# MUSIC CITY MULTI CON 2021 **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2021-11-07 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2021/11/07/music-city-multi-con-2021 --- ## Analysis Music City Multi Con 2021 was a three-day event (October 29-31) held at the Farm Bureau Expo Center in Lebanon, Tennessee that combined pinball, arcade gaming, board games, comic books, cosplay, and pop culture collectibles. The event featured newly released Stern Godzilla machines on free play, a curated selection of classic and modern pinball games, competitive tournaments (STRIKES and Matchplay formats with IFPA points), eSports competitions, vendor booths, seminars, and entertainment. The organizer David Corrigan reimagined the traditional Grand Ole Gameroom Expo as a broader 'Multi Con' to appeal to diverse audiences following the 2020 pandemic cancellation. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Four fresh Stern Godzilla machines were first games the author had seen 'in the wild' — _Direct observation at Music City Multi Con 2021; author notes 'These were the first Godzilla games that I have seen in the wild'_ - [HIGH] Godzilla multiball gameplay is 'truly crazy' with high scoring potential if balls stay in play — _Direct gameplay observation: 'I can also report that the multiball on these games is truly crazy. If you can manage to keep the balls in play during multiball, a very large number of points can be scored.'_ - [MEDIUM] Grand OGRE Pinball Tournament is the largest pinball tournament in the USA Mid-South — _Event signage claims this distinction; no independent verification provided_ - [HIGH] 472 competitors pre-registered for 12 eSports competitions at the event — _Organizer data cited: 'There were 472 competitors pre-registered for 12 competitions'_ - [HIGH] Event relocation from Maxwell House hotel to Farm Bureau Expo Center was motivated by larger square footage and dedicated parking — _Official reasoning provided in article: 'The new location was selected because of the larger square footage of the main event and exposition hall and also dedicated parking for the show'_ ### Notable Quotes > "These were the first Godzilla games that I have seen 'in the wild' and I have to say that I enjoyed how they play and the flow of the games very much." > — **Article author**, Not specified > _First-hand assessment of newly released Stern Godzilla machines at public event; positive gameplay impression_ > "I can also report that the multiball on these games is truly crazy. If you can manage to keep the balls in play during multiball, a very large number of points can be scored." > — **Article author**, Not specified > _Specific observation about Godzilla game mechanic design and scoring potential_ > "David and his crew are to be congratulated for the exceptional organization for this comeback show for the Nashville area." > — **Article author**, Not specified > _Editorial assessment of event quality and organizer David Corrigan's execution_ > "One of the many laudable features of the pinball and coin-op gaming area was the dedicated 'help desk' with well equipped technicians on hand to diagnose and repair any games needing attention." > — **Article author**, Not specified > _Highlights professional event support infrastructure for game maintenance_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Music City Multi Con 2021 | event | Three-day pinball, arcade, and pop culture convention held October 29-31, 2021 in Lebanon, Tennessee | | David Corrigan | person | Organizer of Music City Multi Con 2021 and previous Grand Ole Gameroom Expo events | | Farm Bureau Expo Center | venue | 79,000 sq. ft. venue in Lebanon, Tennessee used as new home for Music City Multi Con | | Stern Godzilla | game | Recently released Stern pinball machine; four units featured at the event on free play, provided by Tilt Amusements and Pins Mechanical Co | | Grand Ole Gameroom Expo | event | Previous iteration of Nashville pinball/gaming event held at Maxwell House hotel for 3 years; rebranded as Music City Multi Con | | Tilt Amusements | company | Pinball distributor/operator who provided Stern Godzilla machines for the event | | Pins Mechanical Co | company | Nashville-based pinball operator who provided Stern Godzilla machines for the event | | Kumite Games in Tennessee (KIT) | organization | eSports tournament organizer hosting 12 fighting game competitions with 472 pre-registered competitors | | Grand OGRE Pinball Tournament | event | Pinball tournament series held at Music City Multi Con; includes STRIKES (Friday) and Matchplay (Saturday) formats with IFPA points | | IFPA | organization | International Flipper Pinball Association; sanctions pinball tournaments at event | ### Topics - **Primary:** Event management and venue logistics, Stern Godzilla game reception and gameplay, Pinball tournament infrastructure, Pop culture convention diversification - **Secondary:** Post-pandemic event recovery, eSports tournament integration, Arcade game curation and selection ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.85) — Article is consistently favorable toward the event, organizers, and execution. Author expresses clear approval of Godzilla machines, event organization, venue choice, and overall attendee experience. Only minor negative note is weather impact on outdoor entertainment. No criticism of pinball machines or core operations. ### Signals - **[event_signal]** Grand OGRE Pinball Tournament established as signature event series for Mid-South pinball community (confidence: high) — Tournament features STRIKES and Matchplay formats with IFPA points; described as largest pinball tournament in USA Mid-South; results published on IFPA website - **[event_signal]** Music City Multi Con successfully launched as reimagined multi-genre convention combining pinball with board games, comics, cosplay, and collectibles (confidence: high) — Article documents full three-day event with vendor booths, tournaments, seminars, and entertainment across multiple pop culture categories - **[market_signal]** Post-pandemic recovery of Nashville pinball/gaming event market with venue upgrade and format expansion (confidence: high) — Event relocated from Maxwell House hotel to larger 79,000 sq. ft. Farm Bureau Expo Center with dedicated parking; redesigned from single-focus gameroom expo to multi-genre convention - **[announcement]** Stern Godzilla machines presented as recently released product with strong playability and multiball mechanics (confidence: high) — Four fresh-out-of-shipping-crate Stern Godzilla machines displayed; author's direct positive gameplay assessment emphasizes flow and crazy multiball potential --- ## Transcript **Date:** 29th-31st October, 2021 **Location:** Farm Bureau Expo Center, 945 East Baddour Parkway, Lebanon, TN 37087, USA After 3 years of hosting the Grand Ole Gameroom Expo at the Millennium Maxwell House hotel and convention center located in Nashville, TN, it was announced that the 2020 show would be held at the Farm Bureau Exposition Center in Lebanon TN which is a short drive east of Nashville. The new location was selected because of the larger square footage of the main event and exposition hall and also dedicated parking for the show without the need to share the parking area with the hotel. [![The Farm Bureau Expo Center in Lebanon](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/005-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x636.