State of the Casino Market
Pollstar speaks to big names in Casino world, including DADP’s CEO/Founder Seth Shomes
The concept of experiencing live entertainment while in a gambling business has been around since the days of the wild west with saloons delivering musical talent in the form of piano players, singers and dancers to their guests. Such practices have come a long way since the 19th century, evolving from ragtime at the local watering hole to watching A-list talent performing at the biggest casinos and resorts in the world.
Post-World War II was arguably the golden era for casinos with audiences seeking entertainment from jazz bands and orchestras playing what is now referred to as “casino music,” a musical movement that was sparked and elevated by legendary acts such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley who often performed in Las Vegas with residencies.
Nearly seven decades later, the casino business isn’t only alive and strong, it’s booming with A-list talent taking a page from the Rat Pack and making the trek to casino venues, regardless of location, and elevating the industry to new heights. Pollstar rounded up some of the casino’s top executives and music agents to get their thoughts on the current state of the casino business, live entertainment and how the “casino act” has evolved over the years.
Christian Amechi
Touring Agent, CAA
Deana Baker
Senior Entertainment Manager,
Choctaw Casinos & Resorts
Andrew Blank
Casinos Division Director, C3 Presents
Thomas Cantone
President of Sports & Entertainment Worldwide, Mohegan Gaming
Mike Hodin
Regional Vice President of Entertainment
Programming & Analysis, Caesars Entertainment
Crystal Robinson-Wesley
Vice President of Entertainment & Activation, Palms Casino Resort
Darius Sabet
Music Agent, UTA
Victor Sanchez
Director of Entertainment,
Hard Rock International & Seminole Gaming
Steve Selak
President & Agent, Selak Entertainment
Seth Shomes
Founder & CEO, Day After Day Productions
Del Williams
Global Head of Talent, Danny Wimmer Presents
How do you view the overall state of entertainment at casino venues? What is driving the momentum and is it a new phenomenon?
Christian Amechi: The overall state of entertainment at casino venues is vibrant, dynamic and in a great place looking forward. There’s been a resurgence in live performances, driven by a combination of factors. Of course, the audience’s pent-up demand for live entertainment after the pandemic is a part of it. More so, I think it’s the proliferation of quality “casino acts,” both legacy names and newer talent. It’s not necessarily a new phenomenon but casinos are willing to take more chances on breaking acts and it is paying off for all involved.
Deana Baker: Entertainment is an asset of Choctaw Casino & Resort-Durant that allows us to continue to elevate and create great resort experiences for our casino guests. Choctaw Casinos & Resorts are the premier entertainment destinations in southeastern Oklahoma of the 10 1/2 counties The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma serves. We’re excited to watch the industry continue to grow as we strive to be cutting-edge to provide our guests with the best entertainment experience possible.
Andrew Blank: The overall state of entertainment at casinos is as strong as ever. The casinos we work with are selling more tickets than ever and continue to book more contemporary artists every day.
Thomas Cantone: Today’s young artists are driving the momentum. Casino venues like ours have become the launching pad for the next generation of major talent — much different than years ago when they would never be caught playing a casino but end their career there.
However, casino venues vary by size and so programming is confined to venue capacity. The 5,000-10,000 capacity venues like ours are much more able to book the national A-List tours and today’s social media sensations. But since most casino venues are smaller, that often limits booking the more high-profile expensive shows, but casino stages keep many traditional names working all year long.
Casinos have always been event-driven and one of the best marketing tools that differentiates your property is the level and quality of entertainment. Whoever can book the hottest names will always win the day.
Mike Hodin: Entertainment drives visitation to our properties and introduces guests to our other amenities, and we continue to build a reputation for strong retail results. We continue to evolve our booking strategy and evaluate live entertainment positioned within and supplemental to the overall casino experience. Our ongoing investments in artist outreach, enhanced amenities and world-class guest experiences continue to pay dividends and position us for growth. Additionally, we increased our property footprint during the pandemic through our merger and dedicated some of that time to capitalizing on those benefits on reopening.
Crystal Robinson-Wesley: It’s on fire. Entertainment is an essential amenity that drives the energy and vibe of a casino, whether through atmospheric programming or ticketed events. The level of A-list talent who play casino venues, particularly in Vegas and at our sister property Yaamava’ is second to none. The momentum comes from capital investments in building state-of-the-art facilities that feature the latest in technology, staging and production. These facilities can host arena and stadium-level production buildouts, which was not always the case. Fans can also see their favorite artists in more intimate venues that casinos often offer.
Darius Sabet: The state of entertainment at casino venues is incredibly healthy – our business has grown in the casino space, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The momentum has primarily been driven by the casinos’ need to develop their next generation of gamers, which is vital for the future of their business. One of the very best ways to do that is to offer compelling entertainment outside of traditional gambling.
