Pearce plans to build on integrity, reputation of Second Street Live!

story by Peter Lewis
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Toward the end of this past September, it was reported that Dick Renko and Second Street Live! would be parting ways after being unable to come to terms on a new contract.

This news came on the heels of the grand opening of the Second Street Live! $2 million arts center in downtown Fort Smith and left a void atop the non-profit. In the weeks that followed, SSL board members interviewed several candidates before settling on John Pearce.

A graduate of Southside High School (1998) and 2007 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, Pearce had spent the previous 18 months in Honolulu as the director of a solar energy company and an assistant swimming coach for the University of Hawaii before moving home.

Pearce said there is crossover between his previous positions and his work with SSL.

“Those experiences, both as director and my past work in swimming, have helped me become very comfortable in high pressure situations,” he explained.

As a native of Fort Smith, Pearce is aware of the unique challenges that face him and Second Street Live!, but mentioned that Renko’s early efforts have made his job easier.

“It’s going to be a challenge any time someone with the caliber and experience of Dick Renko leaves an organization. Fortunately, his professionalism and the policies he implemented while in charge have made the transition period smooth,” Pearce said.

Pearce admitted that his biggest challenge as the new executive director is maintaining the integrity of the shows established early on by Renko. The high level of quality found at Second Street Live! has generated positive buzz for the arts center throughout the community of bookers and artists.

Pearce also credited the SSL audience in creating the special atmosphere for artists.

“The experience of Second Street Live is framed by the audiences,” Pearce said before noting that this level of audience appreciation helps create an incentive for artists.

Looking to further cement their place as a top-flight show for artists, SSL hired Brian Crowne as their exclusive talent buyer. The Fort Smith native is the owner of George’s Majestic in Fayetteville.

In addition to booking talent for George’s, Crowne also books talent for the Arkansas Music Pavilion (AMP) and the Walton Art’s Center in Fayetteville. Pearce mentioned his pleasure with the hiring of Crowne, not only for Crowne’s keen eye toward talent booking, but for his ties in the arts community, saying that Second Street Live will be able to “utilize (Crowne’s) expertise and talent experience to build bridges with Northwest Arkansas.”

While the 2010-2011 season is still in full swing, Pearce did admit that they are in the process of compiling a “wish list” for next season, though no official bookings have been made.

As SSL builds toward the future, Pearce hopes to take a lead role in the Fort Smith metropolitan area arts community while building bridges with other organizations. Of particular note to Pearce and SSL is UAFS. Its importance on the area is undoubtable and Pearce hopes a strong relationship in all facets of art can be fostered as SSL moves into the future.

Though Pearce mentioned that the organization is on solid footing financially, as a non-profit they’re always looking for ways to facilitate their growth and give a return to the audience.

“When it comes down to it, it’s about the music and the arts,” Pearce reminded.

But as the organization moves forward, Pearce admitted that illustrating a value for their patrons was of the utmost importance. Relating that the stated aim of SSL was to serve artist, audience and community, Pearce said the symbiotic relationship between the three aspects allows for a broad scope as SSL seeks to grow their facility and create added values for the community.