CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — Big acts could be headed to the Lake of the Ozarks, with the opening of Ozarks Amphitheater this summer.
Bill Carle, his family, and partners are behind the venture, and hope to bring new life and new sounds to Camden County with Ozarks Amphitheater, formerly known as Stoneridge Amphitheater. Opening in July 2015, the venue seats 10,000 and offers additional lawn seating. The county can expect big acts and big crowds.
Bill Carle notes that easy access on and off Highway 5 was persuasive as he and his partners considered making a bid on the property. Another was the easy access to seating for patrons of all ages and agilities. A third is, of course, the Lake of the Ozarks. As “a great place to play,” Carle points out, the venue is sure to attract audiences and bands. The size of the venue will allow any scale of performance from the biggest acts of the hour to golden oldies.
The summer of 2015 will be invested in attracting the attention of promoters, so patrons can expect to see tribute bands, blues acts, and bands playing music from the 1980s. These will be posted on Ozarks Amphitheater’s web site and Facebook page in approximately six to eight weeks. Dustin Day, Carle’s nephew with experience in open-air venues and concessions, has moved to Missouri to manage Ozarks Amphitheater.
Weekdays during good weather will bring movies and bands together. Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver currently offers these kind of events at night, and they are popular. A movie under the stars accompanies a band playing music from the same era or even the film.
The Carle partners bring experience in tourism and entertainment with them. Bill Carle’s grandmother was in the tourism business and began an association with Blair Cedar, a business building and selling cedar products in Camdenton since 1930. Carle’s mother continued the association through the gift shop at Red Rocks. When Carle saw an advertisement for the amphitheater, he immediately recognized the city of Camdenton as home to Blair Cedar and contacted John Blair to inquire further about Camdenton. Blair offered only encouraging words.
Bill Carle himself ran the Red Rocks concessions, and this has given him insights into safety measures ensuring that patrons get home safely. No alcohol will be sold after the intermission, and this appealed to County Commissioners.
Red Rocks Amphitheater is on one part of 640 acres with outstanding views of Colorado’s red rock formations as well as Denver itself. Carle notes that the soon-to-open amphitheater will offer great scenic views as well. He added that the current state of the music industry will help attract performers. Artists are experiencing a slump in sales that send them on the road touring. They will be in the market for great venues.
Commissioner Cliff Luber said that the Carles’ strong business plan and good judgment impressed County Commissioners. The Carles were also open to suggestions made by Commissioners to consider using the amphitheater stage for local dance clubs to perform.
Luber believes that the amphitheater will be good for the Lake’s Westside, for Westside schools, and the entire county. The new music venue is but one project on the horizon for the county. Another is a youth ballpark to be located west of Camdenton on Highway 54. One more is a housing development.
Each of these promising projects is music to the ears of those looking for business opportunities and hoping for success in Camden County.
