At SFX, Steve was in charge of Riverport Amphitheatre and Capital Tickets, was responsible for Contemporary Marketing and managed all the administrative work. That was until Capital Tickets was sold to Ticketmaster, Contemporary Marketing was merged with SFX Marketing and run out of New York, and after SFX was sold to Clear Channel, the legal department moved to San Antonio and the finance department, to Indianapolis.

Steve suggested that they buy out his contract. It was agreed. And although he had signed a non-compete contract, the terms of that agreement were void because his position with the company then was not what it had started out to be.

Steve went back out on his own and revived the Contemporary name.

Contemporary's story began in 1968 when Steve, a performing musician in one St. Louis' hottest bands, The Impact Soul Revue, and partner and Contemporary co-founder Irv Zuckerman booked the band. Their success lead to increased demands for attractions, and they began booking other groups in and around the St. Louis area. At one point Steve and Irv were contracting hundreds of bands, and expanded to bookings of national artists such as Chicago, The Grateful Dead and Ted Nugent for colleges and universities. They were among the first to promote concert events in stadiums.

Their savviness was exemplified in the company's ability to diversify at a time when promoters needed additional revenue streams to survive. Contemporary grew to include venue ownership, computerized ticketing services, consumer product sampling, demonstrating and sales, consumer special event production, touring and management, event advertising and corporate event design, production, planning and execution.

Contemporary also became the largest producer of national comedy events including Chris Rock, HBO's Def Comedy Jam and became the national tour producer for Tim Allen and Jerry Seinfeld, among others.

Their foray into venue development resulted in the ownership of the 21,000-capacity Riverport Amphitheatre near St. Louis and the leasing of the 18,000-capacity Sandstone Amphitheatre in Kansas City. They also became the exclusive operators and or promoters of several other venues.

With the re-opening of Contemporary Productions, Steve has managed events and produced entertainment for Governor Bob Holden’s Inauguration, the NCAA Final Four, Fair Saint Louis, Variety Club Telethon and most recently Jay Leno for Jewish Federation’s 100th Anniversary.

While Steve’s first love is conducting and playing trumpet with his two bands, The Fabulous Motown Revue and the Steve Schankman Big Band, he still finds the time to serve on several boards in St. Louis including the Executive Board for the Greater St. Louis Area Council Boy Scouts of America, Board of Trustees and Executive Committee for the Saint Louis Symphony, Executive Board for Variety Club, Saint Louis Zoo Foundation Board of Trustees, Commerce Bank Board of Directors. He was recently elected Chairman of the Saint Louis Zoo Commission.

He will continue to serve the community as a producer of the annual Variety Club Telethon on CBS-TV and as the entertainment consultant to Fair Saint Louis.

In 1999, Steve received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and was named to the University City High School Hall of Fame. Last year he received the McKendree College 2000 Excellence in Enterprise Award, which recognizes a member of the greater St. Louis business community who reflects the true spirit of enterprise and demonstrates the skills that make enterprising efforts successful. Other awards include Business Person of the Year from the City of Maryland Heights, Outstanding Business Person of the Year from the St. Louis County League Chamber of Commerce, and the Silver Crown Award from the St. Louis Rabbinical College.

Why did you decide to sell Contemporary Group to SFX?

The timing was right. I had been in the business for 30 years and it made sense. The price was fair, too. It's gratifying to be recognized as a leader. We were doing $110 million in business; my dream was $100 million.

Why did you decide to go back to being an independent promoter?

I followed my entrepreneurial spirit, and it's more fun when it's yours and you have the control.

Has promoter consolidation been positive or negative for the industry?

Both yes and no. It's been good for consolidators. The public hasn't seen much benefit. All sponsors revenue goes to the company - there hasn't been a reduction in ticket prices or more availability of tickets.

What, if any trends, do you project for the coming year, the next five years?

Fewer big tours. Artists are older, audience becomes older, resulting in less interest to see old artists. Smaller venues will do better, prices will continue to rise. Availability of tickets is still short.

First industry job

Started Contemporary in 1968 as a band-booking agency for local and regional bands. 1969 was our first concert - The Grateful Dead at The Fox Theater in St. Louis.

Career highlights

June 1991, Riverport Amphitheatre opens; in 1999, handling the Papal Visit of Pope John Paul, III to St. Louis; handled all aspects and production of the visit; largest indoor mass at the Trans World Dome - 110,000 people.

Career Disappointments

At Guns 'N Roses July 2, 1991 Riverport Amphitheatre show, a riot ensued.

Greatest Challenge

Pleasing everyone - staff, agents, artists, public and myself, every day.

Best Business Decision

To diversify the company - Concert promoter, rock, comedy, etc.; Ticket Company - Dialtix, phone company; Artist management - Head East; Special Events; Event Marketing Company

Worst Business Decision

Opening retail record store in the late '70s to use as ticket location and to roll out nationally Backstage Records Tape and Tickets. Costs of vinyl hit an all time high.

Most memorable industry/tour experience

As a musician (trumpet player) my finest memory is performing with my father, Leon, a symphony violinist, with artists including Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, The Moody Blues and Natalie Cole at Riverport Amphitheatre. I owned the venue, booked the show, hired the orchestra, played in the orchestra and my father (now deceased), was there, too.

What friends would be surprised to learn about you

My lack of knowledge of rock trivia. I faked a lot of this but didn't tell them.

Industry Mentor(s)

There are two: Everett Agnew - an African-American promoter who owned Regal Sports, promoted shows since the1940's. I used to play on his shows with The Four Tops and The Temptations. Also, Frank Barcelona - Premier Talent. He helped start our careers with his trust in us.

Industry Pet Peeve

Can't get a good ticket.

Steve can be reached at 314-721-9090; e-mail: steveschankman@birch.net

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