Sarah Conness
Words: Crystal Farina
Photo: Courtesy of Sarah Conness

Lakeland’s only local music venue, Lillian’s Music Store, was closed last month. Although the city offers a few other bars that can accommodate bands, their provisions are limited. The one-year-plus continuance of a court battle between the property owners David and Edward Brenner, and the building owner, Keith Johnson, is finally settled: By November 1st of next year, the venue is to be replaced with a new upscale sports bar.

Sarah Conness, Lillian's sole promoter, whimsically began to construct a new face for the bar four years ago. “Originally, they used to do cover band acts and different themes during the week, and it was dying fast. So I booked about six bands in one night, not knowing what I was doing. I made my own flyers, and I put them everywhere in Lakeland. There were about 350 people there.”

The full capacity success turned Conness into Lillian’s promoter and booking agent.   As time progressed, Conness needed help managing the demands for the growing venue. “There was a point when I was doing five nights a week, four bands a night, by myself,” said Conness.  Furthermore, marketing funds weren't utilized, and Conness resorted to MySpace for show listings. “They management never understood that you have to give out some money to make money.”

Local media support was scarce, as Conness only had two dependable contacts at Lakeland’s The Ledger: Aurora Rodriguez and Bill Dean. They covered Lakeland’s music scene with the occasional mention of Lillian's.  The Ledger also has a “Timeout” section that would briefly mention a monthly show.  Lillian’s lent their space to approximately 1500 bands in Conness’ time there; however, in the past year, she was forced to reduce bookings. New management was subsequently appointed, and original act listings were no longer provided for The Ledger.

As a rebound of cover bands and unruly hip-hop nights began to mark the once reputable Lillian's, the word was spreading.   Meanwhile, Conness claimed that the community petitioned to save Lillian's.  “Unbeknownst to me, 800 people signed this petition.” The petition never reached the court.

 “The reason Lillian’s stayed so healthy and busy is because of my local bands,” said Conness. New management disagreed and pieced together Lillian’s denouement by abruptly canceling three months of bookings for original acts.

At the end of an autonomous battle, Conness confessed: “I’ve done it for my friends and all of the bands who I’ve grown up with and known for years. People will say, ‘Oh, Polk County-- how many bands can there possibly be?’ Well, there are about fifteen bands that brought hundreds of people every time they played, and now they’re very successful.” Pemberley is one of those bands and lead singer, Rachel Margaret, spoke candidly:  “We can no longer claim Lakeland as our hometown because the city has no venue. We’ll have to claim Tampa or Orlando."

In the midst of the havoc of canceling three months of bookings, Conness contacted Johnson. He was unaware of the manager‘s decision, and two weeks later, Lillian's lease was handed over.  Its obscure legacy was eagerly silenced as The Ledger headlined, “Plans for sports bar move up the field.”
 
 “I feel very sad for Lakeland right now because there is no music scene,” said Conness. Despite Lillian’s closing, Conness has progressed into independent promotion with several venues, including Orlando’s The Social and Central Station. Conness is also looking at two locations in Lakeland for a new venue: “I think opening up another music venue in Lakeland would be extremely successful for everybody. It’s a quaint place, but it’s getting huge.”

Sarah Conness can be contacted for booking and promotion at: http://www.myspace.com/sarahsmiles321 and sarah4show@aol.com.