_LI-200px.jpg)
Peggy Kaltenbach.
Peggy Klein Kaltenbach, (Margaret Helen Klein) passed away on Dec. 12. With her husband Bob, Kaltenbach built Klein's Attractions entertainment business.
Kaltenbach was born December 10, 1924 in New Brighton, Pa., and passed away in Barrington, Ill. Kaltenbach ’s journey into the world of entertainment began at a young age. Her parents started a small talent booking agency in 1930 from their home in Ohio. Even as a small girl, Kaltenbach worked alongside her parents learning the business of booking and producing shows that quickly would become her life’s work and passion.
Whether performing on stage, or working behind the scenes, she learned all aspects of the business. As the company, Klein’s Attractions, grew, it quickly became one of the fastest growing talent agencies in Ohio and the surrounding states, specializing in providing all types of entertainment for state fairs, county fairs, and festivals.
Kaltenbach and husband Bob worked side by side building Klein’s Attractions into what would eventually become one of the most successful and most respected agencies in the entertainment industry. As the outdoor entertainment business changed and concerts became more the norm, Kaltenbach was instrumental in bringing some of the biggest artists in the world to fairs and festivals nationwide. Kaltenbach worked alongside artists as diverse as Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Johnny Cash, The Oak Ridge Boys, Boots Randolph and The Charlie Daniels Band for decades.
Following her husband’s death in 1993, Kaltenbach continued to work day to day in the business alongside her son and his family until her retirement at 85 years old in 2010. Even after retirement, Kaltenbach’s guidance and expertise helped shape the family business – now known as Klein’s Entertainment – as it heads into its 88th year of operation, now spanning four generations (daughter Katie has recently joined the company) of family involvement. Over the years, Kaltenbach was a member of many industry organizations such as the Academy of Country Music (ACM), The Country Music Association (CMA), The International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), The International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA), The Ohio Fair Managers Association (OFMA) as well as many other individual state fair and festival associations. Kaltenbach and her husabnd were inducted into the IEBA Hall Of Fame in 2014 and Kaltenbach was inducted into the OFMA Hall of Fame in 2010.
“She was a true role model demonstrating for many, many years that a woman could have a successful career and still be a kind, caring human being,” said nephew John Siehl, VenuWorks VP. “My Aunt’s infectious smile and distinctive laughter will be greatly missed.