Tabernacle (concert hall): Difference between revisions

The '''Tabernacle'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://targetaudiencemagazine.com/2013/06/tame-impala-shook-the-tabernacle-at-a-sold-out-show-in-atlanta/|title=Tame Impala Shook the Tabernacle at a Sold Out Show in Atlanta - Target Audience Magazine|author=Boise, Danielle|date=20 June 2013|work=Target Audience Magazine|accessdateaccess-date=4 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="USAToday">{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2014/10/10/concert-music-venues/16974221/|title=10Best: Concert venues across the USA|author=Bleiberg, Larry|date=JuneOctober 2410, 20152014|work=[[USA Today]]|accessdateaccess-date=4 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010221650/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2014/10/10/concert-music-venues/16974221/ | archive-date=October 10, 2014}}</ref> is a mid-size [[concert hall]] located in [[Downtown Atlanta|Downtown]] [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. Opening in 1911 as a [[Church (building)|church]], the building was converted into a music venue in 1996. It is owned and managed by [[concert promoter]] [[Live Nation Entertainment]] and has a capacity of 2,600 people.

<!--NOTE: Please do not add any more names to this list. The list is only meant to be a sampling, not an exhaustive list. If you want to add another name, take one off. Just try to keep on the list the most notable acts that also reflect the variety of performers who appear at the venue. Thank you.-->Since its rebranding, many notable acts performed at the venue, including: [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Tove Lo]], [[The Black Crowes]], [[Oasis]], [[Adele]], [[Eminem]], [[Kendrick Lamar]], [[Robbie Williams]], [[Alice in Chains]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] & [[The New Power Generation]], [[Lana delDel Rey]], [[Babymetal]], and Atlanta's own [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]], and [[Blackberry Smoke]].

Along with music concerts, the venue also holds many comedy tours annually including [[Bob Saget]], [[Lisa Lampanelli]], [[Cheech & Chong]] and [[Stephen Lynch (musician)|Stephen Lynch]]. Dave Chappelle recorded his award winning special “Sticks and Stones” at the venue.

Dr. [[Len G. Broughton]] was recruited from [[Virginia]] to become pastor of Third Baptist Church in Atlanta in March 1898. Within a year he had founded a new Baptist Tabernacle church on the southwest corner of Luckie and Harris streets (now the middle of [[Centennial Olympic Park]]).<ref name="Garrett">{{Citation | last=Garrett | first=Franklin Miller | authorlinkauthor-link=Franklin Garrett | year=1954| title=Atlanta and Environs: A Chronicle of Its People and Events, Volume II | publisher=[[University of Georgia Press]] | location=Athens, Georgia | pages=378–379 | oclc= 191446 | isbn=0-8203-0263-5}}</ref> Rev. Broughton was closely associated with the church in its early years, leading the local press to refer to it as "Broughton's Tabernacle," though this was never the official name of the church or any of its buildings.<ref>{{Citation | title=Tabernacle Planning for Tenth Anniversary: Birthday of First Baptist Church Will Be Celebrated by Congregation | newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution | date=March 3, 1909 | volume=XLI | issue=261 | page=6 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35364090/tabernacle_planning_for_tenth/ | access-date=August 28, 2019 | dead-url-status=nolive | archive-date=August 28, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828152719/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35364090/tabernacle_planning_for_tenth/ | via=[[newspapers.com]] }}</ref> The new church was quite successful and had to be expanded several times to accommodate growth.<ref name="FBMeyer">{{Citation | title=Rev. Len G. Broughton D.D.: An Appreciation | first=Rev. F.B. | last=Meyer | authorlinkauthor-link=Frederick Brotherton Meyer | journal=Record of Christian Work | volume=XXIX | issue=5 | date=May 1910 | pages=308–310 | issn=0364-4855 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CmISnRECTE0C&pgq=PA308Broughton&vqpg=BroughtonPA308 | accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-27 }}</ref>

[[File:TabernacleAtlantaCornerstone.JPG|left|thumb|200px|The cornerstone of the building, placed March 1910|alt=A white stone block inscribed with "BAPTIST TABERNACLE AND INSTITUTE BUILDING. 1910. LEN G. BROUGHTON, FOUNDER."]]

