New music venue brings national acts to Brown County

The tourists come year-round to downtown Nashville, meandering up and down the main drag in endless waves of people.

They poke their heads into gift shops and antique emporiums, browse the fine paintings and sculptures in intimate galleries and sit down for hearty comfort food and rustic charm.

Nashville has cultivated a well-earned reputation for its quaint shops, down-home eateries and artsy demeanor.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery

But with the opening of a new music venue in August, the town has the potential to become an entertainment hotspot, just like the Music City it shares a name with.

The Brown County Music Center is slated to open later this year, providing south-central Indiana with a major music venue capable of hosting national touring acts. Already, the center’s lineup includes Clint Black, Vince Gill, Art Garfunkel and George Thorogood.

The intimate setting pays homage to the town’s natural beauty while providing high-quality acoustics, lighting and sight lines for an unparalleled concert experience.

“We’re a small destination, so maybe you wouldn’t expect some of the big names to come through here. But they are now, and people are really excited to have it here and for Brown County to be proud of,” said Aubrey Sitzman, spokesperson for the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The music center, formerly known as the Maple Leaf Music Center, is owned by Brown County itself rather than a private company. The venue was constructed for $12 million, and operation and mortgage costs will be backed by the county’s 5 percent innkeepers tax, charged to visitors staying in Brown County hotels, motels, inns and tourist rentals.

The goal as the venue grows is for it to become self-sustaining, with the potential for excess revenue going back into the community, Sitzman said.

County leadership, business owners and tourism officials thought that the venture could add a boost to an already potent appeal.

“Here in Brown County, we’ve kind of always been a music destination, with the Little Opry in the past and then with the Bill Monroe Music Park and (Brown County) Playhouse. This came about as another way to add a new exciting music venue to the list,” Sitzman said.

As a major part of Brown County’s tourism efforts, the venue will also showcase other important aspects of the community. Art from local artisans will decorate the interior, while area restaurants and breweries will be featured in the concession area.

Ground was broken on the project in July 2018, and construction is expected to be completed in mid-summer. The venue was designed to look initially like a mountain lodge, with the lobby built with wood beams and rough timber posts. Crafted figures of local wildlife decorate the space, while tall windows providing abundant natural light and views of nearby Salt Creek.

Inside the arena, designers put a premium on making the space feel intimate even as it holds 2,000 people. The farthest seat from the stage will only be 106 feet away.

“We’ve all put an incredible amount of time and effort into this place to make sure that it is nothing short of amazing for all who attend, including the artists. We hope people are able to take in all the beauty of the venue, the nature around it and the love and care of the people in this community when they visit us,” said Dana Beth Evans, director of events for the venue.

And the performers that guests see on that stage will be some of the most popular musicians in the country. The music center has worked with Live Nation to book national touring acts and has already announced an impressive slate of shows.

Vince Gill, winner of 21 Grammy awards and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, will serve as the grand opening headliner during a concert on Aug. 24. Following weeks will see performances by well-known acts such as Tesla, Art Garfunkel, Clint Black and George Thorogood & the Destroyers.

For the kids, Peppa Pig Live! will be coming to Brown County in October, currently the only Indiana stop of the beloved children’s character’s live tour. Here Come the Mummies will bring the funk during a pre-Halloween extravaganza, and a holiday-themed performance by Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox is set to put an antique spin on modern classics.

The diverse lineup should appeal to a wide variety of people, bringing more people to the county that otherwise may not have come in the past, Sitzman said.

“Music fans come from all over, so it’s an opportunity for Brown County to reach some new markets, so it’s exciting from a tourism perspective,” she said.

While the national acts are getting the majority of the attention, the Brown County Music Center has made a commitment to regional and local performers to help show off the talent in the area.

“Now that people can see the physical building, even though it’s not finished, and they can learn about the different acts that are booked, people are excited,” Sitzman said. “It’s awesome that these great entertainers are going to be in Brown County.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Brown County Music Center

What: A new music venue being built in Nashville, which will host national, regional and local performing groups.

Where: 200 Maple Blvd., Nashville

Capacity: 2,000

Cost: $12 million

Upcoming shows

  • Aug. 24: Vince Gill
  • Sept. 7: Tesla
  • Sept. 12: Art Garfunkel
  • Sept 20: Clint Black
  • Oct. 6: Home Free
  • Oct. 11: George Thorogood & The Destroyers
  • Oct. 16: Peppa Pig Live!
  • Oct. 26: Here Come The Mummies
  • Dec. 12: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox

Information and tickets: browncountymusiccenter.com

[sc:pullout-text-end]