Yerke Heads HoB Talent

Longtime House of Blues Chicago talent buyer Michael Yerke has been named President of Talent, House of Blues by Live Nation, the company announced Feb. 19.

The newly created position will see Yerke guiding the talent buyers for all 13 HoB clubs across the U.S., as well as the talent buyers responsible for Live Nation’s clubs and theatres, according to a statement.

Yerke will report to Ben Weeden, COO of North American Music.

“Michael has a proven track record as one of the most respected and experienced talent bookers in the our industry and I am confident he will successfully lead the booking team as we grow our HoB, club and theatre businesses in 2009,” Weeden said of the appointment.

An original member of the HoB Chicago team in 1996, Yerke has been named Pollstar’s Talent Buyer of the Year three times.