Seeing the need for further growth, Broughton sought another location closer to the center of town, which led to the current property on Luckie St. However his Board of Deacons found the price too high and declined to buy it. As a result, Broughton himself and a few of his deacons bought the property<ref name="Garrett"/> on July 7, 1906, and gave it to the church. ''[[The Atlanta Constitution]]'' reported the $52,000 transaction on its front page, reporting it as "one of the most important real estate and church transactions ever made in Atlanta" and described an auditorium "eight or ten stories in height" and estimated construction cost at $250,000.<ref>{{Citation | title=Big Auditorium Is Planned By the Baptist Tabernacle at a Total Cost of $300,000 | newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution | date=July 9, 1906 | volume=XXXIX | issue=24 | page=1 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35364261/big_auditorium_is_planned_by_the/ | access-date=August 28, 2019 | dead-url-status=nolive | archive-date=August 28, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828153426/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35364261/big_auditorium_is_planned_by_the/ | via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

The building was designed by noted [[Chattanooga, Tennessee|Chattanooga]] architect [[Reuben Harrison Hunt]],<ref name="Megachurch"/> along with three other buildings for the same site including a nurses dormitory and a hospital building. (None of these other buildings survive to the present day). The plans were revealed in November 1907 and depict a church building somewhat larger than what was finally constructed, extending all the way to the corner of Luckie and Spring Street (see photo).<ref>{{Citation | title=Plans Accepted for Tabernacle; Work Will Begin | newspaper=[[The Atlanta Georgian]] and News | date=November 8, 1907 | volume=VI | issue=82 | page=7 | url=http://atlnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/atlnewspapers-j2k/view?docId=bookreader/aga/aga1907/aga1907-4377.mets.xml;query=Tabernacle;brand=atlnewspapers-j2k-brand#page/n0/mode/1up | accessdateaccess-date=April 8, 2010 }}</ref>

Ground-breaking ceremonies were held for the new building on August 17, 1909, at which time the construction cost had been revised to $125,000. At the time the membership of the church was 1,850 (up from 350 at its founding ten years before). Broughton, who was preaching at [[Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church]] at the time, was not present at the ground-breaking.<ref>{{Citation | title=Dirt Is Broken For Tabernacle : Appropriate Ceremonies Held on Luckie St. Lot | newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution | date=August 18, 1909 | volume=XLII | issue=64 | page=7 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35364486/dirt_is_broken_for_tabernacle/ | access-date=August 28, 2019 | dead-url-status=nolive | archive-date=August 28, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828154100/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35364486/dirt_is_broken_for_tabernacle/ | via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

The cornerstone for the building was laid at the end of the 1910 Bible Conference held at the church. Immediately after a sermon by [[Frederick Brotherton Meyer|F. B. Meyer]] on March 9, 1910, an "immense crowd" adjourned to the construction site. Meyer said at the ceremony, "I believe that this will be a historic occasion, not only in the history of the church but not unworthy to be chronicled in the history of this great and beautiful city." [[Paul Dwight Moody]] (son of [[D. L. Moody]]) also spoke at the ceremony. Broughton placed some papers in the stone including that day's program, the membership roll of the church and a list of officers. He capped the stone and sealed it with mortar.<ref>{{cite news | title=Tabernacle Cornerstone Is Placed In Position Before Immense Crowd | newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution | date=March 10, 1910 | volume=XLII | issue=268 | page=4 | postscript=<!--none--> | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34941149/tabernacle_cornerstone_is_placed_in/ | access-date=August 15, 2019 | via=newspapers.com |dead-url-status=nolive | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815231751/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34941149/tabernacle_cornerstone_is_placed_in/ | archive-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>

The structure measures 147 by 130 feet with an exterior of red brick trimmed by granite. The style is [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] with [[Ionic order|Ionic columns]] and arches on the facade.<ref name="Megachurch">{{Citation | title=From Meetinghouse to Megachurch: A Material and Cultural History | firstfirst1=Anne C. | lastlast1=Loveland | first2=Otis B. | last2=Wheeler | pages=91–93 | location=[[Columbia, Missouri]] | publisher=University of Missouri Press | year=2003 | isbn=0-8262-1480-0 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2SjXNHvt3AIC&pg=PA91&lpg=PA91&dqq=tabernacle+broughton+architect&pg=PA91 | accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-28 }}</ref> The auditorium would seat 4,000 people (including the galleries) and the [[Sunday school]] facilities below could seat 3,000. The rostrum could accommodate a chorus of 500 people and featured a [[pipe organ]] that cost $15,000. The original planned opening was in May 1911,<ref>{{Citation | title=New Baptist Tabernacle, Modern and Elegant, Will Be Opened May 31; Old Church For Sale | newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution | date=January 27, 1911 }}</ref> but this was eventually delayed.

