A woman who produced popular shows at Carolina Crossroads and a well-known Nashville talent buyer will team to temporarily run the Roanoke Rapids Theatre.

City council unanimously agreed today to allow Elizabeth Price Branham and Gil Cunningham of Neste Event Marketing to run the struggling venue. Council member Ernest Bobbitt made the motion, which was seconded by Ed Liverman, following a closed session.

Branham and Cunningham were the only ones who pitched a proposal to council today. One submitted by Russ Collins was pulled because it did not meet the criteria the city was looking for, Mayor Emery Doughtie said.

Cunningham arrived in Roanoke Rapids from Nashville to help people get a deeper view of his diverse qualifications, Branham told council.

Introducing herself, Branham said, “I have been involved in Carolina Crossroads since the groundbreaking. I’m so excited, the face of the component has not changed.”

Branham said 24,000 people came for the outdoor events at Carolina Crossroads while the theater was being constructed.

She explained she produced shows, “From the ground up,” and did produce several theater shows such as Craig Morgan, Charlie Daniels and the Oakridge Boys. “I handled the advanced work. Being a local person I think is a wonderful asset. I have three children, one in elementary school, one in middle school and one in high school. I’m not looking for compensation, I’m looking to make this what everyone envisioned.”

There are people from New York and Nashville interested in the theater, Branham said. “Are we going to have a miraculous fix? No. We’ve got a lot of skin in the game. We want to see each and everyone of you be proud of what we have here.”

Cunningham told council, “Elizabeth came to me recently. She is passionate about the theater and passionate about Roanoke Rapids. I think there are a lot of advantages to this community.”

Cunningham said his job will be to bring in promoters and get them interested in the theater. “We’ve talked to major agents. I have relationships with all the agents. Agents have expressed an interest in the in the facility.”

The agents, Cunningham said, do know the past problems with the venue. “We first need to get promoters to come to Roanoke Rapids and get them to say, ‘we’re interested in getting shows. It’s really our jobs to bring those people to the table.”

Cunningham explained he will work as a consultant. “People hire me to buy talent for their events. We buy for community events, casinos and theaters. My role is to work as a consultant to find promoters.”

There are promoters throughout the East Coast, Cunningham told council. “They are the ones you need to get interested in your venue. Because of the past history promoters are asking what’s going on. Just getting them here to see the venue, that’s what you need to do. You’re going to want to get promoters in and working the theater, that would be the first step.”

Councilman Greg Lawson pressed Branham on whether she and Cunningham were asking for money.

She replied they weren’t.

“Are you confident you’re going to be able to get shows in here?” Lawson asked.

“Gil’s world functions on large scale entertainment,” Branham said. “Conversations with several different promoters indicate they do not anticipate any problem. We could have shows within six to eight weeks.”

Branham said it is important to have continuity and stability at the theater and believes it is still not too late for Christmas shows.

Cunningham believes the theater, which he describes as a beautiful facility, is strategically located. “It’s a perfect routing opportunity. It’s further from major markets so (acts) can pick up shows while going to another (destination).”

Cunningham also believes the size of the theater does not limit its ability to draw major acts. Darius Rucker and Blake Shelton have played 800 seat venues, he said.

Answering a question from Councilman Ed Liverman on how the theater would work with the outdoor venue, Cunningham said, “There’s a synergy there.”

Mayor Emery Doughtie commented, “We want the community to feel like it’s ours. Would the organization maintain a presence in the theater?”

Said Branham: “We think it’s necessary to have a presence at the theater. It will help solidify the notion the theater is alive and well and everything is OK at Roanoke Rapids.”

Regular box office hours would have to be maintained and customer relations would need to be addressed. There is also the chance for more local acts to perform. “It’s such an under utilized facility and there’s a phenomenal amount of talent here.”

Lawson asked Branham what was in the deal for her.
“What’s in it for me is I have an interest in seeing the project do well, Carolina Crossroads in its entirety, to let people see Roanoke Rapids has national ties. My compensation would come from promoter relationships.”

Branham said she has already had conversations with tourism on the tour bus market. “We have seen the theater filled up with tour bus traffic. I’m not asking for money, a salary or budget line item.”

Branham assured City Attorney Gilbert Chichester she and Cunningham are working to form a North Carolina corporation and the two would have joint ownership.

She also assured the city attorney there would be a variety of entertainment at the venue. “As far as entertainment there has not been much synergy. There has to be a broad base of musical genres, otherwise you’re leaving money on the table. It would be shortsighted if you only look at one musical genre.”