July 2023
The entertainment operations arm of Logjam Presents has entered into a multi-year partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company.
The new partnership will pair the entertainment resources of a global promoter with Logjam’s local expertise and vision for the music scene in Montana. Under the partnership, Live Nation will make an investment in Logjam. The Checota family will remain owners, with the majority of their net worth remaining invested in the Company. They will continue to manage the company’s day-to-day operations.
According to Nick Checota, president of Logjam, “Out of state national and regional promoters are already actively promoting in venues around the state. This new partnership will allow Logjam to remain competitive as a Montana-based promoter and will retain our event booking, marketing, management and, most importantly, 100 percent of our staff locally. Our new partnership will also provide Logjam access to an incredible artist network and will provide additional capital to improve existing venues and explore opportunities in other Montana regions. Logjam gains the expertise and resources of a global promoter, while day-to-day decision making will remain unchanged. The current Logjam team will continue to manage all major operating decisions such as entertainment buying, staffing, staff wages, ticket pricing and concession pricing.”
The partnership with Live Nation centers on the company’s entertainment operations and promoter activities while the brick-and-mortar venues, such as the Wilma Theater and the Top Hat will remain 100 percent owned by the Checotas. The KettleHouse Amphitheater and ELM, which were designed, developed and constructed by the Checotas, will remain under long-term ground leases with their respective local land owners.
According to Ryan Torres, vice president of marketing for Logjam, “We now have access to world-renowned entertainment resources, while maintaining our current management team and all of our more than 300 local staff. The structure of this partnership allows Logjam to retain its culture and continue to operate with the same ethos and spirit that we always have.”
Alanya Wissink, entertainment buyer for Logjam added, “As the Montana entertainment industry becomes increasingly competitive with national companies entering the market, this partnership allows us to remain Logjam while having the support and resources of a global promoter. Working with our new partners, we will be able to attract more entertainment to Montana, particularly in genres we are eager to expand such as country, rock and comedy. ”
Nick and Robin Checota formed Logjam Presents approximately 10 years ago. Robin Checota, a fourth generation Great Falls native, and Nick Checota, who grew up in Wisconsin, reside in Montana with their three children. As strong supporters of the arts, they are excited about this new partnership and the opportunities it will create for their commitment to the Montana arts community.