What does it take to build a music empire from the ground up?

For over four decades, Scott Stienecker ran PromoWest, booking 15,000 shows and welcoming 20 million fans through his venues. He helped bands grow from club acts to arena headliners—but as the industry changed, he had to make a critical choice: go corporate or stay independent?

This is the story of a music visionary who always put the fans first.

Subscribe to Showmaker everywhere you get your podcasts:

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/promowesttv

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1778680099

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gAXN13tzhUEOaqe4rTIVD

Brought To You By

Art Makes Columbus – https://columbusmakesart.com/

Anheuser-Busch – https://anheuser-busch.com

Mikey’s Late Night Slice – https://latenightslice.com

See more at https://nevertoldstories.com

Catch upcoming shows at https://promowestlive.com

Learn more at https://aegpresents.com

Follow PromoWest on Facebook: https://facebook.com/promowestlive

Follow PromoWest on Instagram: https://instagram.com/promowestlive

Follow PromoWest on Twitter: https://x.com/promowestlive

Credits

Featuring - Scott Stienecker

Host - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Cody Boyce

Exec. Producer - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Don Nixon

Director of Photography - Dustin Franz

1st AC - Ryan Scott

Grip - Elijah Jimenez

Art Director - Andy Fisher

PA - Wes Kasik

Still Photographer - Dustin Franz

Editor - Tom Davies

Produced by Crate Media

Cinematography by Sanggwen Media

Special Thanks to Marissa, Joey, Brian, Jason, and the entire PromoWest Productions staff

Necessity is the mother of invention, especially in the concert business.

After PromoWest lost control of Polaris Amphitheater, there was worry that their iconic Newport Music Hall would be taken over next. In the face of this competition, Scott Stienecker created a groundbreaking design for a new venue that would cement his legacy in Columbus.

PromoWest Pavilion (now KEMBA Live! Pavilion) is a pioneering achievement in venue design, combining the intimacy of a rock hall with the ambience of an amphitheater lawn—completely integrated, thanks to the industry’s very first reversible stage.

See more at nevertoldstories.com

Brought To You By:

Art Makes Columbus – columbusmakesart.com

Anheuser-Busch – anheuser-busch.com 

Mikey’s Late Night Slice – latenightslice.com 

Resources:

• Watch on YouTube at youtube.com/@PromoWestTV 

• Catch upcoming shows at promowestlive.com 

• Learn more at aegpresents.com 

• Follow PromoWest on Facebook: facebook.com/promowestlive 

• Follow PromoWest on Instagram: instagram.com/promowestlive 

• Follow PromoWest on Twitter: x.com/promowestlive 

Crew Credits:

Featuring - Scott Stienecker

Host - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Cody Boyce

Exec. Producer - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Don Nixon

Director of Photography - Dustin Franz

1st AC - Ryan Scott

Grip - Elijah Jimenez

Art Director - Andy Fisher

PA - Wes Kasik

Still Photographer - Dustin Franz

Editor - Tom Davies

Produced by Crate Media

Cinematography by Sanggwen Media

Special Thanks to Marissa, Joey, Brian, Jason, and the entire PromoWest Productions staff

How did a young promoter take on Ohio’s live music monopoly and win?

After 7 years, 5 dead deals, and a $4.1 million land lease, Polaris Amphitheater was finally built, creating the first 18,000 capacity outdoor venue in Central Ohio, putting Polaris on the map alongside Blossom (Cleveland) and Riverbend (Cincinnati).

This is the untold story of how a young, ambitious promoter fought industry giants, risked millions, and changed Columbus’ music legacy forever.

See more at nevertoldstories.com

Brought To You By:

Art Makes Columbus – columbusmakesart.com

Anheuser-Busch – anheuser-busch.com 

Mikey’s Late Night Slice – latenightslice.com 

Resources:

• Watch on YouTube at youtube.com/@PromoWestTV 

• Catch upcoming shows at promowestlive.com 

• Learn more at aegpresents.com 

• Follow PromoWest on Facebook: facebook.com/promowestlive 

• Follow PromoWest on Instagram: instagram.com/promowestlive 

• Follow PromoWest on Twitter: x.com/promowestlive 

Crew Credits:

Featuring - Scott Stienecker

Host - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Cody Boyce

Exec. Producer - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Don Nixon

Director of Photography - Dustin Franz

1st AC - Ryan Scott

Grip - Elijah Jimenez

Art Director - Andy Fisher

PA - Wes Kasik

Still Photographer - Dustin Franz

Editor - Tom Davies

Produced by Crate Media

Cinematography by Sanggwen Media

Special Thanks to Marissa, Joey, Brian, Jason, and the entire PromoWest Productions staff

At the core of the PromoWest legacy are underplays—major artists performing in smaller venues. Scott Stienecker has helped catch lightning in a bottle for dozens of major acts, putting the likes of Beck, Creed, Kid Rock, Post Malone, Muse, and more, into small, intimate venues throughout Central Ohio.

