Mix 93.3’s Red, White & Boom is this Friday at Starlight Theatre. (Logo courtesy of Mix 93.3)
By: Jacob Elyachar
Hundreds of music lovers will travel to Starlight Theatre on July 5 for one of Kansas City’s biggest concerts.
Popular radio station Mix 93.3 will have another edition of their epic concert: Red, White and Boom.
A few days before the event, on-air personality Dave-O told me that this event is not only a family tradition, but it is where a lot of acts have breakout moments before becoming superstars.
“If you look back at the past 10 years,” said Dave-O. “It seems that a third of the recording artists that we hear on the radio played at Red, White and Boom at sometime or another.”
Past artists that stopped by to perform at Red, White and Boom before they hit the big time included Christina Aguilera, David Cook, Destiny’s Child, Justin Bieber, Karmin, Kelly Clarkson, Kevin Rudolf and Lifehouse.
“There are a lot of acts who are “born” and people remember them several years later and they say: “Oh! They played at Red, White & Boom before they got big!” said Dave-O.
American Music Award winner Carly Rae Jepsen will headline the annual Mix 93.3 summer concert. (Photo by FOX’s Frank Micelotta)
This year’s line-up includes Carly Rae Jepsen, Emblem3, Hot Chelle Rae, MKTO, Stefano and Ariana Grande, who is also scheduled to host the event.
“I think this is going to be one of those line-ups that we (the Mix93.3. Staff and concertgoers) look back at and say: “Wow! We had all of them together at the same time!” Said Dave-O. “I think we have some breakout candidates that will do some big things in the future.”
So how did this event get organized every year?
Preparing for the one-day mini-music festival starts three-to-four months after the previous concert. Once the station brainstorms the 20-to-40 artists that they want to work with, it is time to call the record labels.
“We go after one or two acts that will be our headliners and put the concert on a date that works for them and a date that will work for a local venue to host them.” Dave-O added. “Carly Rae Jepsen was the artist that we decided to focus this year’s show around and we made sure it worked for Starlight.”
After the station confirmed the “Call Me Maybe” singer’s appearance, Mix 93.3 began to search for acts that will play supporting roles on the bill.
X Factor USA alums Emblem3, who finished fourth in the FOX’s sophomore season was the second group to join the show. Their debut single: “Chloe,” hit the top 10 of the Billboard US Heatseekers Songs and peaked at number 29 on the US Pop Songs.
Since the announcement of the group’s inclusion in the line-up, Mix 93.3 listeners have been sent into a frenzy about the possibilities of meeting the Southern California trio.
“I cannot tell you how many tweets that I get a day asking if we are giving away…backstage meet and greet passes. People love Emblem3!” said Dave-O.
The “Tonight,Tonight” band will take the Starlight Theatre stage on Friday to perform their hits. (Photo courtesy of Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images North America)
Pop rockers Hot Chelle Rae were the third act that signed up to the join the party.
“They are fun, active and put on an incredible show.” Dave-O added. “Hot Chelle Rae will work the stage very well and entertain the crowd.”
One act that has generated a lot of buzz is MKTO. This duo is made up of former Nickelodeon stars Malcolm Kelley and Tony Oller. They have received over 4,800,000 views on YouTube and have already conquered the Australian, Dutch and New Zealand radio charts.
“They remind me a lot of where Justin Bieber was four years ago,” said Dave-O. “I can really see them breaking out soon, but they are lost in the bill because of all the big names we have in the line-up.”
American Idol finalist Stefano will make his Red, White and Boom debut. His two singles “I’m On A Roll” and “Yes to Love” have gotten him to the U.S. Hot Adult Contemporary chart, over 3,000,000 views on YouTube and over 125,000 likes on Facebook.
“Stefano is a “Stud!” said Dave-O. “Not only is Stefano a man’s man, but he also one really cool cat.”
Ariana Grande will be doing double duty at Red, White and Boom as she will be performing and hosting the event. (Photo courtesy of Macy’s)
Rounding out the line-up of Ariana Grande. Nickelodeon fans know her as Cat Valentine from Victorious and Sam & Cat. Outside of television, she is a rising recording artist, whose debut single, “The Way,” has sold 1,000,000 copies in the U.S. and her music video has been viewed over 55,700,0000 times.
“There is a little bit of a Mariah Carey-flair with her songs and she puts her own spin on it.” Said Dave-O. “She is another act that I believe is going to be very good for this concert.”
All of the performers will be taking the Starlight Theatre stage for this year’s Red, White and Boom. This will be Mix 93.3’s third time at Starlight.
“To me, Starlight Theatre is the definition of summer in Kansas City.” Said Dave-O. “It is a great place to watch the show.”
While there are several factors that show off Red, White and Boom’s longevity, Dave-O credits Mix’s history and positive image to the constant success of the summer concert.
“We’ve built our brand up well enough at KMXV, where people can trust us and know that the acts are going to be family friendly.” Said Dave-O. “Everyone will have a good time.”
For more information about Mix 93.3, visit their website: http://www.mix93.com/
To get your tickets, click here: https://tickets.kcstarlight.com/single/EventDetail.aspx?p=335
