Direct Events is a driving force in the Austin music and eclusive private events scenes. Tim O'Connor owns The Backyard and The Glenn and his company, Direct Events operates and manages The Backyard, The Austin Music Hall, La Zona Rosa and the Glenn. Direct Events is a full service organization offering in-house event production, booking, maketing, ticketing, and special event planning. http://www.directevents.net/ Direct Events - All Rights Reserved AUSTIN, Texas – April 22, 2008 – Tim O’Connor, owner of Direct Events and the Backyard, announced that the 16th season will be the final full season for Austin's acclaimed live oak amphitheatre, The Backyard.“I built the Backyard to produce events in an atmosphere that signifies Austin. When the venue opened we were in the middle of the Hill Country and it was a true experience," said Tim O'Connor, President/CEO Direct Events. "The Shops at The Galleria development that now surrounds the Backyard has taken away from some of the venue's magic over the last few years.”The Backyard, located at 71 W and RR620, opened it doors in 1993 and has hosted over 1 million patrons and 400 acts including Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, Beck, Modest Mouse, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Sheryl Crow, The Gipsy Kings, Lyle Lovett, Coldplay, Widespread Panic, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakum, Chris Issak, Alanis Morissette, Elvis Costello, Smashing Pumpkins, Nickelback and more.Creating a natural, comfortable, and unique to Austin environment for the Backyard performers and patrons has been of highest importance to Direct Events since the venue's opening. “Set in a natural amphitheatre with sturdy live oaks shading it, the place can be utterly magical on a warm, breezy night, and is a delightful addition to the Austin Music venue scene. Within it’s confines are green lawns, fishponds, and a multi-tier patio, and the sound system is far and away the city’s best, achieving clarity and presence at volumes that are comfortable to even the most sensitive ears (at a recent Leonard Cohen show, you could even hear the cicadas chirping as the music played – magical). Right at birth, it’s a classic Austin venue, and even the short drive out from town adds to the charm of attending shows there,” said Austin Chronicle, Best Open Air Music ’93.This may be the final season for the Backyard, but Direct Events is not closing the door on this live music staple. Direct Events has proposed a plan to the City of Bee Cave, and is working to secure their approval to develop a new Backyard in a new location that will not compromise the atmosphere of the venue."I have had the unique privilege to co-produce, with Direct Events, the majority of shows that have graced the Backyard stage since its inception. I have enjoyed the relationship with this facility and it's operator immensely. I was always proud to be affiliated in some small way with the Backyard. While the Backyard will soon be its own chapter in Austin musical history, Tim O'Connor is a visionary, and I am confident that his next facility will be his masterpiece that we can all be very proud of," stated Bob Roux, Regional President for Live Nation. Upcoming Events5/15 ZZ TOP – On Sale Saturday 4/26 at 10AM!6/1 Steve Miller Band w/ Joe Cocker8/2 & 8/3 311 & Snoop Dogg8/28 The Gipsy Kings – On Sale Soon!Visit: www.thebackyard.net http://www.directevents.net/indexStaging.php?content=news# Sun, 22 Apr 2007 00:00:00 Z http://www.directevents.net/indexStaging.php?content=news#