Victor Sanchez: Casino entertainment continues to grow and evolve. But at Hard Rock, music and entertainment have been part of our DNA before gaming. At our properties, we’re creating world-class environments for all fans and using entertainment as a strategic differentiator versus an amenity.
Steve Selak: It’s outstanding. Tribal gaming is embracing new genres and types of entertainment. Ten years ago, most would not consider family-friendly holiday entertainment but today they are. Tribal gaming is thriving, and their customers are requesting new programming.
Seth Shomes: I have been in the casino business for 27 years and I couldn’t be prouder of how far entertainment programming has come. We certainly can’t say entertainment in casinos is a “new phenomenon,” but it is amazing to see casinos of all sizes in all regions booking genres that were considered “not casino-friendly” in the past. It is a huge tip of the hat to today’s casino executives that they recognize the public’s insatiability for all different types of artists and entertainment experiences and the fans’ eagerness to see them within a casino setting.
Del Williams: Casino entertainment continues to improve in quality and selectivity. The smart, well-managed casinos are much more strategic with their featured entertainment and looking to be more creative. How an act translates on the playing floor is always going to be a factor, but there is a conscious effort to improve and update the overall image of casino play for the artist and for the consumer.
How has the business changed in recent years? As the casino business recovered from the pandemic, what role did live entertainment have in that recovery – and did the pandemic help you rethink your approach to business?
Amechi: The pandemic was a challenging period, but it definitely provided us the opportunity to rethink and improve our strategies. There’s no doubt that live entertainment played a crucial role in the recovery of the casino business. It brought back the energy and excitement that casinos are known for; as well as helping draw in patrons who were eager for a return to normalcy and to see acts they may not have the opportunity to see otherwise.
Baker: As our property recovered from the pandemic, we had great demand for entertainment. To many, live music is their favorite form of entertainment, and we are happy to be able to provide a unique and intimate experience for our patrons.
Blank: The business has changed more in the last three years than it did in the 10 years prior to the pandemic. Most of the casinos we work with are only making offers on shows that can make money aside from casino gaming. For that to be possible, the casinos have implemented a lot of the same strategies as hard ticket venues, such as dynamic pricing, platinum and higher concession prices. There was no need to rethink the business following the pandemic because once we were back, a lot of what we were working towards before the pandemic really accelerated.
Cantone: We were at one time the only venue in America open. Research has shown that attending a live concert extends the quality of life by seven years — to me there’s no better vaccine. Our product is fun, people want to get away from all the bad news and enjoy life. That’s the part of our business that will never ever change. We like to say, “We don’t sell tickets we make memories.”
Hodin: During the uncertainty of the pandemic, we leaned into engaging with artists and guests so that as we emerged, we were well positioned for success beyond that initial phase of pent-up demand. Our properties were able to leverage a robust content line-up as they reopened, expediting the recovery and return to normalcy.
While our properties continue to value a diversified entertainment line-up, there has also been a noticeable shift towards higher-end acts and quality overall.
Robinson-Wesley: Since Palms reopened in April 2022, we’ve seen a strong recovery. We’re seeing record numbers in various areas, including gaming and ticket revenue. We reopened Pearl Concert Theater with a sold-out concert and have continued that trajectory. I think fans were hungry in general for the return of live entertainment.
From a business standpoint, I see agents, artists, promoters, and venues being more amenable to working together to in essence “get the deal done.” No more noodling over insignificant deal points. Artists want to deliver great shows for their fans, and fans alike are eager to see them. Nothing can garner the velocity that live events can, and we see it in the net positive results on most events nights.
Sabet: Competition has become very intense in the casino business in recent years. In some regions of the country, a venue is competing with half a dozen other casinos plus the traditional live entertainment venues for the same acts. Like the majority of the live entertainment business, casinos took some time to recover from the pandemic and live music was a critical piece of that recovery as audiences had pent-up demand.
Selak: Younger customers are opening new entertainment avenues. Yes, casinos have recovered from the pandemic, and entertainment always plays a role. Many artists were unwilling to travel and perform even after the pandemic ended so nontraditional artists such as hypnotists and mediums filled that void.
Shomes: A big change I have seen is the willingness of casinos to book shows within 60 days as opposed to 10-12 months in advance. With the popularity of social media and digital marketing, the casinos have recognized that they can successfully promote shows without as long of a lead time as was necessary before. This has opened up opportunities for artists that do not confirm a year in advance and has provided the casinos with the ability to be included in routed tours.
Williams: For the casinos we work with, the pandemic reinforced the need to make the audience and artist experience as comfortable and safe as possible. The casino business was greatly affected by the pandemic but has recovered well because of a renewed commitment to cleanliness, and security.
How do casino venues fit into the overall touring circuit? How does the casino entertainment scene differ from other types of venues and what are the similarities?
