The Allman Brothers, that iconic country rock band from the pre-cyberspace ‘60s, is pumping up the volume on its 40th anniversary concert series from New York City’s Beacon Theatre next month with a subscription Webcast that could become a template for other bands.
Onstream Media Corp. will webcast and promote a series of three-hour performances over 15 days, March 9 through March 28 on www.moogis.com, a new site which will be maintained for other live concert events going forward. Allman Brothers fans will have to pony up $125 to view all, or any part of the 15 concerts, with a six-month window for repeat viewings.
The event seems uniquely positioned as the first extended concert series to be Webcast by a band from what is considered to be the golden age of rock music, which numbers baby boomers among its core fan base.
“The Allman Brothers has been doing a Beacon Theatre run for several years to sold out audiences every year,” said Randy Selman, president and CEO of Onstream Media.
The objective is to let fans who are shut out of buying tickets, or can’t travel to the concert venue view the concert series at home. The absence of middlemen and reduced production costs bolsters the band’s profit margin – making it an attractive vehicle to other bands with large followings.
“It seems to be something bands are interested in because of the limited commercialization and the fact that the revenues go directly to them,” said Selman, who indicated that other bands with boomer appeal are also lining up.
Thousands of tickets have already been sold for the 15 days of performances from publicity on the band’s Web site and e-mails to its fan club members. The will feature a surprise guest musician at each performance to honor the memory of the band’s founder, Duane Allman, who died in 1971.
Local cable ads will run in markets around the country to build awareness for the Webcast.
While no sponsors are supporting the event, Selman didn’t rule out sponsorships for future events.
Network
