PromoWest Productions CEO Scott Stienecker and King Records Legacy Committee Chair Kent Butts announce a partnership in support of the City of Cincinnati’s King Records project in the neighborhood of Evanston at 1540 Brewster Avenue.
Stienecker has commissioned a new mural honoring King Records legacies Otis Williams, Philip Paul, and Bootsy Collins for their leadership over the past decade to save and revive the King Records legacy at 1540 Brewster Avenue and advocating for all the many King Records legacies. The mural, by artist Keith Neltner of Neltner Small Batch, will be in a green room dedicated to King Records, welcoming and inviting touring artists to support in the King Records revival.
Cincinnati’s King Records was in operation from 1943 through the early 1970s. In 2008, the Rock Hall and Cincinnati installed a historic marker at the Evanston site. Almost a decade later, the King Records buildings, while in severe disrepair, were declared landmarks for their cultural and civil rights significance. Saved from the wrecking ball, Cincinnati eventually acquired the King buildings from the owner who filed for demolition.
Led by Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and a united City Council, repair of the buildings has begun with a new roof. Shortly before the pandemic began, King Records Legacy committee was established to oversee the future of the King Records buildings for a new music-making and cultural center, museum and more. A new non-profit, King Records Legacy, has been created.
The OVATION King green room will highlight work of Kings Otis Williams, Philip Paul and Bootsy Collins who have led the community and other King legacies in partnership with the City of Cincinnati, the King Record Legacy Committee, and Mayor Cranley’s Music Ambassador program. As official King ambassadors these three kings have engaged with Paul McCartney, Chuck D, Jack White, Billy Gibbons, Les Claypool and Branford Marsalis in support of King Records, just to name a few examples.
In addition to the King Green Room, Stienecker also pledged $20,000 to the King Records project. “PromoWest is very excited to support King Records,” said Stienecker.
King Records Legacy Chair Kent Butts said, “we are thrilled with Stienecker’s generous and forward-thinking partnership.”
King alums Williams, Paul and Collins, have made music and influenced genres ranging from doo-wop, gospel, rock and roll, country, funk, blues, metal and hip-hop. Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and The Beach Boys have covered Williams. Mr. Paul was a King session drummer with Freddie King, Little Willie John, Lulu Reed, Bull Moose Jackson, Tiny Bradshaw and many more. Bootsy’s King output included releases with James Brown, Hank Ballard, Vicki Anderson and Lynn Collins. They have been helping the community to champion our King Records history and how it can be carried on with each generation forward. These King alums have come together to support all living and deceased King persons who deserve further recognition.
Stay tuned for more to be unveiled in the lead-up to the AEG Presents/PromoWest Productions opening of PromoWest Pavilion at OVATION. Members of the local media will be invited to get a sneak peek of the new venue in May. Additional details will be released soon.
