Arny Granat Announces Exit From Jam Productions After 46 Years: Exclusive

John Shearer – Arny Granat
at CIC 2009

Arny Granat, who co-founded Chicago’s Jam Productions with partner Jerry Mickelson in 1972, is leaving the company to start on what he calls a “new adventure” in live event production.

Granat founded and remains CEO of Grand Slam Productions, where he continues to explore new opportunities and seek new partnerships, while Mickelson will continue to manage daily operations at Jam Productions.

“There aren’t a lot of independent promoters left,” Granat said of his decision. “I was one of the few who expanded into other areas when I saw this coming. Most [of the other legacy promoters] were either bought out, retired or passed away and are no longer around, with the exception of Seth [Hurwitz of I.M.P.] and Gregg [Perloff, of Another Planet Entertainment] and a few others.”

As for what the future will bring for Granat, “I’m going to throw some shit against the wall and see what sticks,” the legendary promoter says, laughing.

But in a more serious vein, Granat tells Pollstar that the changes in the concert promotion business, particularly since the consolidation of independent promoters that began in the late 1990s, are what prompted his decision to depart Jam Productions.

Granat acknowledges that he saw the writing on the wall many years ago and began branching out in areas other than concert promotion since then, though he’ll continue to have a hand it that when it makes sense.

He’s been increasingly focused on non-concert events such as Broadway productions with Jam Theatricals (as well as GSP) for the last 10-15 years, earning 10 Tony Awards for productions like  “Spamalot,” and, most recently, “The Band’s Visit!” He’s also managed theatrical subscription series in 27 markets.

“Over the past four decades, I have enjoyed a career that has allowed me to work with some of the biggest stars on the most memorable concerts, including The Rolling Stones, Dolly Parton, James Brown, and Frank Sinatra, as well as awe-inspiring theater productions and other unforgettable events,” he said. “I am looking forward to producing and promoting shows throughout the country in association with other partners and collaborators.”

He currently is producing a movie based on the book “My Last Skirt” and writing book that he’s titling “I Said This, But I Meant That.” In the exhibitions column, he will bring a Christmas Light Show extravaganza from London to the Chicago in 2019, before rolling it out nationally.

Granat is also collaborating with Outback Concerts and Jam Theatricals on a number of projects. He will continue to produce concerts and other live events including a traveling circus featuring the famous wire walker Nik Wallenda, in the last quarter of 2019 or first quarter of 2020.

He recently struck up a friendship with Wallenda and discussed the idea of a traveling circus with more carnival activities such as rides and fortune-tellers and fewer animals.

“With the lack of circuses now, given animal protection laws, Nik and I are talking about a circus in secondary and tertiary markets to give those people a chance to have a family outing and experience a circus in some fashion.” Among his ideas are interactivity and using technology to bring the circus to the modern era.

“I am happy where I’ve been, I am happy where I am, and I am excited for everyone to see where I go next,” Granat says.

Where he’s been is pretty significant, too.

Granat, either individually or with Mickelson and Jam Productions, has been nominated for Pollstar’s Bill Graham Promoter of the Year Award nine times, and won for Independent Promoter of the Year in four of the five years nominated. He also delivered opening keynote remarks at the 2009 Concert Industry Consortium, the name of the gathering that evolved into Pollstar Live!

Under the leadership of Granat and Mickelson, Jam grew into one of the largest independent producers of live entertainment in North America. Located in Chicago, but promoting concerts and tours nationally, Jam has steered a wide array of events over the past 45 years including The Rolling Stones, Madonna and Frank Sinatra, as well as producing the first Farm Aid concert.

Through the corporate special events division, they produced the Grand Opening of Millennium Park in Chicago, three gubernatorial inaugurations and the World Cup ’94 Chairman’s Opening Night Gala.

Not only was the indie promoter booking tours nationally, but innovating in the field – literally – with tours of minor league baseball stadiums with the likes of Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson. Granat’s Grand Slam Productions staged a National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum traveling exhibit in 2014 to commemorate that organization’s 75th anniversary.

Terms of Granat’s departure weren’t disclosed, but he tells Pollstar “there’s an agreement.” One of the biggest projects being undertaken by Jam in the last year is the announcement that it will, in collaboration with the City of Chicago, restore and rehab the Uptown Theater – a $75 million upgrade that is largely being paid by the city through a patchwork of financing, and which won’t be affected by Granat’s exit.

He may no longer be at his longtime desk at Jam Productions, but Granat says he’s just embarking on a new path.

“I’ll stop when I stop having visions,” Granat said of his long career. “I’m still having visions.”

Granat can be reached at 312-980-0391 and by email at [email protected].