Speaker 1 (00:00)
This is the Everybody Else Podcast. ⁓
some details.
Speaker 2 (00:30)
So I'm the director of Victory Theatre. ⁓ My job entails the normal day-to-day operations of the building. ⁓ You know, if there's any issues, we resolve it. If there's any things to be expanded on, ⁓ capital improvement projects. I also do work with the Friends of Victory side of that as well, which is dedicated strictly to the historic aspect of the Victory Theatre only.
⁓ But yeah, so all of that plus ⁓ booking the acts that come in. Taking in local and community rentals and kind of working that out. Also, we're the home stage of the Philharmonic, so I to work around, you know, their schedule. ⁓
Speaker 1 (01:18)
Do they book their own stuff? Are there own dates?
Speaker 2 (01:21)
They
kind of turn them over to us and then there might be a little back and forth here and there or they may need to adjust sometimes for the musicians or the conductor. It depends. You know, all things are fluid in music.
Speaker 1 (01:38)
that. I'm curious about booking. How far, like right now, how far out are you booking? What are you looking like when you're looking at dates? It varies I'm sure but...
Speaker 2 (01:50)
Probably mainly spring of 26 right now or fall, you know, last quarter of 26. That's pretty much where I am now. Although I am taking bookings for 27, which feels weird sometimes.
Speaker 1 (02:05)
Yeah, it's like we don't know what's gonna be going on. So when you start, so like what is like the typical unfolding of a booking? Let's say it's a brand new act you haven't worked with before. Okay. Like where is it beginning? Are they reaching out to you? You're reaching out to them? Where does it all start?
Speaker 2 (02:24)
So
it's a combination. Okay, that's, ⁓ I always explain it like there's three music deals in business pretty much. It's a rental, like they buy us, they say, hey, we're playing the Victory Theater, tell us how much it costs. They agree to it, cool. They play, right? We get the business, it's awesome. ⁓ Then there is, ⁓ you know, a self promote, which is when you purchase them, you say, yo, like,
Speaker 1 (02:42)
Great.
Speaker 2 (02:53)
this band, want you to play here, let me know when you're available, work on schedules, blah de blah. And then there's a co-promotion where of course there's many promoting agencies out there in the business. ⁓ And so I have a various number of partners and that works out because they are a connection to other shows and other contacts in the industry.
You know, and so then you work together on this deal and you split the profit, but you also split the loss. So no one takes on a full hit. So if you're maybe not sure how it's gonna turn out, you know, or you like working with that particular building, you know, things like that, that's how we end up getting shows.
Speaker 1 (03:38)
So what is, when it comes to the victory or like when it comes to you guys specifically, what is an example of each one of those like in recent time that you could think of?
Speaker 2 (03:50)
Okay, so like the Nutcracker is a local, so that's a rental. A self-promote would have been most recently Jason Isbell. Okay. Usually I purchased his show for the first time. Lord, was that 22? 23? 22, this is third time playing. So yeah, had to be 22. Oh, how time flies, it's so weird.
Speaker 1 (03:59)
Bye.
As I say three years ago
Speaker 2 (04:18)
⁓ So that would be a self-promote. I the show. said, hey, I thought this I think this is gonna So then we take the risk right? Okay the whole risk and nothing but the risk ⁓ And then a co-promotion would be ⁓ like say Marcus King ⁓ We did a co-promotion on that one. We had an agency that brought that in it was like hey, I know it's close to New Year's but
Speaker 1 (04:23)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:43)
I still think it's gonna do great. And I was like, yeah, I agree. So we did it and it was, it was a spectacular show.
Speaker 1 (04:50)
So what's the best show for the victory? When does the victory do best? Is it a rental or is it a co-promote? Or does it vary? You know what mean?
Speaker 2 (05:01)
Definitely
varies local rentals are are not always profitable more of a break-even Scenario, but we do that, you know because there are certain programs here in the city that need a little love Yeah, then there's others, you know where we have, know negotiated terms or maybe they've been with us for a while You know, so we try to honor, you know those kind of deals and go kind of we stay with the times though as far as expensive
Speaker 1 (05:28)
Yeah
Speaker 2 (05:29)
⁓ But we try to keep it fair.
Speaker 1 (05:31)
And you guys make money on the do you make additional money on like concessions? certainly like that's where you guys were
Speaker 2 (05:38)
Yeah, that
would be ours to keep and you know in a in like the arena in that scenario Yeah, like that's their bread and butter really food and beverage pays for the party
Speaker 1 (05:48)
Really? Yes. Okay, that's interesting. Well, it's funny. I just went to, what was the most recent? went to Monster Jam with my son. Uh-huh. And I think, I forget how much a beer was, but I bought two of them. Right. And it was like the price of a case, you know? I'm not bitching, I'm just saying. No,
Speaker 2 (06:04)
No, you're right. You're right, that is correct. However, I dare you, I double dog dare you, go to any big city in our radius here and tell me how much the drinks cost there. I bet you we're at least eight to ten dollars less.
Speaker 1 (06:12)
Fucker. ⁓
yeah, think I bought a beer at the Amphitheater in Nashville, whatever it's called. ⁓ Live Nation manages it. I think the beer was 16 bucks. Like a beer. It was like a dollar an ounce basically. So that makes me think, so what is, ⁓ when you're talking to an actor, whenever like first contact is made,
Speaker 2 (06:35)
Yeah, that sounds right.
Speaker 1 (06:49)
At what point does money start getting thrown around? Immediately. That's the first So we're talking dates and money? Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (06:56)
Yes, absolutely. Because obviously those are the two biggest deal breakers and having transparency in those departments is a must.
Speaker 1 (07:04)
And that's expected. sure. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:06)
Yeah, it's like, okay, well I do have this date open, like, you know, where do you want?
Speaker 1 (07:11)
When you when you do you remember when you first made contact with like Jason is Bill's camp ⁓ Do you remember that moment like or do you remember how you started that like i'm curious how you like threw out a lot?
Speaker 2 (07:24)
I do. This is actually probably one of the more epic stories of my business life. I'm glad you picked this one. Yeah, cool. That's fun.
Speaker 1 (07:31)
He's relevant you just play there. That's true. Yeah. ⁓ sorry guitar. I'm sorry
Speaker 2 (07:34)
Okay, so
There's a guitar directly behind my head for those who can't see me at home ⁓ So Jason is built ⁓ There was a patron that had recently recommended it and then I was also into a conversation with my boss and he said hold on I Emailed myself a person's name to tell you to look into and okay, okay
And ⁓ he goes, hold on, I'll find it in a minute. And so we started talking and I go, but what do you think about Jason Isbell? And then click right at that moment. He found that email and he was Jason Isbell. Yeah, perfect. I was like, okay, great. So I can look into this. goes, yeah, go for it. Like, okay, cool. So we have a ⁓ membership that we're in, right? Yeah, you can just look up and see who the agent
Speaker 1 (08:09)
Okay.
base.
Speaker 2 (08:29)
is on the case reported there, right? And so I ended up getting directly in touch with his responsible agent. when I first started, I had a folder called Shoot Your Shot and I still do that, which is where I literally, I will reach out to my dream artists for that building and we'll just be like, shoot your shot, Lord. Like, hey, sell it, you know, we're a beautiful venue, an intimate show, you know, Anyway.
Speaker 1 (08:50)
shot.
Yeah, ugh, yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:59)
Well, it worked on this one. sweet. And dude came back right away and was like, I love that Jason Isbell loves unique rooms. He would prefer to play a smaller, unique room than a bigger, more sterile environment. Hell yes. Right? The victor's got it. Okay. So what's your number? And so then he gives me his number and I'm like, okay. This is really my first major, like in terms of price.
Speaker 1 (09:15)
Okay, yeah.
when you press over
Speaker 2 (09:29)
Price amount.
Speaker 1 (09:29)
it.
Speaker 2 (09:31)
One of the most expensive shows we've bought, you know, in that building. So it's like, OK, like, OK, let me go back to my boss and get a little coaching. I'll come right back to you. Yeah, this is all on email anyway. Yeah. So that I go talk to him and he's like, hey, this is your first one. Just call him to give him this part. And I'm like, all right, cool. So I call him up and I'm like, how about this number, but all in?
Right, but all in. And to sweeten the deal, I'll give you an extra percentage on the back end. So like if it does great and we think it's gonna do great, he is gonna get even more than what you asked for, right?
Speaker 1 (10:10)
Are you saying percentage of tickets or food and beverage or?
Speaker 2 (10:14)
⁓ No, it would be a percentage of the box office, but that's okay. So that varies across artists, right and That number comes into play after all expenses have been covered gotcha Now we're into what we call points like this is bonus time, right? yes, make it rain. Yes. So the artist walks with most of that, you know
Speaker 1 (10:37)
Okay.
Speaker 2 (10:38)
⁓ But it's good if we're able to set up a show where the artist walks in points. It's also, mean, there's a fine line in deal making between everybody getting what they want and one person coming out a little more heavy handed than the other. So you kind of have to walk that line in your numbers as well. But he was like, yeah, well, that sounds great. Let's go. And so within...
Speaker 1 (10:54)
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:05)
72 hours I closed this deal on Jason Isbell and could not believe it. My first six figure show and just, God, freak it out. And of course the first performance was amazing. There were a lot of things that we were really serious about with that show. And we just knocked it out of the park. And so his agent called me when it was time to come back the next time. And then he called me the next time.
know, relationships are definitely a two-way street in business. is who you know. So you do have to get out there a little bit. Sometimes shooting your shot leads you to other fun adventures you didn't think you would get.
