Water Slides, Skee-Ball, and Sold Out Shows – Welcoming in a New Season at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

On Friday, April 12, the doors fly open once again for another season of “something for everyone” at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. Granite Rodeo host, Chris Hislop, caught up with his longtime pal, Andy Herrick (for the 19^th consecutive year), the Casino’s Director of Marketing, to chat about the impending season, and who would be in his ultimate tribute band. This is an conversation that does not disappoint!

Granite Rodeo: Here we go! Another season set to commence at the ol’ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom. How long has it been now? Since the 1800s, right? Have you been there all 200+ years? You look great for your age.

Herrick: This ol’ bird took flight in 1927 technically; building went up in 1899 and then the Ballroom was built in ‘27. I’m smelling a 100-year celebration soon? You in? And yes, I’ve been here the entire time, I famously forgot to remove the green M&M’s from Duke Ellington’s dressing room.

Granite Rodeo: Things kick off with “The Classic Rock Show” – a tribute act calling in an assortment of all the jams. I know we’ve talked about this before, but the tribute act is getting a lot of traction these days. You think it’s a matter of folks just wanting to hear something familiar and sing their hearts out with all the hits?

Herrick: Well, I think it’s a combo platter of reasons. I think you have that sonic sort of “photo album” thing, where the music or song brings people back to a memory they love or a time in their life they enjoyed. Then you have some of these tributes delivering the music literally note for note with incredible stage shows so the show is undeniably good. Then you have some of the actual bands you either can’t see anymore because they don’t exist, or the price is so over the top it’s not worth it for some. This Classic Rock Show is a perfect example; we will have a sold-out show and people will be singing every note. It makes for a fantastic Friday night, cold drink in hand.

Granite Rodeo: As the wave of tribute acts continues to pick up steam, we’re seeing more and more legit rock stars enter into the fold. Take a look at that BEAT show for instance. Steve Vai, Danny Carey, Adrian Belew, and Tony Levin rocking King Crimson tunes. I know some of those guys were actually in King Crimson, but for someone like a Vai or a Carey, it must be fun to try their hand at someone else’s songs. That’ll be an incredible gig.

Herrick: This show is going to be insane. Danny Carey is a monster; I can’t wait to see him interpret this crazy music. You ask me what I’m excited for each year, look no further.

Granite Rodeo: Two nights with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead this year. I’m assuming last year went well? It feels like the Dead culture in general in these parts makes any Dead-related show a slam dunk.

Herrick: For those that haven’t had the pleasure of seeing the Dead’s music interpreted by JRAD, man, you are missing out. This band is way out there with some of the most talented musicians that will take our stage this summer. Incredible show last year; it only made sense to add a second night. We are so fortunate they are back. As for the culture in these parts, I think it has something to do with Bob and Ratdog playing here the night Jerry died. It was a night for that community to come together; it ended up being pretty special, and it all happened here.

Granite Rodeo: The first night of the JRAD stand also features the Casino’s first foray into an offsite show (is it a first foray?) at Cisco. CAKE. That sounds like a mighty fine time. How did that partnership develop? Might we see more of those types of things announced, or is this show a trial run? Will there be a shuttle going the distance from Cisco after the Cake show to catch the end of the JRAD show at the Ballroom? Or do the curfews align?

Herrick: Well, we have done some other shows outside of the Casino Ballroom, as Coastal Concerts (which is the company that presents all the shows at the Ballroom). Most of those shows have been at Cisco (when it was Redhook). It has sort of always been an artist we have a relationship with but for one reason or another not the right play at the Ballroom. I think we have done moe., Little Feat and maybe some others over there. So, like anything, we had a relationship with the fine folks at Cisco and started talking about a “bigger” show outdoors. Cake was looking for dates and they are too big for the Ballroom, so it was a perfect fit. We are looking forward to it. Only way there is a shuttle is if you’re driving!

Granite Rodeo: Joe Bonamassa is back for two nights in July. Why do you think that guy loves the Casino so much? Have you ever taken a guitar lesson from him?

