Opry Entertainment Group Promotes Dolly Chandler To Senior Talent Buyer, Hires Mallorie McRea As Talent Buyer

Opry Entertainment Group has upped Dolly Chandler to Senior Talent Buyer on its artist relations and programming team, a role in which she will oversee the programming strategy for Ole Red Nashville as well as further developing programming initiatives across the Ole Red brand. 

Blake Shelton partnered with Ryman Hospitality Properties in September 2017 to open Ol Red Tishomingo – a restaurant, live music venue, and retail space in Tishomingo, Okla., inspired by the country singer’s hit, “Ol’ Red.” Ole Red Nashville followed in 2018 and Ole Red Gatlinburg in Gatlinburg, Tenn., opened its doors in March. Ole Red Orlando is expected to open at ICON Park in Orlando, Fla., in late spring.  

Chandler has been with Opry Entertainment Group as a talent buyer since early 2017. During that time, she’s booked nearly 10,000 hours of music and 175 artists for Ole Red’s three locations. She’s also played a role in the development of Ole Red’s “Neon Light Program,” which supports up-and-coming artists by hosting artist performance residencies across the Ole Red network, while providing the musicians with promotional and content creation support.  

Mallorie McRea has been hired as a talent buyer on Opry Entertainment Grou’s Artist Relations & Programming team, in which she will manage the -day-to-day live music schedule for Ole Red Gatlinburg and  the forthcoming Ole Red Orlando.

McRea, who will report to Chandler, previously worked at Outback Presents as show coordinator, overseeing buying and promotional efforts for the venue’s music and comedy shows. She also spent time as a junior agent at Atomic Music Group, assisting with tour management for over 20 of the group’s acts, as well as working on artist relations initiatives for City Winery Nashville.