Baker: Casino venues are a wonderful opportunity for artists and their crews to not only perform to eager audiences but also for artists and fans alike to have fun and relax. At Choctaw Casino & Resort-Durant, we have a variety of amenities to enjoy before or after a show. When you visit Choctaw Casino & Resort-Durant, it feels like a vacation instead of just another stop on the road.
Blank: Casinos are not consistently being built into as many tours as we would hope. That said, they are part of more tours than ever right now. So many of these casinos have built some world-class venues that artists like to play. When you couple the quality of venues with the amenities they can offer artists and guests, it makes for a great experience for everyone.
Cantone: It’s all about size. Bigger venues like ours will always fit into the routing of national tours. In fact, over 32 national tours have started at Mohegan, many making their arena debuts like Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Prince and more.
Tours like being at a casino venue like ours because it’s an elevator ride to an all-inclusive resort with all the amenities they need: hotel, restaurants, shopping, nightclubs, pools and of course gaming and sports betting. They can’t get that playing a standalone building.
Hodin: From the perspective of booking strategy, we don’t see ourselves as being any different from traditional venues, except for being able to leverage one of the largest databases of known customers to drive overall sales. Caesars has a large enough footprint that we can take advantage of routing scenarios among our own venues, but also coexist within other touring circuits as well. Having venues of different sizes and capacities makes us an attractive partner and a “one-stop shop” for agencies as they route various artists within their rosters.
Robinson-Wesley:Casino venues are a great way to augment a tour. Artists have an opportunity to reset while on the road, ditching the tour bus for lush hotel accommodations at the venue. Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world, so most artists want to play here. But as a venue in a competitive environment, it’s important that we offer something different when routing touring artists. Hospitality and marketing are at the forefront. We put forth aggressive marketing plans with our booking partner, Live Nation — plans that are like that of the larger tours. And ultimately, it’s all about the show. We work closely with artist production to ensure that we deliver the best show for the artist and fans.
Shomes: The days of artists playing casinos as a wind down to their career are over, and I love booking all sorts of shows that are groundbreaking in the casino entertainment space. Whether that is psychic mediums or production shows or movie star-fronted bands, there is clearly a lane in casinos outside of the traditional entertainment shows of the past.
As for differences, casinos have also built incredible restaurants, nightclubs, pools, spas and retail shopping, providing the fan with an experience that is unlike most traditional venues. For me, the trick has always been to figure out the best way to not just book a show but to book an event that checks as many boxes as possible to activate these different experiences.
Has the definition of a “casino act” changed in recent years? What do artists and fans want to see at casino venues, and how are the casino owners and developers adapting?
Amechi: It’s no longer limited to a certain genre or type of performance. Today’s audiences are diverse and have varied tastes, and casino owners and developers are adapting by offering a wider range of entertainment options than they used to. In many cases, this involves taking risks on acts or formats that have never played casinos before. But the buyers understand fans want to see performances that are exciting, engaging, and unique, and that’s exactly what we’re striving to provide at the casino venues.
Baker: Casinos have become a staple on artists’ nationwide tours. We have continued to schedule larger and more diversified acts over the years, including comedians, rock, and specialty acts for ethnic and niche markets. Our team at Choctaw Casino & Resort-Durant keeps a pulse on what customers want, such as up-and-coming acts made popular by social media, and works to fulfill those desires to give fans a first-class experience.
Hodin: Honestly, all anyone wants to see is a great show that transports them away for a couple of hours. I don’t think anyone cares how an act is classified anymore. Some people want new acts, while others want nostalgia.
Robinson-Wesley: I think that term has changed drastically and is nearly obsolete. It’s live entertainment in a proper venue. That’s what matters most. No more setting up ballrooms as a concert venue for an act. We have rooms with appropriate amenities for the artists where they can do their whole show without limitations. Fans want to see all the bells and whistles, and more importantly, the acoustics mean everything. Casinos thrive off of hospitality. How we treat the artists who play our venues, and the fans who come to see them, is no different.
Sanchez: From Latin to K-pop and everything in between, casinos are bringing major-level acts from each genre. It’s about expanding and serving all audiences — and not looking at customer base with narrow focus.
Selak: Any entertainment is now a casino act. Fans want good, fast-paced entertainment that can energize them before heading to the gaming floor. Many tribal venues are now on par with the finest Vegas casinos. Ticket buyers are aware of this and are taking advantage of their “hometown” casinos so they do not have to travel a far distance for Vegas-like facilities.
Shomes: Yes and no. I don’t mean to be ambiguous, but the truth is that classic songs and iconic music catalogs will never go out of style. Whether that is an older or current artist, fans want to see who they love and have a great time. And if they can see their favorite artist in a more intimate setting that a casino can provide, it is a massive win-win for everybody.
