FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHUCK MORRIS TO BE INDUCTED INTO IEBA HALL OF FAME AT 2025 HONORS & AWARDS
NASHVILLE, TN (July 9, 2025) – IEBA, the leading trade organization for live entertainment industry professionals, will induct legendary concert promoter and music executive Chuck Morris into its Hall of Fame during the 2025 Honors & Awards Ceremony, held Tuesday, October 7 at the Grand Hyatt Nashville. The event is part of IEBA’s 55th Annual Conference, taking place October 5–7.
A pioneering force in the Colorado music scene and beyond, Morris is Chairman Emeritus and President & CEO of AEG Presents Rocky Mountains. His contributions to the live entertainment industry span more than five decades and include a profound legacy of artist development, venue innovation, and industry mentorship.
In the mid-1970s, Morris made his mark with the famed Denver nightclub Ebbets Field, which was named Billboard’s Club of the Year in both 1975 and 1976. His keen ear and curatorial spirit helped launch countless careers, and his passion for artists and fans alike continues to define his work. As Executive Producer of Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Volume Two by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Morris earned a GRAMMY Award, further cementing his place in music history.
Throughout his storied career, Morris has played a key role in elevating iconic venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre to international renown. In addition to his work as a promoter and executive, he is widely respected as a mentor, educator, and tireless advocate for the music industry.
“Chuck Morris is a true original whose vision, tenacity, and generosity have shaped the modern live music landscape,” said IEBA Executive Director Brian Wagner. “We are proud to recognize his extraordinary legacy with induction into the IEBA Hall of Fame.”
The IEBA Hall of Fame, established in 2010, honors individuals and institutions that have made a lasting and significant impact on the live entertainment industry.
IEBA’s 55th Annual Conference will be held October 5–7, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Nashville. Additional 2025 Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in the coming weeks.
CHUCK MORRIS PHOTO LINK
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALEX HODGES TO BE INDUCTED INTO IEBA HALL OF FAME AT 2025 HONORS & AWARDS
NASHVILLE, TN (August 1, 2025) – IEBA, the leading trade organization for live entertainment industry professionals, is proud to announce that Alex Hodges, CEO of Nederlander Concerts, will be inducted into the IEBA Hall of Fame at its 2025 Honors & Awards Ceremony. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 7, at the Grand Hyatt Nashville as part of IEBA’s 55th Annual Conference.
A trailblazer in live entertainment, Alex Hodges’ multiple decades-long career has touched every corner of live music — beginning as a talent agent, and then manager, before becoming a major market promoter, venue operator, and industry executive.
In the 1960s while at Mercer University, Hodges joined Walden Artists with a friend and began booking local talent – including then-unrecorded Otis Redding. This early chapter saw Hodges working with R&B greats including Redding, Sam & Dave, Percy Sledge, Clarence Carter, Candi Staton, and many others.
In the 1970s he launched Paragon Agency, where the roster grew to include Bobby Womack, Tyrone Davis, and John Hammond, as well as rising rock acts like The Allman Brothers Band, Wet Willie, and The Marshall Tucker Band. He later signed The Charlie Daniels Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Outlaws, Sea Level, Police, among others.
In 1980, Hodges founded the Empire Agency signing then-unrecorded future guitar legend, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and later managed Vaughan and Gregg Allman. Hodges represented SRV and Double Trouble throughout their career until Vaughan’s untimely death in 1990.
In 1984, Hodges joined ICM in Los Angeles as Senior Vice President and head of the Music Department, bringing his own clients and working with a robust roster exceeding 200 stars and major headliners such as Culture Club, Air Supply, Eddie Murphy and John Denver. In 1988, he shifted to the venues and promotions side joining Nederlander Concerts as Vice President, while continuing in personal management. He booked the Greek Theatre and Pacific Amphitheatre and expanded the company into arena-level talent at venues like The Forum, L.A. Sports Arena and stadium events, including Paul McCartney at Anaheim Stadium. His success earned him Pollstar’s “Talent Buyer of the Year” award in 1993.
In late 1994, Alex joined MCA/Universal Concerts as Senior Vice President, overseeing bookings for the Universal Amphitheatre and other venues across the country. Following the 1999 acquisition of Universal/MCA Concerts by House of Blues, his role expanded to Executive Vice President, where he worked closely with talent buyers across HOB’s extensive North American venue footprint.
After the sale of HOB, Hodges returned to Nederlander Concerts in 2007 as COO and was named CEO in 2011. Under his leadership, the company has booked marquee talent at flagship Southern California venues including the Greek Theatre, Grove of Anaheim, Pantages Theatre, and Santa Barbara Bowl. He led the company’s expansion into new markets including the San Jose Civic, Center for the Performing Arts, San Diego Civic, B of A Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks, Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles, H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Texas, The Port in Pocatello, Idaho, The Backyard, Cal Expo and Heart Health Park in Sacramento, and other open-promotion venues nationwide.
Beyond bookings, Hodges has mentored a generation of agents and executives, cementing his legacy as both a talent visionary and industry builder. He is also known for his ongoing commitment to charity, philanthropy and community.
“I’m honored to be inducted into the IEBA Hall of Fame,” said Hodges. “Throughout my life, a song, an album, a band, a sound have always influenced my next decision at any crossroads; and being acknowledged in this way is extremely gratifying.”
“Alex has been at the center of some of the most significant evolutions in live entertainment,” said IEBA Executive Director Brian Wagner. “From artist development to venue innovation, his impact on our industry is undeniable, and we’re thrilled to celebrate his incredible legacy.”
The IEBA Hall of Fame, established in 2010, honors individuals and institutions whose lasting contributions have helped shape the live entertainment industry.
Alex Hodges will be inducted into the IEBA Hall of Fame alongside Chuck Morris on October 7, 2025, during IEBA’s Honors & Awards Ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Nashville.
ALEX HODGES PHOTO LINK (credit Brian Guido)