October 25, 1994
October 1994
Calvin Gilmore Leads Myrtle Beach Entertainment Boom
By: Bruce Honick
Myrtle Beach got its first real taste of country music from 1973-80 when a band called Wild Country later changed its name to Alabama and became a national sensation.
Now, it’s a regular stop on the touring schedules for groups such as Shenendoah and a permanent home for others. Alabama has opened its own theater there, and The Gatlin Brothers followed suit this summer.
The man behind the recent country boom is singer/songwriter turned entrepreneur Calvin Gilmore, 46, whose success with local country music theaters, starting in 1986…
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February 4, 1994
February 1994
Gilmore’s new country mecca: Myrtle Beach
By: Jeffrey Jolson-Colburn
Move over, Nashville, Memphis and Branson, there’s a new town becoming a draw for country music fans. Myrtle Beach, SC is pulling in 10 million tourists a year now, many of whom are looking to mosey on down to the town’s version of music row. Behind it is country music entrepreneur Calvin Gilmore, who now has three large live country music theaters as well as a recording studio and a publishing company.
He has also taken the “Country Music Spotlight” TV show out of rival country tourist mecca Branson, MO…
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December 21, 1993
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…
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December 13, 1993
December 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…
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September 9, 1993
September 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 ...
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