Williams: The answer to this question depends on the casino. Some casinos prefer to have one act that plays no more than 75 minutes, maybe 90 minutes of total performance over two acts, while other casinos will program three to four acts to give the patrons more value. There are some casinos that have no problem booking “festival-style” programming with multiple acts. Fans in all circles want more value for their money. Entertainment at their favorite casino presents a more attractive destination for multiple days or a weekend stay. The definition of “casino act” is evolving.
Any predictions for the future of the casino entertainment business? What would you like to see?
Amechi: I anticipate continued growth and innovation in the casino entertainment business. Technology will play an increasingly important role, from enhancing audience experiences to determining and uplifting the next generation of “casino acts.” I would like to see a continued focus on diversity and inclusivity in the acts that are booked, reflecting the wide range of interests and backgrounds of the audiences.
Baker: We hope to see the entertainment side of casinos continue to expand, allowing Choctaw Casinos & Resorts more opportunities to put great acts in front of our valued guests from Oklahoma, North Texas and beyond.
Blank: Casinos are playing a significant role in the entertainment industry and that role is only going to get bigger.
Cantone: Stay relevant and current with today’s social media buzz, those platforms have replaced traditional marketing with a new talent pool of overnight sensations that can sell out venues of all sizes.
I booked Matt Rife for a record seven sellouts without spending a nickel of traditional advertising. While the big traditional names are still the cash cow of our business, the next generation is a push button away, already in the house on social media with a following of millions — that is the future.
Hodin: We’re going to see continued growth as more acts see the benefit of our customer base, wide reach and quality of our venues while we focus on investing in those experiences and amenities on our end. The idea of live entertainment has grown so much in terms of production and technology, and at Caesars, we have the ability to provide unparalleled customer experiences and are also at the forefront of the memorable experiences that entertainers want to create for their fans as the industry resets and evolves.
Robinson-Wesley: Casino entertainment will continue to be a revenue contributor to the bottom line. The footfall, volume and brand equity that live entertainment events bring to a casino are unmatched. I see more artists adding casino venues to their schedules. The convenience and amenities are perks. Where else can you have a nice, pre-show dining experience, meet friends for a cocktail in a lounge or speakeasy setting, attend the show and then have a nightcap afterward or dance the night away at a nightclub … all in one place?
Sabet: Casinos across the country are investing in their properties and building quality venues that will attract larger audiences and in-demand artists. UTA is looking forward to continuing our business in this space and connecting our incredible artists with these unique touring opportunities.
Sanchez: The future of casino entertainment is bright, especially as content providers unlock the true marketing potential of all that top-tier casino venues have to offer beyond traditional rooms.
Selak: Tribal gaming’s trajectory is only up! New construction and ideas are shaping much of what is happening today and tribal gaming is part of that overall scene. I’d like to see continued government/tribal cooperation allowing more flexibility for additional growth within the gaming industry.
Shomes:It is easy to just talk on a phone call about my clients, but I really enjoy the collaborative process of listening to the casino’s goals and then aligning my clients’ goals. A sold-out show is always amazing, but there are so many ways to make a casino event special and unique that I wake up every day excited to break new ground. There is nothing more gratifying than pitching a unique idea with a unique marketing angle and then seeing it come to fruition in a successful way.
I certainly appreciate that I have been called a “pioneer” in the casino space, but the credit really goes to the casinos that have been willing to take chances and work hand in hand with myself, management, and the artists time and time again to create a once in a lifetime experience that fans will remember forever.
Williams: We would love to see the casino business continue to elevate entertainment options and evolve to eliminate any stigmas that affected the level of artist stature. Casinos should be viewed by the industry as “vital theater” for touring strategy. The business is going to grow substantially over the next five years.
In Its First Full Year in Business, Day After Day Productions Is Nominated For ‘Independent Booking Agency of the Year’ For The 34th Annual Pollstar Awards
Winners Announced February 22, 2023
at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Calif. – (November 30, 2022) Day After Day Productions, founded by Seth Shomes, has been nominated for this year’s Independent Booking Agency of the Year award for its representation of more than 30 clients across a wide variety of genres, including 98 Degrees, Aaron Lewis, Brian Wilson, Deal Or No Deal – Live!, Flo Rida, Jeff Bridges & The Abiders, Matt Fraser, Missy Elliott, Staind, T.I., The Commodores, Tony Orlando, Tyler Henry, War, Wayne Newton, and more. Nominees for the 34th Annual Pollstar Awards, which will be announced during the Pollstar Live! Conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, Feb. 21-23, have been revealed in more than 45 categories among the concert industry’s top tours, artists, venues, executives, support companies, and more.
The industry-voted nomination was clinched from the intense efforts Day After Day Productions has shown through the company’s new reincarnation – and with less than two years in operation. Industry peers have recognized their immediate excellence in delivering quality entertainment through a time of sharp instability in the touring market.
