Live Nation Acquires Majority In Frank Productions

Frank Productions, one of the industry’s last legacy independent concert promoters, has sold a majority interest to Live Nation, the companies announced Jan. 11. Frank Productions will continue to operate its venues and companies, which include CMoore Live in Boise, Idaho; and NS2 in Nashville.

– Larry and Fred Frank

Brothers Larry and Fred Frank have spent their entire lives in the entertainment industry, having taken over the family business from their father, Herb, who started his own career running box offices in secondary and tertiary markets before moving into promoting Country artists.

The Franks in recent years expanded the business they ran in Madison, Wisc., to include relationships and acquisitions that gave the company a much higher profile and national footprint. In 2017 alone, the company merged with Majestic Live, which operates the Majestic Theatre in Madison; acquired High Noon Saloon in the same city, as well as The Blue Note and Rose Music Hall in Columbia, Mo.

A particular high point for the Frank family last year was groundbreaking for The Sylvee, a 2,500-capacity concert hall in Madison, named in honor of their mother Syliva, who passed away in 2006. The state of the art venue is expected to open later this year.

And that won’t change, according to a statement from Live Nation, which says that Frank Productions is expected to retain its current employees, including its leadership team headed by the Frank brothers, and continue to operate its venues.

There’s obviously been a lot of water that has passed under the bridge between Frank Productions and Live Nation. When the latter was merging with Ticketmaster, the Frank brothers were vocal in opposing the move. But that was almost eight years ago, and much has changed. Obviously neither party has hard feelings.

“Frank Productions has been around for over 50 years because we have continuously found new, innovative ways to help artists grow their careers the way they choose, which is a vision we share with Live Nation and should make for a very seamless partnership,” the brothers said in a statement. “Our relentless entrepreneurial spirit has helped grow Frank Productions from an independent family operation into a full-service concert promotion company … with over 70 employees and key affiliates … and now Live Nation across the globe.”

Bob Roux, Live Natino’s co-president of U.S. concerts, added, “This partnership made sense for Live Nation on every level, as we’re excited to welcome Larry, Fred and all of Frank Productions to the team. They bring valuable industry expertise, solid market representation and, most importantly, an artist-centric approach that will benefit both performers and music fans.”