Paycom Center nominated for CMA venue of the year award the same week OKC votes to replace it
The week Oklahoma City voted to replace Paycom Center with a new NBA arena, the venue and a second Oklahoma music spot were nominated for the 2023 venue of the year in the Country Music Association's Touring Awards.
The CMA Touring Awards highlight vital behind-the-scenes members of country music's touring industry, with categories including crew of the year, business manager of the year and coach/truck driver of the year.
In the venue of the year category, OKC's Paycom Center is in the same grouping as other live music spots across the country with storied reputations.
Venue of the year nominees are:
Paycom Center, downtown OKC
Choctaw Casino Resort, Durant, Oklahoma
Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado
Joe’s on Weed Street, Chicago
Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville, Tennessee
BankNH Pavilion, Gilford, New Hampshire
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
“This is a competitive business and we know these tours don’t have to come to Oklahoma City,” said Paycom Center General Manager Chris Semrau in a statement. “We’re proud of our team for providing a world-class experience and the OKC community for their nonstop support in attending our events.”
Winners of the CMA Touring Awards will be announced Feb. 12 in Nashville.
Paycom Center earns national award nomination the same week OKC voters approve a new arena
Earlier this week, Oklahoma City residents voted overwhelmingly to approve a special proposition to use at least $850 million in taxpayer funds to build a new downtown arena to replace Paycom Center.
The proposed arena is set to be built at a minimum cost of $900 million, with the majority of funds coming from a 6-year penny sales tax that would start in 2028. The Oklahoma City Thunder also has pledged to contribute $50 million, and the city will use at least $70 million in MAPS 4 funds.
The location of the new city-owned venue has not yet been confirmed. The Thunder is slated to play in its new home by the 2029-2030 season, if not sooner, and the new arena also will host concerts, stand-up comedians and other touring acts.
Paycom Center is set to host several top-shelf country acts — along with big-name rap, pop and Latin music stars — in 2024. In the New Year, country fans can look for two back-to-back Turnpike Troubadours shows (on Jan. 19-20) and two sold-out Zach Bryan shows (May 17-18), plus concerts with CMA Entertainer of the Year winner Lainey Wilson (Nov. 7) and hitmaking duo Dan + Shay (March 9), with many more to be announced.
For tickets and information, go to https://www.paycomcenter.com/events.
Durant's Choctaw Casino Resort nominated for CMA Touring Award
Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant also is a first-time nominee for the CMA Touring Award for venue of the year. Owned and operated by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, it is the only casino-resort nominated in the category.
People travel from across Oklahoma and North Texas to see top touring acts at Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant. Its 3,000-seat Choctaw Grand Theater is a two-time winner of the Academy of Country Music awards for Casino of the Year – Theater.
“To be nominated alongside some of the nation’s most popular and sought-after music venues, is a testament to the elevated experience our guests enjoy and the memorable experience the entertainers have while performing at the Choctaw Grand Theater," said Frank Deal, assistant general manager at Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant in a statement.
“Because we are such an intimate venue, the connection with the audience is incredible. Artists are able to engage with the audience and see their fans’ excitement during the show.”
The Choctaw Grand Theater has several hot country acts lined up for 2024, including CMA Vocal Group of the Year Old Dominion (on Jan. 26-27), CMA Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Ashley McBryde (May 10), former CMA Entertainer of the Year Eric Church (March 16), Jake Owen (March 24), Dwight Yoakam (April 5), Jon Pardi (May 17-18) and Bailey Zimmerman (Aug. 30-31).
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Paycom Center OKC nominated for 2023 CMA award for venue of the year