Longtime agent and industry veteran, Seth Shomes, Founder and CEO, relaunched Day After Day Productions (DADP) in April 2021. DADP operated independently through 2014 until Shomes joined The Agency Group – and then UTA through that acquisition – and opened the first-ever dedicated Casino Divisions at each agency. Now, as then, Shomes and his team will focus on connecting clients with opportunities across the entire industry and all types of venues. And, with five “Agent of The Year ” awards under his belt at the Casino Entertainment Awards in Las Vegas, there will be continued expertise in the casino and soft ticket bookings for DADP’s roster.
“Receiving a nomination for Independent Agency of the Year in our first full year of business is extremely humbling,” Shomes reflects. “I am very proud of DADP’s growth in such a short time, and I cannot thank our talented clients enough for their loyalty and friendship. I am grateful to those in the industry that nominated DADP, and I look forward to 2023 and beyond.”
In addition, Day After Day Productions has paired with The Yucaipa Companies to help grow Danny Wimmer Presents’ Talent Services division. DWP is one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America and DWPTS, a division of Danny Wimmer Presents, focuses on the casino and fair business.
Among his other accolades, Shomes is an accomplished leader and recognized expert in the casino entertainment world after establishing himself as a pioneer by becoming the first agent to build a platform for non-traditional entertainment programming to thrive in the gaming industry. Throughout his career, Shomes has received praise from the highest level of casino executives, talent buyers, artists, managers, and record and PR executives for his ingenuity in developing unique marketing strategies that have continually proven successful for all parties.
The Yucaipa Companies Invest in Seth Shomes’ Day After Day Productions (DADP), The Leading Talent Agency In The Casino And Soft Ticket World. Seth Shomes Joins DWP Talent Services as Partner.
The Yucaipa Companies have announced an investment in Day After Day Productions (DADP), founded and led by Seth Shomes, the leading booking agent in the casino and soft ticket business for over 25 years. DADP is widely considered the expert in the field of booking and producing entertainment events for casinos, fairs, city events, theatres, PAC’s, and corporate entities worldwide.
David Barnes, partner at Yucaipa, said “We are extremely pleased to be going into business with Seth Shomes. We greatly admire the company he has built, and look forward to having a successful partnership with him for years to come.”
“Over the last decade I have watched with great interest Ron Burkle’s foray into the agency business and I am thrilled to partner with him and Yucaipa. As I re-launched DADP in April 2021 with just myself and a laptop, it is a proud moment that our immediate growth has quickly led to a partnership with one of the biggest entrepreneurs out there, and I look forward to finding internal synergies within Yucaipa’s portfolio of agencies and related entertainment companies,” says Seth Shomes, CEO of DADP.
The DADP roster includes more than 30 clients across a wide variety of genres, including 98 Degrees, Aaron Lewis, Brian Wilson, Deal Or No Deal – Live!, Flo Rida, Jeff Bridges & The Abiders, Matt Fraser, Missy Elliott, Staind, T.I., The Commodores, Tony Orlando, Tyler Henry, War, Wayne Newton, and more.
Longtime agent and industry veteran Shomes relaunched Day After Day Productions (DADP) in 2021. He originally founded the agency in 1996 with a core expertise and focus on booking, producing and buying talent for entertainment events, and the agency held an unparalleled footprint in the casino world for nearly two decades. DADP operated independently through 2014 until Shomes joined The Agency Group – and then UTA through that acquisition – and opened the first-ever dedicated Casino Divisions at each agency. Shomes has received five “Agent Of The Year” awards from the prestigious Casino Entertainment Awards in Las Vegas.
Among his other accolades, Shomes is an accomplished leader and recognized expert in the casino entertainment world after establishing himself as a pioneer by becoming the first agent to build a platform for non-traditional entertainment programming to thrive in the gaming industry. Throughout his career, Shomes has received praise from the highest level of casino executives, talent buyers, artists, managers, and record and PR executives for his ingenuity in developing unique marketing strategies that have continually proven successful for all parties.
Here are some DADP company highlights since its 2021 relaunch:
- DADP has secured over $30,000,000 in gross bookings and over 700 individual shows in casinos, fairs, festivals, arenas, PAC’s, theatres, city events, and more.
- Since opening as a solo operator in 2021, Shomes quickly expanded to a team of 12 staff, including five booking agents, six coordinators and a Head of Tour Marketing.
- DADP is well respected in the industry and is very competitive with other agencies.
- In association with Bobby Dee Presents, DADP co-produced dates for Mount Westmore featuring Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Too $hort and E-40.
- DADP will book and produce A Boy Band Christmas for its inaugural run of holiday dates in 2022, featuring Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons, and Justin Jeffre of 98 Degrees, Jamie Jones of All-4-One, Erik-Michael Estrada and Trevor Penick of O-Town and Ryan Cabrera.