Speaker 1 (11:48)
Yeah, I mean did you yeah because you didn't know initially that Jason is Bill loves our intimate unique rooms, correct? You managed a very beautiful room. Yeah, great room. So can you Like at that when you're when you're going back and forth talking to your boss Did he give you a number where he's like don't go over this like how did you how did you come up with the number? Well, you knew what he wanted, but how did you know?
Speaker 2 (11:56)
I had no idea.
Basically I said, here's what he wants, but I'm inclined to give it to him because I want it. And he's like, okay, I hear you, but calm down. come back with this and see what he says. And so I did exactly what he told me to do and it was like absolutely perfect. It was low pressure. I mean, we can always negotiate.
Speaker 1 (12:36)
Yeah, yeah. like, in those moments, do you have a lot of freedom personally to make these decisions? Are they, they're entrusting you, like? Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:47)
I have a lot more now, yes. Obviously if I feel like I'm taking a gamble or I'm unsure about what I'm looking at or maybe I've looked at it for a while and I'm like, I still just don't know. Like then I'll take it to him and be like, okay. What do you think about this?
Speaker 1 (13:03)
What do you
Speaker 2 (13:08)
Cool
you have no idea what I'm talking about. It's okay
Speaker 1 (13:11)
Yeah, yeah. There's like, so now at this point, how long have you been doing this role?
Speaker 2 (13:18)
⁓
I started in April of 22.
Speaker 1 (13:23)
this
role. Okay, so for three years, over three years, you're at this point, you've had, you have your stable, recurring things like
Speaker 2 (13:32)
Well, sure. And I have partners that I work with all the time that are just, you know.
Speaker 1 (13:37)
There's things set in the calendar. What, like today, are you working on any new shows? like, where is your focus at right now when you're looking at the booking landscape for 26, 27? What are you focused on?
Speaker 2 (13:49)
Well, so I have ⁓ a number of shows that are at verbal agreement that have yet to be announced. think at one point earlier in July, I was sitting on like 10 shows that had yet to be announced. I'm not exactly the dates run together. I'm not exactly sure what that number is now, but it's less. Maybe like six, five, six, something like that.
Speaker 1 (14:15)
Is it what's the like split between like music, comedy, other stuff?
Speaker 2 (14:20)
Um, well, so as far as like music is concerned, most of it is music. and then I'd say that's probably 60%. And then 40 % would be, I'd say comedy or other. I've been liking the other category. Like when we did, uh, like psychology of a murderer, when we did that, uh, this past spring, very interesting. Yes.
Speaker 1 (14:37)
Okay.
Did it do well?
it was cool.
Speaker 2 (14:51)
And a really cool event. mean, everyone was really into it. Like all the true crime buffs came out from all around. was neat.
Speaker 1 (14:54)
Yes.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's interesting. Well, that seems like it's interesting. You just said that I was thinking about, just heard, I listened to a podcast called how I built this. It's about entrepreneurship. Ross was saying AI at a quick pace can, can recreate my voice. He said it can't recreate the live experience. He said, I could imagine he was just like talking about that. He's like, I can imagine myself in five years. This might be a mostly live show doing podcasts live. I thought, and somebody told me the other day, it's
It's a podcast like big they like doing like arenas stadiums. with with podcast
Speaker 2 (15:34)
Like Kiltoni would like blow. ⁓
Speaker 1 (15:36)
Yeah, well
in a lot of the podcasts or a lot of the comedians yeah, like and I know that you've had some comedians it like
Speaker 2 (15:41)
that are with him.
I've been shooting my shot on Big Jay Okerson for a while y'all. Yeah, I'm trying so hard.
Speaker 1 (15:50)
⁓ you've
had, you've had like, didn't you have like Tommy...
or Bert Kreischer, did you have Bert Kreischer? At the arena and then Tom Segura at the victory.
Speaker 2 (16:00)
We had Burt Crusher at the arena.
Well, yes, we had Tom twice. And then this last play was at the arena.
Speaker 1 (16:11)
Okay, wow. Is that cool to like graduate? It is.
Speaker 2 (16:16)
It is. It's I actually with Tom Segura, it's funny because ⁓ you know, like I'll know of a comedian, but I might not know all of their stuff. Like maybe I saw him on Comedy Central or I've seen him in a movie. Yes. know, yeah, sure. Bring it. You know? but then there's certain ones where like, I don't know their material and Tom was one of those, you know,
Speaker 1 (16:40)
Cut. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:42)
So I was like, okay, all right, I'm gonna sit down, I'm gonna watch a couple. And so I ended up watching like three of his stand up hours. And I think my favorite one coming out of that was like Ball Hog. And it was so weird, because here I am seeing him on my TV and I'm like getting ready, brushing my teeth while I'm watching the end of a special. I'm getting ready to put all my stuff down, I get my car, I drive six blocks down the road and open the door and pow, he was right there. As soon as I opened the door, I was like, oh.
You were on my TV and now you're here. And he just kind of giggled and we carried on. And it was neat because Tom is exactly the guy that you think he is. He's 100 % trans, but like that's who he is. Ass, as the kids would say. And so me and my boss at the time, we walked him over to the arena because he wanted to see it. And we walked him across the floor, you know, and it's all empty and stuff and he's all looking around.
Speaker 1 (17:25)
Yeah. Dead up. ⁓
Speaker 2 (17:42)
We're like, what do think, Tom? And he's like, I want to be here. And we're like, yes, yes. And ⁓ by damn, he got there, he? I love it.
Speaker 1 (17:49)
I love it.
Yeah, that's badass.
Yeah, that's great. I feel like that's such a cool, ⁓ just like, I don't know, just experience of like having him here for this one for your venue, but then being like, all right, cool. Let's go dream a little bit. And it's right across the street.
Speaker 2 (18:08)
Now welcome to the big time. The
game completely changes when you when you reach that size. And your whole team has changed.
Speaker 1 (18:14)
Yeah, by the end of year.
How does a comed- like when it's coming through the victory, like a comedian's tour, like the setup logistically is very big. Yeah, and you guys provide PA? Yeah. Mostly? So it's like, what do they even- like they roll up in like a little Sprinter van or something? Yeah.
Speaker 2 (18:25)
No, it's minimal.
I usually they just they come with their entourage or if they have flown in, you know We might be kind of shuttling them around for the day ⁓ But yeah, usually they drive themselves in yeah, absolutely
Speaker 1 (18:45)
Okay, pretty chill.
When they fly in, you guys help them with getting their logistics, all that?
Speaker 2 (18:53)
If they have questions, certainly like, what hotel should I stay at? Or what's close to the thing? Do you get a discount anywhere? So-and-so likes to golf. Where should I take him? We had a dusty sleigh. Hey, he likes cigars. What do we do? Hey, we have a cigar bar here. Just little things like that. It's such a cool.
Speaker 1 (19:03)
Yeah.
Cool.
Like I was just I was talking about this on Instagram about ⁓ You know, there's like there's a dynamic like it's I like the dynamic of our city where we have a lot of local stuff and then we have a lot of mainstream stuff if you think about like the East Side or other areas of town, but I think it's cool about the victory in the Ford Center and even ONIP is that they you guys bring in world-class Entertainment. Yeah, people who can go that's a connection to the world where people come in and then go to these little spots
Like, ⁓ didn't like Bert Krash like show up at TK on Main and like hang out or something?
Speaker 2 (19:53)
Yeah, he did a play over at a theater at the events Plaza and ⁓ Then I think it was the night before his show Yeah, he he showed up at the Thunderbolts game as well bought a jersey was sitting in the crowd like in a spot where he was Kind of by himself. It was a little embarrassing, you know We've since upped our game since Bert Crusher came right
Speaker 1 (20:16)
Yeah.
There
we go, yeah. Yes, thank God. It's actually so cool though, like it's like a residual like effect of them being in the area. It is. For the people too, like the reason I know that's because I saw people posting it on Instagram. Yeah. It was on my feed. Holy crap. And I'm like five feet from him and said, on Main Street. Yeah. I just think like that connection is so important for the local town to have that connection to the outside world because it's such like a real
Speaker 2 (20:35)
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:47)
Because then he can see like, man, there's such a cool people in Evansville. Like just hanging out. And I've heard a lot of comedians talk about like the Midwest being such a great audience for comedy and for, cause they all, most of them live on big cities on the coast or now like Austin. Sorry. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:51)
this.
But we are funny Are
we not I think like I always say when I'm scrolling especially Facebook is I'm like man Evansville has got Joe Here's some funny people
Speaker 1 (21:12)
yeah, yeah Which is cool
like people are chill like people it's like a cool place to like I really like being in Evans I Choose to stay here ⁓
Speaker 2 (21:20)
I do too and I've lived around I have to yeah,
this is the longest I've stayed anywhere Besides where I grew up in Texas
Speaker 1 (21:27)
Yeah, really? Yeah.
⁓ Where are you from? You're from Texas?
Speaker 2 (21:32)
I'm from Marshall,
That's about, let's see, perspective here. ⁓ Maybe 30 minutes west of Shreveport, Louisiana. About 45, 50 minutes south of Texarkana.
Speaker 1 (21:44)
⁓ shit.
Okay. Is it very big? Marshall? it movie We Are Marshall? that the right?
Speaker 2 (21:51)
No.
Okay, a lot of people get that one confused.
But the movie that included Marshall, Texas is The Great Debaters.
Wiley College is what we're known for. It was the first black college. Yeah. And it was right there in Marshall, Texas. And just amazing things have taken place within them halls. Born in Marshall, yeah.
Speaker 1 (22:11)
Gotcha.
Yeah. Wow. Amazing. So you were born there?
And raised there? when?
Speaker 2 (22:24)
⁓ I left quickly after graduation. I graduated in the year 2001.
