Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 30, 1993 TAG: 9312300258
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The Washington Post
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The amphitheater could play host to as many as 45 rock, country and western and other pop music shows from May to October at an 80-acre site near Interstate 66 and U.S. 29 in Gainesville, according to preliminary documents filed with the county.
The project comes seven weeks after Walt Disney Co. announced plans for a 185-acre theme park about three miles to the west, and county economic officials said "it would be foolish" to think the timing was coincidental.
"No doubt there has been a real sense of enthusiasm generated among people generally" by Disney's proposal, said John Gessaman, director of economic development for Prince William County.
The documents on file locate the amphitheater on part of a defunct industrial park site. A source familiar with the project said the Alexandria-based Cellar Door Promotions/Entertainment purchased the property Dec. 20.
Company President David Williams said a formal announcement of its plans is two to three weeks away.
The privately held Cellar Door, which began as a Washington, D.C., club more than two decades ago, was rated recently by the Nashville-based Amusement Business magazine as the country's largest concert promoter.
Its 328 concerts attracted about 2.6 million people this year, and its estimated gross sales were $60 million.
The company employs about 65 people, co-owns a 20,000-seat amphitheater in Raleigh, N.C., and programs or manages amphitheaters in Richmond, Milwaukee, Detroit and Baltimore, Williams said.
In recent years, it has promoted concerts by Gloria Estefan, Guns N' Roses, Garth Brooks, Paul McCartney and Bette Midler.
by CNB