We are so lucky to have Charles Carmody and NS2 dedicated to developing a thriving music ecosystem in Charleston!
Charles Carmody (The Director)
Charles Carmody is the Charleston Market Director for NS2 and has been the Executive Director of the Charleston Music Hall since 2012. Born and raised in Charleston, he graduated from the College of Charleston and has dedicated his career to making the city a premier music destination.
- The Visionary: When Carmody took over the Hall in 2012, his first-year goal was to book 20 national acts; he ended up booking 48. By 2024, he scaled operations to host well over 200 events annually.
- The Local Champion: Despite the venue's shift to a national corporate parent, Carmody has fiercely protected local culture. He champions regional artists, hosts local series like "Charleston LIVE," and supports homegrown talent like Shovels & Rope and Susto.
- Physical Innovation: It was at Carmody's behest that Frank Productions stepped into full venue operations to fund growth. He helped pioneer structural changes, such as installing a removable seating system on the main floor that increased maximum capacity from 965 seated guests to 1,200 general admission fans
NS2 & Frank Productions (The Promoters)
NS2 (National Shows 2) is a Nashville-based full-service concert promotion company founded by Darin Lashinsky. NS2 is owned by Frank Productions (FPC Live), a massive Madison, Wisconsin-based promoter partnered globally with Live Nation.
- The Evolution: NS2 began as the exclusive booking agency for the Charleston Music Hall in 2014. In 2020, they stepped up to completely take over day-to-day operations and venue management from the property owner, Bennett Hospitality.
- National Muscle: The backing of Frank Productions connects Charleston to a massive national network. This industry leverage dramatically increased the venue's ability to pull in premium, major national touring acts, comedians, and artists.
- The "Venue Ladder" Expansion: To further expand the local footprint, the corporate group took over and reopened the historic local club, the Music Farm, in 2022. This created a multi-tier venue system allowing artists to grow from playing smaller club shows to larger theater crowds in the same market.