The Heart and Soul of Amanda Carson is super soft-spoken, but she’s helped Silver Dollar City make big noise in the bluegrass and Southern Gospel scenes.
Her efforts to bring top talent to City stages earned Amanda a moment on a national stage, where she recently accepted Southern Gospel’s Promoter of the Year award on behalf of Silver Dollar City—a big spotlight for a “sort of shy” gal.
“There was no speech, thank goodness, but I did give a quick thank you,” she laughs. “It was such a huge honor to stand on that stage in front of industry peers knowing all the work our team puts in was noticed and recognized.”
That hustle to bring the best Southern Gospel acts to the park started years before with Amanda’s mentor, D.A. Callaway—a true gem of a man with an ear for finding the best talent around.
“He had the heart—and the knack—for bringing out the brightest stars,” she says. “He welcomed all the groups like they were family, setting the hospitality bar mighty high for the rest of us.”
By the time Silver Dollar City’s Southern Gospel Picnic first launched almost 20 years ago, Amanda had already put in some time at the park, starting as an usher at the Living Nativity and also helping with the Christmas parade. She was a “wagon dragger,” moving acts’ gear all over the place as she learned the ropes from a self-proclaimed “Old Timer.”
“I was wearing quite a few hats, but D.A. saw something in me and started giving me more to do,” Amanda recalls. “As he added tasks, I got more involved in booking the talent. He guided me along the way, and I’m so grateful for it.”
With her warm heart and down-home spirit, Amanda has become a true heart and soul of Silver Dollar City’s music scene, showing that even the softest voices can strike a strong chord in the industry. Now responsible for booking talent for both the Southern Gospel Picnic and Bluegrass & BBQ festival, Amanda always has her ears on performers coming down the pipeline.
“I also listen to our guests,” she smiles. I study who they like and don’t like. After almost 20 years of booking talent now, I feel like I‘ve really gotten to know our visitors.”
Potential performers also have to pass Amanda’s “culture test.”
Research is a critical part of her process. Amanda tunes into local Southern Gospel radio stations, monitors charts, and examines other promoters’ bookings to stay informed about emerging talent. As the Southern Gospel Picnic has grown into the country’s premier festival for this genre, she often receives over 100 inquiries from acts eager to perform.
Building relationships within the industry has been key. “It all goes back to the importance of listening and building those bonds,” she notes. Amanda credits her success, in part, to Scott Godsey from Sea Walker Media, who has been a long-time supporter of Silver Dollar City and Danny Jones from Singing News.
“Singing News has been on this journey with us the entire history of the festival and continues to bring new fans to the genre. Scott took the stage after I accepted the award and told the audience how much he loves Silver Dollar City. Another of those key friends who’ve encouraged me and supported me for so many years is Duane Garren who is a fellow promoter and the Emcee of our Southern Gospel Picnic. I’m so incredibly grateful for all of these guys!”
While Amanda is also grateful—and relieved—when each festival wraps up with a successful run, there’s not much rest in her world.
“I automatically jump in and start working on the next one,” she laughs.
Before the bluegrass bookings begin and the Southern Gospel groups get signed, Amanda takes a holiday hiatus for some other festive and fun work. She oversees the parade for An Old Time Christmas.
“I love my festivals but there’s just something about the magic of Christmas,” she beams. “Just seeing those magical moments when kids interact with our parade characters and having extra sparkle in their eyes. That’s good for my heart and soul.”
Amanda, who wanted to be a scientist when she was little, says Silver Dollar City does keep her young.
“It might age me a bit,” she jokes. “But it keeps my heart forever young. I’m having an absolute blast with all of this.”
As Public Relations Manager for the Silver Dollar City Company, she is eager to tap into her journalism background to hunt down “heart tugs” to write about—those stories that celebrate…
