THE AGENCY GROUP ACQUIRES THE BOBBY ROBERTS COMPANY

13 August 2014 - Press release

The Agency Group, the world’s leading live music booking agency, announced the acquisition of The Bobby Roberts Company, Nashville’s esteemed talent booking operation, representing a diverse roster of country music artists including Merle Haggard, John Anderson, Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, John Michael Montgomery, Blackjack Billy and Chris Janson plus so many more world renowned legends and emerging artists.

“We see Nashville as a vital music hub and an essential ingredient in our global strategy.  The addition of The Bobby Roberts Company’s roster to our list of internationally acclaimed country artists solidifies our place within the genre,” stated Gavin O’Reilly, Group CEO of The Agency Group.  “We are delighted and honored to carry on the goodwill and proud legacy built by the incomparable Bobby Roberts and to welcome a group of talented agents.”

The Agency Group’s Founder and Worldwide President Neil Warnock said, “Nashville - the home of so many music legends - has always been a central ambition of The Agency Group to increase our presence here and with the Bobby Roberts Company joining us it will bring even greater strength and purpose going forward.”

“All of us at The Bobby Roberts Company are very pleased to become a part of The Agency Group family through this exciting merger,” stated Bobby Roberts.  “We now have the resources, tools and additional agents to better serve and enhance the touring needs of our artists.  The possibilities are endless for our roster with The Agency Group’s team of professionals and their various departments, and under the combined leadership of Nick Meinema and Lance Roberts we will have much to offer artists, managers and the overall Nashville music community.”

Earlier this year, The Agency Group celebrated the second anniversary of its Nashville office led by Senior Vice President Nick Meinema and home to agents Scott Galloway, Justin Bridgewater, Stu Walker and Justin Hill.  The Nashville office will now see the addition of newly appointed Vice President Lance Roberts and booking agents Travis James, Josh Garrett, Matt Rizor and Alec Vidmar with their respective rosters.  As part of this deal, Bobby Roberts will continue his active involvement as a strategic consultant in the enlarged Nashville operations.

“Since its founding in 1986, The Bobby Roberts Company has been a highly respected Nashville institution with superb A&R and booking capabilities,” said Meinema.  “With The Agency Group’s unique global reach and added strategic services in Brand Integration, Digital and Tour Marketing, and Fairs/ Festivals, Casinos, Colleges and Corporate Booking, we look forward to bringing a world of new opportunities to our expanded roster of artists.”

The system of booking dates by Agents in the Nashville office will be territorial, instead of The Agency Group’s standard Responsible-Agent system.  Territories will be allocated as follows:

 

Lance Roberts – TN, ND, SD, NE, KS, MN, IA, MO, WI, IL

Travis James– MI, IN, OH, KY, WV, PA, NY, VT, ME, NH, MA, CT, RI, NJ

Scott Galloway – AR, LA, TX, OK, MN

Josh Garrett – FL, MS, AL, GA, SC, NC, VA, TN, MD, DE

Alex Vidmar – WA, OR ,MT, ID, WY, CO, UT, NV, CA, AZ, AK, HI

Justin Hill (Performing Arts Centers) – WA, OR, MT, ID, WY, CO, UT, NV, CA, AZ, AK, HI

Nick Meinema – Canada