Speaker 1 (22:32)
Okay. Yeah,
nice. My sister, think graduated in 1999. A little bit old. But yeah. So then what? Where'd you go? ⁓
Speaker 2 (22:41)
Well,
I had no idea what I wanted to do with myself. Yeah. So instead I had the opportunity and I went on and adventure. I moved to Florida. I lived there for a while. I moved to Nashville. I lived there and worked downtown for a while. Then I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma and then back to Texas and then back to Florida. And then eventually I settled up here in the great tri-state. ⁓ My babies.
Speaker 1 (23:08)
How'd you get here?
Speaker 2 (23:11)
father is from here. Okay. Well, not Evansville, but he's from Henderson. So that's how I ended up in the area. But I pretty much always worked over in Evansville. So, you know, I've watched Evansville change since 2002. Yeah. Well, you know, I've been to shows at Robert Stadium. I've been to Metzger Amphitheater. Like, I get it, y'all. I get it. Yeah. You know, so it's it's really been neat to watch downtown.
Speaker 1 (23:15)
Okay.
Yeah.
Wow.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:41)
changed so much in the last 10 years like wow and yeah super proud to be a part of that because you know the arena the theater the event plaza they bring money into the community we bring in acts that bring in people that bring money into our bars and stores and restaurants and our hotels and you know
Speaker 1 (23:45)
Yeah.
Yeah, you were around for the...
Speaker 2 (24:09)
We need these folks buying at our small businesses, know. Yes. Like all the charm of Evansville on full display. That's, know, I love how Main Street is. We're slowly working our way there.
Speaker 1 (24:19)
Yeah, no for sure. I've been hanging on the Main Street lately I think it's like I think too like I don't know how much of this happens But I would think that for shows as well at least even if it's just from the region Some people are coming in they're eating before the show like if you're from like Gibson County or even you know, Kentucky different areas Like this is the biggest arena in that area. Yeah, know Owens Bros. Have more shows, which is cool, but like we're still
Not at this scale. These are the big, you know.
Speaker 2 (24:49)
Well, mean, think about it for us. Indy, Louisville, Nashville, St. Louis, those are all drivable distances. Like even if you didn't want to stay overnight, you could go to a show and so long as you were not over intoxicated, could drive yourself home, know? Yes, legally, hopefully. ⁓ You know, that's not impossible. And so you think about folks that are in the more rural areas, like we get a lot of business out of Cape Girardeau, which is very interesting.
⁓ in southern Missouri.
Speaker 1 (25:21)
Really? Yeah. Wow. I've never even heard of it. Or maybe I've heard of it but never like registered that that's like a... Okay, yeah, that's funny. Well, it's almost like, like, like this is their hometown spot or like, let's go there. Like they like would tune into this.
Speaker 2 (25:29)
Yeah, so.
Kind
of like the place to go to see the shows that they wouldn't normally see. And not just there. mean, there's loads of other places all around us, obviously. yeah. So keeping in mind that not only are you shopping for shows for the city, but for the people that live in this region as well. That's a lot of demographic numbers to keep in your head.
Speaker 1 (25:41)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yes, yes.
So when you were, when you were, how did you get into this though? How did you get into music? How did you, where did that all start?
Speaker 2 (26:12)
Well, for me, I've always been in music. So back in Texas, I grew up playing piano, like formally classic player. Didn't learn how to play by ear, not allowed. Gotcha. And then of course was in band. I started out on French horn and then eventually I made my way into the percussion line. because I played piano, I could play melodics. And so that ended up being kind of my specialty.
So I did that, played piano all the
Speaker 1 (26:45)
Yeah, varimba. Yeah, heck yeah. Yeah, people don't know this is the piano percussion instrument. you look at like, I remember in college, like looking at the whatever grid. Yeah. Yeah. Percussive. Thank you. Correct. Anyway. Yeah. So you play you grew up playing piano.
Speaker 2 (26:47)
The marimba, this fiber film. Yeah, all sort of things, right? Yeah.
It is a percussive. Thank you.
It has hammers.
Exactly. And so yeah, so that helped me out into percussion. And of course, when I moved out on my adventure, I was a poor person on my adventure, obviously. And so I didn't have a piano. You can't just move around with a piano. ⁓ And of course, like getting a really nice electric keyboard with weighted keys at that time was very expensive. I mean, usually you didn't move them around too much if you could help it.
Speaker 1 (27:40)
They
were heavy too. very heavy. I know, like a guy brought over your watch. Yeah, I'm like, that thing, like, it was just like a MIDI controller. wasn't even like an actual piano, but it was old and it was huge and it was really heavy. Analog. Yeah, big old beast. anyway.
Speaker 2 (27:43)
Wheels on the end, ⁓
Yeah, so ⁓ it took a while before I was able to actually get an electric piano. But so I've been in music forever. ⁓ Friends with a lot of local musicians. Was hot on the scene here in Evansville. I don't know if you guys remember, but back when Evansville actually had a live music scene. my Lord, it really was a thing. It's so sad to see kind of how things have changed so much.
Speaker 1 (28:14)
I don't remember.
Something's happening now get there. I something's happening. I'd like
Speaker 2 (28:24)
to
sidebar here for just one second. Remember when we were sitting around and we were talking and we were like, man, you know, like there used to be this thing. I wish people understood. I wish they felt more encouraged. Someone should teach a class or something. Here you are, my friend teaching class. Okay. Sorry. Back to where we were. So then ⁓ obviously I didn't hold a profession in music. didn't go to college for music. ⁓
Got like a light and I mean that like LITE a light version of a communications degree. Okay You know, I was a waitress forever. I worked for Delta once I worked for AT &T once I Held like a million jobs at one time and raised two kids and you know, like my god And then I just happened to catch a lucky break my friend got hired at the Ford Center right before they opened Okay at a job fair and was like
Speaker 1 (29:00)
three.
Okay.
Speaker 2 (29:23)
dude, you've got to come here and work in the suites. You're a great server, like you'd be awesome. And I'm like, ugh, dude, I'm so tired of waiting tables. I don't need another waiting on people job. And she goes, nah, that's not like that. And I was like, okay. She was like, just come try it out. And I'm like, all right, great. So la la la. I come into work. My first day of work was Iceman versus Comets, the first day of the Ford Center opening.
Speaker 1 (29:27)
This is awesome.
I remember the ice cream, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:53)
First day of open I had no idea
that sounds like not in step I
Speaker 1 (30:00)
Wow you came in as a Sweet box server. Yep. That's that was your in. Yep Wow Wow, which is funny though because you were serving before so this person's like hey you've been serving come on in. Yeah
Speaker 2 (30:13)
You've been a servant your whole life.
Speaker 1 (30:15)
Yeah, there's always like a through line though of like I was I was preparing little did I know in some ways to be a good fit for You know no service
Speaker 2 (30:23)
Right.
And you know what's messed up is like a kind of like just a smidge of high pressure moments that I experienced, very few, mind you, when I worked at Delta. ⁓ Because I worked at the records department, there's not a lot of excitement that ever happens. But when it does, it's like right now, right now. ⁓ And then working for AT &T and like my customer service branch out and learning how to deescalate.
issues absolutely how to people to calm down and You know and those kind of things. Yeah, like weirdly led me to this seasonal part-time option here, right and so Don't get me wrong. The struggle was still real for a very long time. I mean I was in food and beverage for maybe five and five and a half years ⁓
Speaker 1 (31:04)
Yeah.
Like that, right? Okay. Just
at the Fort Center. Mm-hmm. Okay. Victory as well. because VenuWorks has been managing it whole time.
Speaker 2 (31:20)
We'll end at the.
We took over like a year after the Ford Center had opened so I it was in 2012
Speaker 1 (31:30)
Okay, because we talked about this on Chris's podcast the very first podcast of this show was yeah, we like established the dynamics between Venue works managing the venues. Yes. So anyway, so but did you work? that who does the food and beverage is venue works? Like that's who you worked for. yeah, they took over Yeah, they do the food and beverage and the management of the whole Yeah, okay
Speaker 2 (31:52)
Yeah, it was everything.
So the only place that we only do food and beverage is at the zoo. We don't have any management responsibilities there beyond that.
Speaker 1 (32:04)
It's kind of interesting that that's a thing, yeah, but... Yeah, it's cool. It's cool.
Speaker 2 (32:09)
You're happy to be out there.
But yeah, so I have five and a half years in food and beverage. ⁓ to be honest, at the time, I was like at the end of my rope. I was working a couple of jobs. I had been doing this for a long time. Since it's open, I have family. The hours are strenuous in the arena. They really are.
Speaker 1 (32:27)
the nurse.
Yeah, it's a night's weekend. ⁓ true. ⁓
Speaker 2 (32:37)
Yeah, yeah forget every holiday your birthday.
I don't care. Yeah, you're gonna be at work. Yeah, that's where Yeah, so and like of course those first five years were wild Because we were still so brand new we were getting so many new acts even though we did have some repeats already You know, it was just a whirlwind Seriously, I mean looking back it just
Speaker 1 (33:01)
Yeah.
Wow. That's interesting. Did you, were you, when you were working, were you like paying attention to what was going on in the other areas of venue works? Like if you were in Food and Beverage and the Sweets, like you were like looking around at like.
Speaker 2 (33:19)
To be honest, it's kept kind of tight. Internal information is internal for a reason and it has to be. It's just for the best. Like us part-time people, I say us, because I'm picturing myself back then. Us little part-time folk, we don't need to know all that. It's too much.
Speaker 1 (33:25)
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
really they were like why are we gonna tell yeah right what do you yeah you're booking decisions yeah yeah
Speaker 2 (33:43)
Yeah. That helps no one really. Exactly.
we, you know, we would get told what we need to know and we just what we needed to do. and so, yeah, I was, I was at the end of my rope and I treaded gracefully through a horrible work moment. ⁓ I don't even want to talk about that. And, and came out the other side, you know, with my chin up like, no, it's okay. Like I'm still going to do my job.