Herrick: Easiest question you have ever asked me. He still plays the Ballroom because it was the first place he ever met (and opened for) B.B. King (remember my sonic photo album comment earlier). I think it brings him back, he loves the history of music and the authenticity of the room. We are so lucky that he is who he is. I have yet to take a guitar lesson from him, but I did get some touring advice from him way way back in the day, and it was helpful.

Granite Rodeo: What else, what else, what else… Comedy. Comedy feels like it’s becoming a more and more popular “night out.” Last year Theo Vonn did two nights early on in the Casino season and then wound up selling out Meadowbrook later on in the summer. That’s a big jump in capacity. And recently, Casino alums like Tom Segura and Bill Burr have sold out their own shows at the SNHU Arena. Comedians are really making a run at it. What excites you about that genre this year? Pete Davidson seems like a big get.

Herrick: I mean, who doesn’t like to laugh? I get excited about comedy because it is by far my favorite art form. The art of the joke, the importance of the genre for our culture, the entire thing… Everything about it is awesome. One game social media changed for sure, was the comedy game. The good comics can now rise to the top of the soup without the gatekeepers of the past. We have been at the sweet spot, capacity-wise, for comedy for a while. We are a big room for established comedians but not so big that we lose the intimacy of a club. We are often the last stop before they jump to arenas and beyond. In the last three years alone, we have had tons of arena comedy acts, from Theo, Bill, and Segura to Bargatze, Maniscalco, and now Pete Davidson. So many funny nights in this room.

Granite Rodeo: Kathleen Madigan is doing a Potluck Party. What should I bring?

Herrick: She would probably want a beach blanket and a few bottles of wine.

Granite Rodeo: Bonnie Raitt is back. I’ve never caught her at the Ballroom, but I imagine her voice carries quite nicely within those hallowed walls. What game do you think she prefers down at the arcade? It’s gotta be something classic. But I’d love to play her at that Four Square Basketball game. Can you imagine? Two gingers popping shots? What a scene…

Herrick: Man, that would be a ginger snap party; I have to bring my red-headed son (laughs). Yeah, she’s INCREDIBLE live; it’s hard to explain. She’s one of those acts that you know is good, and then you see her do her thing, and it still blows you away. She is a true Ballroom favorite; we absolutely love her. If I had to guess, I would say she could probably set a high score on Ms. Pac-Man.

Granite Rodeo: Do you ever get starstruck when you’re there working? Anyone leave you at a loss for words?

Herrick: I remember years ago being taken aback by Ziggy Marley, actually. I just got stuck trying to say hello. I don’t think it was a starstruck thing as much as just the vibe/energy he puts off. It was really cool; it just felt like I was in the presence of someone special or larger than life. Other than that, everyone is generally super cool. We all try to stay away from the artists as much as we can, honestly. Our philosophy is that we have extended them an offer into our house for the evening, but we want them to make themselves at home. We try to be as invisible as we can so they can relax and maximize the potential of the performance.

Granite Rodeo: What else do we need to know about this year’s season? What are YOU looking forward to?

Herrick: I have a bunch of shows this year on my radar — BEAT at the top of the list as stated earlier. I think the Teddy Swims show is going to be nuts, JRAD, Charley Crockett, Franti, always a sucker for a rockin’ Umphrey’s McGee show, Social D with Mike (Ness) coming back from his health scare. Lots to look forward to for sure!

Granite Rodeo: If you were to start a tribute-type band, what would it be? Who would you invite to join you?

Herrick: Damn, what a question. Since the Yacht Rock thing is taken (which kills me, best idea ever), I think I would say a Tom Petty cover band that encored every night with a Prince tune or two. I would have Leland Sklar on bass, Derek Trucks on lead, Lindsey Buckingham on rhythm, Steve Winwood on keys, and Ray Lamontagne on vocals (yours truly on the skins).

Granite Rodeo: Okay, that’s it! Thanks as always Andy! Catch you on the skee-ball lanes! (And hopefully for a show or ten…)

Herrick: Wish they still had a water slide buddy. Thanks for your support!

Visit www.casinoballroom.com to stay up to date on all the action this season (and of course, to grab your tickets.)