There can be a kind of snowball effect when a community becomes well known for something. Growing awareness attracts more like minded people, which leads to more awareness, which attracts more people… you get the idea. Such is the case with Indiana’s Music City and one Terry Hennessey.
“I’d gotten to a point in my music career where I wasn’t tied to any one city or place any more, I could pretty much choose my home,” relates Terry, about his choice to move to Madison back in October of last year. “I had visited here a few times and I just loved the vibe. The music, the arts, the whole scene. I bought a house downtown on 3rd Street and I’ve been very happy here.”
Terry’s life story is one of those “right place, right time” kinds of tales. Although in his case, you need to toss “right skills, right experience” into the mix. “I was involved in the music business in Louisville back in the mid ‘70’s,” explains Terry, “playing in some bands and just soaking up all the knowledge I could. I also was going to school to get my architecture degree. So I had this skill combination of music and design.
“Along about that time there was a band out of Florida called The Outlaws, they were getting pretty big and touring around the country. I was talking to some people with the band and found out they needed a new PA system, you know, the big speaker cabinets and all that. I was looking for some extra income so I said, “I can build that for you! And I did.
“That was the first of many, many PA systems I built for bands and venues around the country. The first ones were all big stacks that stood on the stage, but eventually they were ‘flown’ up to the rafters on rigging. I also started touring with The Outlaws as the monitor engineer.
“I did that for 5 years with The Outlaws, going out 9 months at a stretch, then a little break, then back on the road. I also did stints back then with Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, 38 Special, Patti LaBelle, Brick, Climax Blues Band and Ronnie Montrose. Then in the early 80’s I had a couple of kids and had to settle down a bit, back in Louisville.
“About that time a guy named John Siegel acquired the old United Artist Penthouse Theater on 4th Street in Louisville, which eventually would be renamed The Palace. He and I got together, and with my architecture background and his business backing, we totally restored that theater back to its original glory. About that same time Sunshine Promotions out of Indy became involved in the project, too, and helped us finish it. I totally ran the Palace from 1981 to 1999, I was production manager, operations, and general manager.
“Sunshine hired me away from The Palace in ‘99 and sent me up to Indy to run the Murat Center, which was in the tail end of restoration. I was the GM there for 15 years, working morning to night every day, some 275 shows a year.
“Late in my tenure running the Murat, Live Nation bought Sunshine, which is how I became one of the longest running employees at that company. Everybody knows Live Nation from all the big concerts they produce and Ticketmaster. Anyway, that was the turn of events that allowed me to get off the treadmill of managing a single concert venue and work from home as a specialty booking agent, which is what I’ve been doing the last 10 years or so.
“My days are spent as a talent buyer booking shows for theaters and clubs, with an emphasis on Broadway-style entertainment and alternative programming. It’s been a long, strange trip indeed, from building speaker cabinets for the Outlaws to managing theaters to living in a historic little music town. But I love what I do and I don’t see any reason to retire any time soon. Madison is just the right fit for this stage of my life, and I’m glad I found my little corner of it to call home.”
HOT TIP OF THE WEEK:
It’s a BIG week of music in Madison! First time I’ve ever seen FIVE events on Wednesday, which is amazing. Matt Moore at Mad Paddle would be my personal pick. On Friday there is a very cool Live Lunch happening, with 3 singer-songwriters taking turns at the microphone. Don’t miss that one. Also, I know there are a lot of Rumors fans out there, and you can catch them Friday at Mad Paddle. On Saturday I’m super excited about the ZZ Top show at Red Bicycle Hall. Jimmy Davis and his guys have been rehearsing non-stop for that one, and it should be killer! Actually, Saturday will be the perfect “music venue pub crawl” as there are a bunch of live shows all over downtown in easy walking distance (or use a golf cart!) Hope to see you out there!
Wednesday, July 23
1st Street Saloon — Open Mic
Madison Farmers Weeknight Market — Jordan Wilson (6-8PM)
Mad Paddle Brewstillery — Matt Red Moore (7PM)
The Central — Jam w/Jimmy
Rivertown Grill — Ruben Guthrie (8-11PM)
Thursday, July 24
Mad Paddle Brewstillery — Selah Luke (7PM)
TIKI LIVE! — L&L Karaoke (8P-12A)
Rivertown Grill — Zach Hackney (8-11PM)
Friday, July 25
Riverboat Inn — Joe & Deano
1st Street Saloon — Stoned Gnomes
Broadway Fountain — Cheryl Byers/Kae Grube/Selah Luke (11A-1P)
The Drake — Indiana Bob (7-10PM)
Mad Paddle Brewstillery — The Rumors (7PM)
TIKI LIVE! — L&L Karaoke (9P-1A)
Rivertown Grill — River Valley Boys (9P-1A)
Tailgators — DJ Scratchy (9P-1A)
Saturday, July 26
Riverboat Inn — Scott Brauner
1st Street Saloon — DJ
Lanier Mansion Lawn — BG Johnson Brass Band (6-8PM)
Red Bicycle Hall — ZZ Top Tribute Show (8PM)
The Drake — Joe & Deano (7-10PM)
Off Broadway Taproom — Jimmy Davis Band (8-11PM)
Thomas Family Winery — Jerry King & the Falls City Boys (8PM)
Madison Farmers Market — TBA (10A-12P)
Mad Paddle Brewstillery — Bee Camp Bottom Boys (8PM)
TIKI LIVE! — Darin Wood (5-8PM)
TIKI LIVE! — L&L Karaoke (9P-1A)
Rivertown Grill — River Valley Boys (9P-1A)
Tailgators — Full Moon Rising (9P-1A)
The Central – Stoned Gnomes (9P-1A)
Sunday, July 27
Rivertown Grill — Andrew Palmer (8-11PM)
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