On the very first day in the new building, Broughton gave a sermon criticizing local politicians for standing in the way of [[prohibition]].<ref name="AC19110904"/> Aside from the [[temperance movement]], Broughton was outspoken on other political issues, and over the coming years he would have guest speakers appear at the Tabernacle toward this end. These included (then Vice President elect) [[Calvin Coolidge]],<ref>{{Citation | title=Coolidge Arrives Today to Attend Tariff Congress | newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution | date=January 26, 1921 | page=1 | url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/515871752.html?dids=515871752:515871752&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Jan+26,+1921&author=&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution&desc=COOLIDGE+ARRIVES+TODAY+TO+ATTEND+TARIFF+CONGRESS&pqatl=google | accessdatearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021215239/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/515871752.html?dids=515871752:515871752&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Jan+26,+1921&author=&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution&desc=COOLIDGE+ARRIVES+TODAY+TO+ATTEND+TARIFF+CONGRESS&pqatl=google | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 21, 2012 | access-date=2009-01-28 }}</ref> [[Frank Hanly]]<ref>{{Citation | title=Hanly Declares He Hates Liquor | newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution | date=March 13, 1915 | page=7 | url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/553002262.html?dids=553002262:553002262&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Mar+13,+1915&author=&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution&desc=HANLY+DECLARES+HE+HATES+LIQUOR&pqatl=google | accessdatearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525155355/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/553002262.html?dids=553002262:553002262&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Mar+13,+1915&author=&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution&desc=HANLY+DECLARES+HE+HATES+LIQUOR&pqatl=google | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 25, 2011 | access-date=2009-01-28 }}</ref> and others. Guest religious speakers appeared as well, including [[Russell Conwell]],<ref name="Garrett"/> [[G. Campbell Morgan]]<ref>{{Citation | title=New Tabernacle Praised by Dr. Campbell Morgan | newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution | date=September 10, 1911 | volume=XLIV | issue=87 | page=4A | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55427616/new-tabernacle-praised-by-dr-campbell/ | access-date=July 15, 2020 | via=newspapers.com }}</ref> [[Billy Sunday]]<ref>{{Citation | title=Rev. Billy Sunday to Visit Atlanta | newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution | date=October 4, 1926 | page=1 | url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/854431002.html?dids=854431002:854431002&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Oct+04,+1926&author=&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution&desc=REV.+BILLY+SUNDAY+TO+VISIT+ATLANTA&pqatl=google | accessdatearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525155859/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/854431002.html?dids=854431002:854431002&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Oct+04,+1926&author=&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution&desc=REV.+BILLY+SUNDAY+TO+VISIT+ATLANTA&pqatl=google | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 25, 2011 | access-date=2009-01-28 }}</ref> and [[George Washington Truett]].<ref>{{Citation | title=Truett to Speak at Tabernacle Bible Meeting | newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution | date=June 5, 1927 | page=11 | url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/855810432.html?dids=855810432:855810432&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Jun+05,+1927&author=&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution&desc=TRUETT+TO+SPEAK+AT+TABERNACLE+BIBLE+MEETING&pqatl=google | accessdatearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525155924/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/ajc_historic/access/855810432.html?dids=855810432:855810432&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Jun+05,+1927&author=&pub=The+Atlanta+Constitution&desc=TRUETT+TO+SPEAK+AT+TABERNACLE+BIBLE+MEETING&pqatl=google | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 25, 2011 | access-date=2009-01-28 }}</ref>