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/005-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) The Farm Bureau Expo Center in Lebanon I’m certain everyone reading this is aware that nearly all pinball, gaming and similar events were shut down in 2020 and the first part of 2021 due to government guidance and health concerns with large gatherings. This led to the cancellation of the Grand Ole Gameroom Expo for 2020. In spite of these obstacles, it did not stop Expo organizer David Corrigan and his intrepid staff of expo volunteers. [![The registration desk](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/014-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x696.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/014-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) The welcoming registration desk David & Co. came up with the brilliant idea of combining the gameroom and gaming elements with allied pastimes and collectibles such as board games, comic books, sci-fi collectibles, cosplay, figure building and other activities drawing from today’s literary and pop culture. The result is the 2021 Music City Multi Con, which was designed to appeal to a large and diverse group of attendees. [![Music City Multi Con](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/001-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x465.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/001-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Music City Multi Con The three day Multi Con took place October 29-31, 2021 in the previously mentioned 79,000 sq. ft. Farm Bureau Expo Center in Lebanon, TN, and the adjacent James E. Ward Agricultural Center. [![PArt of the console gaming area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/004-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/004-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Part of the console gaming area [![More console games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/003-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/003-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) More console games In the vast console gaming area, eSports Tournaments were hosted hosted by Kumite (games) in Tennessee (KIT) with the matches shown on large projection screens with theatre-style seating for spectators. There were 472 competitors pre-registered for 12 competitions. [![The e-sports tournament stage](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/011-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/011-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) The e-sports tournament stage Based on the number of people in the KIT area, I am certain that a vast majority of those pre-registered showed up to compete. The KIT 2021 championship games included: *Guilty Gear Strive*, *Tekken 7*, *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*, *Street Fighter 5*, *Dragon Ball FighterZ*, *Mortal Kombat 11*, *Dead or Alive 6*, *Samurai Showdown*, *Mortal Kombat XL*, *Soul Calibur 6*, *BlazBlue* and *Injustice 2*. Results and more information can be found at [eventhubs.com/news/2021/oct/29/kumite-tennessee-results/](https://www.eventhubs.com/%0Anews/2021/oct/29/kumite-tennessee-results/) and [smash.gg/tournament/kumite-intennessee-2021/details](https://smash.gg/tournament/kumite-intennessee-2021/details). Most KIT 2021 tournaments were live streamed and can now be seen on YouTube. David and his crew are to be congratulated for the exceptional organization for this comeback show for the Nashville area. One of the many laudable features of the pinball and coin-op gaming area was the dedicated ‘help desk’ with well equipped technicians on hand to diagnose and repair any games needing attention. Of particular interest to Pinball News readers were the four fresh-out-of-the-shipping-crate Stern *Godzilla* games set on free play courtesy of [Tilt Amusements](http://tiltamusements.com/) and [Pins Mechanical Co](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2021/06/12/pins-mechanical-company-nashville/). These were the first *Godzilla* games that I have seen ‘in the wild’ and I have to say that I enjoyed how they play and the flow of the games very much. I can also report that the multiball on these games is truly crazy. If you can manage to keep the balls in play during multiball, a very large number of points can be scored. Needless to say, being the newest games in the show, they were busy with players the vast majority of show prime time. [![Four Godzilla games at the start of this row of pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/028-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x709.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/028-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Four Godzilla games at the start of this row of pinballs Other recent games such as *The Munsters*, *Stranger Things*, *The Mandalorian*, *Led Zeppelin*, *Black Knight: Sword of Rage*, and *The Big Lebowski* were available for play. [![Iron Maiden, Voltan, The Big Lebowski, Monday Night Football, Black Rose, Funhouse, Skateball, The Munsters, Playboy, Star Wars and Road Kings](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/017-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x717.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/017-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Iron Maiden, Voltan, The Big Lebowski, Monday Night Football, Black Rose, Funhouse, Skateball, The Munsters, Playboy, Star Wars and Road Kings [![Nascar, Terminator 3, The Incredible Hulk, Breakshot, Firepower II, The X-Files and Space Station](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/016-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x666.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/016-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Nascar, Terminator 3, The Incredible Hulk, Breakshot, Firepower II, The X-Files and Space Station There was also a well curated selection of rare and more common games, both pinball and video, available for show-goers to enjoy. All games were of course set on free play. [![Some of the arcade video games at Multi Con](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/020-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x649.