Theatre in Wisconsin Dells Gets Nominated For ACM Theatre of The Year
It was just an ordinary Thursday at Crystal Grand Music Theatre. It was an abnormally warm day in April and everybody on staff was energized and busy preparing for our upcoming Bobaflex, Wayland, and SAND show. Then, all of sudden, Tom Lines, Crystal Grand Music Theatre Owner, got an email. An email that nobody ever could have dreamed the company would get.
On April 20th, 2023, the team at our little independent venue received the news that Crystal Grand Music Theatre in Wisconsin Dells was nominated for the Academy of Country Music’s Theater of the Year. It was a surreal moment, Tom almost didn’t believe it.
The company started in 1994 and it sure has grown and changed throughout the years. It used to be a small theater with small performances. Today, our venue seats 2,000 people and has hosted amazing artists such as Justin Moore, Blake Shelton, REO Speedwagon, Jay Leno, Whiskey Myers, and so much more.
When Tom told the team, they gasped in shock. They thought he was pulling their legs, (Tom was known to be a little prankster). He was not kidding, we really got nominated. We were nominated along with other top end venues: Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, Orpheum in Omaha, and Steinfil Theatre in Salina Kansas. This was such a crazy time and the Crystal Grand staff raked in the moment.
Many of the staff have worked for the company for years and years. They were awarded a moment where they could really see all their hard work pay off. Many of these people were around in the earliest days of Crystal Grand, and to be nominated for this award is right at the top of the list in the coolest moments during their time here.
During the week of May 8, 2023 through May 13, 2023Tom Lines, Michael Alexander (COO), and his wife, Katie, traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to attend the American Country Music Awards, hosted by Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks. Now, this was the awards show more focused on the artists themselves. Our Theatre of the Award ceremony will be held in August at the Legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
The trio loved the glitz and glamor of the whole experience, it was truly a sight to see. They even bought cowboy boots for the occasion! Now they loved seeing the lights and all the people, but the real excitement was seeing the artists on stage. While this was the first time Crystal Grand Music Theatre has been nominated for an ACM award, many of the artists on the award show stage that night have not only been nominated several times, but have also performed at our venue! It was amazing to see how these artists have grown their careers, while remembering how much we have grown.
The company and the Crystal Grand team have evolved exponentially over the past almost 30 years the venue has been alive. Through all the triumphs and failures that come with this industry, we are extremely proud of where we are today. This nomination has been a whirlwind and we only hope to continue growing our venue, community, and performances. Thank you to everyone who has supported us along this journey as well as the wonderful people who work for us.
