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Deeds: Familiar name returns with 'Blazed & Confused'
By Michael Deeds - [e-mail]
Copyright: © 2009 Idaho Statesman
Published: 06/12/09


When Bravo Entertainment co-founder Creston Thornton sold his stake in the company, he envisioned riding off into the sunset with a fresh career as a real-estate developer and investor.

But four years later, Thornton is stage diving back into the concert game with a new company, Creston Thornton Touring. And he's brought Snoop Dogg, Slightly Stoopid and a truckful of vodka with him.

Thornton, 37, who lives in Eagle, is the producer of "Blazed & Confused," which will visit the Idaho Center Amphitheater on July 19. The tour, sponsored by Oliphant vodka, will visit 20 outdoor venues in 30 days.

Thornton's real-estate development company, Foothill Knights, is still operating. But he admits that building houses moves a bit slower than the concert business, which is one of the reasons he's returned.

"It's hard to take a gambler away from a table," Thornton explains, before joking. "I'm a sucker for abuse and pain!"

Thornton helped transform Bravo into a national concert-promoting force in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In his final year with Bravo, he booked more than 400 shows in 19 states.

But Thornton makes one thing clear: He currently isn't a promoter. He's the producer of "Blazed & Confused." He signed a non-compete agreement when he exited Bravo, which eventually was sold to Knitting Factory Entertainment.

Thornton sounds energized and enthused when he talks about organizing "Blazed & Confused" then selling it off to promoters in each city.

"It's a different way of doing things," he says. "I'm used to putting all the risk on my own shoulders."

Thornton hatched the idea for "Blazed & Confused" last year while lounging by a pool in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with the two frontmen of rock band Slightly Stoopid and their manager. Thornton first dipped his toe back into the concert business by producing a 12-date Canadian tour with 311 and Slightly Stoopid in 2008.

"Blazed & Confused" is like a Warped Tour for adults, Thornton says, and it's built around Slightly Stoopid, which quietly has grown into an outdoor concert force. The band sold out Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado last summer. So Snoop Dogg, Stephen Marley and Mickey Avalon were added to the bill. Up-and-coming brand Oliphant vodka was brought in as sponsor.

Then Thornton had the idea to build a side-stage swimming pool and tiki bar at each concert. At his Web site, cttconcerts.com, fans are submitting photos and receiving votes to win VIP passes to the pool and be VIP bartenders. Sipping free vodka in a pool while Snoop rhymes nearby about "Gin & Juice"? Nice.

A kick-off party is being held in six cities. China Blue will host Boise's bash with Dirt Nasty and Beardo on Friday, June 19 ($10, China Blue or TicketWeb.)

Having watched Thornton and his older brother, Paul, supercharge the Treasure Valley's concert scene more than a decade ago, it kind of feels like deja vu. Paul Thornton recently co-founded a new promoting company, Silvertag Live, which booked the Sept. 25 Killers concert at Qwest Arena.

Creston Thornton's non-compete agreement expires at the end of 2009, which means each brother could be promoting Boise concerts next year.

Thornton won't commit to that É yet.

"I think Knitting Factory is bringing some good shows in," he says, "and my brother's here in town bringing some good shows in. Boise's only so big."

For now, producing "Blazed & Confused" is his focus. If it's a success - and it's selling well, he says - we may see a similar Slightly Stoopid-led festival tour for years to come.

"I wanted to really get back involved and make something cool," Thornton says. "And I think this tour is one of the coolest things out there."


http://www.idahostatesman.com/entertainment/story/799450.html