Additionally, as part of the investment, Yucaipa portfolio company Danny Wimmer Presents has partnered with DADP, to grow it’s DWP Talent Services (DWPTS) division, with Shomes being named partner of DWPTS.
DWPTS is a division of DWP that focuses on the casino and fair business and was launched in 2021 with the acquisition of Billy Alan Productions, led by Billy Brill, a highly accomplished industry executive and consultant with more than 40 years of success in the entertainment, interactive media and casino booking industries.
Danny Hayes, CEO of Danny Wimmer Presents, said “Billy Brill, Danny Wimmer and I have been looking for the right opportunity to grow this nascent part of our business. I was Seth’s lawyer the first time he built Day After Day, so I know what his unique skill set, relationships and reputation will bring to DWPTS. Seth’s creative approach and client philosophy is in lockstep with ours. I’m not ready to give away the playbook but am excited to further integrate and expand on this aspect of our business.”
DWP is one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America, with events including Aftershock, Bourbon & Beyond, GoldenSky Country Music Festival, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, Louder Than Life, and Welcome To Rockville.
Yucaipa Invests in Seth Shomes’ Day After Day Productions
The deal also includes plans for Shomes to partner with Danny Wimmer Presents on the company’s talent division.
Billionaire investor Ron Burkle‘s Yucaipa Companies have announced an investment in Day After Day Productions, founded and led by Seth Shomes, a longtime booking agent in the casino and soft ticket business.
“Over the last decade I have watched with great interest Ron Burkle’s foray into the agency business and I am thrilled to partner with him and Yucaipa,” says Shomes. “As I re-launched DADP in April 2021 with just myself and a laptop, it is a proud moment that our immediate growth has quickly led to a partnership with one of the biggest entrepreneurs out there, and I look forward to finding internal synergies within Yucaipa’s portfolio of agencies and related entertainment companies.”
David Barners, partner at Yucaipa, notes, “We are extremely pleased to be going into business with Seth Shomes. We greatly admire the company he has built and look forward to having a successful partnership with him for years to come.”
Shomes founded Day After Day Productions in 1996 and operated independently through 2014 until joining The Agency Group – and then UTA through that acquisition – and opened the first-ever dedicated Casino Divisions at each agency. Shomes has received five “Agent Of The Year” awards from the prestigious Casino Entertainment Awards in Las Vegas. Since opening as a solo operator in 2021, Shomes quickly expanded to a team of 12 staff, including five booking agents, six coordinators and a Head of Tour Marketing.
Additionally, as part of the investment, Yucaipa portfolio company Danny Wimmer Presents has partnered with Shomes to grow its DWP Talent Services division with Shomes being named partner. DWP Talent Services was launched in 2021 with the acquisition of Billy Alan Productions, led by Billy Brill, a highly accomplished industry executive and consultant with more than 40 years of success in the entertainment, interactive media and casino booking industries.
Danny Hayes, CEO of Danny Wimmer Presents, says “Billy Brill, Danny Wimmer, Del Williams and I have been looking for the right opportunities to expand our talent buying services for third party clients like casinos and fairs. I was Seth’s lawyer the first time he built Day After Day, so I know what his unique skill set, relationships and reputation will bring to DWPTS. Seth’s creative approach and client philosophy is in lockstep with ours.”
Day After Day Productions Gets Yucaipa Investment
Seth Shomes Joins DWP Talent Services As Partner
Seth Shomes’ Day After Day Productions is the latest music company to receive an investment from Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Companies and Shomes will join Danny Wimmer Presents Talent Services as Partner in the deal announced Sept. 28.
Shomes has been one of the top booking agents n the casino and soft ticket market for more than 25 years. He operated DADP from its founding in 1996 until Shomes joined The Agency Group in 2014, which was ultimated acquired by United Talent Agency.
Shomes in 2021 relaunched DADP basically from a laptop and in just more than a year has grown by leaps and bounds, securing more than $30 million in gross booking and 700-plus individual shows at casinos, fairs, festivals, arenas, performing arts centers, civic events and more. His staff increased to 12, including five booking agents, six coordinators and a head of tour marketing.
DWPTS is a division of DWP that focuses on the casino and fair business and was launched in 2021 with the acquisition of Billy Alan Productions, led by veteran industry exec Billy Brill, who himelf has more than 40 years of success in the entertainment, interactive media and casino booking industries.
DWPTS’s current casino roster includes Thunder Valley(Lincoln, California), Agua Caliente (Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, California), Spirit Mountain (Grand Ronde, Oregon), Eagle Mountain (Porterville, California), Pearl River (Philadelphia, Mississippi), Seneca Allegany (Salamanca, New York) and Seneca Niagara (Niagara Falls, New York).
