Short Items: Music Factory, Lou Mann, Stone Pony

The new Music Factory in Irving, Texas, snags title sponsor … Lou Mann, former GM of Capitol Records and president of media properties for House Of Blues, has been named exec VP of VNUE … Stone Pony house promoter has a benefit show planned for him.

The new Music Factory in Irving, Texas, has a title sponsor and opened as the Live Nation-managed Toyota Music Factory Sept. 9.

The 8,000-capacity amphitheatre launched with a set by ZZ Top.

About two dozen restaurants, bars and music spots are expected to open this month, according to the Dallas News. 

Toyota, which made an exodus from California to Texas, pledged to become a fabric of the community and has since put its name on Toyota Stadium and Toyota Soccer Center.

Lou Mann, former GM of Capitol Records and president of media properties for House Of Blues, has been named exec VP of VNUE.

Mann will be a direct adviser to CEO Zach Bair and will be responsible for helping to procure content, signing new artists, increasing sales and helping to shape the vision of the company, according to a statement.

VNUE records live events and releases experiential content to fans.

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Kyle Brendle, the house promoter for the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J., has a benefit show planned for him at the venue Sept. 16. 

Brendle had a spinal infection but is on the mend, according to the Asbury Park Press. 

“Friends Helping Kyle” is expected to include Holme, Bobby Bandiera, Stone Pony, Colossal Street Jam, Karen Phillips, The Sandy Mack Band, and Mad Kings with Jimmy Law.

Peter Mantas, entertainment director for Langosta Loune and the Asbury Park Yacht Club on the boardwalk, is also expected to drop by. Brendle is recovering but is not expected to return to his former position.