Bristol Casino Teams With Cameo Theater To Create Hard Rock Stage

Written By Adam Hensley on March 10, 2025Last Updated on March 22, 2025
Virginia Casinos Hard Rock Bristol Casino Cameo Theater Partnership

Bristol Casino, the upcoming residence of Hard Rock, has recently announced a partnership with one of Virginia’s most established theaters.

Last week, the Cameo Theater proudly revealed its sponsorship deal with the VA casino. As part of this exciting partnership, the main stage of the theater will now go by the name of the “Hard Rock Stage.”

“Our partnership with the Cameo is a perfect match,” Allie Evangelista, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, said in a statement.
“Live music is a key part of our DNA.  Hard Rock is an iconic music brand, with proud and deep roots in the industry.  We have a rich legacy of supporting performing artists of all music genres.”

Bristol Casino will help build on existing ‘rich legacy’

Believing it will contribute to a lasting legacy, Brent Buchanan, the owner of the Cameo Theater, is thrilled about the partnership.

“The Cameo is proud to be part of Bristol’s historic music legacy,” he said in a release. “Through this partnership, Hard Rock is helping to sustain, and build on, that rich legacy.  We look forward to welcoming local residents and casino guests to enjoy Bristol’s fantastic live music scene, with performers and groups that appeal to all ages and interests.”

Opened in 1925, the Cameo Theater has been a hub of entertainment for both Bristol residents and visitors for countless decades.

However, during the 1970s, the theater shut down and remained empty until Buchanan acquired the property in 2017. Since then, he has worked on restoring the theater and played a significant role in reviving live music events.

Partnership could foster Bristol business

The Bristol Casino location has, so far, proven to be a popular destination for Virginia gamblers.

However, this collaboration will bring a greater sense of entertainment to Bristol Casino – the future location of Hard Rock.

“When our guests visit the casino, we want them to be introduced to all the amazing entertainment and tourism offerings available in Bristol and across the region,” Evangelista said in a release. “This partnership is one example of how we want to help promote Bristol as a wonderful tourism destination.”

In January, Virginia’s casino industry enjoyed its best month yet. Casino revenue topped $22.5 million across the state.
Bristol Casino accounted for $13.4 million of that revenue. That stands as a slight but expected drop-off from previous months. The new Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened in January as well. There’s a chance other casinos may pop up in the future, too.
Regardless, the Bristol location will remain a staple in the Virginia gambling industry. It was the first casino, albeit temporary, to opens its doors to Virginians. And this new partnership could play a role in keeping Bristol dollars within the community.

“This partnership shows the importance Hard Rock places on supporting local artists and working with local businesses to attract more visitors to Bristol who will spend their tourism dollars in our community,” Buchanan said in a release.

Virginia casino has more in store for Bristol

During an interview with WJHL 11, the Vice President of Marketing at the casino subtly suggested that there will be additional collaborations and forthcoming events.

Marc Deleo, in an interview with the TV station, expressed his optimism by saying, “There are endless possibilities ahead of us. We are only scratching the surface. Although we haven’t finalized all the specifics, we are certainly planning extensive cross-marketing efforts. Furthermore, we have already begun featuring our top VIP guests on our shows, and there is a plethora of exciting content on the horizon.”

The Bristol Herald Courier reports that an array of bands and tributes are expected to grace the spring season. However, the standout event is a thrilling live performance in a parking lot, showcasing the talents of Billy Idol and Bret Michaels. This highly anticipated show has the potential to attract an impressive crowd of over 15,000 individuals.

Upcoming events at Bristol Casino — Future Home of Hard Rock

Bristol Casino, soon to be the new residence of Hard Rock, provides over 30,000 square feet of space for its visitors. This temporary establishment offers a complete range of services, including 870 slot machines, 21 table games, and a sportsbook.

It is anticipated by officials that the Bristol casino will be operational in approximately one year.

However, if you are seeking entertainment at the Bristol location, rest assured that the casino has a lineup of events to keep you entertained in the upcoming weeks.

  • On Friday, the schedule for performances is as follows: DJ Stacie will take the stage at 8 p.m., Julie Williams and The Hired Guns will perform at 8:30 p.m., and Brandon Maddox will close the night with a performance at 11:30 p.m.
  • On Saturday, the schedule for entertainment includes the Lauren Cole Band at 5 p.m., COAL CAMP at 7:30 p.m., and DJ Amy at 10 p.m.
  • On March 16th, DJ Amy will be performing at 8 p.m.
  • On March 17th at 8:30 p.m., there will be a performance titled “If Birds Could Fly” followed by DJ Jessie D. The location for DJ Jessie D’s set is yet to be announced.
  • On March 18th, Mac Arnold’s performance is to be announced, while Cash Crop will take the stage at 11 p.m.
Photo by Gareth Patterson / AP Photo
Adam Hensley Avatar
Written by

Adam Hensley

Adam Hensley, hailing from Des Moines, Iowa, is an accomplished journalist whose work has been featured in esteemed publications such as the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, and various sites affiliated with the USA Today Network. Having completed his studies at the University of Iowa in 2019, Hensley dedicated his college years to honing his skills within the sports department of the Daily Iowan as both an editor and reporter.

View all posts by Adam Hensley