Speaker 1 (33:52)
do what you do.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (34:13)
whatever, until I find something else, suckas, you know? But our event manager over at the Victory Theater suddenly quit her job. a little while after that, I was approached by the then general manager of the Victory Theater, and she said, hey, ⁓ are you interested in coming over to operations? You'd be moving to a different pay.
structure. Obviously, you you make a lot of money in food and beverage, you know, but this would be a full time job benefits. Bloody blood. You'd be on full time staff and I'm like, less, you know, like I'm in. It doesn't even matter at this point what it is. And so I took it and jumped in and I didn't know anything at all about operations. You know, just what I had observed from being on the suite level or hearing about things here and there just
Speaker 1 (34:48)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (35:12)
know, friends you make among the staff, you know. ⁓ And so yeah, was learning from scratch. ⁓
Speaker 1 (35:21)
Do think that's why she chose you? ⁓ why she got like why'd she approach you?
Speaker 2 (35:26)
Well,
I knew most of the staff, you know, obviously had been there for a long time. Yeah. Yeah. From the beginning. ⁓ Had seen the evolution of business with venue works, you know, kind of understood the traffic and flow of stuff. She had seen me work over at the Victory, you know, and maintain the bars and do all that stuff. mean, you know, all of those skills translate in some form or fashion, you know, your diligence.
Speaker 1 (35:29)
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (35:55)
hopefully pays off in other departments as well. Just because you got taught one thing by a corporation one time at a restaurant doesn't mean that you'll never learn how to do anything else ever.
Speaker 1 (35:58)
Yes.
Yeah, so what's funny though is I think that's so important to remember like to highlight that because I think that somebody might be in a role like you were and think God I gotta get out of this show tonight and I gotta never gonna get out of this shithole position ever and it's fine but I gotta you know meanwhile they have no idea that somebody's watching and paying attention not just watching but paying attention to them and like thinking huh what about watching
Speaker 2 (36:13)
I'll
your
choices, watching how you handle people in bad moments, watching you up your staff. You know, like all of those things are desirable qualities. You know what I mean? You just if you have good work ethic, you will go places. That's all there is to it. ⁓
Speaker 1 (36:34)
Show up.
Yeah, yeah, yeah So
you started as event manager and then you began That's what he's now yes
Speaker 2 (36:52)
It's role that's passage. Yes.
So I started out there. ⁓ I didn't know anything. So the stagehands at the time taught me literally everything that I know and learning ⁓ theater production, the union voice. Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (37:10)
I
notice at show like when I've been backstage. I'm like I could tell you're really close with the union
Speaker 2 (37:15)
Yes, I have deep respect for them and I they respect me back for it, you like I Recognize there's always something new to learn dude. Nobody is beyond a mess up, know, like we're all we have to have each other's backs my goodness
Speaker 1 (37:21)
Great relish. ⁓
They're like your eyes and ears
Speaker 2 (37:33)
Right
here in the trenches with us. I the whole show date, you know, a lot of people don't think they're like, ⁓ the show starts at seven. It's over at 10. Okay, that's cool. But like at the arena, sometimes I guess sometimes at the theater we have early mornings, not very, but at the arena, holy cow. Yeah, I've been here since four this morning, you know, after the show's over at 11, I'll be here for another.
Speaker 1 (38:00)
until four.
Speaker 2 (38:01)
The hours
or so, know, we're more and more depending on the group, you know, so like it's an insane stretch of hours to work those events. I feel like I spun off topic.
Speaker 1 (38:13)
No, you were like but basically you hung out like those guys taught you every gist of it. Yeah
Speaker 2 (38:17)
Yes, they taught me.
Yeah, in particular, a stagehand, his name is Johnny Scott. Still around? He passed away, unfortunately, some years ago. ⁓ But excellent man. Wow. Got you. He had been doing it since he was, I want to think in his late 20s, like worked a full time job and was still a stagehand, loved being a stagehand, just.
I had done it forever. Like I can't even imagine what he must have been like as a young buck. You know, like I got to know him at, you know, end of life here. And I mean, he would be there, ⁓ you know, listening to people as they would talk about stuff because my boss too was not really affluent in production necessarily. Yes, business, but production.
Speaker 1 (38:48)
Yeah.
Yeah, kind of like this guy's handle it. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (39:05)
for that, yeah. So
here I am trying to soak up as much as I can, you know, to learn how this all works because she doesn't know, I don't know. It was kind of fun in the beginning there whenever I, you know, got started with all the learning. It was just, I was obsessed with it. I just became like a super nerd, like.
Speaker 1 (39:16)
Yeah, yes.
Yeah, and those guys probably loved it. ⁓ yeah
Speaker 2 (39:31)
I remember
one time we had some, it was like an opera, I think, Philharmonic put on an opera. And I want to think they sent ahead one of their production guys came in and was talking and he said a word that I didn't understand. It had to do with lighting. don't remember right now what the word was. Maybe I know it now. Yeah, but he was like.
Yeah, we'll have this kind of light and then whenever it dah-dee-dahs and I'm like, what does that mean? Like, I whispered that at Johnny, you know? And the dude kind of laughed and he was like, no, that's a great question. Like, you don't know what that is. A lot of people don't. It's a dah-dee-dah-dee-dah-dee-dah. And he just explained it to me. Like.
Speaker 1 (40:17)
Do you you know alert? Do you notice though that like that? Innocent sort of curia. It's not even it's honest curiosity versus somebody who comes in I've just heard this from other the show that's coming out tomorrow is with the tour manager and she was talking about how There's like this one guy anyway She was talking about like but basically people who get blacklisted in touring are people are people who don't get hired or people who come in
thick and they know everything, they actually are causing more chaos than they are good. And it's funny that I think of, it's just like if you're humble and you work hard, it seems like these are the ingredients.
Speaker 2 (40:59)
That's so funny. It's like you took the words out of my mouth. I was going to say, man, this business will humble you. Like as soon as you think you got it all together, something will happen and you'll be like, ⁓ crap, I forgot to do this. I forgot to sign that. God, didn't ask that question.
Speaker 1 (41:04)
Yeah.
Yeah.
The stakes are high now.
Yeah, these are big shows.
Speaker 2 (41:20)
I'm sorry, you showed up and I didn't know what. Right, yeah, but you have to learn how to go with the flow. That's just part of the visit, I mean.
Speaker 1 (41:27)
Yeah. So, but these, these people were, ⁓ it's so interesting. I would never have guessed that the stagehands were like mentors. These are the people who taught you the big time. Like the foundation of.
Speaker 2 (41:39)
It's
also why I'm really good at stagehand billing. I know the deal, yeah. It's funny. But yes, they're fantastic. Have you had them on yet?
Speaker 1 (41:42)
Yeah, you never deal.
you
No,
that's in the works. Yeah, I'm hoping to get the boys on. Were those guys around back then?
Speaker 2 (41:54)
my god, they're awesome.
Steve Van Meter, Who all are you having? Steve, Joe,
Speaker 1 (42:01)
Steve, Joe, and Scott? Scott, okay.
Speaker 2 (42:03)
Scott's his brother, so I'm sure he was doing it then too. Maybe not working at the victory very much, or maybe he did. I don't know. It's all a blur, you know, all these years.
Speaker 1 (42:12)
Yeah.
But
it's like the grounds, I mean, it's like they wrangle up the troops and come in. Like, he was just telling me about it on the phone the other day about ⁓ certain shows need bigger people, you know, bigger amounts to send out big calls and...
Speaker 2 (42:28)
It's wild. I got nothing but love for them, seriously. They are the show. Without them, there are no shows, guys.
Speaker 1 (42:36)
Those are
the real, I mean like when you think about invisible people, you have no idea that those people exist. Most people I don't think know that there are stagehand unions still alive, still intact, and that they're like an essential part of the...
Speaker 2 (42:50)
Arriving.
Okay, listen, almost every movie you've ever seen in your entire life at the end of the movie shows the Ayasi symbol. Build sets, they run sound, they hold mics, they do every thing. Ayasi is fabulous. It's entertainment all in itself.
Speaker 1 (42:57)
Yeah, wow.
Speaker 2 (43:11)
There's so many directions you can go in production.
Speaker 1 (43:14)
Yeah
When the this is getting in the weeds a little bit, but I going the shows are booked for this act the the IOTC bill is baked at the union bill is baked into the Offer or who pays them? Okay, okay, yeah, it's all but it's all part of the like those show expenses. Yeah, okay
Speaker 2 (43:27)
We estimate what we think it's going to be.
Yes, of course.
Yeah, that's all projected what we think it will be. And then we finalize everything based on what it actually was.
Speaker 1 (43:38)
Okay.
Okay, so this gets into another I think that people often complain about ticket prices And I would love to for you to break down right like what the price like what goes into the price of a ticket ⁓
Speaker 2 (43:49)
Yes, I was hoping you'd bring this up.
Speaker 1 (44:00)
This episode of the podcast is brought to you by The Victory Theater. Venues like The Victory Theater that are old, historic, warm places, they are more than just a building. They're more than just the stage. They're a sort of modern sanctuary, a holy grounds for...
The most talented and hardworking, dedicated individuals who have found a way to be successful and get their art in front of large crowds and gain followings. It's a place for them to come do their thing, express themselves, share their work, and connect with 1,950 people on a sold out show. You you throw in a few workers who are just standing around looking too. mean, hell, that's a 2,000 person connection going on, right?
How great, how insane. And you know, there's gotta be people who run that spot. There's gotta be the invisible people who run around. And that would be Laura, that would be her crew, that would be the local 102 union, IOTsy baby, Hoot-rah. That would be them. And it would be everybody else from the vendors to the people taking tickets, the box office folks, the...
