays at Gold
Strike, with him coming back to where is his from, being who he is today,” said
Gibson. “It was a proud moment bringing B.B. King back home to the Delta. He
can play much larger towns. It’s a tribute to him that he takes some of the
smaller gigs.”
Having entertainers cross-perform at the MGM sister
properties is one reason for the successful bookings, but another could be that
Gibson was an entertainer himself and is familiar with what is required to put
on a show. He knows his way around contracts and working out the details — big
and small.
“You have to keep in mind that these performers often have
been millionaires for 20-years-plus. They expect certain things certain ways,”
Gibson said. “These things are handled in what is called a ‘rider’ and riders
can be very specific… you have to keep in mind that they (the performers) can
do anything they want to do, and they are agreeing to perform here.”
And performing here they are. Below are some specifics on
upcoming shows at the Millennium Theatre:
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| Willie Nelson |
Blues legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member B.B. King
will appear on Friday, Feb. 17. King, a blues guitarist and signer-songwriter,
was ranked No. 3 on the list of 100 greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling
Stone magazine. Tickets to see King are $69.95/$79.95.
Country music great Loretta Lynn is set to appear at Gold
Strike for two shows, Friday and Saturday, March 16 and 17. Lynn has had 16
songs reach No. 1 and a total of 70 songs that charted. Tickets to see Lynn are
$49.95 and $59.95.
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| Loretta Lynn |
While some may not be familiar with The Frontmen, slated to
appear at Gold Strike on Saturday, April 21, the members of the group are known
for leading great bands. They include: Richie McDonald, formerly of Lonestar,
Larry Stewart of Restless Heart and Tim Rushlow, formerly of Little Texas.
Tickets to see The Frontmen are $24.95 and $32.95.
The Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan show, originally set for Feb. 18, has been rescheduled for May 19. Tickets are $24.95 and $32.95.
Rick Springfield (soap fans remember him as Dr. Noah Drake
while music lovers will never forget his monster hit “Jessie’s Girl”) will
appear on Saturday, June 9. Tickets to see Springfield are $39.95 and $49.95.
See country music great Randy Travis on July 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $39.95 and $49.95.
On Saturday, Aug. 18, the Oak Ridge Boys will perform at the
Millennium Theatre. Hear such hits as “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue” and “American
Made.” Tickets to see the Oak Ridge Boys are $39.95 and $44.95.
The Charlie Daniels Band returns to Gold Strike on Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. Tickets for this show are $49.95 and $54.95.
Tax and service charges apply for all tickets. For ticket
information, call (866) 245-4536. For hotel information, call (888) 245-7829.
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