The congregation reached its peak in the 1950s with a membership of over 3,000. However, the phenomenon of [[white flight]] caused the church to go into decline in the decades afterward. By the 1980s, attendance at the church had dwindled to around 500, and it had trouble attracting a permanent pastor.<ref>{{Citation | title=Tabernacle Turns 90, Seeks Pastor To Spur Renewal | author=Niebuhr, Gustav | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | date=November 13, 1988 | page=1C,9C | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26979727/the-atlanta-constitution/ | via=newspapers.com |access-date=June 2, 2020 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602165402/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26979727/the-atlanta-constitution/ | archive-date=June 2, 2020 }}</ref>

An attempt by the city government to give the building historic status was resisted in 1989, the members citing a loan plan necessary to ensure the survival of the church.<ref>{{Citation | title=Tabernacle Says 'Historic' Status Will Ensure Its Demise | author=Cordell, Actor | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Intown Extra | date=November 16, 1989 | page=5D | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55427818/tabernacle-says-historic-status-will/ |access-date=July 15, 2020 | via=newspapers.com }}</ref> The congregation's troubles continued after that, leading a later pastor to attempt a [[Fasting|fast]] to encourage donations to save the church. (At this time the church was making ends meet via revenue from the two adjacent parking lots which it owned).<ref>{{Citation | title=Minister is fasting for financial deliverance | author=Cordell, Actor | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Intown Extra | date=January 3, 1991 | page=4E | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55428002/minister-is-fasting-for-financial/ | access-date=July 15, 2020 | via=newspapers.com }}</ref> These efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. In December 1991 the congregation, then numbering about 100, voted to cease having services there and ordered the trustees to find a buyer for the building.<ref>{{Citation | title=Faithful to the end: The remaining members of Luckie Street church agree it's time to close up | author=Laccetti, Susan | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | date=February 22, 1992 | page=6EE6 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55428243/faithful-to-the-end/ | access-date=July 15, 2020 | via=newspapers.com }}</ref>

The building's history as a church ended on Friday, October 14, 1994 when it was sold (along with the offices and the two parking lots) for $2.2 million to a group of investors led by James B. Cumming who intended to redevelop the area in conjunction with the [[1996 Summer Olympics]]. Its position just across from Centennial Olympic Park made it very attractive as a potential Olympic entertainment venue.<ref>{{Citation | url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADA14DB9C38422&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | title=Historic downtown church sold to Olympic investors | first=Sallye | last=Salter | newspaper=Atlanta Journal & Constitution | page=C-1 | date=October 15, 1994 | accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-27 }}</ref>

At least two different teams attempted to develop the building as a venue for the Olympics with little success.<ref>{{Citation | title=Business Report - Commercial Real Estate - New team heading Tabernacle project | last=Salter | first=Sallye | date=May 14, 1995 | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution | page=D-2 | url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/AT/lib00003,0EADA1C5973D3ADD.html | accessdateaccess-date=2009-02-02 }}</ref> As the event approached, it looked for a time that no deal would come together. Then, in April 1996, [[Isaac Tigrett]] visited Atlanta with other investors and cut a deal to open a [[House of Blues]] in the building in time for the Olympics. Prior to this, Atlanta had not been a planned expansion location for House of Blues.<ref name="ABC">{{Citation | title=Courtship with House of Blues was just a fling | first=Michael | last=Hinkelman | date=August 23, 1996 | newspaper=[[Atlanta Business Chronicle]] | page= | url=http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/1996/08/26/editorial1.html | accessdateaccess-date=August 10, 2009 }}</ref> Tigrett gave his partner Lance Sterling the go-ahead for the project with only 45 days available, even after Sterling had told him even 60 days was too short a time. Despite this short lead time, the venue was ready when the Olympics opened in July 1996.<ref name="SaportaSterling">{{Citation | title=Cash flow intact, Tabernacle ready to roll | last=Saporta | first=Maria | date=March 27, 1998 | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution | page=H-3 | url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/AT/lib00003,0EADA3A4A6686ABD.html | accessdateaccess-date=2009-02-02 }}</ref>

