Historic landmark a thriving venue
Story by Paul South
Photos by Graham Hadley
Submitted photos
In her off time, Janet Tarrance enjoys crafting healthy, mouth-watering recipes for family and friends.
In her job as director of special events for this growing Coosa River city, Tarrance cooks up feasts of entertainment for Etowah and surrounding counties, including Gadsden’s Summer Concert Series and some sizzling tribute bands celebrating the music of Eagles, Prince and Taylor Swift.
For Tarrance and her staff, whipping up events like the Summer Concert Series make them feel like chefs at a bistro where fun is the specialty of the house.
“I actually never thought about it in that way, but yeah, planning an event is like planning a meal,” Tarrance said. “You’ve got to have all the right ingredients to make the meal taste good.”
The tasty tribute acts are but a slice of the fun on tap at the historic Mort Glosser Amphitheater – known to locals as “The Amp” – for music lovers of all ages. The Tribute Series as well as the Summer Concert Series are sponsored by Sam Boswell Honda.
While the summer series is free, the tribute shows are $10 per person. Food trucks and pop-up bars are on hand for hungry and thirsty concertgoers.
Nashville-based “7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band,” performed May 30. Rolling Stone called 7 Bridges “The best Eagles tribute band on Earth.”
“The Purple Madness: America’s No. 1 Prince Experience Band” performed June 5, when Gadsden got a chance to party like it was 1999.
On July 19, the Taylor Swift Experience takes the stage, a treat for Swifties of all ages. For the Tribute Series, tickets are available at cityofgadsden.com/tributeseries.
Now in its 16th year, the Summer Concert Series not only celebrates great artists and their music, but also one of northeast Alabama’s great venues. The Amp was built in 1935 as part of the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration.
Built from native sandstone, the 2,000-seat amphitheater has hosted an array of events in its 90 years, from sendoff and homecoming ceremonies for area World War II soldiers and sailors to boxing and wrestling matches and fishing tournament weigh-ins – even weddings.
“The amphitheater is an older venue, but it has so much history, and it’s right here in historic downtown Gadsden,” Tarrance said. “It’s a really beautiful space — it truly is. I’m so glad we’re still using it. It’s such a unique and special venue.”
In June, the series featured the Boot Scootin’ Boogie Nights Band, a 90’s country cover act named for the monster Brooks and Dunn hit from the era.
On Independence Day, revelers can celebrate our nation’s 249th birthday with Nash County, a band that rocks country covers and 1980s rock n’ roll.
Miller gives a shout out to Gadsden
Down through the years, the Summer and Tribute Series offer something for all ages, from R&B to funk and soul, to country and Southern rock. Crowds as large as 1,800 filled the seats for the shows.
“That’s one thing that we really strive for,” Tarrance said. “We offer something at some point that will appeal to everyone. Sometime during the Series we will have something for everybody.”
The concerts at The Amp have become something of an after party for Gadsden’s First Friday celebrations downtown. First Fridays feature multiple musicians on nearly every corner of the city’s historic downtown and give local restaurants and shops a chance to draw new and returning visitors as well as locals. Thousands attend every First Friday.
“We’ve seen that people want that. They want entertainment. They want something to do,” said Gadsden City Council President Kent Back. “We’ve got a one-of-a-kind facility in the amphitheater. “It’s really, really neat. It sits on the banks of the Coosa and it’s beautiful.”
The Amp is at the heart of Gadsden’s drive to become a fun destination. On Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, the city trumpets #GottaGetToGadsden to promote the downtown area. Downtown Gadsden, Inc., is one of the city’s drivers in growing downtown.
“I think that the amphitheater is sitting real pretty because it’s right in the center, and we want to bring in the tribute bands and bigger acts,” Tarrance said. “Whether it is like an older rock band or country performer, or an up-and-coming performer, there’s a lot we can do here at The Amp.”
Tarrance has worked for the city for more than 17 years after nearly two decades at the local YMCA. She loves the energy and excitement surrounding the city and its growth under the leadership of Mayor Craig Ford and the city council.
“If you can’t get excited around them, I don’t know what would get you excited. They love the city, and they want to do more,” Tarrance said. “It’s very infectious.”
Tarrance and her staff bring that same energy to planning Gadsden’s special events, but she’s quick to point out, she’s not a one-woman show.
“Our department creates fun for others to enjoy,” she said. “I love seeing people at our events with smiles on their faces, truly enjoying themselves. It’s especially exciting when we get into brainstorming mode — building an event from start to finish — and then seeing it all come together. I love that end result.”
She added, “Gadsden is a fun town. We want people to come here — to visit the amphitheater, shop downtown, to explore Noccalula Falls and enjoy our river. Gadsden has so much to offer, and it’s growing. We just hope people can see the hard work behind the scenes. Everyone is coming together to make Gadsden a great place to be.” l
Editor’s Note: Tickets to the Summer Concert Series are free and are scheduled into July.
