Founded in 1988, the North American Concert Promoters Association is the exclusive nonprofit industry association for influential concert promoters, bringing together divergent sizes and interests, with affiliates from Live Nation Entertainment, AEG Presents, Nederlander, Another Planet Entertainment, JAM Productions, and many others.
Among others, famed promoter Jack Boyle of Cellar Door Concerts was a catalyst in creating the organization, bringing together singular entities, sometimes contentious, to air out differences and create a collective voice for the industry.
The nearly 100 members of NACPA meet in person once a year. The organization’s original meeting, which lasted several days, was an inspiration for the Concert Industry Consortium, which in turn was an inspiration for the Pollstar Live! conference.
NACPA has provided significant charitable contributions to organizations like MusiCares and Backline as well as contributed to green initiatives. It has produced presentations to the industry by speakers such as Malcolm Gladwell, Tony Hsieh, Billy Beane, Seth Godin and economist Dr. Alan Krueger.
The following photo was taken at a NACPA-related event in 1989. Not all of these famed promoters were members then, but many were. Today’s membership clearly reflects a different generation.
1. Ben Liss
Ben Liss served as the Executive Director of the North American Concert Promoters Association (NACPA). In this role, he was involved in significant industry events, including the 1994 controversy where Ticketmaster was accused of monopolistic practices. Liss informed promoters that Ticketmaster would “aggressively enforce their contracts” during disputes with artists like Pearl Jam. He retired from NACPA in 2020.
2. Bill Graham
Born Wulf Wolodia Grajonca, Bill Graham was a German-born American impresario and rock concert promoter. After moving to San Francisco in the early 1960s, he began managing the San Francisco Mime Troupe in 1965. Graham was instrumental in promoting major rock concerts and is considered one of the most influential concert promoters in history.
3. Jim Koplik
An American concert promoter, Jim Koplik has produced shows for renowned artists such as The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen. He began his career in the late 1960s while attending Ohio State University and is currently the President of Live Nation Connecticut.
4. Wallace Barr
Barr is a longtime Park Place Entertainment executive. Boxing promoter Don King once called him “the Marcus Aurelius of Las Vegas.”
5. Louis Messina
Messina is a two-time president of NACPA. Celebrating over 50 years in the industry, Louis Messina’s company currently produces the tours of Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Eric Church, The Lumineers and Kenny Chesney along with, historically, the tours of George Strait. He considers himself part of the third generation of promoters, following pioneers like Bill Graham.
6. Bruce Kapp
A longtime industry veteran, Bruce Kapp has been instrumental in producing and promoting large-scale concerts and events, working with some of the biggest names in music.
7. Dan Zelisko
Starting his career in the early 1970s, Danny Zelisko is a concert promoter based in Arizona. He founded Evening Star Productions and later Danny Zelisko Presents, promoting numerous concerts.
8. Frank J. Russo
Known for his behind-the-scenes expertise, Frank Russo has played a key role in managing and promoting live events across the country.
9. John Scher
A renowned concert promoter and talent manager, John Scher has worked with legendary artists and is recognized for his contributions to the East Coast music scene.
10. Gerard Fisher
With decades of experience, Gerard Fisher has made a significant impact on the live entertainment industry, specializing in artist promotion and event production.
11. Dave Lucas
A prominent figure in the Midwest, Dave Lucas has been involved in concert promotion and has organized major live music events for a wide range of audiences.
12. Steve Sybesma
Known for his work in the live music industry, Steve Sybesma has been involved in organizing and promoting concerts and festivals for many years.
13. Bob Roux
Bob Roux is currently the President North America for Live Nation. While accepting the Bill Graham Promoter of the Year at the Pollstar Awards, Roux thanked Graham for tutoring him at NACPA meetings.
14. Bob Kelley
A seasoned professional in the live music industry, Bob Kelley has contributed to numerous successful concerts and events over the years.
15. Don Fox
With a focus on large-scale productions, Don Fox has been a key player in the live entertainment scene, promoting and organizing major shows.
16. Ken Kinnear
Ken Kinnear has been involved in concert promotion for decades, working with top-tier artists and delivering memorable live experiences.
17. Charlie Brusco
A talent manager and promoter, Charlie Brusco has worked with a variety of artists, helping to shape the live music landscape. Credited with discovering The Outlaws, Charlie has or still manages Styx, Collective Soul, Marshall Tucker Band, Don Felder and Dave Mason among others.
18. Barry Fey
A legendary concert promoter based in Colorado, Barry Fey was known for his work with iconic artists like Led Zeppelin, U2, and The Rolling Stones. He played a pivotal role in shaping the live music scene in the Rocky Mountain region and was an early champion of Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The public would know Fey for his onstage introduction of U2 in the concert movie “Under A Blood Red Sky.”
19. Rich Engler
A skilled promoter, Rick Engler has been involved in organizing live events and concerts, contributing to the success of numerous artists.
20. Gregg Perloff
After working with Bill Graham Presents, Gregg Perloff co-founded Another Planet Entertainment in 2003. The company quickly made a mark by booking major acts like Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. It is not only known for its prominence in the Bay Area but for its festival Outside Lands.
21. Larry Ahearn
With a background in concert promotion, Larry Ahearn has been instrumental in organizing events that have left a lasting impact on the industry.
22. Jules Belkin
Along with his brother Mike, Jules Belkin co-founded Belkin Productions, a leading concert promotion company in Cleveland, playing a pivotal role in the region’s music scene.
23. Dave Williams
Dave Williams has contributed significantly to live entertainment through his work in concert promotion and event management.
24. Brian Murphy
A veteran in the industry, Brian Murphy has helped promote and produce live music events for diverse audiences.
25. Don Law
A prominent concert promoter in the Boston area, Don Law has been instrumental in bringing various artists to New England audiences through his promotion company. He was honored for his career achievements at the Pollstar Live! conference in 2017.
26. Jack Boyle
Founder of Cellar Door Productions, Jack Boyle was a significant promoter, especially in the Washington, D.C. area, contributing to the growth of live music events.
27. Arny Granat
Co-founder of Jam Productions, Arny Granat has been a key player in the concert promotion industry, especially in the Midwest, organizing a wide range of live events. Jerry Mickelson, co-founder and CEO, is a current member.
28. Donald Tarlton
Known for his contributions to the Canadian live music scene, Donald Tarlton has been a major figure in promoting concerts across the country.
29. Bill Silva
A highly respected promoter, Bill Silva has been involved in organizing live events and working with major artists throughout his career. He is strongly associated with the Hollywood Bowl.
30. Larry Magid
A Philadelphia-based concert promoter, Larry Magid co-founded Electric Factory Concerts and has been a significant figure in the live music scene, promoting numerous concerts and events over the decades. He remains a prominent figure in Philadelphia, promoting recent concerts for Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.
31. Randy McElrath
With extensive experience in concert promotion, Randy McElrath has worked on various successful live events, contributing to the industry’s growth.