The first act to perform (on July 19 & 20) was [[The Blues Brothers]] (with [[Dan Aykroyd]], [[James Belushi]] and [[John Goodman]])'<ref name="HOB_PR">{{Citation | title=Press Release: House of Blues at the Centennial Summer Olympics in Atlanta | publisher=House of Blues | date=July 10, 1996 | url=http://www.hob.com/aboutHOB/press/pressreleases/index.asp?pid=489 | accessdateaccess-date=2009-02-03 }}</ref> along with featured performers such as [[James Cotton]], [[Luther Johnson (Guitar Junior)|Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson]], [[Booker T. & the M.G.'s]], [[Eddie Floyd]], Tommy "Pipes" McDonald, [[Billy Boy Arnold]] and [[Paul Shaffer]].<ref name="Deseret">{{Citation | title=Atlanta Groovin' to the Beat of House of Blues, Other Hot Sounds | newspaper=Deseret News | date=July 24, 1996 | firstfirst1=Chris | lastlast1=Hicks | first2=Scott | last2=Iwasaki | url=https://www.deseret.com/1996/7/24/19256159/atlanta-groovin-to-the-beat-of-house-of-blues-other-hot-sounds | accessdateaccess-date=August 28, 2019 }}</ref> Other well-known performers during the Olympic run included [[James Brown]], [[Johnny Cash]], [[Al Green]] and [[Jerry Lee Lewis]].<ref name="ThenAndNow">{{Citation | url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED257A838AB40C9&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | title=Then & Now: A feature examining Atlanta's development | first=Holly | last=Crenshaw | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | date=July 9, 2001 | page=3-E | accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-27 }}</ref> Lesser-known acts who appeared included [[Burning Spear]], [[Johnny Clegg]] and [[Juluka]], [[Third World (band)|Third World]], [[Tito Puente]] and His Latin Jazz All-Stars, and [[Celia Cruz]].<ref name="AJC19960727">{{Citation | title=In Concert | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal / The Atlanta Constitution Leisure Guide | pages=16–17 | date=July 27, 1996 | noppno-pp=yes }}</ref> At the close of the Olympics, [[Bob Dylan]] performed two shows on August 3 & 4.<ref name="AJC19960803">{{Citation | title=In Concert | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal / The Atlanta Constitution Leisure Guide | pages=12 | date=August 3, 1996 | noppno-pp=yes }}</ref>

Civic leaders in Atlanta had high hopes that House of Blues would continue as a permanent downtown attraction, especially when the lease was extended through January 1997. But immediately after the Olympics were finished, word came that it would shut down.<ref>{{Citation | title=Future uncertain for two nightlife attractions - House of Blues is considering closing at the end of the month; "Pomp Duck and Circumstance" plans to reopen in September with a scaled-back show. | author=Salter, Sallye | author2=DeVault, Russ | date=August 9, 1996 | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution | page=F-1 | url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/AT/lib00003,0EADA2A02866963B.html | accessdateaccess-date=2009-02-02 }}</ref> Efforts were launched to convince Tigrett to continue in Atlanta, but the local investment money he insisted upon ($4 million by some accounts<ref name="HallOates"/>) could not be found.<ref name="ABC"/>

Some concerts were held at the venue under the House of Blues name beginning in 1997 through the efforts of Lance Sterling.<ref name="SaportaSterling"/> The trial run began on Wednesday, November 12, 1997, with a concert by [[Hall & Oates]].<ref name="HallOates">{{Citation | title=Hall & Oates begin trial run for reopened House of Blues | author=Longino, Miriam | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | page=C8 | date=November 13, 1997 }}</ref> House of Blues ended its relationship with Atlanta when its lease expired for the last time in January 1998. City leaders continued negotiations with Sterling, who said "This is the premier venue in the Southeast. I am personally committed to making downtown Atlanta a venue, and I'm calling everybody I know to make this happen."<ref>{{Citation | title=House of Blues won't call Atlanta home | last=Saporta | first=Maria | date=January 15, 1998 | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal | page=C-2 | url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/AT/lib00003,0EADA3888CD0C155.html | accessdateaccess-date=2009-02-02 }}</ref>

On March 11, 1998, Lance Sterling announced that he had entered into a 30-year lease agreement and was investing $2 million of his own money to develop the building. The venue was renamed Tabernacle at this time, affectionately called "The Tabby".{{cn|date=November 2011}} The reopening was set for March 28, the same day that Centennial Olympic Park was set to reopen across the street.<ref>{{Citation | title=Former House of Blues reopening in downtown as the Tabernacle | last=Saporta | first=Maria | date=March 12, 1998 | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution | page=F-2 | url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/AT/lib00003,0EADA39E998BCCAC.html | accessdateaccess-date=2009-02-02 }}</ref> The Tabernacle operated as a successful concert venue under Sterling's management for almost two years.

