quote:

ORIGINAL: bigboytenor

Let me state again, I know of numerous occasions where the local groups were awful. That's not what I was referring to earlier. I was referring to those cases when the local group is as good as or better than the big name. I've seen that. I'm talking not about "could be better" but "are" better. Quite often the difference in quality between a local group and a "big name" is the time they are able to spend singing together.

I'll express my opinion and say that most groups on the road aren't that great. They may have one or two really good vocalists and the others are acceptable. Few groups have a full lineup of outstanding singers. I wouldn't want to hear a solo from every group member of a lot of groups on the road. That's even the case in CCM most of the time and secular music a lot of the time.

As I stated earlier, I don't care to hear more than 1 local group as an opener for a "big name" concert. If I go to a concert that is featuring local artists, then so be it, but that's a different animal.

quote:

ORIGINAL: robertyork

Being a promoter at first I thought I'd pass this thread and say nothing, but I think I'll add my 2 cents worth. I support local groups, if it wasn't for local groups getting a start we would never have a major group. I remember when EHSS got started, if it hadn't been for promoters giving this group a start they may not be where they are today. I can go on with other groups.
I only use one local group and most of the time one major group. I usually give the local group 30-35 minutes to start, then the major group. Most of the time only the major group returns the second half. One problem I have with some of the major groups they don't want to sing over 45 minutes the first half and two or three songs the second half, no matter how much time you schedule them for. I like to have about a 2 1/2 to 3 hour concert.
When I use local groups, I know the group, have seen the group in person and listened to their cds. I don't just take any group to open. A lot of the local groups I use have their own following and bring people to the concert that wouldn't otherwise attend. You would be surprised at the number of people that just come because their favorite local group is singing.

edit: I advertise the local group that is singing with the major group also so that people attending will know that there is a local group opening and who that group will be.

quote:

ORIGINAL: dbmurray

I said I agreed with nearly everything you said. I don't think EH&SS is an example of a local group making it big. EH&SS already had star power from the first day they stepped on stage. If one promoter didn't give them a shot, the next one would. Every shot they got was their opportunity to fail, not the other way around.