Live Nation Caves To Massive Public Pressure, Returns Jamboree in the Hills to Past Form
Chalk it up to a win for the little guy.
In a shocking development, Live Nation—the biggest concert promoter in the United States—caved to public pressure after making massive changes to the 41-year-old Jamboree in the Hills event in Ohio, a.k.a. “The Super Bowl of Country Music,” and is re-implementing the original name, logo, traditions, cooler/food/drink policy, the fourth day, all of it, in the face of an incredible backlash by the public.
After Live Nation initially changed the name of the event to “Jambo Country,” changed the name of a morning ritual from the “Redneck Run” to the “Morning Run,” and told attendees that coolers, food, and drink would not be allowed on the festival grounds, Live Nation reversed all of those decisions Friday (12-9) morning after nearly 10,000 people had joined a boycott against the changes, thousands more dogged the event’s Facebook page and other social properties with complaints about the new rules, and even a local commissioner had lodged a public protest.
“Same as it’s been for 40 years, we’re embracing that tradition. Bring your cooler in, 4-day event, July 13th through the 15th and the name is back,” said General Manager Kelly Tucker-Jones Friday to WTOV. “Jambo fans are unique. I’ve always said that they are the best part of our event and we heard them. They were loud. They were vocal. They didn’t want the change. They love the tradition of the event. And the powers that be within Live Nation said we hear you and we want you to come to this festival so we’re going to give it all right back to you.”
The reason given by Live Nation for some of the changes, especially the cooler policy was for “safety,” and Kelly Tucker-Jones says other provisions will be implemented for the safety concerns, without eating into the traditions. “We want to keep those fans safe, so we’re going to enhance our security measures there in the camp ground: underage drinking. We’re going to be good, responsible people, and we want all of our fans to come and be safe so they may just expect a little bit more thorough search going thought the gates but still the same old Jamboree it’s been.”
And according to Live Nation, ticket prices will actually go down slightly this year, even though they have added new amenities to the grounds this year, including showers and a parking lot after party.
Many Jamboree in the Hills attendees had made the event an annual tradition, and stories flooded in from angry fans in the face of the new rules. “With the changes that have been put forth by Live Nation for what was a 40 year old tradition of friends & families coming together for a 4 day fun event, Jamboree in the Hills is dead and will only live in our hearts and memories but no longer will be memories in the making,” Marian Zipay said earlier in the week.
Now, the resolve and organization of Jamboree in the Hills attendees has at least saved one country music institution from restrictive corporate control, and proves that with vocal opposition, even a huge company like Live Nation can be forced to pay attention.
December 9, 2016 @ 9:25 am
I’ve never been to this event, and I’m sure I won’t be too keen on the lineup whenever it’s announced in full. But this is a big victory for the little guy, for country music fans, who fought for their traditions and won. It gives one hope that when folks get organized behind a common cause in country music, things can change.
And give a little credit to Live Nation for listening. Finally.
This is good news to report. Really happy for all the folks who rallied to save their event.
December 9, 2016 @ 9:43 am
I’ve never been to this event, so I’m sure they don’t care, and it doesn’t matter. But after several bad experiences at bring in as much alcohol as you want events, as a semi-young female I won’t attend any of them. It sucks, but frankly I just don’t feel safe. I wish they’d imposed some form of alcohol restrictions, but whatever.
December 9, 2016 @ 2:56 pm
I went to Jamboree In The Hills for 28 years and none of what you say is anything like my experience at this event. It is an unbelievable event. In the 28 years I went I don’t think I saw three fights. Were there more I am sure there was but I did not see them. Most of the time people would look at each other and just say it is not worth getting kicked out of this place, I am having way to much fun. Now people do get trashed some more than they should but for whatever reason the atmosphere has always been festive, and it is as well run as any concert I have ever been to. The people are there to cut loose for a few days enjoy themselves and list to some great country music. I quit going because I got older and it is not as easy to get around as it used to be. And the lineup has suffered for a few years with less than stellar acts. But as far as the people who attend this show they are as friendly and as nice as I have ever met.
