004. The $4 Million Dollar Gamble That Changed Columbus Live Music Forever

004. The $4 Million Dollar Gamble That Changed Columbus Live Music Forever

Author: PromoWest Productions January 31, 2025 Duration: 16:18

How did a young promoter take on Ohio’s live music monopoly and win?

After 7 years, 5 dead deals, and a $4.1 million land lease, Polaris Amphitheater was finally built, creating the first 18,000 capacity outdoor venue in Central Ohio, putting Polaris on the map alongside Blossom (Cleveland) and Riverbend (Cincinnati).

This is the untold story of how a young, ambitious promoter fought industry giants, risked millions, and changed Columbus’ music legacy forever.

See more at nevertoldstories.com

Brought To You By:

Art Makes Columbus – columbusmakesart.com

Anheuser-Busch – anheuser-busch.com 

Mikey’s Late Night Slice – latenightslice.com 


Resources:

• Watch on YouTube at youtube.com/@PromoWestTV 

• Catch upcoming shows at promowestlive.com 

• Learn more at aegpresents.com 

• Follow PromoWest on Facebook: facebook.com/promowestlive 

• Follow PromoWest on Instagram: instagram.com/promowestlive 

• Follow PromoWest on Twitter: x.com/promowestlive 


Crew Credits:

Featuring - Scott Stienecker

Host - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Cody Boyce

Exec. Producer - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Don Nixon

Director of Photography - Dustin Franz

1st AC - Ryan Scott

Grip - Elijah Jimenez

Art Director - Andy Fisher

PA - Wes Kasik

Still Photographer - Dustin Franz

Editor - Tom Davies

Produced by Crate Media

Cinematography by Sanggwen Media

Special Thanks to Marissa, Joey, Brian, Jason, and the entire PromoWest Productions staff


Behind every legendary concert is a story rarely told from the side of the stage. Showmaker: The Nevertold Stories Of Rock 'N' Roll pulls back the curtain on four decades of music history through the lens of Scott Stienecker, the founder of PromoWest Productions. This isn't just a series of famous names and dates; it's an intimate, ground-level documentary about what it really took to build a live music empire in the American Midwest against all odds. Each episode weaves together candid interviews, archival sound, and Stienecker's own recollections to explore the chaotic, thrilling, and often precarious business of bringing artists to the people. Listeners will hear the unvarnished realities of promotion-the negotiations that happened in cramped offices, the shows that almost fell apart, and the cultural moments that defined generations, all seen through the eyes of a man who helped make them happen. The podcast delves into the intersection of art, commerce, and community, revealing how a single independent promoter's hustle and passion shaped the sonic landscape for countless fans. It's a raw, personal audio journey through the grit and glory of rock 'n' roll, told by the people who were there in the trenches, making the magic and managing the mayhem.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 7

Showmaker: The Nevertold Stories Of Rock 'N' Roll
Podcast Episodes
Showmaker: The Nevertold Stories Of Rock 'N' Roll [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:21
The story of America's last independent promoter, Showmaker explores the career of Scott Stienecker, Founder of PromoWest Productions, as he plays host to the biggest acts in music over 40 years in the Midwest.This 6-epi…