It takes a mountain to move a superstar like Keith Urban. Imagine a slew of tour buses, instruments, gear and crew moving from one show to another for most of the year. As a former musician, Kris Marcy is familiar with the touring life. Growing up in Oroville, Marcy began playing music in the early 80s. He formed the Marcy Brothers band with his two brothers, Kendal and Kevin. The brothers got serious about their music and for a period of time worked and lived in Tahoe.
“We played in South Lake Tahoe. We played three sets a day, six days a week, it was grueling,” says Kris, who was the lead guitarist and vocalist for the band. The group began gaining traction and was asked to open for numerous headliners touring in the Tahoe area. They got a record deal, signed with Warner Brothers and moved to Nashville where they recorded a number of albums. The brothers eventually went their separate ways to work on different projects.
Kendal Marcy went on to tour with Brad Paisley and Kris Marcy became the road manager for the Paisley band. After a number of years, someone suggested Marcy start his own company.
“I started an artist management company. I managed Brooks and Dunn for a while,” Marcy explains. His journey eventually led him to entertainment marketing and production. Marcy found himself involved in producing events for Chris Stapleton, the Academy of Country Music events and Rolling Stones Country music events.
“I love the challenge each day brings and I love being around music. And I don’t have to sit behind a desk. I don’t watch the rain, I feel the rain.” -Kris Marcy
Last year, Marcy toured with U2. This year, he’s is touring with country superstar, Keith Urban. As a touring member, Marcy manages the sponsorship aspect of the tour. Cisco Systems is sponsoring Keith Urban’s tour. The company created an interactive technology system akin to Facetime. Urban, who is a long-time supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, uses the technology for video conferencing and makes regular calls to children at St. Jude’s.
“He talks to the kids and plays for them,” Marcy says.
The tour is a monumental undertaking. Each show, Marcy sets up what they call, The Back Stage Experience. The crew erects a large tent and decorates the room. It has a stage and podium. Fans, radio contest winners and Cisco employees are invited to a special VIP evening with Urban. They have an interactive experience that takes place prior to each show.
“Urban greets the guests, plays for them and asks them if they have any questions. Stage hands schlep and move and set up each night.” Marcy explains.
The VIP event is held before each show and then everyone is ushered out to see the opening act. “Keith goes on at 9 p.m. and finishes at 11 p.m. and the crew then tears down the tent. It’s a lot of hard work and logistics. The country music tour is generally three nights on and four nights off,” says Marcy. The process is repeated for each show – set up, greet, concert and tear down.
“Keith is a really great guy. He’s been on his game and is in a really good space,” says Marcy.
At a recent concert in Massachusetts, Urban picked someone out of the audience to come up on stage and play guitar. “The kid slayed it,” laughs Marcy.
Working with Urban and the band, Marcy says, “It’s a good time. Keith is a family guy, he has his kids running around with him, when he and Nicole (Kidman) walk in to eat they are real people. They’re not looking for special treatment,” he notes. Marcy also adds that the band and crew on the tour are genuine and like family.
“I am a people person. I love interacting with people. I love the challenge each day brings and I love being around music. And I don’t have to sit behind a desk. I don’t watch the rain, I feel the rain,” says Marcy. And, he says that he’s excited to be back in Tahoe.
Keith Urban’s RipCORD World Tour 2016 featuring Brett Eldredge with Maren Morris is July 27 and 29 at Harvey’s Outdoor Concert Series in South Lake Tahoe.
For more information about the show, visit harveystahoe.com.
Keith Urban featuring Brett Eldredge with Maren Morris
July 27 & 29 | 7 p.m.
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena | Stateline, Nev.
