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The new Sweetland Amphitheatre general manager was announced and introduced during the LaGrange council work session Tuesday morning.

Katie McGinty will take over as the new GM and is preparing to bring music and events back to the downtown LaGrange venue.

Communications Manager Katie Van Schoor told the council McGinty accepted the position in March and began working on plans immediately.

Van Schoor said McGinty has years of experience in graphic and web design, marketing and business.

She and her husband live in LaGrange and own and operate Southern Rehab and Sports Medicine.

“The biggest thing is she has a vast experience in music,” Van Schoor said. “When she heard that I was going to help with Sweetland, she had offered to help me for free. She has always loved Sweetland and been super involved.”

In her role as Sweetland general manager, McGinty will help develop, coordinate, direct and implement a comprehensive strategy to ensure Sweetland Amphitheatre is one of the most highly-regarded music venues in the region.

“I am excited to be here,” McGinty said. “There’s great things we are already working on.”

McGinty added that Sweetland hopes to be able to host its first show in late summer and then do more in the fall.

“I am so excited music is coming back to our stages,” McGinty said.

“The music industry has suffered so much during the past year, and we’re finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For as far back as I can remember, music has been a life force, ever-present and indispensable. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing artists, producers, engineers, A&R departments, and so many more, and it’s been an absolute dream. Everything about music, from its creation to its consumption, brings so much happiness to my life.”