Nemacolin turns to musical acts to make tournament a family affair
FARMINGTON – Stephanie Svilar is hoping that two concerts featuring well-known national acts Smash Mouth and Jo Dee Messina will attract more families to the 84 Lumber Classic golf tournament this weekend at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa. “We wanted to make our golf tournament more family friendly, and that’s why we decided to add the concert and fall festival this year,” said Svilar, the resort’s newly hired communications manager.
In addition to providing entertainment to families, the concerts will give golf fans something to do after the tournament has ended, Svilar said.
“The concerts will start right after tournament play stops, which should be around 6 p.m.,” she said. “We’re hoping that everyone who comes to the golf tournament will hang around for the concerts.”
Smash Mouth, which skyrocketed to national fame in 1999 after it released its hit song “All Star,” will rock the stage Friday.
Country star Jo Dee Messina, whose album “Burn” was certified platinum and her self-titled debut eventually went gold, will perform Saturday.
Although she could not predict how many people will attend the concerts, Svilar said the resort is prepared to accommodate tens of thousands.
“Our entire resort can accommodate up to 50,000 people, and we would hope that all of the people watching the tournament would then go over to the concert after the golf tournament has ended,” she said. “We measure our success for the tournament by the attendance, so we’re hoping that everyone comes out to the see the professional golfers and the concerts.”
Svilar said the concerts will take place on the resort’s polo field, located along Route 40, near the equestrian center.
“Everyone is encouraged to bring blankets and chairs, so they can relax and get comfortable during the concerts,” she said. “Backpacks and bags brought into the concerts will be subject to checking. Coolers, food and beverages will not be allowed during the concerts. But several concession areas will be available throughout the golf course and the resort.”
Svilar explained that separate tickets to the concert will not be sold, but PGA tournament passes will allow people access into the concerts.
“The concerts are not considered as revenue-producing items,” she said. “The concerts are just meant to be an enhancement of the PGA tournament, which is still the main focus.”
Although Svilar could not provide details on how the idea for the concerts originated, she said the shows have been planned since last February, when she was hired as the resort’s communications manager.
Smash Mouth was formed in 1994 in San Jose, Calif., by vocalist Steve Harwell, a former rapper with the group F.O.S., according to a press release.
After F.O.S. broke up, Harwell began jamming with an old friend, drummer Kevin Coleman. Harewell’s former manager introduced him to guitarist Greg Camp and bassist Paul De Lisle.
The quartet recorded two demos and got the songs into rotation on a local radio station.
After playing a summer festival with No Doubt and Beck, Smash Mouth decided to record an album. The band released “Walkin’ on the Sun” as its first single. It became a number-one modern rock hit and pushed the album into the Top 40.
The follow-up album, “Astro Lounge,” was released in 1999, generating the hit “All Star.”
Jo Dee Messina was born Aug. 25, 1970, in Hollison, Mass. At 16, she put together a band, handling publicity, marketing, booking, song selection and set lists. She even ran the soundboard from the stage, according to a press release.
When she moved to Nashville, she brought that work ethic with her, surviving by entering and winning talent contests around town. She also found a home on a regional radio show, where producer Bryon Gallimore heard her. With Gallimore guiding her, Messina made inroads in the Nashville music community.
Soon, she had a record deal with RCA but was dropped due to a change in management.
Disappointed and frustrated, she found comfort in watching her friend Tim McGraw become a superstar. As McGraw’s guest backstage during Curb’s Fan Fair show, Messina approached a label executive and jokingly said, “I was thinking … y’all need a redhead on this label.” Her boldness caught his attention, and the label signed her.
Co-produced by McGraw and Gallimore, her first album quickly charted two Top 10 hits, but a number of poor business decisions nearly sank her career, placing her on the edge of bankruptcy. However, she hung on long enough to release the album “I’m Alright” in 1998.
With four huge radio hits, the album was certified double platinum, and she won the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award in 1999.
The follow-up album, “Burn,” was certified platinum, and her self-titled debut was eventually certified gold. She also scored an adult contemporary hit with “Bring on the Rain,” with McGraw on harmonies.
In addition to headlining concerts, she toured with Vince Gill, George Strait and the Judds’ reunion tour. Her fame also led to television roles on “Touched by an Angel” and “Nash Bridges.” She released a Greatest Hits album in 2003.