HORSESHOE CASINO & HOTEL OFFICALLY OPENS NEW CMT THEMED BAR
05/01/08
Horseshoe in Bossier City, La., Hosts Grand Opening on May 1 With Special Performance by Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Sara Evans
BOSSIER CITY, LA. – May 1, 2008 – Horseshoe Casino and Hotel along with CMT opened the first ever CMT Crossroads Bar today with an inaugural performance from Sara Evans that embodied the soul of what the CMT Crossroads Bar is all about. Evans, a multi-platinum recording artist, sang “As If,” and “Some Things Never Change,” and will be featured in an upcoming edition of CMT Crossroads along side Maroon 5 – the show from which the bar takes its namesake.
CMT Crossroads Bar will be open daily from 5:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. Live entertainment will be available Wednesday - Sunday during the following hours: Wednesday & Thursday - 7:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m., Friday & Saturday – 8:00 p.m. -1:00 a.m. and Sunday – 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
During the grand opening celebration, invited guests dined on special hors d’oeuvres prepared by Horseshoe Executive Chef Timothy Westergard. CMT signature cocktails were on hand for guests to enjoy while mingling among CMT Executives, Media Representatives, and other VIPs. Attendees also received a commemorative Grand Opening - CMT Crossroads Bar poster that was signed by Evans.
CMT Crossroads Bar is an extension of CMT’s hit television series, the bar is located at Horseshoe, and showcases local and regional musicians. The $3.3 million project encompasses 3,300 square feet with a stage, dance floor, and a grandiose 27-foot circular bar.
“CMT prides itself on its long history of creating great music with country music’s top stars, and we are delighted to partner with Harrah’s Entertainment in bringing the CMT Crossroads brand a step closer to the fans,” said Jeff Yapp, Executive Vice President, program enterprises, MTVN/CMT. “We believe this collaboration is the perfect opportunity to leverage the power of both brands for a truly unique and authentic entertainment experience.”
Named after the popular CMT series, CMT Crossroads Bar is designed to capture the mood of a well-worn, well-loved Honky Tonk or roadhouse bar, with an authentically country décor. Set against dark wood tones and rusted metals, the interior features hand-scraped, wide-planked wood floors, and walls plastered with CMT Crossroads memorabilia and hand-drawn graphics. The design includes original artwork, neon signs, suspended hub cap ceilings, a belt buckle display, lights made from recycled traffic lights and LED screens throughout. The seating areas vary to provide flexibility in order to change the venue depending on the function of the day or night.
CMT Crossroads is the first outlet of this type for both partners. The concept came about after CMT presented the idea to officials of Horseshoe’s parent company Harrah’s
Entertainment, Inc. With a close proximity to many major metropolitan areas, and a dedication to provide unparalleled entertainment, Horseshoe Bossier City was no doubt the location that would best capture the mission of CMT.
“Horseshoe Casino and CMT are a perfect fit; as we both continue to lead our industries in innovative concepts. Having CMT as part of the Horseshoe family will open the door to many possibilities and proves that we are dedicated to enhancing the entertainment experience of our guests,” said Geno Iafrate, Regional President and General Manager of Horseshoe Casino and Hotel.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with CMT in creating the first ever CMT Crossroads Bar,” said Kris Hart, Vice President of Brand Management for Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. “We are committed to offering our customers a variety of entertainment options, and feel that the new CMT Crossroads Bar concept is an ideal marriage of two brands that have entertainment as a core value. We are also quite excited about leveraging this valuable relationship at some of our other properties around the country.
The hit television series CMT Crossroads pairs county music stars with popular artists from other genres, to play together, swap stories, and share their common love of music. Recent episodes have included Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers, Bon Jovi and Sugarland, Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire, Kenny “Babyface” Edmond and Trisha Yearwood, Joss Stone and LeAnn Rimes. The brand extension, CMT Crossroads, will feature a variety of local and regional acts. Horseshoe will also partner with local media outlets to host a night of live music each week.
CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 87 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment through operating subsidiaries. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada nearly 70 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions, and now owns or manages casinos on four continents. The company’s properties operate primarily under the Harrah’s, Caesars and Horseshoe brand names; Harrah’s also owns the London Clubs International family of casinos. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.
More information, please visit Harrah's Web site at - www.harrahs.com.
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PRESS CONTACTS:
For CMT:
Amanda Murphy 615.335.8408 amanda.murphy@cmt.com
For Horseshoe Casino:
Erika Roberts 318.752.6929 or 318.272-2989
Jessica Herrington 318.752.6908 or 318.207.7363
