[mcdude]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

I don't see where Meadowbrook is primarily country and western.

From the Gilford Steamer:

Meadowbrook nominated
for ACM Venue of the Year
BY DANIELLE DELISLE
[email protected]
The Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion has been nominated a second time for the Academy of Country Music’s Venue of the Year award. “Several of the bigger artists who played here said they were pulling for us,” said Chris Lockwood, director of marketing for Meadowbrook. Venues are ominated on the events they host the previous year. Meadowbrook was nominated for their 2008 season, which included Brooks & Dunn, Charlie Daniels, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Travis Tritt, Reba McEntire and many others. One of the requirements for the nomination is that the venue has hosted at least six country music acts in one year. Meadowbrook was also nominated in 2007 for their 2006 season. Each member of the Academy, which is made up of 4,000 industry professionals, nominates a venue. Venues receiving more than five votes are put on a list and distributed to the members of the Academy, who each cast one vote on the list. The five venues with the most votes become the nominees. A final vote is taken and the venue with the most votes receives the prize. “You know looking around New England we are probably the only venue that would be up for this award,” said Lockwood. “We have a large base of country music fans that support us. We still did very well even with the economy. We are exceptionally proud because this all started as Bob Harding’s vision. There are huge venues that are owned by big companies across the country, and here is a local guy from New Hampshire who had a vision. He made one of the five best country music venues in the country. We are like the ultimate underdog.” Meadowbrook started as a tract of farm land. Bob Harding bought the land and in 1996 the pavilion held 2500 people and included lawn seats. In 2009 the venue can hold 3,000 people and hosts vendors from all over New England. There is also a second stage to host opening acts before the main stage opens. The other four nominees for Venue of the Year are DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Mich., The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., The Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek in Raleigh, N.C., and the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre in Virginia Beach, Va. The awards ceremony will take place in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden on Sunday,April 5, at 8 p.m. on CBS.