Perhaps most notably is Twenty One Pilots, who grew into each PromoWest venue—from The Basement to the A&R Bar to the Newport and beyond—and scaling into the global phenomenon they are today.

See more at nevertoldstories.com

Brought To You By:

Art Makes Columbus – columbusmakesart.com

Anheuser-Busch – anheuser-busch.com

Mikey’s Late Night Slice – latenightslice.com

Resources:

Watch on YouTube at youtube.com/@PromoWestTV

Catch upcoming shows at promowestlive.com

Learn more at aegpresents.com

Follow PromoWest on Facebook: facebook.com/promowestlive

Follow PromoWest on Instagram: instagram.com/promowestlive

Follow PromoWest on Twitter: x.com/promowestlive

Crew Credits:

Featuring - Scott Stienecker

Host - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Cody Boyce

Exec. Producer - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Don Nixon

Director of Photography - Dustin Franz

1st AC - Ryan Scott

Grip - Elijah Jimenez

Art Director - Andy Fisher

PA - Wes Kasik

Still Photographer - Dustin Franz

Editor - Tom Davies

Produced by Crate Media

Cinematography by Sanggwen Media

Special Thanks to Marissa, Joey, Brian, Jason, and the entire PromoWest Productions staff

Every great city has its iconic music venues, and for Ohio, there’s no name more legendary than the Newport Music Hall. 

For decades, this storied rock club has been a launchpad for some of the biggest acts in music and a cornerstone of the city’s culture. At the heart of its legacy is Scott Stienecker, whose vision and dedication saved the one-time Agora from becoming a shopping mall and transformed it into the beating heart of Ohio’s music scene.

The Newport has cultivated memories that resonate far beyond the walls. What’s the secret to making a venue not just a place, but an experience?

See more at nevertoldstories.com

Brought To You By:

Art Makes Columbus – columbusmakesart.com

Anheuser-Busch – anheuser-busch.com 

Mikey’s Late Night Slice – latenightslice.com 

Resources:

• Watch on YouTube at youtube.com/@PromoWestTV 

• Catch upcoming shows at promowestlive.com 

• Learn more at aegpresents.com 

• Follow PromoWest on Facebook: facebook.com/promowestlive 

• Follow PromoWest on Instagram: instagram.com/promowestlive 

• Follow PromoWest on Twitter: x.com/promowestlive 

Crew Credits:

Featuring - Scott Stienecker

Host - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Cody Boyce

Exec. Producer - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Don Nixon

Director of Photography - Dustin Franz

1st AC - Ryan Scott

Grip - Elijah Jimenez

Art Director - Andy Fisher

PA - Wes Kasik

Still Photographer - Dustin Franz

Editor - Tom Davies

Produced by Crate Media

Cinematography by Sanggwen Media

Special Thanks to Marissa, Joey, Brian, Jason, and the entire PromoWest Productions staff

What inspires someone to dedicate their life to live music?

From small-town Ohio to working with music legends, Scott’s path is filled with risk, resilience, and relentless drive. Hear how early missteps, bold opportunities, and intuitive business acumen helped to shape his vision of what live entertainment could—and should—be.

This is a story of vision, ambition, and determination.

See more at nevertoldstories.com

Brought To You By:

Art Makes Columbus – columbusmakesart.com

Anheuser-Busch – anheuser-busch.com 

Mikey’s Late Night Slice – latenightslice.com 

Resources:

• Watch on YouTube at youtube.com/@PromoWestTV 

• Catch upcoming shows at promowestlive.com 

• Learn more at aegpresents.com 

• Follow PromoWest on Facebook: facebook.com/promowestlive 

• Follow PromoWest on Instagram: instagram.com/promowestlive 

• Follow PromoWest on Twitter: x.com/promowestlive 

Crew Credits:

Featuring - Scott Stienecker

Host - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Cody Boyce

Exec. Producer - Brad Circone

Exec. Producer - Don Nixon

Director of Photography - Dustin Franz

1st AC - Ryan Scott

Grip - Elijah Jimenez

Art Director - Andy Fisher

PA - Wes Kasik

Still Photographer - Dustin Franz

Editor - Tom Davies

Produced by Crate Media

Cinematography by Sanggwen Media

Special Thanks to Marissa, Joey, Brian, Jason, and the entire PromoWest Productions staff

The story of America's last independent promoter, Showmaker explores the career of Scott Stienecker, Founder of PromoWest Productions, as he plays host to the biggest acts in music over 40 years in the Midwest.

This 6-episode docuseries podcast premieres November 22 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get your podcasts.

Like and Subscribe to PromoWestTV on YouTube to get all 6 episodes: https://youtube.com/c/promowesttv

Follow PromoWest on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/promowestlive

Follow PromoWest on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/promowestlive

Follow PromoWest on Twitter: https://x.com/promowestlive