Creator of Eddie’s Attic brings his passion for music and his rolodex to Downtown Duluth
Gwinnett, Metro Atlanta (December 2, 2011) – Partnership Gwinnett is pleased to join the City of Duluth in welcoming Atlanta music icon Eddie Owen to the Red Clay Theatre. Eddie Owen Presents will celebrate its opening night on Friday, December 2, in the theatres 14,000 square-foot venue, with seating capacity 250. The size is ideal, enabling Owen to continue to cultivate small-venue music experiences for Metro Atlanta.
Grammy-Award winning musicians such as Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, John Mayer, Ed Roland of Collective Soul and The Indigo Girls honed their early talent at the Attic, building solid relationships with Owen that he carries with him to Gwinnett. Owen’s move to Duluth’s Red Clay Theatre provides a significant redevelopment opportunity for the facility. The city is currently which is completing a series of renovations to accommodate its new use, an investment of $20,000. The City of Duluth acquired the property in 2004 for $1.8 Million and made $800,000 in extensive renovations in 2006.
“We are thrilled to welcome such an Atlanta music icon to our community,” said Gwinnett County Chairman Charlotte Nash. “The knowledge, connections and creativity that Eddie Owen will bring to Duluth will add to the already tremendous quality of life that our entire county has come to enjoy.”
Duluth has recently enjoyed a series of business additions to their historic downtown space, including popular Atlanta restaurant Pure Taqueria, and has received local recognition as Development of Excellence Award Winner by the Atlanta Regional Commission for the downtown’s bold innovation & exceptional community design. Plans are underway to develop the land next to the theatre to provide a restaurant that will also serve theatre patrons.
“The City of Duluth and Eddie Owen share the same vision for Duluth. We all want Duluth to be a destination that offers quality entertainment, shopping and dining. Eddie brings his vision of having the perfect venue for music lovers to enjoy and appreciate hearing artist perform in an acoustically designed theatre.” said Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris. “The Red Clay venue will become a place where artists enjoy performing because this stage is perfect for live entertainment. The streets in historic downtown Duluth are alive again.”
“Eddie is a master at creating such buzz around a venue that it becomes a must-see spot for a city and a cornerstone for a creative community.” Said Sally Corbett, Executive Director of ArtWorks! Gwinnett. Eddie’s interest in joining the Gwinnett arts scene is a strong signal for the future growth of performing arts and entertainment in the County. His presence is a welcome addition. His concerts will widen the variety of artistic offerings that add to the quality of life in Gwinnett.”
Owen launched Eddie’s Attic, one of the southeast’s premier venues for Southern folk music, 20 years ago in Atlanta; this new venture builds on the legacy that Owen has created in the region. His vision for Duluth includes educational components for the future, bringing artists together with aspiring musicians to teach them about the industry: from music management, budgeting, booking, and technical instrument skills- creating a school wherein students of all ages have an opportunity to learn firsthand from professionals.
“This type of venture is only possible through a solid public and private partnership,” said Chris McGahee, economic development Manager for the City of Duluth. “it proves that the collaboration and core-value investment that our stakeholders have in this opportunity is tangible. We are just scratching the surface of the potential that this addition will bring to our city and to Metro Atlanta- with continued community enthusiasm, the sky is the limit.”
Joe Allen, Executive Director of the Gwinnett Place CID and Quality of Life Chair for Partnership Gwinnett, added, “Eddie Owen bringing his rich experience and resume of successes to Gwinnett is a real win for our community and our quality of life efforts. We strive to be a county wherein citizens can spend evenings and weekends, engaged with one another and with superior options for entertainment. Eddie brings all of that, and more.”
“I love songs and songwriters. The authentic interaction between an audience and the songwriter in this intimate listening room brings people together in a way that nothing but music can.” said Eddie Owen. “I brought Jennifer Nettles here a few weeks ago, and as she stepped onstage, she immediately saw and understood the vision. I chose Duluth for a reason- this is a very special place. We have an incredible opportunity here to bring and bind people together through a unique music experience.”
For more information on Eddie Owen Presents at Red Clay Theatre, please visit http://www.eddieowenpresents.com/. For more information on the arts in Gwinnett, please visit http://artworksgwinnett.org/. For more information Gwinnett’s rich quality of life and overarching economic development efforts, please visit www.partnershipgwinnett.com.
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