Gorge names manager on eve of 'biggest' season

New Gorge Amphitheater General Manager Danny Wilde doesn't have immediate plans for changes at the Columbia Basin hotspot. ÒIÕm not coming in just to change for the sake of change,Ó he says. ÒIf itÕs not broken, weÕre not going to fix it. But where change is necessary, weÕll be taking a look." Photo by Matthew Weaver/Columbia Basin Herald

by Matthew Weaver<br>Herald Senior Staff Writer
| May 9, 2008 9:00 PM

Wilde takes over at 'unique venue'

GEORGE - The Gorge Amphitheater has named its new manager on the eve of what officials are calling its biggest year yet.

Danny Wilde took over as district manager of Live Nation Northwest and as general manager for the George-based theater Monday.

Wilde replaces Bill Parsons, who was let go in what Parsons termed "a budget-cutting decision" in March.

"He was the most qualified person within the company to take on what is a very unique venue," Live Nation Northwest President Jeff Trisler said of Wilde. "His operational experience, his success in governmental dealings and general quality of the operation he has done for other amphitheaters in the company made him the best candidate for the job."

Wilde has 30 years of professional experience in the musical entertainment industry. He began his career in England's recording and live music business working as a production manager, tour promoter and manager, musician and booking agent, amongst other duties.

In 1995, Wilde joined DiCesare Engler Productions in Pittsburgh, Pa., to manage the IC Light Amphitheater. Since then, he was general manager for CCE of Verizon Wireless Theater in Houston, Texas; general manager of Live Nation's Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pa., and most recently general manager of Live Nation's Ford Amphitheater in Tampa, Fla.

"So I had just a slightly lengthy drive to get up here," Wilde joked.

Trisler said the companies Wilde worked with since 1995 were all predecessor companies which eventually became part of Live Nation, which has been in existence for three years.

Wilde said his immediate plans at the Gorge are observation and learning.

"I'm not coming in just to change for the sake of change," he said. "If it's not broken, we're not going to fix it. But where change is necessary, we'll be taking a look. If some things need to be tweaked, then we'll be tweaking them. Right now, I'm just in a very fast learning curve with the upcoming show."

Wilde plans to take meetings with the Grant County Sheriff's Office and the amphitheater's security company to find out any security concerns.

"Things are in good shape right now, I'm not going to change them immediately," he said. "If we identify any areas that need change, then change will come."

Trisler considers the Gorge one of the gems of the Columbia Basin.

"Certainly its international profile has been raised immensely over the last 20 years," he said. "It's something we're very proud of and we hope the community is proud of it as well."

"The amphitheater is an important part of the community and the community is an important part of the amphitheater," Wilde agreed. "We hire staff locally, we use local vendors. We certainly intend to continue with that. Being a part of the community's very important to us."

Wilde heads a staff of 320 employees.

Asked about his plans of residence, Wilde noted he is currently living in temporary accommodations.

"Where I'm actually going to live isn't set yet," he said. "I haven't even had time to think about that, to be honest. When Mrs. Wilde joins me, I'm sure she will have an opinion on where we live."

"Mrs. Wilde" is Patty, to whom he has been married for about 12 years.

Trisler said the season ahead is a very big one for the Gorge. He pointed to approximately 60,000 expected over the course of three days for the Sasquatch Music Festival May 24 through May 26.

"The profile of the festival has grown every single year to where now it's being covered with all the major music festivals in the country," Trisler said.

Other concerts expected this season are the Dave Matthews Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Police, Elvis Costello, Jack Johnson, The Van's Warped Tour and the Creation Festival.

"It's the biggest season we've had in a number of years," Trisler said. "We think when it's all said and done at the end of the season, our average attendance on the per-show basis will be the highest it's ever been. The Gorge, traditionally for over 10 years, has had the highest per-show attendance of any amphitheater in North America."

Wilde's intentions are to keep the Gorge "at the top of the tree."

"Nine times now, it's been voted the best outdoor amphitheater in North America by the Pollstar magazine, and I want it to be number 10 this year, and number 11 next year," he said. "I don't think anybody needs to worry there's going to be massive change or anything going on. I just want to continue with the good work that's already been put in, continue the community involvement and just help it grow and become even more successful, if that's possible, than it already is. It's certainly a venue the community should be very proud of and very happy to have here in the Basin."

For more information, contact Live Nation Northwest at 425-990-0222.