Country singer Reba McIntyre, who has appeared in Macon several times, sold only 5,000 of the 8,000 available seats during a concert about three years ago. Soul singer Patti LaBelle had about the same size crowd, Thompson said. Then she only sold 2,000 or 3,000 tickets in Atlanta, and I thought, hey, it's not us. The show is being promoted by SFX Entertainment, one of the country's largest entertainment booking agencies. SFX also is tied to a deal now under negotiation to bring the new National Basketball Development League team to town.
Macon is one of eight Southeastern cities being considered for the league.
In a joint venture between SFX and the NBA, chosen local arenas will play host to 28 basketball games, and SFX will book musical concerts, ice shows, motor sports shows and other events to give host towns 50 events a year. But Thompson did say she doesn't worry about pulling in crowds when SFX is involved in a show. SFX is owned by Clear Channel Communications, which owns several radio stations in this market. Country and culture come to town Country music acts may not sell well in Macon, but they're a staple at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, said deputy director Johnny Webb. Although concerts held annually during the Georgia National Fair in October typically don't sell out, country entertainment pulls in good crowds at the 8,300-seat Reaves Arena.