Bringing Music to Atchison, Kansas

Terry Nelson is bringing music back to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Atchison, Kansas. The Memorial Hall was built in 1922 to honor veterans who lost their lives in World War I.

“It has an amazing history of sporting events, conventions, and shows. It is listed on the Kansas registry of historic places. It is heated and has air conditioning with two levels of seating areas. Its is also big enough to bring some national acts that make it economical to use. Lots of parking at no cost, and Atchison is an extremely safe community close enough to St Joseph, Kansas City, Topeka, and Leavenworth,” Nelson says.

Nelson has been in the music industry for many years and explains that he still has the blues and rock-n-roll embedded in his heart. “In 1985 I opened a live music venue in Des Moines, Iowa called the Up and Under. It was a live music venue doing national and local bands seven days a week.” After closing that venue in 1992, he’s kept his eye on the industry and was planning to open another venue but the COVID 19 pandemic put his plans on pause. Prior to that, he was touring with bands down south.

“In 2011-2013 I was involved with multiple artists on tour out of Nashville, Tennessee. During this time I had the opportunity to meet many artists and now it is time to use my connections to bring on the shows.”

His intent now is to bring blues, country and rock-n-roll to Atchison. The first act, playing on April 13, is Duke Tumatoe and the Power Trio with Scotty and the Wingtips opening. Duke Tumatoe was one of the founding members of REO Speedwagon, Nelson explains, and in the 80s singer songwriter John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival signed him to a record contract with Warner Music.

After the first show, Steven Bankey and the Flatlanders will perform with guest South Bound, according to the Atchisonrocks.com website. “I prefer that the bands I have at these shows have their own material as well as some covers. Tribute bands are very popular these days, so we have intent to book ZZ-KC as well as Almost KISS. We plan on making many opportunities for local artists to showcase as well.”

As long as people come and continue to love live music, Nelson plans to keep booking talent. With Atchison’s location between St. Joseph, Kansas City, Topeka, and Leavenworth, the hope is that concert goers will come from far and wide. To learn more about the artists, schedule, and shows, visit www.atchisonrocks.com