It'd be all the people helping make a successful night. So, let me tell you a little bit about what's coming up at the Victory Theater. What you've got going on this rest of the summer and into this fall. On August 16th, we've got The Magic of Motown. August 30th, we've got Louis C.K. on his ridiculous tour. On September 12th, we've got The Four Horsemen, a Metallica tribute band. On September 13th, we've got the Victory Film Festival, which Wally Opus.
record label entered a music video called Indiana for our band Spellway, head of New York, into the film festival's newly formed music video category. Anyway, moving on, got September 18th, Water for People presents Monsters of Yacht. On September 20th, we've got the opening night of the Evansville Philharmonic. September 26th, we've got A Tribute Night to the Eagles by Out of Eden. Danny Hayes, the comedian, is stopping in on September the 27th. And we've got Deanna Carter.
Strawberry wine. On October the 9th, October 11th, we've got the crew from Napoleon Dynamite, including John Heder, Efron Ramirez, and John Grease stopping in on October 11th. And the best of Bon Jovi and Journey Attribute is coming on October the 18th. Check out all the tickets, all the additional events coming later in the year at victorytheatre.com.
Thank you to the Victory Theater for sponsoring this podcast and for putting our sweet logo all around their flashy screens inside the venue. We appreciate it. Now back to the show.
Speaker 2 (46:50)
you
Okay, well, let me tell you. So the things that you don't see when you buy a ticket. I'm not even gonna discuss Ticketmaster. I think we all know what that is at this point, or at least you have a vague understanding that it's a lot of various service fees that are related to X, Y, Z, and whatever, okay? Before that, there are hard costs involved.
Speaker 1 (47:19)
Yeah, but before that even before like hard costs, right?
Speaker 2 (47:27)
Every department is involved in this. You have the building cost itself. How much does that building cost to function on average per show? That's your rent, utility amount. You work that out to a reasonable level. You also have to be competitive. That's important. ⁓ So you've got rent. You have your marketing budget. You have your production budget.
Speaker 1 (47:40)
Yes.
Yes.
Speaker 2 (47:57)
which is do we need to bring in more lights, microphones, speakers, technicians, you know.
Speaker 1 (48:01)
Yes. Does
the Victory have its own sound system? Okay.
Speaker 2 (48:06)
We actually,
I was lucky enough to be able to implement, ⁓ yeah, this wonderful quarter million dollar sound system into the victory. The house system.
Speaker 1 (48:16)
House system is a
so you can augment that you can add on to it Another one, okay. Yes the show if they bring their own we could do that or we could rent a bigger one from concept Yeah, okay. Okay. So there's a production cost correct rent getting
Speaker 2 (48:20)
I can take it down.
Correct. Whatever they need.
Market
the ticketing Cost basically which is the time that gets put into the ticketing build if there's any particulars or Like in an arena this definitely gets broken out more into like what staff does, you know and stuff like that, right? So consider that like hours spent creating this event gotcha on
XY platform, right? Okay, so there's that and then there's the cost of operating credit card machines, you know, there is a staff cost for every person that works there that you see with a flashlight or shirt on. It costs money for them to be there. Then you have our stagehands. How many of those do you need? They all do specific positions, so that has to be judged accordingly.
Speaker 1 (49:05)
Yes.
Readers. These people security. Yep.
Speaker 2 (49:34)
And realistically, ⁓ you can't at the victory. You can't just hire an army. Not like that's not the answer Yeah, you know every venue has its own quirks. And so yeah that all plays out ⁓ Gosh catering catering they gotta eat while they're there man, they like certain stuff, you know, so all that has to get budgeted ⁓
Speaker 1 (49:36)
Well.
Yes.
Speaker 2 (50:01)
Yes,
do the caters actually the caters that we use Munoz catering. Okay, they source out some local items here. I do love that about them. I believe they they always get this a fun fact. They always get a cake from piece of cake nice and it's like screen printed with the show graphic sweet and so when they come in for dinner. Yeah. Face on a cake right there it is.
Speaker 1 (50:26)
It's what a nice thing
Speaker 2 (50:30)
⁓ And they love it and the cake is so good, of course.
Speaker 1 (50:35)
And that's just a, yeah, by the way, yeah, the way, it's good cake.
Speaker 2 (50:38)
Where is this cake from? we're like, bam, piece of cake. We do promote local vendors when we can. It doesn't happen as much as we'd like, but as much as we can.
Speaker 1 (50:42)
See I love it.
And then there's the cost of the show.
Speaker 2 (50:53)
There's a cost of the show. And
are they bringing extra production that maybe they had to rent and so now they're charging us for it as well. You know, so there's all of that.
Speaker 1 (51:03)
Yes, and this is before any ticketing service ever steps into the equation, right? Like like well
Speaker 2 (51:09)
That's
considering the cost of the ticket build and you know and all that stuff too, which I said was manpower hours. Yes. And maintaining that show across its ⁓ campaign. Marketing too is a full campaign from the like if a show is on sale for six months. we are marketing across six months. You know, you're keeping that on sale period in scale with your budget.
Speaker 1 (51:21)
Yeah
Gotcha. And marketing channels would include like...
Speaker 2 (51:37)
radio, TV, Google Ads, streaming ads, ⁓ print ads for that matter even still. Yeah, just anything you can think of.
Speaker 1 (51:49)
It's cheaper to buy a billboard though. No, you guys bought one remember? ⁓
Speaker 2 (51:54)
as in the whole thing. Yeah, we bought a billboard. It was cheaper for us to buy a billboard than it was to rent or work out a contract to place our advertisements. said,
Speaker 1 (52:01)
I'm a
Do you still do it sometimes? ⁓ on occasion. Like, a little-
Speaker 2 (52:11)
If something needs a little love.
Speaker 1 (52:13)
Yeah, cool. that's the like, so this is really important to highlight. It's like these are all of the the line items that go into the show before. Like this is where it all starts.
Speaker 2 (52:28)
And if it's on sale for six months, we're working for six months, bro. you know, like that's just how it is. That's the reality behind the scenes. And that's a lot of people, you know? And then finally, ⁓ you know, the staff costs, you know, all that stuff. And then you have like permits and you can never forget our lovely ⁓ PROs. God.
Speaker 1 (52:31)
Yes.
What's a PRO?
yeah, yeah, yeah, sorry, sorry, PRO, yeah, Performance Right Organization. Thank you so much. It's like BMI ASCAP. No, no, no, I was thinking PROs is like...
Speaker 2 (53:01)
You're ASCAP, BMI, GMRC, CSAT.
Percentage per it's ridiculous. They're all different
Speaker 1 (53:16)
Okay, but you play up you pay a blanket licensing fee that covers all of them correct But but like the victory well in the Ford Center pays one well
Speaker 2 (53:24)
Well,
no, no, our venue works holds, wait, just kidding. We're a city owned building. The city holds our licenses for the Ford Center and the Victory Theater for that. And they are blanket licenses.
Speaker 1 (53:27)
Okay.
Yes, which means they pay out to all those different.
Speaker 2 (53:41)
One,
yeah, it's just one for the two of
Speaker 1 (53:45)
Which by the way is like a lesson that's that's to pay songwriters That's to pay the songwriters who wrote the songs that are sung in the venues Allegedly forever. Yeah
Speaker 2 (53:55)
Fun fact. Yeah Yeah, so everywhere else in the world every other country besides America Has won PR one count them on your one finger one. Yeah, you are oh that they have to pay out to you It varies from country to country But here in the great United States Here we are. We're working on up to five. I think some might even argue six trying to pop up. Huh? What the hell?
Speaker 1 (53:57)
forgot about that.
Yeah. Well somebody's gotta pay the rent at the gigantic-
Speaker 2 (54:26)
I
don't want to go into that abyss.
Speaker 1 (54:30)
I think about that sometimes like it's not against your roads. Obviously I wrote my songs. I want songwriters get paid I think they're a great thing, but I do drive down music row and look over to my right see a massive building in national I think to myself man, that's a huge building. Hmm Yeah, that's what I want from BMI we need to talk about the science of it
Speaker 2 (54:46)
much does that cost? A lot. Imagine all the pain.
really fun person for you to talk to actually, I would recommend this to you. You could do her over Zoom maybe, is Tammy Kulbeck out of our property up in Ames. She's at the Stevens Auditorium. ⁓ Tammy was instrumental in the Save Our Venues grant that was given to us by the government after the wake of COVID because we were so devastated. Cities, just...
people going out of business, restaurants, all sorts of small fine arts centers, know, places that have been supported by their community forever, you know, looking at the end. And so she was a very instrumental person in that, just props to her.
Speaker 1 (55:38)
And she helped get that secured for the entire roster of Venuworks. The whole nation. Oh, whole nation. Oh, yes, sir. Yes. Yeah. Because did it go to small venues, too? Like really small venues? Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (55:45)
Hey, the whole nation.
Yeah, it was a huge sweep. Like, it was necessary because we were the first out and the last back. You know, it was so terrible for us.
Speaker 1 (55:58)
Yeah. Yeah. Isn't
it funny? There was like a moment where everybody's like, shit, I think they're now live music. And now it's like coming back.
Speaker 2 (56:07)
I was so depressed. thought I'll never, I'm never going to work again. What's back to wait until. Okay. Anyway. So, okay. So then your PRO cost, ⁓ all of this arriving at like a final estimate of bottom line, right? This is what you think it's going to cost. Okay. So now if we have X amount of seats in the venue, what percentage can be this amount or this amount or this amount? You know, like here I am y'all trying to give you.
Speaker 1 (56:12)
Yeah.
Yes.
