The Gathering 2019 Brings Alternative Radio Together For 26 Showcases In Louisville

Thanks For The Memories!

The fourth annual GATHERING ON THE WHISKEY TRAIL presented by AMPLIFY was by the far the biggest and most successful to date. There were more 70 Alternative radio programmers, supervisors and publication editors gathered together on JUNE 12-14 in LOUISVILLE for three days of amazing live music and one super competitive softball game.

Things kicked off on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12th at CHURCHILL DOWNS with opening night showcases by SECRETLY GROUP's CHERRY GLAZERR, AWAL's SAINT PHNX, HOLLYWOOD's DREAMERS, and BEGGARS/ROUGH TRADE's STARCRAWLER.  

The first official photo from The Gathering 2019 is the annual massive group picture of everyone standing on the Grandstand Pavilion at the legendary Churchill Downs.(Photo by Kara Robinson Photography)

The WEDNESDAY night Late Night Lounge at THE BROWN HOTEL featured performances by FLUSH RECORDS' LIILY and AWAL's FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES, who literally left a footprint on the ceiling!  

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes hit the ceiling upside down at The Brown Hotel Late Night Lounge (Photo by Kara Robinson Photography)

The lineup on THURSDAY, JUNE 13th began with the first pitch at 8a for the 4th Annual East Coast vs. West Coast Softball game. Despite plantar fasciitis, ENTERCOM Alternative KITS (ALT 105.3)/SAN FRANCISCO APD/MD AARON AXELSEN led the West Coast team to their 4th consecutive victory with a thrilling come from behind 24-22 win over IN2UNE MUSIC SVP/Promotion, Rock Formats DAVE LOMBARDI's East Coast team.

The Gathering 2019 unsigned collector's edition All-Star industry softball photo (Back row, l-r) Steph Harty/MadHank, Dave Sikorski/Earmilk, Lesley James/East City Management, Robbie Lloyd/Interscope, Jeff Ballard/Nettwerk, Doug DeLuca/NFL, BJ Olin/band manager, John Boulos/Arista, Will Rusch/Lease-A-Local, Buddy Deal/Hollywood, Scott Burton/RED Music, Dave Lombardi/In2une, Bill Rusch/Lease-A-Local, Howard Petruziello/Red Light Management, Jonathan Jacobs/Arista, Tom Schmall/Red Light Management, Mike Jones/WWDC-Washington; Front row, (l-r) Andy Harms/KYSR-Los Angeles, band manager Bruce Ravid, Greg Dorfman/Elektra, Johnny Maze/WQRV-Huntsville, Chuck Oliner/Big Dog Marketing, Aaron Axelson/KITS-San Francisco, Steve Dent/WZDA-Dayton, and Dayton Kane/WWWX-Appleton-Oshkosh. (Photo by Kara Robinson Photography)

Later Interscope's Robbie Lloyd charges the mound and and has some fun with In2une's Dave Lombardi. (Photo by Kara Robinson Photography)

Elektra's Greg Dorfman makes a great catch in center field. (Photo by Kara Robinson Photography)

Following the game on THURSDAY morning, everyone was shuttled to the MUHAMMAD ALI CENTER where everyone was treated to the greatest lunch and performances by L.A. independent artist UFO UFO, ARISTA’s UPSAHL and WARNER’s THE REGRETTES. Afterwards everyone toured the museum and learned about "greatest" boxer of MUHAMMAD ALI and his civil rights activism. 

The next stop was JEPTHA CREED for dinner, drinks, and showcases by GRNDVW MANAGEMENT's KULICK, GLASSNOTE's THE STRUMBELLAS, WAR ROAD MANAGEMENT's THE WRECKS, SUMERIAN's THE FEDERAL EMPIRE, EPITAPH's BAD SUNS, and BMG's THE GLORIOUS SONS. 

Check out all the women in Alternative Radio gathered for a group photo on the lawn at Jeptha Creed. (Photo by Kara Robinson Photography)

THE LATE NIGHT LOUNGE on THURSDAY night at THE BROWN HOTEL featured RIOT SQUAD MANAGEMENT's SILENT RIVAL followed by THE BLACK PISTOL FIRE, who had real rock n' roll moment when lead singer KEVIN MCKEOWN helped himself to a bottle of booze from the bar during the band's set. 

Radio VIP Breakfast with Bishop Briggs.(Photo by Kara Robinson Photography)

The alarm rang early on FRIDAY, JUNE 14th for a Radio VIP breakfast with REPUBLIC's BISHOP BRIGGS and then everyone headed down the OHIO RIVER for lunch onboard the MARY MILLER RIVERBOAT for more showcases beginning with.BITTER KID RECORDS' THE WEATHERS, where lead singer CAMERON BOYER hopped around on crutches with an injured ankle. No, he didn't play in the softball game. Next up was FM MUSIC MARKETING's independent artist THE ORPHAN THE POET and REPUBLIC's EVAN KONRAD had jaws dropping during a cover of "Black Hole Sun."  

The Orphan The Poet lead singer David Eselgroth found a way to get everyone's attention. (Photo by Kara Robinson Photography)

FRIDAY night began at THE BROWN HOTEL with The Hot Brown Dinner and a performance by BIG MACHINE-JOHN VARVATOS' POESY. The legendary SCOTT BORCHETTA introduced the talented singer-songwriter from TORONTO. Everyone then walked down the street to THE MERCURY BALLROOM where indie artist TATIANA DEMARIA opened the final night of showcases followed by unsigned artist AMY GUESS, PHILLY’s FOXTROT & THE GET DOWN, SELMA's PAPER JACKETS, RED MUSIC’s NEW DIALOGUE and the headliner was REPUBLIC’s BISHOP BRIGGS.

“This has become the annual networking event for the Alternative Rock world," said iHEARTMEDIA Alternative KTCL/DENVER PD NERF. "A great place to spread the word that you’re looking for a new Promotions Director, like I am, or talk to people about what’s working for them in their market. That said it’s really about the music, and it was PHENOMENAL!"

ENTERCOM Alternative KROQ/LOS ANGELES MD MILES ANZALDO said, “It’s always fun to simultaneously reconnect with friends in the music industry while experiencing something new every year. AMPLIFY does a great job with THE GATHERING.” 

“Thanks, TRACY & AMPLIFY gang, for having me in again this year!," said EMMIS Alternative KROX (101X)/AUSTIN PD LYNN BARSTOW. "You guys offered a tremendous musical lineup, LOUISVILLE’s charming (and always cooler than home in TEXAS), and it’s great to have a chance to catch up with industry friends—a long-missing opportunity in alt rock radio until you guys came along. Can’t wait til the next one!”

Yes, a huge thank you to AMPLIFY's TRACY BROWN, BEBOP HOBEL, EDIE LUNDEEN, PATTI MARTIN, WILLIAM MARION, DREW MURRAY, and COLLEEN TAYLOR for another successful event for the Alternative community. Find all THE GATHERING 2019 memories here.  

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