The Paramount's Adam Ellis On Huntington, Concerts & More
Having hosted well over 1,000 concerts, comedy, boxing and other special events since 2011, The Paramount is widely considered to be Long Island's premier live venue. Located in the heart of Huntington, The Paramount has hosted performances from the likes of Billy Joel, Elvis Costello, Ed Sheeran, B.B. King, Panic! At The Disco, The Goo Goo Dolls, Jewel, The Beach Boys, and Taking Back Sunday. In turn, it was one of the Top 5 busiest clubs in the world last year, per an article published by well-respected industry trade magazine Pollstar.
I had the pleasure of doing Q&A with Adam Ellis, The Paramount’s Marketing Director, not only about his venue but also the surrounding New York Avenue area. For upcoming events and other information about The Paramount, point your browser to www.paramountny.com.
The Paramount has been a Top 5 venue for its size on a global basis. At what point did you realize that The Paramount was a special place?
Adam Ellis: Very early on, I realized our owners played by different rules, would take risks other venues would not, treated the artists in ways other clubs did not and were hands on and detail oriented with every facet of the operation, which other similar theaters — which are corporately managed — did not focus on.
The Paramount hosts an average of 200 live events each year. Is there an artist or kind of event you haven't yet hosted at The Paramount but are still hoping to?
Adam Ellis: Yes, we have a list of those artists that we still want to play the room — [Bob] Dylan, [Paul] McCartney, Green Day, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc. — and still have a few types of events that we are still looking to add to the mix. MMA, K-POP, Reggaeton…
What was your first job within the entertainment industry? Are you originally from Florida?
Adam Ellis: I started doing a marketing internship for Hoop-It-Up through the College of Business at The University of South Florida, which led to a job with the Tampa Bay Storm Arena Football team, where I got my start. I was born in Rockland County, New York and moved to Florida at the age of 11. I attended middle school, high school and college in Florida and moved back to New York City on September 18, 2001, one week after 9/11.
Is there a career accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Adam Ellis: Yes, I have a few, but one I am most proud of was the planning, organizing, promoting and hosting of the 1st ever fully Orthodox Jewish version of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden. One of the largest gatherings of Orthodox Jews under one roof — over 20,000 in attendance!
Is there anything you feel that people have wrong about what you do for a living?
Adam Ellis: Yes, most people I think assume that I hang out with rock stars backstage and party all the time. While the truth is that my job is 24/7/365, 80 hours per week, working like a maniac every day just to keep up with the requirements of the position, which includes managing a $500K/year in-house advertising agency and 200 events per year.
What are some of your favorite restaurants near The Paramount?
Adam Ellis: I enjoy eating at Swallow, Meehans, Stella Blue, Faz's, Vauxhall and Munday's.
When not busy with The Paramount, how do you like to spend your free time?
Adam Ellis: When I get free time, I like to sleep, ride my bike, and watch football.
Finally, Adam, any last words for the kids?
Adam Ellis: If you want to be successful in any business, teach yourself how to place digital ads on Google, Facebook and Instagram. You can't run any business without knowing how to advertise online.
