In Virginia, Bristol and Danville are poised to become stops on the nationwide concert circuit, now that the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol and Caesars Virginia in Danville both set to open in 2024.
Outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, casino concert venues target specific demographics by regularly booking “classic rock” stars from the ‘70s and ‘80s as well as rising and current country singers.
For example, Hard Rock Biloxi is bringing in Cheap Trick, Tracy Lawrence and Grand Funk Railroad. Hard Rock Cincinnati will feature Kansas, Boyz II Men, Clint Black and Dwight Yoakam in the coming weeks. Hard Rock Sioux City has booked Little Big Town, Jo Dee Messina and former Runaway Lita Ford.
Bristol already bills itself as the Birthplace of Country Music, with a museum, heritage trail and festivals. But observers said the Hard Rock Bristol will boost the city’s country music reputation far beyond its original expectations.
The casino can play a major role in boosting the careers of young country music singers. As an example, Roanoke, located seven hours from Nashville, already is a regular stop for rising country stars; Bristol is closer to Nashville, just a four-and-a-half-hour drive.