Eventually Sterling (whose home is in California) found the business was conflicting with his family life. "I would spend a week there and a week home. It was just too much," he said.<ref>{{Citation | title=Canyon Club fills entertainment void | date=March 8, 2001 | newspaper=The Acorn | page= | url=http://www.theacorn.com/news/2001-03-08/On_the%3Cbr%3ETown/Canyon_Club_fills_entertainment_void.html | accessdateaccess-date=August 10, 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-date=July 17, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717020544/http://www.theacorn.com/news/2001-03-08/On_the%3Cbr%3ETown/Canyon_Club_fills_entertainment_void.html }}</ref> He sold his interest in the building to SFX Entertainment (now Live Nation) on December 17, 1999.

At the same time as the SFX sale, local music promoters Alex Cooley and Peter Conlon announced that they would move their Cotton Club to the basement of the building (the former Sunday school room) as an additional feature of the venue.<ref>{{Citation | title=Tabernacle sold; Cotton Club moving in | last=DeVault | first=Russ | date=December 18, 1999 | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution | page=E1 | url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/AT/lib00003,0EADA4D1B116EAB7.html | accessdateaccess-date=2009-02-02 }}</ref> Cotton Club reopened Friday, February 11, 2000 with a show by [[Staind]].<ref>{{Citation | title=Cotton Club reopens doors at Tabernacle | date=February 9, 2000 | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution | page=B2 | url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADA4FB1327CE72&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM | accessdateaccess-date=2009-02-02 }}</ref> Cotton Club operated in the lower level of the Tabernacle until November 20, 2004. The last performer was [[Helmet (band)|Helmet]].<ref>{{Citation | title=It'll soon be curtains for the Cotton Club | date=October 15, 2004 | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution | page= }}</ref>

The Tabernacle continues as a major concert venue in Atlanta into 2013. [[Conan O'Brien]] hosted a week of ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]'' shows at the Tabernacle from April 1 to 4, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://teamcoco.com/Atlanta |title=CONAN Live From Atlanta - Team Coco invaded Atlanta for a week of shows, April 1-4, 2013 |website=[[Team coco]] |accessdateaccess-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Heavily damaged building next to Centennial Olympic Park after 14 March 2008 Downtown Atlanta storm.JPG|right|thumb|200px|The Tabernacle is in the background to the left in this photo of tornado damage.|Debris including knocked-down signs are scattered on the street with the Tabernacle building in the background.]]

{{seeSee also|2008 Atlanta tornado}}

On March 14, 2008, the Tabernacle sustained extensive damage when a [[tornado]] tore through downtown Atlanta. Windows were blown out and the roof was severely damaged. A broken water pipe caused additional damage.<ref name="ajclandmarks">{{Citation | url=http://www.ajc.com/search/content/news/stories/2008/03/16/landmark0316.html | title=Atlanta Tornado: The Aftermath: Landmarks Take a Hit | author=Cook, Rhonda Cook | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution | date=March 16, 2008 | accessdateaccess-date=August 10, 2009 |display-authors=etal}}</ref> It was the first tornado to hit the downtown area since weather record keeping began in late 1878, or unofficially at any time in the city's history.<ref

name="ajctornado">{{Citation | url=http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/03/14/domeburst_0315.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab | title=Friday tornado pummels downtown; Saturday storm kills 2 | author=Eberly, Tim | author2=Shea, Paul | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution | date=March 15, 2008 | accessdateaccess-date=August 10, 2009 }}</ref>

name="ajcevacuation">{{Citation | url=http://www.ajc.com/news/news/the-tabernacle-evacuated-due-to-shaky-floors/ndHTG/ | title=Downtown Atlanta concert hall evacuated amid reports of cracked floor | author=Stevens, Alexis | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal and Constitution | date=February 7, 2014 | accessdateaccess-date=February 8, 2014}}</ref>

