GREENFIELD — Even though he’s an experienced musician, Tony Seiler hates to toot his own horn.
There’s no denying the lifelong Greenfield man, who owns the Greenfield Music Center, has had quite a year.
Over the past 12 months, he’s been hired by both the Greenfield Parks Department and the Riley Festival to oversee a variety of concerts in town.
He’s also been responsible for taking the historic H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts from underused to completely booked within a year’s time.
“Tony is definitely an angel among us,” said Chris Schafer, a local theater director and member of Friends of the Theater, which supports the historic Ricks Centre in downtown Greenfield. “No matter what you need, Tony is there.”
Considered by many to be the saving grace of the once-struggling Ricks theater, Seiler takes all the accolades in stride.
“I don’t do any of this alone. I have lots of help,” he said, but friends say his gift for giving can’t be matched.
Each December, Seiler and his longtime girlfriend, Heather Wornstaff, dress as Santa and Mrs. Claus, delivering gifts to friends throughout the community, stopping by friend’s houses and local spots they frequent, like a local meat market and bank branch.
Greenfield parks director Ellen Kuker was elated to receive a surprise visit from the Claus couple on a recent weekday at the office.
“Tony is just such a great guy,” said Kuker, who has been wowed by his ability to bring so many great musical acts to Greenfield.
Seiler was hired on as a part-time parks employee in 2021, charged with booking musical acts for two concert series at the new Depot Street Park — Live @ the Rails and Entertainment @ Depot Street Park.
Kuker said he not only booked a full lineup, but went above and beyond tracking down both local and nationally known acts, making the first year’s concert series a smashing success. He’s often the first to arrive and the last to leave at each show, where he greets the talent and runs the sound.
“From day one Tony has been a valuable addition to the parks staff,” said Kuker. “We were blown away by his experience, connections and vision for concerts at Depot Street Park. With the park packed concert after concert, it was easy to see Tony knew what he was talking about,” she said, “but it’s his easy going demeanor and modesty that makes him so great to work with. He just wants good things to happen for Greenfield, and it shows.”
Seiler admits that 2022 has been a pretty great year, having been given the opportunity to enhance the local arts scene in so many ways.
“It was a lot to keep track of, but somehow everything went great. I had a lot of help,” he said.
Amy Studabaker, a member of the Friends of the Theater, said Seiler is as well known for his modesty as he is his ability to get things done.
“Tony has been our hero this past year at the Ricks,” said Studabaker, who credits Seiler for turning the theater around.
“The mission of Friends of the Theater is to see the theater continue to be a home for our artistic community, and we’ve been so happy to have Tony work his magic with terrific bookings and wonderful stewardship of the historic venue. It’s obvious he cares deeply for our community,” she said.
Seiler is thrilled to have the opportunity to make a difference in the city he’s always called home.
“Greenfield is really really lucky to have what they have — the Ricks theater, the (Depot Street Park) outdoor venue, a nice movie theater, nice restaurants, and so many great music and theater groups,” he said.
“This town has really got it going on right now, so I think for anyone who lives here, they’re pretty blessed and pretty lucky because they’ve got it all. It’s a good thing,” he said. “You don’t have to leave to go to Indianapolis anymore for entertainment. We’ve got it all right here.”
With a successful year behind him, Seiler is now focused on 2023, actively working to book a number of acts for the Ricks as well as next year’s Riley Festival and Depot Street Park concerts.
“We’ve got a couple fun things coming. It’s going to be really good actually,” said Seiler, who said the Ricks theater is pretty much booked up for 2023, with a wide variety of events including rock concerts, community plays and even an Elvis impersonator lined up for next year.
