BGP & Chuck Morris Split

San Francisco’s Bill Graham Presents and Denver’s Chuck Morris Presents have split into separate entities, ending a seven-year reporting relationship. Both remain under the Clear Channel Music Group banner.

The promotion companies began working together in 1998, before either was purchased by SFX Entertainment, putting them eventually under the Clear Channel umbrella.

At the time, Morris’ company – which comprised himself and Brent Fedrizzi – booked about 35 concerts a year. That has expanded to a staff of 15 and CMP expects to promote 300 concerts in the Midwest next year at venues including Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Pepsi Center and Universal Lending Pavilion.

Plus, there’s The Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, which was spawned from the partnership. That venue brings in about 75 shows per year.

CMP is also expected to take over Denver’s historic Paramount Theatre in August.

Clear Channel Music Group prexy Michael Rapino announced the change in relationship June 9th.

“Now, both CMP and BGP can concentrate on expanding and improving operations in their geographic areas of expertise,” Rapino said in a statement.

Morris serves as president of CMP, reporting to Rapino, while Fedrizzi has been upped to COO, reporting to Morris.

“It definitely gives the local branches the freedom to develop what they’ve been successful in developing,” Morris told Pollstar. “And now, we report directly to Mike (Rapino) and [COO Charlie Walker] so it gives us a little more flexibility to create some new projects. I loved working with BGP, but I just think we’ll feel more comfortable working on our own.”