Your humble host first began bookings shows in the year 2007. Upon going to Wanda’s (in Mechanicsburg) to see a band called Nevermoure (later Vs. The Earth, Featuring Adam Marino who Nick played in a high school band with) he began enjoying local bands and picking up on the amazing talent that was floating around the midstate. In 2006 he began writing reviews for the website called “The Lab”, later he had an article on HBGonline called “The Doctors Office” where he wrote show reviews, cd reviews and general opinions on the local scene. The website had a forum where he mentioned the idea of a local awards show, like the Grammy’s for the harrisburg area. Originally the idea was for a vote online in different categories and then local celebrities would set a special time on their Myspace page to Announce the winner of each category. Bands such as Julian Fist, The Underwater, Bridges and a Bottle were all in line to participate.
After becoming close w/ the band Julian Fist, Drummer Kyle Taylor pitched the idea to do a show at Gullifty’s and eventually Leo Nessinger (Former Halestorm, Underwater Guitarist) introduced Nick to Matt Eisenhour at Gulliftys Underground. Nick pitched the idea of a local awards show w/ bands, awards and everything that the Grammy’s presented. In March of 2007 “The Doctors Office Awards Show” was held w/ 12 live bands and a mass of local celebrities presenting awards to winners in 11 categories. Performers included bands such as Gold Mind Squad (Featuring Davey Suicide), The Drama Club (Featuring Nick Coyle now of Cold), Julian Fist, A Utopian Skyline among many others. It was a star studded event that brought out all the local and regional celebrities and music lovers. The show was changed to “The 717 Music Awards” in years to come and would feature bands like From Ashes To New, Minshara, Hierosonic and more.
Nick went on to book over 100 shows at Gullifty’s, as well as other venues like Smalls, Dragonfly, Chameleon Club and eventually found a new home base at Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center where he’s booked acts such as Stabbing Westward, All That Remains, Yngwie Malmsteen among hundreds of others. The Awards show ran its course by 2015, though a rebirth is never out of the question. Nick was able to book dream shows including a full venue, 3 stage, 20+ band Morning Star Festival twice in 2019.
Nick know has began Booking and Management w/ his first signings being The Kamikaze Kupcakes and The Destruct Principle. In October of 2019 he joined the Grammy Nominated band Green Jelly and has played in front of over 500 people opening for The Insane Clown Posse.
The future is bright for 717 Entertainment and w/ Nick at the helm the sky is truly the limit.