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/020-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Some of the arcade video games at Multi Con [![More of the arcade video games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/021-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x708.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/021-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) More of the arcade video games The Music City Multi Con is the new home of the Grand OGRE Pinball Tournament, which is the largest pinball tournament in the USA Mid-South. Friday was the STRIKES tournament with prizes and IPFA points. Saturday was the Matchplay tournament with prizes and IPFA points. [![Details of the Grand OGRE pinball tournaments](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/010-music-city-multicon-2021-716x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/010-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Details of the Grand OGRE pinball tournaments [![Another Godzilla in the tournaments area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/029-music-city-multicon-2021-768x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/029-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Another Godzilla in the tournaments area alongside The Mandalorian and Rick & Morty The results of the tournaments can be found on the IFPA website for the [Warm-Up Tournament](https://www.ifpapinball.com/tournaments/view.php?t=44526) and the [Matchplay Tournament](https://www.ifpapinball.com/tournaments/view.php?t=43137). A unique feature of Multi Con 2021 was the huge outdoor stages with a music lineup of over forty DJ’s and live bands that played all weekend. The organizers assured that rain or shine the entertainment would go on since the artists and the crowd was covered at the stages. Unfortunately the Carl Weathers did its worst and the weekend of the Multi Con was rainy and cold. Few attendees that I saw ventured out of the warm and dry exposition center to sample the entertainment and food vendors outside. [![Some of the food options at the Farm Bureau Expo Center](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/006-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x632.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/006-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Some of the food options at the Farm Bureau Expo Center [![More of the food options at the Farm Bureau Expo Center](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/008-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x732.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/008-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) More of the food options at the Farm Bureau Expo Center [![More of the food options at the Farm Bureau Expo Center](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/009-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/009-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) More of the food options at the Farm Bureau Expo Center [![Beers, cocktails and sodas were available too](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/007-music-city-multicon-2021-768x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/007-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Beers, cocktails and sodas were available too All three days of the show there was a full slate of presentations and seminars in the two large program rooms. [![Events across the three days of Multi Con](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/019-music-city-multicon-2021-754x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/019-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Events across the three days of Multi Con The program included trivia contests, comic artist roundtable, A children’s costume contest, collecting video games presentation, retro tech, and many more. Saturday evening was dedicated to Cosplay with both competitive judging and seminars on how to improve costume designs to better appeal to judges. There were displays of original LEGO creations, including the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars in 2 different holiday themes. There was an interesting display of figurines from Sci-Fi and Fantasy including the Crimson Horror from Season 7 of Dr. Who. [![A Lego Millennium Falcon](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/012-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/012-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) A Lego Millennium Falcon for Christmas [![More Lego Star Wars with this Hoth scene](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/013-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x697.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/013-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) More Lego Star Wars with this Hoth scene Overall the all-new Music City Multi Con was a great bargain for participants and packed a variety of great pop culture subjects with something virtually for everyone who attended. [![Some of the many vendor stands](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/023-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/023-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Some of the many vendor stands [![Some of the many vendor stands](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/024-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/024-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Some of the many vendor stands [![Some of the many vendor stands](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/025-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x681.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/025-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Some of the many vendor stands [![Some of the many vendor stands](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/026-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/026-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Some of the many vendor stands [![Some of the many vendor stands](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/022-music-city-multicon-2021-1024x729.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/022-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Some of the many vendor stands 2022 Multi Con dates have not yet been announced but I’d strongly suggest that you make plans to attend as soon as they are known. [![Will the 2022 show be on Halloween again?](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/027-music-city-multicon-2021-822x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/music-city-multicon-2021/027-music-city-multicon-2021.jpg) Will the 2022 show be at Halloween again? Keep an eye on the official website, [musiccitymulticon.com](https://musiccitymulticon.com), for updates and 2022 show information. _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 24e56354-cd35-4834-8091-43e21edc6367*