The Northwest Arkansas Music Scene May Have Brian Crowne to Thank For The Growth of Music Venues Like The Walmart AMP

About the Show:In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with musician and live music expert, Brian Crowne to discuss the growth of the Music venue scene here in Northwest Arkansas. Brian and his family have owned George's Majestic Lounge on Dickson St for more than two decades. And, if that wasn't enough he purchased the AMP in the early 2000s and proceeded to help make Northwest Arkansas a regular stop for music acts both big and small.Brian’s goal all along with the purchase of the AMP was to create, “ A small town vibe with world-class amenities!”It looks like he has done just that, attracting a lot of big names to the Northwest Corner of the State. So many great acts have performed at the Walmart AMP, including Primus, The B52s, The Charlie Daniels Band, Hank Williams Jr., Earth Wind & Fire, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Darius Rucker, Willie Nelson, Mary J. Blige, Steely Dan, Santana, Dave Mathews Band, Toby Mac, and several comedians including Kevin Hart, and recently Jim Gaffigan. Brian shares the thinking and process of running a music venue here in Northwest Arkansas. It’s not an easy job dealing with performance artists, but Brian has had a lot of practice taking good care of his employees and the talent that comes to the area.  Learn about the origins of the AMP. For instance, the original location was the parking lot of the Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville before it moved up to its current space in Rogers just off I-49, and more importantly, how Brian teamed up with one of the largest companies in the world, Walmart to expand and improve the venue.All this and more on this episode of I am Northwest Arkansas. Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Walmart AMPWebsite for Walmart AMPWalmart AMP on TwitterWalmart AMP on InstagramWalmart AMP on FacebookWalmart AMP on YouTubeThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!" Try Canva For Free Today! Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!" *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at [email protected] With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:Winetopia 2026Winetopia 2026 Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 7-10pm Place: Stonebreaker Hotel on Markham hill Winetopia is Restore Humanity’s biggest annual fundraiser and brings together the very best of Northwest Arkansas (restaurants, artisans, small businesses, and (community members) to support our work. While the event raises essential funds for children in Kenya, its heartbeat is entirely local. There are over 100 local businesses who contribute auction items, regional chefs and beverage makers who showcase their craft, and the hundreds of residents gathering to celebrate community generosity. Winetopia strengthens local partnerships, elevates homegrown talent, and reinforces Northwest Arkansas's identity as a place where global compassion is fueled by local collaboration. Winetopia is a beautiful demonstration of how a united local community can create life-changing impact for children and families worldwide. Winetopia 2026