Powell said Saturday night, "I hope we proved to everyone we fully intend on delivering what we say we will."

Saturday night's Sister C and Clint Black concert at the Roanoke Rapids Theatre was BarnBurner Promotions first of many events planned for the venue.

According to BarnBurner, the event was not a sell-out but was very close from selling out completely and their May 13 Travis Tritt sales boomed at the ticket office Saturday with half already sold since starting a week ago.

It appeared everyone was having a good time and the theater was groomed for the first event.

"People complimented us throughout the night. I think the employees did an outstanding job. I hope the process for everyone was as smooth as it could be for our first show,” said. Powell.

"There were a few minor behind-the-scene kinks which went unnoticed and our staff pulled off every bit of it, but nothing major, and we will get them worked out before the next event,” said Askew. "The success didn't hit me until I stood by the upstairs balcony, looked down, and the theatre lobby was packed. I was overwhelmed by the support we had received. At that moment, all of the stress and late hours it took to put this show together had paid off for everyone.”

Powell and Askew were well pleased with the city's work. "The City of Roanoke Rapids was awesome and we couldn't have asked for a better team. John Simeon, Larry Chalker, and everyone at the Parks and Recreation along with Marcia and Marion doing everything they could to help us out on the front end,” the team said.

BarnBurner attempted to keep the Black tickets reasonable as well as concessions.

They decided early on they would offer the two front row tickets at a little higher price, coming with parking perks as well, all other floor seats were $40.

"To see the Carolina Crossroads sign lit up on 95 with upcoming shows, makes everyone aware of what's happening,” Powell said. “We said once that if people are traveling and know there are shows they will stop, we had people saying people are going from point A-B, they won't do that. This week, we had a couple from Canada traveling to Florida. They camp there five months a year, they saw the sign and decided to stay in town a couple days to catch the show.”

Realistically, people traveling four hours won't stop to spend the night but if people are traveling 16 hours, and they are aware that an affordable show is offered right beside a major interstate, she said, “I can assure you they will adjust their traveling schedules, because it's part of their goal, (to enjoy life, have experiences, see places).”

Generally, she said, most people doing the long traveling are Northerners leaving the cold weather heading south and people who travel in campers or recreational vehicles. “They are already aware of the campground and the Hilton, so they know lodging is readily available. We also had a couple come from Delaware. He also bought tickets to Clint Black as well as Travis Tritt. He said it's only a six hour drive."

BarnBurner Promotions intends to bring all genres to the Theatre. They have the country acts and have booked a rock show for next month and are in negotiations for a Southern Soul show along with other acts.

Powell and Askew are two women who love music, promoting, concerts, and having a great time.

At the end of the day they come home to their kids, family, husbands, and a whole lot of dogs.

They are committed to this wholeheartedly.

"If we get the support it will continue to motivate us, this theatre and this area can recover from the things that have happened, but it takes a lot of time, money, and dedication to it,” Powell said. “The ones who want this place to succeed, still have hope, and those that see the potential in this community and our beautiful theatre, those are the people who give us our motivation when we are exhausted on all levels. We appreciate the support more than anyone will ever know."

For more information visit their website www.BarnBurnerNc.com

Meet and greet photos can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1057896797581728.1073741830.621715037866575&type=3

Fan summited photos can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153966424180519.1073742482.131841195518&type=3