About Us
Staff
Randy Merrill, CEO/President
Contact Randy: randy@wintersetagency.com
"What I have strived to create is a company and a team that above all else serves its clients with honesty and integrity".
Randy started his career in entertainment while still in high school playing in local and regional bands throughout the Rocky Mountain region. He later went into broadcasting as an on air personality for radio and television.
In the late 70s, he was hired, as an agent, by the booking agency that had represented his regional band. He went on to hone his booking skills and in 1986 purchased the Denver-based talent agency, Winterset.
In 1992 Randy became agent/manager for Capitol Records recording artist Chris Ledoux. In 1993 Randy relocated the agency to Nashville, TN and continued to strengthen and develop his rapport with Music City USA. His experience in working as an artist, agent, manager, radio personality and event producer gives him a unique perspective of the industry.
- Randy was nominated for the prestigious Academy of Country Music "Entertainment Buyer/Promoter of the Year" award in 2002 and 2003.
- He was the recipient of the 2002 "Jack Hunter Award" for outstanding service from the South Dakota Association of Fairs and Celebrations.
- In 2003 he was honored with the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs "Service Member of the Year" award.
- In 2003 he was presented with the North Dakota Association of Fairs "Associate of the Year" award.
- He was elected President of the South Dakota Association of Fairs and Celebrations.
- He served 8 years on the board of directors of Colorado Association of Fairs and Shows.
- He was presented Service Member of the Year at the Colorado Association of Fairs and Shows in 2004.
Brenda Farney Merrill, CFO/Vice President
Contact Brenda: brenda@wintersetagency.com
Brenda Farney Merrill specializes in booking main stage entertainment and concert production for fairs, festivals and corporate events in the Rocky Mountain region. She is the Entertainment Director for A Taste of Colorado Festival and Agent of Record for the historic Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in Denver. She is a forward thinker and workshop leader on discussions of how green practices will positively impact our venues and evaluating patron response to those changes.
Brenda earned her master's degree in speech and language pathology. She worked for the Institute of Logopedics and The Easter Seal Society for several years before changing career directions in the mid ‘80's to become owner and Vice President of the already established Winterset Concert Events. This is where her love for music was ignited and in the early ‘90's, the company forged a mutual working relationship with Capital Records cowboy recording artist, Chris LeDoux and his band Western Underground. That success led the company's move from Denver to Nashville, Music City USA and the expansion of their services on a national level.
Brenda has shown commitment to her industry through service as Associate Director and Board Member of (CAFS) Colorado Association of Fairs and Shows as well as South Dakota Fair and Celebrations. For the community she's held titles of President - Denver II, Board Member and Voting Delegate for the worldwide service organization Zonta International, whose platform is business executives working together to advance the status of women and children.
Tom Sailor, Talent Buyer
Contact Tom: (303)-883-4919 | tsailorg@aol.com
After serving for 12 years as President of LCB Productions Inc. in Chicago, Tom brought his wealth of knowledge and experience to join forces with Winterset in 1995. Tom has a history of engineering entertainment phenomenon for the thrill seeker. He's the man behind the idea of bringing bungee jumping to the fairs and holds the record for number of exhibition bungee jumps as he instilled confidence in the fair managers that the contraption really worked.
Tommy's diverse background has provided him vast experience in a variety of large grounds attractions as well as concert headliners. In 1995, he co-founded and was Master of Ceremonies for the world famous Chicago Knockers now known as the American Knockers.Currently in production for a reality TV series and being featured on Modern Marvels on the History Channel, the American Knockers will be touring in 2010.
Tom books headline dates for fairs and festivals.
Xondra Merrill, Talent Buyer
Contact Xondra: xondra@wintersetagency.com
Xondra literally grew up in the music industry. She spent some of her early years on a tour bus traveling with her father's band. From the time she was 4 yrs old she was hearing about agents, managers, good and bad shows over the dinner table.
Those early years on the road also nourished the travel bug within her. Following high school she backpacked through Mexico, Central and South America.
Not surprisingly when she decided to join the family business she hit the ground running with an understanding of the music industry that only comes from growing up around it. Xondra brings her management training and journalism skills to the family business.
Along with representing events in several western states, her knowledge of computers, internet and tech areas, and her grasp of the industry as a whole has made Xondra Merrill a tremendous asset to Winterset Concert Events.