“Over the last decade I have watched with great interest Ron Burkle’s foray into the agency business and I am thrilled to partner with him and Yucaipa. As I re-launched DADP in April 2021 with just myself and a laptop, it is a proud moment that our immediate growth has quickly led to a partnership with one of the biggest entrepreneurs out there, and I look forward to finding internal synergies within Yucaipa’s portfolio of agencies and related entertainment companies,” Shomes says.
David Barnes, Partner at Yucaipa, said “We are extremely pleased to be going into business with Seth Shomes. We greatly admire the company he has built and look forward to having a successful partnership with him for years to come.”
The DADP roster includes more than 30 clients across a wide variety of genres, including 98 Degrees, Aaron Lewis, Brian Wilson, Celebrating Meat Loaf, Deal Or No Deal – Live!, Flo Rida, Ice-T presents The Art Of Rap, Jeff Bridges & The Abiders, Matt Fraser, Missy Elliott, Staind, T.I., The Commodores, Tony Orlando, Tyler Henry, War, Wayne Newton, and more.
Yucaipa Companies, a private equity founded by Los Angeles-area grocery magnate Ron Burkle, has made significant forays in to the music business in the last decade-plus, including investments in Artists Group International, APA, K2 Agency, Primavera Sound Spain, Soho House, and Roberto Medina’s Rock in Rio. Yucaipa was also a minority partner in UK’s CODA agency before it was acquired by Wasserman last year.
Danny Hayes, CEO of Danny Wimmer Presents, said “Billy Brill, Danny Wimmer, Del Williams and I have been looking for the right opportunities to expand our talent buying services for third party clients like casinos and fairs. I was Seth’s lawyer the first time he built Day After Day, so I know what his unique skill set, relationships and reputation will bring to DWPTS. Seth’s creative approach and client philosophy is in lockstep with ours.”
Private Equity Giant Yucaipa Companies Partner Makes An Investment In Seth Shomes’ Day After Day Productions
Ron Burkle’s private equity firm, Yucaipa Companies, announced an investment into Seth Shomes revived Day After Day Productions.
“Over the last decade I have watched with great interest Ron Burkle’s foray into the agency business and I am thrilled to partner with him and Yucaipa. As I re-launched DADP in April 2021 with just myself and a laptop, it is a proud moment that our immediate growth has quickly led to a partnership with one of the biggest entrepreneurs out there, and I look forward to finding internal synergies within Yucaipa’s portfolio of agencies and related entertainment companies,” says Seth Shomes, CEO of DADP.
Originally founded by Shomes in 1996 and relaunched last year after Shomes stepped away from United Talent, Day After Day Productions produces entertainment events for casinos, fairs, city events, theatres, PACs, and corporate entities worldwide.
DADP represents an artist roster that includes 98 Degrees, Aaron Lewis, Brian Wilson, Celebrating Meat Loaf, Deal Or No Deal – Live!, Flo Rida, Ice-T presents The Art Of Rap, Jeff Bridges & The Abiders, Matt Fraser, Missy Elliott, Staind, T.I., The Commodores, Tony Orlando, Tyler Henry, War, Wayne Newton, and more.
Since its revival, Day After Day has secured more than $30 million in gross bookings from 700 shows in the last year. Since launch, the company has expanded to a team of twelve, including five booking agents, six coordinators and a Head of Tour Marketing.
Upcoming shows include the inaugural A Boy Band Christmas featuring Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons, Justin Jeffre of 98 Degrees, Jamie Jones of All-4-One, Erik-Michael Estrada and Trevor Penick of O-Town and Ryan Cabrera.
“We are extremely pleased to be going into business with Seth Shomes. We greatly admire the company he has built and look forward to having a successful partnership with him for years to come,” said David Barnes, Partner at Yucaipa.
As part of the investment, Yucaipa portfolio company Danny Wimmer Presents has partnered with DADP to expand its WP Talent Services (DWPTS) division, which was launched in 2021 with the acquisition of Billy Alan Productions, led by Billy Brill.
Shomes has been named a partner in the division, which focuses on the casino and fair business and will take a leadership role in the venture, which services clients such as Thunder Valley (Lincoln, CA), Agua Caliente (Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, CA), Spirit Mountain (Grand Ronde, OR), Eagle Mountain (Porterville, CA), Pearl River (Philadelphia, MS), Seneca Allegany (Salamanca, NY) and Seneca Niagara (Niagara Falls, NY).
“Billy Brill, Danny Wimmer, Del Williams and I have been looking for the right opportunities to expand our talent buying services for third party clients like casinos and fairs. I was Seth’s lawyer the first time he built Day After Day, so I know what his unique skill set, relationships and reputation will bring to DWPTS. Seth’s creative approach and client philosophy is in lockstep with ours,” said Danny Hayes, CEO of Danny Wimer Presents.