Speaker 2 (56:36)
the cheapest ticket for your money, but that can be difficult. It can be difficult based on artist cost. It can be difficult based on expense because maybe the artist isn't very much, but maybe they flew in for our special date and we have a lot of production overhead. So there's a lot of varying factors that go into it. So that's a lot. I think that-
Speaker 1 (56:59)
All of that for the show yeah before you or you have securing their show is one thing and then all this other stuff
Speaker 2 (57:08)
You
to know where we are in the negotiation phase, right? Okay, so this would be like part three One is like, okay. So what kind of dates or what is your cost? Those are like one two two one one two Same thing and then number three. Okay. So where's your offer? How much how much you gonna pay me how much you gonna cost yeah, you know, so then I produce an offer which has Ticket scaling which is what the ticket cost will be
Speaker 1 (57:14)
Okay.
Yeah
Speaker 2 (57:38)
⁓ And all of that, you know, versus what the artist is, what the expenses are, what our break-even analysis is. ⁓ Yeah. And then if you have a partner, there's some backend items that you have to configure between you.
Speaker 1 (57:59)
the promoter.
Speaker 2 (58:01)
Yeah,
what the promoter yeah, so you know this is like phase three like I've already done this before they even agree to do the show Yeah, you know they have to approve all of these items. So yes, so we commit to these ticket prices early on you know ⁓
Speaker 1 (58:19)
Man, that's funny, you're calculating ticket prices in two years. Or a year and a half. ⁓ Yeah.
Speaker 2 (58:22)
Lord yes, right Times yes
Huh? Yeah, you have to consider like ⁓ who's gonna get a raise Yeah, what what might that look like Wow how to you know, please don't go over that amount You don't want it to be too expensive, you know, and then they go my goodness. It's just it's impractical to have a show in your venue.
Speaker 1 (58:41)
Yeah,
yeah, so we had to cut the cakes this year. There's no game
Speaker 2 (58:45)
Yeah,
no more facecapes anymore guys, sorry ⁓
Speaker 1 (58:49)
Yeah, not gaily cakes piece of cake. Yeah, no more piece of cake. Yeah, sorry Well, shout out to Kayla I guess So so all of these are the hard costs built into the ticket price. Yes. This is great to know. Yeah, because I Think that it's so easy to see a ticket Yeah, that's how much they get paid
Speaker 2 (59:05)
go, my god.
Now I'm not gonna lie to you, there are places that do take some of your money from you. It's important to be a smart music ticket shopper, okay? And that comes with experience. You learn the hard way on some things if you've ever been victim of a third party ticket scam. Just make you wanna throw up.
Speaker 1 (59:32)
That's somebody buying a ticket and reselling it.
Speaker 2 (59:35)
Yeah, like they ⁓ get copied barcodes.
Speaker 1 (59:40)
⁓ wow. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (59:42)
talk about a complication for us. So like we don't even know. One might come digitally and the other could be a printed ticket we'll say. Say we legitimately sold that barcode on a printed ticket. That's why we're getting away from printed tickets by the way.
Speaker 1 (59:57)
Okay, okay
So but but the thing is too you could have two patrons show up with the same ticket honestly thinking that they both actually bought the ticket
Speaker 2 (1:00:06)
They did actually pay for a ticket. And they both believe they need that seat and it's like who got there first?
Speaker 1 (1:00:08)
Yeah. ⁓
⁓
gosh. Yikes. Anytime you're
Speaker 2 (1:00:17)
Alright,
so in addition to that, we put in building seat holds, relocation holds for if something terrible happens, customer service needs, ADA needs, know, things like that. All that comes into play early on. Artist holds, how many people do they expect that they might have? We gotta hold those while we're on sale because if they get sold, hmm.
Speaker 1 (1:00:41)
Yeah. Trouble, Yes. Do you guys get tickets? Oh, Sure. Yeah. That's cool. It's a perk. Yes. Depends on how big the show is, I guess, and how well it's doing.
Speaker 2 (1:00:44)
So.
Mind you, we pay our respects to certain individuals that help make our day-to-day life possible, lovable, and fantastic. we try to pay homage to those that deserve it. ⁓
Speaker 1 (1:01:06)
Yeah.
That's cool. I mean, and I can speak from personal experience, having worked with some bands that got to perform opening slots, which is someone I ask you about. ⁓ I feel like the victory at Fort Center, we did like something at the Fort Center before with with Jackson Atlas as well. like the victory, ⁓ you're there, you're bouncing around. You're like, hey, you want to go up front? Let's go. Like you're like a lot you're like about you pop up to everybody to go what they need. Like
You are there and you are engaged, you are active. I don't know if every venue manager's like that. I don't know if that would be the director.
Speaker 2 (1:01:43)
No, and I'm not that way for every single show. know, there are some shows that... Yeah, some of them are very low maintenance. They don't really need you.
Speaker 1 (1:01:47)
Well, don't like, what are you up our ass about? Yeah. ⁓
Yeah. They're cool. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (1:01:54)
Or they know what they need and they know what they don't. It's really easy. Some are a little more high maintenance than others.
Speaker 1 (1:02:02)
So what, if I'm a local band in Evansville, I wanna play at the Victory Theater. I wanna open for somebody. What do I do? What are you looking for? How does it happen? Actually- Luck of the draw or?
Speaker 2 (1:02:15)
I
appreciate the way that it has happened so far. A lot of the local artists will hit me up on our web-based contact thing, little Hooty Hoo, hey, I'm available, so on. I don't delete those, guys. I put those into a folder called local and then one called regional. ⁓ So like whatever you are, whatever type of music you might be,
Speaker 1 (1:02:19)
⁓
Contact Mark.
Speaker 2 (1:02:43)
if I get that opportunity where it's like, well, we need you to provide support or say I buy a show and I'm like, no, I'll provide support. Then I will pick a local, especially with our tribute bands, because come on. Yeah. You know, a lot of the
Speaker 1 (1:02:50)
then you get to pick.
They're
not going on tour with an opener. Correct.
Speaker 2 (1:03:00)
some
of these tour shows, they've already got their support lined up. But if this is a group that I've booked and brought in, much like a tribute show, then I've got the room to be able to bring someone in. And I really try to get a number of those in a year solely for the party and also to give local musicians an opportunity to play on the stage. I know there was one year where I was a little bit tribute heavy, but I was also local artist heavy.
Speaker 1 (1:03:03)
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (1:03:29)
And so I make no apologies. so that's cool. know shows come and go. Music is also a season. You know, so I was just playing my cards the way I thought was best at the time.
Speaker 1 (1:03:37)
Yeah.
Yeah, it's really interesting though because like it's not just like a great Well, it's beneficial to have like local music but it's like as the band it could be your once It's like you just had like you've never had that opportunity on this side
Speaker 2 (1:03:59)
It's
a dress rehearsal for professional playing.
Speaker 1 (1:04:02)
the
big time. Correct. And you get the experience of making a writer stage plot. You get the experience of eating catering. You get like the experience of what a big band, but being in a big band feels like, which is actually just as value as any monetary payment. It's like this experience. And then also, if you're smart about it, can, And you still pay. That's exactly right. And then also though, if you're
Speaker 2 (1:04:23)
and we still pay.
Speaker 1 (1:04:29)
If you're like really utilizing it as an opportunity, you bring a content person, photographer, whatever. Yes. And like it's such a get for a local person to be able to have this situation. I know when Chris was on your head, bragged about it too, but I just think it's like such a cool thing to be able to offer the local scene that is still around.
Speaker 2 (1:04:34)
make the most out your sh-spirit. We want you to.
Again,
was here when people played everywhere, just musicians about. And it's sad to me to see it kind of withered. And also that there are no platforms for them to play on except for in bars or fingers crossed you land like some downtown event. And some of those are already locked up by the more professional musicians about town.
Speaker 1 (1:05:23)
to it.
Speaker 2 (1:05:24)
Correct, continuity. So.
Speaker 1 (1:05:26)
Yeah, that's true too, yeah.
Broadway and Nashville would be a good example of the same thing, where like, there's some people that have been rocking that scene for while, and they are holding tight to that gig. And the bar owners do is probably like, I know what I'm getting with this person. I I'm getting with this rookie, this new person, you know? But if they want to bring on a new person in their band, that's up to them. I don't care. That's their reputation. Or like, you could see how like there's like a dynamic in the local scene. But do you think...
From your angle, because to me it feels like something is bubbling where, I mean clearly like new venues on Franklin Street are being purchased and rebranded. That's right. There seems just like more talk, like people have reached out to me about like, I want to get into booking, like where do start? I'm always just like, introduce yourself.
Speaker 2 (1:06:17)
Yeah, I would say man like good luck with getting into booking. It's hard. It's hard business to crack into to be fair Yeah, feel grateful to have this opportunity honestly because this is my first stab at booking this job You know, and so I hope that I'm all I'm doing good by the people here in Evansville I try you guys for real like I can't make everyone
Speaker 1 (1:06:23)
You better love it.
It's
impossible. Gosh, I know, How many things you're juggling. You have so much that you're plus you have what people want to see. I you have like all these expectations of what we should be having in our city. And it's like, but there's also like a, there's like a real.
Speaker 2 (1:06:43)
And as,
have bosses too? I answer to people, I answer to the city.
Speaker 1 (1:06:59)
Yeah, that building ain't free. mean, you know what I mean? It's like all these things that go into play that make you or have, you know, impact your decision making. Correct. It's real.
Speaker 2 (1:07:02)
Billy.
and affects people around me, you know, just like I mentioned with businesses like Tiki Next Door, like other thriving businesses down Main Street, know, like me doing well helps everyone do well.
