Show This

Drew Mischke and Beth Cameron, two mainstays in the Nashville live music scene, have left Mercy Lounge to start their own live event consulting company. Mischke and Cameron helped propel Mercy Lounge to new heights, capped off with a Pollstar Award nomination this year for best nightclub in the country. During Mischke's tenure as general manager, advance ticket sales grew 435 percent from about in 2007 to $1.5 million over the last 12 months. Cameron has more than 12 years experience in the live music industry, including playing a key role in helping open Marathon Music Works. Their new venture is called Show This, which Mischke described as a concert management, live event and music venue consulting company. Show This will essentially offer advice about how to modernize and streamline all aspects of the live event industry."We're hoping to be occupational therapists for the live music industry," Cameron said. That means the company will consult with everyone from touring bands, promoters, talent buyers and music venues. Show This already has scored one giant client — the company helped staff and operate the Warped Tour, which brought fans to the State Fairgrounds earlier this week. But the decision to launch Show This comes with a bit of an ominous warning for the live music business, which Mischke believes is in danger of facing the same fate as other industries that failed to adapt to new technology."I really see similarities between the traditional live music industry and the print publishing industry," Mischke said."The changes came and instead of evolving, they kind of dug their heels in and it hurt their business." Mischke said there would be a technology component of Show This, but it's too soon to discuss those details. And the company, which will focus on acquiring clients beyond just those in Nashville, is seeking investors.