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Noland Rd to become 76 Country Music Blvd

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 7:45 pm
by QueSi2Opie
YEE-HAW!!!

Branson-style theater in store for Independence
The Business Journal of Kansas City

A country singer and songwriter plans to open a 450-seat, Branson-style theater in Independence in a former Bally Total Fitness building.

Native Kansas Citian Rick West plans to open the Rick West Theatre and Convention Center near Interstate 70 and Noland Road in mid-March, said April LaJune, the theater's director of promotions. The theater will have two ballrooms and a variety of music.

West plans to spend about $450,000 of his money to renovate the former Bally building at 13801 E. 42nd Terrace, LaJune said. Renovation started in August.

The theater will have about 50 part-time and full-time employees, LaJune said.

West is negotiating to buy the building for an undisclosed amount, she said. Prieb Properties in Lenexa owns the building. An official at Prieb Properties couldn't be reached for comment.

West owned a theater in Branson last year, LaJune said. He's been a singer and songwriter in Nashville and Memphis for 17 years, she said.

"I think it's got great potential," said Rick Hemmingsen, president and CEO of the Independence Chamber of Commerce. "We have quite an extensive tourist program. It just adds to the renovation on Noland Road, and that would increase property values. We know for a fact that music venues are very popular."

Noland Rd to become 76 Country Music Blvd

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 9:49 pm
by SonicBoi
Um, ok.

Isn't Joe's Carpet in that building. They renovated it when they moved in.

One Theatre does not Branson make

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 8:21 pm
by RicKC
I used to work out in that Ballys. It is still vacant. It is a bit early to claim that one country theatre 3 miles away from all the new restuarants is going to "hurt" :-O Branson. Noland Road traffic is bad enough as it is.

Noland Rd to become 76 Country Music Blvd

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:11 pm
by SonicBoi
Remember the old KC Opry? It was in the Englewood Theatre in Independence and was world renowned. Garth Brooks even mentioned it in a song.
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300th Post :D

Noland Rd to become 76 Country Music Blvd

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:08 am
by KC0KEK
Which song?

Noland Rd to become 76 Country Music Blvd

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:35 am
by dangerboy
It's in "The Old Stuff" from the Fresh Horses album.

The KC Opry was broadcast nationally, and in its time it was more famous than the Grand Ole Opry. We still have a few opries around here. There are the Sundowners in Odessa and the Northtown Opry in NKC. I think might also be one in Harrisonville.