Pollstar Agency Intel: Seth Shomes Reopens Day After Day Productions (DADP)
Longtime agent and industry veteran Seth Shomes is proving you can go home again by relaunching Day After Day Productions (DADP), an agency he originally founded in 1996 before joining The Agency Group in 2014.
“I’m calling it Day After Day Productions 2.0,” Shomes says, laughing. “That was a great 18-year run and now it is time for the second chapter.”
Now, as then, Shomes will focus on connecting clients with opportunities across the industry, and all types of venues. And, with five “Agent Of The Year” awards under his belt at the Casino Entertainment Awards in Las Vegas, there will be a continued expertise in casino bookings for his artists.
Being idled for more than a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic gave Shomes time to reflect on his career and guided his decision to amicably depart UTA, which acquired The Agency Group not long after his arrival in October 2014.
“I just decided I really missed being an independent agency and running my own shop,” he says, adding that DADP will continue to collaborate with other agencies, co-booking some artists. It is a business model that Shomes pioneered and has benefitted many of his clients for more than two decades.
“In the beginning it may have seemed strange to have two different agencies co-representing an artist, but it has really worked,” Shomes explains. “I am especially proud of the booking partnership I have with CAA on Aaron Lewis. It has really made a huge difference in how we have successfully built his solo career while still being sensitive to the Staind business which we also co-represent.”
Shomes had the good fortune to open DADP just in time for the darkest days of the pandemic to begin to lift.
“I reopened on April 19, which is when people in the buying world would turn back on. It’s an exciting time to be in this industry when the last year and a half was really painful,” Shomes adds. “It was hard, but there’s a pent-up demand for the fans to see these artists. And all of these artists are excited to get back out there and do what they love and what they are tremendous at, which is to entertain the fans and put on an energetic live show.”
Shomes’ current roster includes 30 clients across a wide variety of genres such as Snoop Dogg (in association with Bobby Dee and Uncle Snoop’s Army), 98 Degrees, Aaron Lewis, Staind, Marie Osmond, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Tyler Henry – The Hollywood Medium, The Commodores, George Benson, Ice-T, Deal Or No Deal – Live, War, Village People, Skid Row, Jefferson Starship, Shaun Cassidy, Keyshia Cole, Naughty By Nature, and many more.
Shomes is especially gratified to work with hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg and points to Danny Wimmer Presents’ recently announced Louder Than Life festival with hard rock heroes Metallica and Nine Inch Nails as a special moment.
“He’s pumped,” Shomes says of Snoop Dogg. “The great thing about Snoop is that he really does roll through different genres at this point. He’s a global superstar and he’s performed in rock, hip-hop, R&B, rap, pop. Everybody loves him and the way he has built his career over multiple decades is brilliant.”
Shomes made a name for himself at DADP 1.0 as a pioneer in casino booking at a time when agencies and casinos were just beginning to really appreciate just how mutually beneficial their businesses could be, and he is proud that, in just five weeks since re-opening DADP 2.0, he is well-positioned to expand from casinos and soft tickets to service their clients into theaters, arenas and other venues on a worldwide basis.
As of press time, Shomes has put together a team of seven, including agents Michelle Scarbrough, Ben Gomez, Brian Escobar and Carleen Terrano, coordinator Aidan Flynn and operations director Anthony Pecora, with more agents to be announced shortly.
“With the agency culture that I’m building, it’s really independent,” Shomes says. “The people that I’m hiring are veterans and talented younger agents that are hungry; they have been through the big agency system and for one reason or another they’re now drawn to a smaller agency system. They are people that have tremendous relationships, great booking skills, and are great human beings. And most importantly, they have a deep understanding and appreciation for our client roster which is just so critical to success for the artists.”
Shomes acknowledges that there’s an oversized pool of available agents thanks to the layoffs and furloughs that were among the most painful aspects of a year in business lockdown.
“Unfortunately, there’s lots of great people that are still on the sidelines from the furloughs and downsizing. But that has allowed me to have some great conversations with some people that were really just victims of the pandemic that deserve to be back on the front lines.To have those conversations now and to align in this way is exciting.”
In the worlds of fairs and festivals, the sun is starting to come out and many are beginning to announce concert lineups. They might not be at full capacity and the money not as big, but Shomes says it’s important that they come back in whatever configuration they can.
“We’ve seen a lot of fairs around the country come back online, and it’s exciting because the fairs have been really hurt,” he says. “It’s tough to go a couple of years without having a fair, and I’ve seen that with some of the festivals as well. Even if they are used to doing 15,000 people and they can only socially distance in 2021 for 2,500 they want to do something because it’s important for their brand not to be quiet for two years.”
“I respect how hard the venues, buyers and promoters have worked to provide entertainment for fans during a very difficult time. We’ve seen a lot of ingenuity, whether it’s the drive-in concerts or the virtual concerts. What’s great about our business is entrepreneurs will always find a way and lead by example.”