The Tabernacle has been named one of the best concert venues in the nation by ''[[Rolling Stone]]'',<ref name=rollingstone>{{cite web|title=The Best Big Rooms in America | date=April 25, 2013 | author=Knopper, Steve | website=Rolling Stone | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-best-big-rooms-in-america-20130425/the-tabernacle-in-atlanta-19691231 | access-date=May 9, 2017 }}</ref> ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' magazine<ref>{{Citation | url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2007/05/americas-40-best-music-venues.html | title=America's 40 Best Music Venues | newspaper=Paste Magazine | issue=32 | date=June 2007 | accessdateaccess-date=August 10, 2009 }}</ref> and ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref name="USAToday"/>

* [[The Technique]] Best of Tech: 2003 Best Concert Venue<ref>{{Citation | url=http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/7918 | title=Best of Tech | date=April 18, 2003 | newspaper=The Technique: The Best and Worst of Tech | publisher=Georgia Institute of Technology | volume=88 | issue=31 | page=6 | oclc=7644360 | accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-24 }}</ref>

* [[Creative Loafing (Atlanta)|Creative Loafing]] 2003 Best New Use for an Old Building - TIE (Readers' Pick)<ref>{{Citation | url=http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/readers_picks/Content?oid=13623 | title=Best of Atlanta 2003: Readers' Picks | date=September 25, 2003 | newspaper=Creative Loafing | publisher=Eason Publications | volume=32 | issue=20 | issn=0889-8685 | accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-24 }}</ref>

* Creative Loafing 2004 Best Concert Venue (Citizens' Choice)<ref>{{Citation | url=http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid:16979 | title=Best of Atlanta 2004 : Citizen's Choice | date=September 30, 2004 | newspaper=Creative Loafing | publisher=Eason Publications | volume=33 | issue=21 | issn=0889-8685 | accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-24 }}</ref>

* [[Access Atlanta]] Best of the Big A: 2005 Best Live Music Club<ref>{{Citation | url=http://www.accessatlanta.com/bestof/content/bestof/2005/winner_livemusic.html | title=Best of Big A 2005: Best Live Music Club | newspaper=Access Atlanta | publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution | access-date= | volume= | issue= | page= | accessdate=2009-01-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927112803/http://www.accessatlanta.com/bestof/content/bestof/2005/winner_livemusic.html | archive-date=2008-09-27 | dead-url-status=yesdead }}</ref>

* The Technique Best of Tech: 2006 Best Concert Venue<ref>{{Citation | url=http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/9533 | title=Best of Tech | date=April 21, 2006 | newspaper=The Technique: The Best and Worst of Tech | publisher=Georgia Institute of Technology | volume=91 | issue=29 | page=5 | oclc=7644360 | accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-24 }}</ref>

* Creative Loafing 2006 Best Concert Venue (Readers' Pick)<ref>{{Citation | url=http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid:272865 | title=After Dark Reader picks: Best of Atlanta 2006 | date=September 27, 2006 | newspaper=Creative Loafing | publisher=Eason Publications | volume=35 | issue=21 | issn=0889-8685 | accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-24 }}</ref>

* The Technique Best of Tech: 2007 Best Concert Venue<ref>{{Citation | url=http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/14396 | title=Best of Tech | date=April 20, 2007 | newspaper=The Technique: The Best and Worst of Tech | publisher=Georgia Institute of Technology | volume=92 | issue=30 | page=3 | oclc=7644360 | accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-24 }}</ref>

* The Technique Best of Tech: 2009 Best Concert Venue (Student Pick)<ref>{{Citation | url=http://smartech.gatech.edu/handle/1853/28070 | title=Best & Worst of Food & Entertainment | date=April 17, 2009 | newspaper=The Technique: The Best and Worst of Tech | publisher=Georgia Institute of Technology | volume=94 | issue=30 | page=6 | oclc=7644360 | accessdateaccess-date=August 13, 2009 }}</ref>

* Creative Loafing 2010 Best Concert Venue (Reader Pick)<ref>{{Citation | url=http://clatl.com/atlanta/BestOf?oid=1996784&feature=1390834 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005021133/http://clatl.com/atlanta/BestOf?oid=1996784&feature=1390834 | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 5, 2012 | title=Creative Loafing Atlanta - Best of Atlanta 2010 - After Dark - Best concert venue - Reader Pick | date=September 23, 2010 | newspaper=Creative Loafing | volume=39 | issue=21 | issn=0889-8685 | accessdateaccess-date=September 27, 2010 }}</ref>

* [[House Of Blues]]