Veteran Promoter Danny Eaton Joins Outback Presents

Veteran concert promoter Danny Eaton has joined Outback Presents as Senior Vice President, the company announced today.

Eaton started his career producing concerts in Dallas and Austin, Texas, going back to the 1970s for artists including ZZ Top (which he also managed for eight years), Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge, ELO, Black Sabbath and more. 

“I am honored and happy to join forces with Mike Smardak, Vaughn Millette, Brian Dorfman, and the rest of the Outback team,” Eaton said in a statement. “I have known Mike for many years and I have always admired his concert promotion strategies and skills. My plan is to help the company grow its already prolific business and help expand the Outback brand. I am beyond excited about this new adventure with Outback.”

Pollstar’s 1995 Independent Promoter of the Year with 462 Concerts, Eaton later produced concerts with Eagles, Paul McCartney, The Police, Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, and more. Eaton joined AEG Live in 2004, where he was primarily responsible for rebuilding the once bankrupt Nokia Live Theater in Grand Prairie, Texas. Eaton joined Live Nation in 2010, becoming the company’s SVP in Dallas.

“Danny is a longtime friend who I admire and trust. His accomplishments as a promoter I have always looked up to. We are very excited to have Danny join our team,” says Outback Presents founder and President Mike Smardak.

After his foray into management with ZZ Top, Eaton started his own production company, Eaton Page Productions, where he promoted shows with Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, The Kings and more. In the 1980s, he found 462 Productions in Dallas. 

“Any time you can add a legend like Danny Eaton to your team, you do it. We are excited to have him join the Outback family,” says Outback Presents Chairman/CEO Vaughn Millette.