Speaker 1 (1:07:21)
Yes. And I think though too, what's cool is like, even if someone was wanting to get into booking or wanted to get into venue work, it's like, it's like they can, by what meant, venue work, working out of venue and or venue work. You can also go to venue works. It's like, think that though, it's like, like conversations like this where you're just like being candid and like very open about the details of it. It's so illuminating on like what it takes, what it is.
Speaker 2 (1:07:33)
You can also apply at VinnieWorks.
Speaker 1 (1:07:50)
And honestly too, this is what I think the coolest part about like learning about your job is that is that you just told me that there is a path to doing it through not through Because I think this is a common mistake Do what? Neurotic and through being a hard-working honest person you can find yourself and this is the same damn
conversation out with Chris where it's just like you find yourself in this position because I think that oftentimes people don't like I want to work in music they think like they think like the stars which is definitely a thing those people like that's all level that exists absolutely but it's also you can become a stagehand literally Scott's like dude if you know anybody send them my way my god
Speaker 2 (1:08:41)
Please if you have any interest in working in production, please Apply to be a stagehand Like 200 and some person calls for WWE at the Ford Center. Yeah, talk about an experience I mean, even if all you do is push a case from to to fro who cares. You just got paid to do that
Speaker 1 (1:09:00)
And you get to stand around backstage. so cool. You get to like be around.
Speaker 2 (1:09:03)
Yeah,
rub elbows with crews that have worked with astonishing artists. Sometimes the crews are almost more interesting than the artist.
Speaker 1 (1:09:09)
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah,
yeah, I'm sure well, I mean then they've had a guy's got the stories they've and they're like the accessible one. Yes, you know share about
Speaker 2 (1:09:22)
That's nothing. Let me tell you about the time I worked with so and so. ⁓ man, those are the best.
Speaker 1 (1:09:29)
But I think it's just so, it just breaks down or just illuminates that like the industry is made up of people and there are a lot of them and there's a lot of different jobs, there's a lot of everything. And even if you're just curious, you could literally become a stagehand and then work your ass much. Like it's such an entry point that's actually open to people who are competent and show up and do good work.
Speaker 2 (1:09:45)
So
Hey, are you literate in your soundboard that you keep at home and stuff? Apply to Concept, Sound, and Light. They need hands all the time. Shout out to my friends at Concept, Sound, and Light.
Speaker 1 (1:10:05)
Yes, yes, I mean but think about that that's and we're talking in just Evansville. Yes, that's just in Evansville
Speaker 2 (1:10:12)
Where this podcast will go, you know, there's local entities like this Everywhere. Yes. That's right. There's always a way. Yes, but you know what to be fair I didn't know that this was the industry for me. I didn't know that until I Watched it happen in food and beverage and went. Wow, that's effing cool. I want to learn how to do that. Yes, and so I did my gosh, yeah I am
Speaker 1 (1:10:38)
Yeah. And then here you are. Here I-
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (1:10:41)
I
didn't finish my how I got here story. So I was the event manager. I'll keep it short. And then after COVID, I got lucky and I got to be moved as the production manager at the arena. So that was a lot of big eye open for me. Like a lot of the stuff I'm talking to you about right now that taught me a lot as well. And the stage hands. It's a totally different ball game when you're dealing with pyro and rigging and stage decking and we need flooring over here and stairs and rails and.
Speaker 1 (1:11:11)
What's just funny, because you know what's funny? Chris took me through there like three weeks ago and it was right after the Jehovah's Witness conference there. I walked through, I'm like, even this, like this was just a little bitty conference. The production's big, like the stage and there's like a billion chairs, folding chairs and like he said-
Speaker 2 (1:11:33)
Even political rallies utilize a tremendous deal of production.
Speaker 1 (1:11:38)
Yeah, and you wouldn't think I mean you just like but there's people
Speaker 2 (1:11:41)
and tape and clipboards and crap at those events too.
Speaker 1 (1:11:44)
Yes, yes, it's all I mean this is like You would never think of this, but yeah, yeah, sorry, but anyway you this is directing I didn't know that you were director of the footstool. Yeah, production manager. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (1:11:54)
not director of the force.
did that, ⁓ but I thought when I started that I was like, ooh, this is cool. Like, I'm gonna settle in to do this for the next couple, few years or so, right? Well, I only made it nine and a half months before I took the victory job.
Speaker 1 (1:12:05)
Yeah.
Okay, and that job opened and you were stepped right in. Yeah, well and two, it's funny, mean, again, it's always, there's always a through line of like experience that like, think, I mean, you started in the Fort Center, you go to the victory, you go back to the Fort Center, you're back at the victory now, and it's just a constant through line of like.
Speaker 2 (1:12:17)
Correct.
Each
one of those was a stair step, it really was. I mean, I learned something that contributed to this position each step of the way. And, ⁓ you know, even the food and beverage experience, mean, that stuff is important to you. You you have to think about how much time your staff needs, you know, like all that kind of stuff. It never stops.
Speaker 1 (1:12:49)
Yes.
Yes, so so where can you can you like? Dream up like where are gonna go with all where are you gonna end up? What do you want to do? Is it are you well you like where you're at? Are you got ambitions of?
Speaker 2 (1:13:10)
be honest, I do like where I'm at. I do like it very much. ⁓ Will I stay here forever? Probably not. I imagine eventually I will get complacent and as my children get older and so on, opportunities, doors open. Could even be much sooner than that. I'm never ruling an opportunity off the table here, but I love working for VenuWorks.
Obviously, I'm a little jaded by my experience with Venuworks Evansville. However, I think that we have a lot of great buildings in our company and we strive to do our best in each community that we're in. And I appreciate that small town touch to something that is enormously profitable and important to tourism and communities and all that stuff.
Speaker 1 (1:14:07)
Yeah
Speaker 2 (1:14:07)
So big deal. ⁓
Just recently I got to go to one of our newest properties up in Rochester, New York. We ⁓ took over the management of the Blue Cross Arena. And my counterpart, who was at the Ford Center, ⁓ moved up there and now he's the executive director of that arena. that's cool. Yeah. And so to go and to watch their staff operate was fascinating.
I mean, yeah, I'm always interested in a new place. I can't even go to a show without noting stuff like, no, I'm not, like, I can still have a good time. And enjoy the artist and stuff. But in the breaks, I'm watching.
Speaker 1 (1:14:45)
it.
Yeah, yeah, does that happen when the lights come? Oh, yeah, how much like within the company like two people do people come see what you're doing? Okay again feels like a work
Speaker 2 (1:14:57)
It depends.
Catholic
skills, experience, you know, that go get attitude depends on how you move through any business, you know.
Speaker 1 (1:15:03)
Yeah.
Yeah. What
is the like, what is the corporation of Venuworks? How does it like, does it train you guys, develop you guys, keep you updated on stuff? Like, is there any sort of like growth development going on? That's just like side note. I'm just curious. sure.
Speaker 2 (1:15:29)
So most of that takes place within our individual locations. However, we have ⁓ some contracts where there may be multiple locations within the same city. Yeah, you know much kind of like here ⁓ in Cedar Rapids. believe we have I might misquote for five. Cool. Yeah, locations that they manage all within this one area. You know, the powerhouse arena being one of those. ⁓
Speaker 1 (1:15:49)
Okay.
Okay.
Speaker 2 (1:16:00)
And so, you know, there's different levels of support based on what you actually need. Now, if you're a smaller venue and a smaller, more rural area, you know, a lower capacity, maybe you're still the only venue in that area. You know, you have a little bit more of an advantage, you know. So your staffing needs may be different. You know, so it will vary based on where you are. So like in game for me,
You know, I could definitely see myself moving to another venue, you know, at some point. ⁓ I like the theater part. I like the historic theater part. I mean, it can be kinda, they all come with their own little things, know, nuances, I suppose. However, the history is fascinating. ⁓
Speaker 1 (1:16:42)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (1:16:51)
You know, when you see a building like that, you just think of how long this community has cared for this one place. How long have humans been walking in and out of these doors? know, just experience upon experience upon experience. It's fascinating. Like, I just, love it.
Speaker 1 (1:17:02)
Yeah.
And I think too, I mean I'm getting a little hippie dip here, but I think the building itself when you walk in the feeling of it is like, like you just like you're like transported into like, ⁓ shit. It's a vibe. Yes. It's a feeling. like as like a young kid to see something. don't know. I love listening to them. Yeah. And then they're like, I mean, I was probably in awe, but then even like walking back into it as an adult, I had that same sense of just like, wow.
Speaker 2 (1:17:27)
come in. that's the best.
here
since I was a kid. It's astonishing how many people in the lovely city of Evansville that don't visit the Victory Theatre.
Speaker 1 (1:17:41)
I've been alone.
I know. Yeah, well hopefully this spreads the word that we didn't... I hope so. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (1:17:50)
But yes, so aside from moving to another venue, ⁓ another aspect that I'm interested in is being maybe on the promoter side of things, ⁓ Like, you know, being the person that I talk to on the other side of the fence. know, like, hey, I'm...
Speaker 1 (1:18:02)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (1:18:11)
Work in this show, I've got routing for XYZ, do you want it? Here it is, blah, blah, cool, thanks, I'll pass it to management. You know what I mean, like being that person, kind of the broker between the artists, like that's cool. So, who knows, right? I consider this a roller coaster, I don't count my chickens before they hatch, and I'm just riding the ride here, you guys.
Speaker 1 (1:18:22)
Yeah.
Well that's what got you here. I that's why that's what ⁓ I need to move the damn guitar. But no but that that is exactly I love it because that's what got you here it's like that that spirit of curiosity of just saying yes of showing up and look how it's unfolded over years and years and years.
Speaker 2 (1:18:42)
Just the word.
Yeah, that's great. I live a crazy life. I feel like ⁓ people don't understand me.
