Corbin Arena already has 14 shows booked for 2017

Corbin Arena Manager Kristi Balla already has 14 shows booked for 2017.

Corbin Arena Director Kristi Balla said while the first big-name act did not sell out the venue, it was an encouraging start to her efforts to bring more events to the facility.

“It was a good crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy it,” Balla said of the comedian’s show Friday night.

Balla said one thing working against the show was the short window for ticket sales.

Balla announced the December 9 show on October 28.

“You generally need a good 90-plus days to sell and we had half that time,” Balla said.

Balla said in addition to the crowd, Engvall seemed pleased with event.

“Bill gave me a hug when he got off stage and said, ‘Let’s do it again sometime,’” Balla said. “He was happy and that’s a great start to building our reputation among artists and their management.”

Balla declined to provide attendance numbers for the event.

The Arena will be hosting another show Saturday with the “Rock Returns to Corbin” event featuring classic rock music acts Lita Ford, Ratt, Jack Russell’s Great White, Firehouse and Trixter.

The show is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are still available at The Arena box office or at ticketmaster.com

Balla is contuing to extend the range of acts coming to The Arena.

Christian group “Mercy Me,” is slated to perform on March 24.

“I specifically went after “Mercy Me” because they had never been here,” Balla said.

The group debuted in 2001 and have sold more than 8.5 million CD’s, single and DVD’s.

“Mercy Me” is scheduled to release a new album in the spring.

On April 21, Balla will bring the first musical production to The Arena with “Dance to the Movies.”

The show features singing by artists from television’s “American Idol,” along with dancing from “So You Think You Can Dance,” and pros from “Dancing with the Stars.”

The musical numbers include scenes from famous musicals including “West Side Story,” and “Grease.”

Balla said the lineup is still being finalized.

I’ve been looking for stage shows, “ Balla said. “This is the first time we have anything remotely close to this.”

Other upcoming shows include:

• Justin Moore and Lee Brice on January 19.
• The Harlem Globetrotters on January 23
• RK Gun Show on February 11
• Monster Truck Nationals on February 17
• Brantley Gilbert on March 18
• Puddle of Mudd, Saving Abel, Tantric and Year of the Locust on March 23
• Mercy Me on March 24
• Dance to the Movies on April 21
• Lynyrd Skynyrd and Black Stone Cherry on April 29

“This is not going to be the whole year,” Balla emphasized.

While The Arena is promoting most of the events, Balla said tour promoters are bringing Justin Moore and Lee Brice, and Brantley Gilbert.

“I’m trying to book shows that will draw crowds where nine out of ten people have never set foot in the building before,” Balla said.