Danny Wimmer Presents acquires Billy Alan agency
US festival promoter Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) has acquired Billy Alan Productions, a leading booker of talent for Native American-run casinos.
Billy Alan Productions, which has been rebranded Billy Allan 2, will continue to be led by president Billy Bill, who represents various casinos in California, Oregon and Mississippi. Since 1999, Billy Alan Productions has has booked a range of American Indian bands for casinos, as well as international artists such as Duran Duran, Ringo Starr, Chicago, ZZ Top, Snoop Dogg, Gabriel Iglesias, the Beach Boys and Wynonna.
“I love being the advocate and talent buyer for Native American casinos,” comments Brill. “My goal is to collaborate with DWP and utilise their resources to bring in top-level talent to the casinos, offer better ticket prices and ultimately bring in wider audiences, including more VIPs, to the casino shows.”
“It makes sense for DWP to expand into this space”
Danny Hayes, CEO of Danny Wimmer Presents, adds: “We love the business that Billy has built and feel that our resources will help him grow and develop the platform. Native American properties are becoming a larger part of every artist’s routing and it makes sense for DWP to expand into this space.”
Los Angeles-based DWP produces eight US festivals, including Louder than Life in Kentucky, billed as the biggest rock festival in America. It is part of Y Entertainment Group alongside the likes of K2 Agency, Artist Group International and Primavera Sound, having sold a stake to private-equity firm Yucaipa in early 2020.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.
CEOC set to emerge from bankruptcy
American venue giant Caesars, which operates 47 casinos in five countries, has been given the go-ahead for its main operating unit to emerge from bankruptcy after two years in administration.
Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. Inc. (CEOC) is expected to emerge from chapter-11 bankruptcy protection later this year – with US$10 billion shaved off its $18bn debt burden – following the approval of its reorganisation plan yesterday by the bankruptcy court of northern Illinois.
Under the plan – which still requires the approval of gambling regulators – CEOC will separate its gambling operations and US property assets, with parent company Caesars Entertainment continuing to own and manage the the former and a newly created ‘real estate investment trust’ (REIT), owned by certain creditors, taking over the latter.
“While there is still much work ahead to complete this process, we are excited about the future of the Caesars enterprise”
“The new Caesars will be a stronger company with a healthy balance sheet, a plan for growth and investment, operating discipline and a relentless focus on employee and customer satisfaction,” says group CEO and president Mark Frissora. “Upon CEOC’s emergence, we will be positioned to strengthen our financial and operational performance by pursuing new opportunities to invest in and expand our brands and business. While there is still much work ahead to complete this process, we are excited about the future of the Caesars enterprise.”
Many CEOC casinos also double as live entertainment venues, with its flagship venue, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, hosting residencies by Celine Dion, Elton John and Rod Stewart this spring.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.