Comeback Clio

A city commission in Clio, Mich., has agreed to invest some much-needed funding into the 3,100-capacity Clio Area Amphitheatre in hopes of spurring the shed’s revival.

A $40,000 budget will cover the costs of producing six weeks of concerts June through August, a booking agent, marketing, sound and lighting, according to the Michigan Business Review.

The 15-year-old shed, which closed and filed bankruptcy in 2005, also reportedly needs a minor facelift that could include the replacement of rusty seats, as well as new paint and lighting.

Amphitheatre committee member Doug Vance told the Business Review officials want to take the shed back to its days of hosting big shows.

"We’re looking to expand the variety of shows. We can ratchet that up a whole lot by bringing in some new concerts," he said. "We used to have 30,000 people attend the big shows. We need a more permanent committee whose passion is the amphitheatre, so they can spend a lot of time on it."

Along with the $40,000 injection, the commission will appoint a new seven-member board of directors for the venue, including one commissioner, the paper said. The venue’s Tacoma Productions will reportedly manage security, parking and concessions.

Local business owner Mike Singleton said the community should see good returns on its investment in the venue.

"I believe it would be money well spent," he told the paper. "I’ve attended concerts in Frankenmuth and there are 3,000 to 4,000 people at those events. There’s a 10-minute wait at the concessions and they sold out of everything. You’re gonna make your money back on that."

The Clio Amphitheatre previously hosted acts including B.B. King, Clay Aiken and Willie Nelson.