December 1993 Gilmore and IFE cinch agreement By: Tom Linafelt The marriage of Calvin Gilmore Productions and International Family Entertainment is complete. IFE spent $20 million to purchase a majority interest in the Myrtle Beach-based Gilmore Productions, which includes three Grand Strand country music theaters. Financial details of the agreement were not released. “Everything is signed, sealed and delivered,” Gilmore said Monday. The deal is not expected to change operations at the theaters…
Read moreDecember 1993 Myrtle Beach has Calvin Gilmore to thank By: Denise McIver The rebirth of MTM Records and the debut of a country music cable program are the latest projects to expand the media horizon of South Carolina-based entrepreneur Calvin Gilmore. The two ventures are the earliest results of Gilmore’s equity portion sale of Calvin Gilmore Prod. Inc. to the Family Channel and parent company Intl. Family Entertainment. A country singer himself, Gilmore is credited with the single-handed transformation of Myrtle Beach, SC into “the new Branson.” His three concert theaters attract crowds, while…
Read moreSeptember 1993 Family Channel, Gilmore Opry shows link arms By: Tom Linafelt Calvin Gilmore’s entertainment empire entered a new era Wednesday as he announced that owners of The Family Channel will buy a majority share of Calvin Gilmore Productions, producers of The Carolina Opry and two other live music variety shows. Gilmore said the arrangement with International Family Entertainment (IFE) will allow him to open three new opry-style theaters in three markets over the next two years. Gilmore would not identify the markets, but said the first of the new theaters could begin construction within 30 days. That show could be open as soon ...
Read moreFebruary 21, 1993 The South Carolina Governor’s Cup Comes Home to the Grand Strand Area! Myrtle Beach’s own Calvin Gilmore Productions won the coveted Governor’s Cup for Overall Excellence in the Tourism Field. Entertainer and businessman Calvin Gilmore accepted the prestigious award from Mac McIlroy, Executive Vice President of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and John W. Lawrence, Executive Director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Speaking to some 500 tourism industry professionals from across the state, Gilmore said, “This is a special evening for all of our 240 employees, who have worked very hard to help ...
Read moreNovember 1992 Myrtle Beach big on music theaters By: David Zimmerman Myrtle Beach, SC – This resort community, already known as the capital of golfing and the shag, a regional dance, now hankers to become Branson-by-the-sea. Branson is that small Missouri Ozarks town (Pop. 3,706) that attracts about 5 million visitors annually to its nearly 30 country music theaters. Myrtle Beach is a potential rival. The Grand Strand with its white beaches already boasts four country-music theaters…
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