December 9, 2016 @ 10:05 am
There really hasn’t been any issues that is encountered at the festival like you would think there would be. I’ve been since 02. It’s more on the adult and mature side, even if people get a little crazy. Very tough on underage drinking inside and outside the venue. Horse cops patrol the grounds.
Most everyone camps so isn’t too many issues with driving. It’s about all within walking distance.
Even leaving stuff for the most part in the open in the campground there isn’t a problem. I had a cooked chicken taken off the table once in the middle of the night. I can live with that.
People are friendlier and more giving than any place I’ve ever been to. Inside and outside the concert.
December 9, 2016 @ 11:02 am
I do think the organizers were feeling pressure to reign in some of the wild partying at the event that may be a minority of people, but may go to represent the majority. And I think Live Nation here is trying to find a happy medium between completely restricting coolers, yet making sure it’s an environment everyone can enjoy together, including single women and families. Hopefully they get it right this year. It will be really interesting to see how all of this turns out.
December 10, 2016 @ 12:06 pm
As a single woman who has gone to this event many years…the first time completely on my own without knowing anyone, what you say is totally off the mark. I have never seen or even heard of incidents where any woman should feel unsafe.
December 10, 2016 @ 1:16 pm
Everyone’s experience is different, but there has been some high-profile news stories recently about unruly behavior at the festival. I think organizers were trying to address them to some extent, and they probably should. Just not to the extent they did.
Over 376 People Arrested at Ohio’s Jamboree in the Hills Country Music Festival
https://savingcountrymusic.com/over-376-people-arrested-at-ohios-jamboree-in-the-hills-country-music-festival/
December 10, 2016 @ 2:11 pm
I want to echo what Jambo girl said. I’ve attended JITH for 16 years, both with and without my husband. There aren’t many places I feel safe walking alone at night but I’ve never felt threatened there.
As far as all of the arrests you reported on last summer, I think that’s part of why it’s safer than you would expect. There are many cops patrolling – on foot in the venue, in cruisers and on horseback in the campgrounds.They let people enjoy their fun but don’t hesitate to stop the ones who get out of line.
I’ve been to dozens of concerts and several other festivals. None of them felt like Jambo. One festival I attended several years ago allowed (possibly rented?) golf carts. Tney also didn’t police underage drinking very well. Several times I had to jump out of the way of a weaving golf cart full of drunk teenagers.
December 10, 2016 @ 3:05 pm
I’m not sure why I got yoked with saying that Jamboree in the Hills was a dangerous place by Jambo Girl or anyone else. I have never been there and can’t really speak on that subject, but would defer to the numerous folks who say they feel safe there. I also feel like Live Nation’s proposed policies were clearly overreaching for this event, and were just as much about driving up concession sales as anything. But I also felt the need to play a little bit of Devil’s Advocate and and be fair with Live Nation by saying that in 2015 there were a lot of stories posted about the arrests, and I think Live Nation probably felt a little pressure to do something. They overreached, and I think we can all agree on that.
December 9, 2016 @ 1:11 pm
Don’t get me wrong, I like alcohol and having a couple drinks at a festival/sporting event, and I know it’s not the vast majority of people, but the last 3 things like this I went to with friends featured :1) a guy following us around all day hitting on us the entire time 2) a friend whose ass got slapped several times walking through a crowd and 3) my brother getting a black eye for trying to stop a guy from hitting on a friend.
It sort of ruins the vibe and enjoyment of the day.
The preakness recently went to all you can drink with your ticket, which has actually worked rather well.
December 10, 2016 @ 12:09 pm
I am a single girl who has gone to this event for several years. The very first time I went I was completely on my own because it was something I always wanted to do. I have never had any issues or problems even closely related to what you say. You have obviously been going to the wrong shows. The people are respectable and peaceful.
December 9, 2016 @ 11:28 am
It is a victory for the fans.
I’m glad you gave them a platform, Trig.
December 9, 2016 @ 12:37 pm
Live Nation also ruined one of my favorite festivals. Forecastle in Louisville, KY. This is a festival that has roots in jam bands and this year it is very top heavy with EDM. The outcry is pretty intense with that festival right now.