A calm presence at some of the country's most raucous rock & roll festivals, Danny Wimmer Presents GM and CMO Chamie McCurry is a key player behind such enormous Wimmer fests as Bourbon & Beyond, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple, Inkcarceration, Aftershock and Welcome to Rockville.

McCurry joined DWP in 2019 after serving as VP at AEG Presents. She's rumored to be a pretty good poker player, but HITS called her bluff and she was forced to do this interview.

DWP had another great year. Tell us about some of the highlights.

We've seen our festivals grow, and we continue to deliver world-class experiences. Watching our lineups grow stronger, our attendance climb and our curation connect with both longtime fans and new audiences has been incredibly rewarding. What makes it even more meaningful is knowing it all comes from a team that may be small in size, but is powerful, passionate and dedicated.

Attendance at DWP festivals continues to be on the rise. What do you say to those who continue to proclaim that rock is dead?

We’ve never believed rock is dead. Our passion for the music, our fans, the artists and the community has never wavered. Since launching in 2007, we’ve stayed true to that vision, and the continued growth and longevity of our festivals is proof that rock is thriving.

The recently concluded Bourbon & Beyond festival in September was enormous. Tell us about that.

Bourbon & Beyond is special. It’s more than music—it’s a celebration of Kentucky, Louisville, and everything that makes that community great. Fans come from around the world to experience world-class music, incredible bourbon, amazing food and the culture and charm of Kentucky. And year after year, we keep delivering one of the best lineups in the country—our fans show up, they have a blast and the energy is unforgettable.

BOURBON & BEYOND

With Louder than Life in Kentucky drawing upwards of 75k a day, I’ve noticed the beginnings of non-traditional headliners for DWP events, or maybe bands that others didn’t realize were at headliner level yet, like Sleep Token, Bad Omens and $uicideboy$. Do you attribute the attendance spike to those bands, festival branding or the overall lineup?

All of the above. Our team is constantly studying the fanbase, tracking trends, listening through surveys, and, at times, trusting our gut. We have a strong sense of where bands are headed, and Louder Than Life proved that instinct right.

Do you think it’s part of your team's job to help boost the profile of some of the artists and help develop them into headliners?

Absolutely. We live and breathe this music, and part of our mission is to help bands grow. We don’t just book them—we support them through our platforms, our socials and, most importantly, by putting them in front of tens of thousands of fans.

DWP has recently expanded into casino promotions and started a record company. Why are you expanding in those directions?

We’ve expanded into casino shows, venue booking and one-off concerts because it strengthens the ecosystem that supports our festivals and our artists. The same goes for our record label, merch and concessions—it all feeds into building something sustainable and fan-first.

DWP brought back Del Williams and beefed up several operators within the company. How’s the gang?

Del is incredible—it’s truly a personal highlight for me to work alongside him. I’ve worked with him for almost 20 years and seeing how he has led our talent team has been transformative. He’s one of the sharpest buyers in the business, with an unmatched eye for talent and curation.

Finally, on a more personal note, what was the first concert you ever attended?

Rick Springfield at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City when I was six. The teenage girls in front of me scooped me up and had me dancing right along with them. That night completely hooked me on concerts. By the time I was 15, I’d saved up for my first “season pass” to the local amphitheater so I could see every show I possibly could.

Team Wimmer at the T.J. Martell Foundation gala