Speaker 1 (1:19:00)
Yeah, yeah. a lot of time with that building,
Speaker 2 (1:19:04)
Yeah, yeah the stagehands are like, did you sleep? Do I look like I? Sometimes I do look like I slept there. Yeah, it's just cuz I was only gone a few hours. A handful of hours rather.
Speaker 1 (1:19:07)
Yeah. ⁓
Yeah, well, well,
this was great. Like this was a good, this was a great recording and like, I'm so glad that you
Speaker 2 (1:19:26)
Thank
you for having me. know we've been talking about this for ages and I'm just so glad that you're doing this. ⁓ Yeah, that's...
Speaker 1 (1:19:31)
It's being like well received like people
are into it. Yeah
Speaker 2 (1:19:36)
Dude, the people on the other side here, it's just great, everybody else.
Speaker 1 (1:19:40)
And then like even people who I did not think, yeah, I was hanging out with a buddy on Saturdays like, I've been listening to all your podcasts. Like I love it. He's like, I need to listen to the new one. I was like, he works in just the nothing related to music. He's just curious. I'm like, oh, this is good. Okay. If you like it, maybe.
Speaker 2 (1:19:57)
And as this evolves for you, maybe you start talking about specific production topics or things like that and dude, I'm happy to come back any time. I could talk about this until I'm blue in the face. I we could have a three hour episode if you wanted, but we don't have to.
Speaker 1 (1:20:15)
And I knew and I but I know too like you've always been somebody who's very You want to share you want to shine light on what's one like what your job is or unlike what? Even on just like what the victory is like yeah, down come see it come check it out like
Speaker 2 (1:20:32)
Well, I can see that the misunderstanding is there. Yeah. know, specifically between like local musicians versus moving into professional music. Yes. You know, and stuff like that is just question marks. know, like, oh, I looked up online and I saw I need a press kit. OK, sure. But like things are there are so many ways that you could be famous now. Like it's not like it used to be, you know, and it's not just parties backstage. You know, like it's just.
Speaker 1 (1:20:53)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (1:21:02)
Usually that happens after they leave us, you know? It's a business.
Speaker 1 (1:21:05)
Yeah It
is funny like people you know cage Willis was telling me about he's like when I when I tour with foreigner Yeah, he's like people are like man. It must be funny or fun partying with foreigner He's like dude. They don't like they're old guys. He's like I've driven Yeah, he's like like they don't part like yeah, they like go home You know and like I remember talking to when Santana played here Santana played at the Ford Center my buddy was he was flying PA he works for ⁓
couple different companies but he was thinking it was a VER at the time or something but he he was talking about like I was like I Santana like his aunt he's like dude he flew a private jet in to play the show and then got on the jet and flew okay Kid Rock
Speaker 2 (1:21:47)
Yes. Back. he's the man.
The lead singer Disturbed. Yeah. There's Country Stars. yeah.
Speaker 1 (1:21:54)
Yeah, they're yeah, yeah Business
the ⁓ yeah, they're telling out those guys are the same way. Yeah, Logan did a tour with them, but ⁓ I mean that's it's just so illuminate cuz you just I think people have a romanticized view of what touring or like what like show like backstage Let's just be this giant party with just shit everywhere. It's like yeah now. It's a bit. It's this it's a
Speaker 2 (1:22:19)
Yeah, you know like, well maybe how old are you Wes? forget. Okay, well so I got a little bit on you here. But without showing my age too hard, you know, back in my day in high school. ⁓ You know, people would camp out to like see their favorite artists step out of the bus, know, or something like that. And maybe you got a cool view or maybe you got an invite, you know, those were always the hopes and dreams, right?
Speaker 1 (1:22:23)
party won.
Speaker 2 (1:22:48)
Well, people still hope and dream like that and I'm all for your hopes and dreams. I think you should keep on dreaming. But you would be alarmed at how many artists, especially front men that are adored, you know, and front ladies as well. That literally just, they fly in, dude. The support's already been on stage and like they're in the air, you know? And then they land.
Speaker 1 (1:23:09)
Yes.
Speaker 2 (1:23:15)
Just hoping here we don't have any delays or problems as such, know, and then they show up at the venue When it's time and they get out of the car, they go to their dressing room change fresh, know, sip of water or whatever Yes, and then on to the stage Just like that and then as soon as it's over change back in the car BAM back on the plane. I'm out of here. Yes on to the next one Maybe they go back home for the night. Yeah, like a bizarre
Speaker 1 (1:23:43)
Right, literally drive their kid to school tomorrow morning. Correct.
Speaker 2 (1:23:46)
A bizarre life that I can't even, like the travel aspect of the music industry is ⁓ something that I know nothing of and I can only imagine what that must be like. I hope you get to talk to people that do that. It is interesting listening to road stories.
Speaker 1 (1:23:58)
That's it.
Yes stuff like well and even like I remember the the first band I ever worked with they won a competition and played a louder than life They played the main stage. We were walking From the like from backstage into the main venue is louder than life's massive festival Yeah, and two stages is huge red hot chili peppers were closing on this Sunday night So we're like we're like walking out of we like got everything out of this trailer They gave us a trailer and everything was great like walking out
and we see these like four SUVs roll up and I'm like, it's like all four members of the band. Meanwhile, they're beside us in ⁓ the backstage area, coming out of the main gate, because they had their own camp over here. And meanwhile, like on stage, their set's already started. Like the lights are on, like the music, whatever intro stuff, it's like happening. Everybody's like,
Speaker 2 (1:24:54)
costume
and walked up there. They're not sitting up there.
Speaker 1 (1:24:57)
They're right here! like, they've rolled, and you can see them roll up one by one and run onto stage. Yeah. Pick up their instruments and start. And you just, I'm like, whoa.
Speaker 2 (1:25:08)
They have other people that soundcheck their equipment. The crew people are more instrumental than they've ever been. They're not just roadies and it's none of that cliche tour crap from the old days. It's not like that really anymore.
Speaker 1 (1:25:23)
Isn't that great? Because like, that's why I was so, I'm like, dude, these guys just like came out of their trucks, their SUVs, bam, play this.
Speaker 2 (1:25:30)
Can
you imagine the mindset? I mean you'd have to be in your own vehicle just so you could get in your own zone. F that guy. I'm so sick of looking at him.
Speaker 1 (1:25:35)
Like we've been in buses together for yeah Exactly
I'll see on stage and then once they get on stage They're just the best in the world that it's incredible set and I'm like Wow Yeah, I that was the first time I had experienced sort of that fuck from the other side to see like my this is like a time it is
Speaker 2 (1:25:56)
It's
like looking behind the curtain at Oz. mean, you realize that things aren't necessarily what they seem. When people tell you don't meet your heroes, maybe heed that with some caution. Exactly. Because sometimes they can let you down. It's not just a party.
Speaker 1 (1:26:17)
At the same time it's kind of nice to look behind the curtain if you're somebody who thought it was unobtainable to work in
Speaker 2 (1:26:23)
It's real thriving business of real people tech nerds music lovers fanatics alike, I mean we all do this because It gives us something at the end of the day. Whatever that is for me I live off the energy from the audience You know, like it's like I feel like I have like kind of a moment there whenever the show begins and I'm like
Speaker 1 (1:26:49)
We did it.
Speaker 2 (1:26:51)
You know and like that sustains me through all the six months of work I might have put in on that ship or it arrived it's like having a baby or something
Speaker 1 (1:26:57)
Yes
Yes,
yeah. Or the 18 problems that were...
Speaker 2 (1:27:04)
that arrived that
day. ⁓ I know that we argued about water earlier, but now everything is fine.
Speaker 1 (1:27:10)
Yeah, exactly. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (1:27:12)
Yeah,
no really. Everything's fine now.
Speaker 1 (1:27:16)
Yeah
I want to thank Laura again for being a guest on the show and thank Laura and all the folks at The Victory for supporting the show and being a first adopter, an early sponsor. It's so good, at least for me, if nobody else, that they believe in the show and that they support the show and ⁓ have our logo around their screens during their events and then they put our posters around their venues. It's so...
beneficial for us to get the word out there. And so please, if you are considering a night out, please consider going to a show at the Victory. And hopefully she's demystified some of the hoopla around ticket pricing. Although, I was thinking about it, she's like, we all know what goes down in Master or Ticketmaster. was thinking that. And the moment I was like, yeah, yeah, yeah, there's a bunch of stories about that. I'm thinking, actually, I don't actually know about it. I would love more insight on that. But maybe we'll just have to get somebody from Ticketmaster on here.
and talk shop about that even though I don't know how far we would get into what really goes on. don't know, maybe it's all out there already. Anyway, so if you enjoy this show, please consider checking out my Instagram where I post a bunch of stuff about behind the scenes music and ⁓ updates about this show. We're on Instagram, LinkedIn.
And ⁓ also if you are into music, which I don't know why you'd be listening to this and not be, please check out Wallyopus.com. It's a record label that I built and we are releasing music. We recently released the Chugs who hit number one on the global iTunes punk charts. Come on, holla back the Chugs. And then ⁓ this Friday we're releasing the Cowboy Without a Horse from Brooklyn. Leo Lovechild's dropping his sophomore album Wallyopus. Or Super X, it's called Skyscraper Country.
Super stoked on that one and I'm setting up a couple more releases for later this summer and into the fall. Also check out artistdev.co. It is my coaching and consulting company for artists and music professionals. Please check that out you're interested in getting some help advancing your project. Taking things to the next level, finding clarity, finding ⁓ some North Star purpose to elevate things and make music your living or expand your business and make your business more profitable.
I'm here to help you think through that and work out the strategy to get you there. Thank you for listening to the show and hopefully you'll return next week and we can keep this party, keep this party rocking, keep this show going, keep this train moving down the tracks. a great rest of your week.
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