SAN DIEGO (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay has chosen San Diego’s Viejas Entertainment over Live Nation, House of Blues, Nederlander and other major promoters, to book its season next year, in a move that many see as a coup for the smaller company.
Viejas Entertainment replaces producer/talent buyer Kenny Weissberg, who was instrumental in Humphrey’s growth and success the past 23 years. In June, Weissberg announced he was leaving the 25-year-old series on Shelter Island at the end of this season to pursue other interests.
Viejas also books several other concerts series in the area, including Viejas Concerts in the Park in Alpine, Viejas Concerts at Bayside downtown, and the Del Mar Racetrack’s Four O’Clock Fridays.
The company is also presenting upcoming concerts at the iPayOne Center at Sports Arena, Soma and ‘Canes by artists including Mariah Carey, Secret Machines and Panic! At The Disco.
Viejas’ growing clout in the local concert market was a key consideration for Humphrey’s, according to Richard Bartell, general partner of Bartell Hotels, the company that owns and operates Humphrey’s concert series and the adjacent restaurant and hotel.
“Kenny was devoted exclusively to Humphrey’s, and we weighed whether we’d get the same attention from a large, national organization,” he told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
“We interviewed nine companies and talent buyers from across the country. Each brought a lot to the table, and it was a very tough decision. We just felt Viejas was uniquely positioned to take the reins to book our series. And we felt these were people we'd enjoy working with. But if you would have told me eight weeks ago that we'd be working with Viejas, I would have said: 'You are out of your mind!'”
Viejas Entertainment ended a partnership with House of Blues in late 2005 to become an independent, full-service concert promoter in San Diego County. It has since made steady gains to solidify its position as a year-round force in the area. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
