photo_cameraJason Legassie
Promoters
Jason Legassie Launches Off The Rails Presents in US
The new independent concert promotion company will oversee bookings at two Massachusetts venues, including the recently opened 400-capacity Off The Rails Boston, with plans to expand its activities nationwide.
Veteran US concert promoter Jason Legassie has launched Off The Rails Presents (OTR Presents), a new Massachusetts-based independent promotion company that will handle concert programming at Off The Rails venues in Boston and Worcester, as well as pursue booking and co-promotion opportunities across the United States.
Legassie will serve as vice president and operating partner alongside co-founder Chris Besaw, who was responsible for securing and renovating the new Boston venue and will oversee its operations.
According to the announcement, OTR Presents will have exclusive responsibility for programming the existing Off The Rails properties and any future venues developed under the brand. The company also intends to work with independent promoters, venue operators and other partners nationwide.
New Boston Venue Opens
The company`s expansion comes alongside the opening of Off The Rails Boston, a new 400-capacity live music venue at 25 School Street in the city`s Downtown Crossing district.
The venue occupies the former Scholars American Bistro & Cocktail Lounge, which closed in May 2026 after approximately 15 years in operation.
The property has been converted into a Nashville-inspired live entertainment venue, combining concerts with a restaurant, bar and nightlife activities.
The two-level premises feature a standing-room concert floor, a stage with a full LED wall and an upstairs mezzanine lounge overlooking the performance area. The venue focuses primarily on country, Americana and rock artists, while also hosting other music genres and private events.
Off The Rails Boston began presenting concerts in October, including performances by Giovannie and the Hired Guns and 12/OC.
Its opening season also includes Lazarus, Louie Bello, Eddie and the Getaway, Chayce Beckham, and The Wolff Sisters with Griffin William Sherry.
Established Worcester Operation
The new promotion company will also programme Off The Rails Worcester, a 600-capacity venue at 90 Commercial Street in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts.
The original Off The Rails restaurant and bar opened in July 2021, followed by a purpose-built music venue in May 2022.
Developed by businessman Cliff Rucker, with Besaw as managing partner, the project was designed to bring a Nashville-style live entertainment concept to downtown Worcester.
The venue features a 20-by-30-foot stage, professional sound and lighting systems, a dance floor, bar facilities and large garage doors connecting the indoor concert space with the outdoor area.
It has hosted local and nationally touring artists, particularly within country, Americana and rock. Sawyer Brown and Ricky Duran were among the performers featured during its opening weekend in 2022.
Located near the DCU Center and Worcester Palladium, Off The Rails Worcester forms part of the city`s wider live entertainment district.
Both Off The Rails venues are associated with Rucker`s hospitality and entertainment interests, with Besaw playing a central role in their development and operation.
Legassie Targets National Expansion
Legassie brings extensive experience in concert promotion and talent buying in the northeastern United States.
He began organising shows in southern Maine and the New Hampshire Seacoast during his early teens, before moving into professional concert promotion and booking.
His career has included work with Portland`s Port City Music Hall and Waterfront Concerts, followed by a position at MassConcerts, the independent promotion company associated with John Peters.
With OTR Presents, Legassie intends to develop a wider independent concert promotion business, combining the company`s own venue programming with third-party bookings and partnerships.
“I am thrilled for this latest challenge in my career and eager to build OTR Presents from the ground up into something truly special,” Legassie said.
“OTR Presents is open for business, not just in the Northeast but nationwide. We look forward to talking with every other independent promoter and building manager out there to create lasting relationships for the next generation of concert promoters.”