Opry Entertainment Group has acquired a majority stake in Southern Entertainment, marking their entry into the music festival industry. Southern Entertainment is known for organizing over 500 live music events, including major country music festivals.

Key festivals in Southern Entertainment's portfolio include:

• Carolina Country Music Fest (Myrtle Beach)
• Barefoot Country Music Fest (New Jersey)
• Lovin' Life Music Fest (Charlotte)

Southern Entertainment founders Bob Durkin and Pedlow will continue leading the company, with plans to expand into new markets. The partnership will incorporate Opry Entertainment's artist development programs into existing festivals and create new artist-centered experiences.

The acquisition comes during a challenging period for the festival industry, with approximately 200 festivals canceled last year. However, the country music festival sector shows strong performance:

• Stagecoach Festival has sold out its 2025 GA passes
• Kid Rock's Rock the Country Festival is expanding to 10 states
• Major country acts are headlining pre-Super Bowl events, including Jelly Roll and Chris Stapleton at Madden Bowl 2025

Opry Entertainment CEO Patrick Moore emphasized the strategic value of the acquisition, noting Southern Entertainment's growth into "one of the strongest independent festival businesses in the United States" over the past decade. The merger aims to expand reach to a complementary fan base while strengthening both companies' positions in the live music industry.

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