Summer is behind us, the kids are back in school, and football fans on the Space Coast are eagerly anticipating the upcoming season. SpaceCoast LIVING sat down with the marketing director at the King Center for the Performing Arts, Autumn Shrum, to discuss the fun entertainment going on outside of the sports arena. She tells us all there is to know about the Classic Albums Live concerts to have some additional fun this fall.
SCL: What are the Classic Albums Live concerts at the King Center?
Shrum: Classic Albums Live takes classic albums and recreates them live, on stage, note for note, cut for cut. Founded in 2003 by Craig Martin, Classic Albums Live has become the ultimate destination for music lovers wanting to hear the greatest albums performed live without all the gimmickry and cheesy impersonations.
SCL: What should the audience expect?
Shrum: An unforgettable concert experience! Classic Albums Live takes the audience on a trip down memory lane. The band is not a tribute or cover band – they recreate the music exactly as you remember it from the 60s, 70s or 80s. Typically, during the first half of the show, the band performs the title album from start to finish. During the second half, they play the original artist’s greatest hits.
SCL: Is there a list of great concerts so far, as well as some future ones?
Shrum: Yes, our six-show summer concert series included:
FLEETWOOD MAC: Rumours – May 19
QUEEN: A Night at the Opera – June 16
PINK FLOYD: Wish You Were Here – July 21
BEATLES: White Album – August 18
LED ZEPPELIN: Houses of the Holy – September 15
EAGLES: Greatest Hits – October 13
During our October concert, we usually announce the series titles for the following summer.
SCL: What’s the history behind doing this in the area?
Shrum: Twelve years ago, our executive director started booking the Classic Albums Live concerts at the King Center. At that time we sold maybe 300 to 400 tickets per concert, at most. The concept was so new to our audience members at first, but word of mouth quickly spread about how great the Classic Albums Live musicians are! Fast forward to this summer, and we have been selling out almost every show. The quality of the performance is truly what makes Classic Albums Live a great success today. In fact, we have subscribers who have been attending the series since the very beginning, and they look forward to it every summer.
SCL: What is the pre-show Picnic on the Patio?
Shrum: Another reason Classic Albums Live is so popular is that we hold our Picnic on the Patio before each performance. Picnic on the Patio is a pre-show party featuring grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, chips, soda and a full service bar with specialty drinks. The picnic starts two hours pre-show, weather permitting. In addition to food and drinks, the radio station 98.5 The Beach (WSBH-FM) comes out to the event and allows our patrons to spin their “Prize Patrol” wheel and win a variety of great prizes, from restaurant gift certificates to King Center tickets! It really adds to the festive atmosphere before the show.
We are so pleased that Brevard County has embraced this concert series over the years and we look forward to continuing this fun tradition at the King Center. ◆