The Big Apple really is … big, that is

As you read this column, I will be checking out of the hotel on 53rd Street and Seventh Avenue and heading to LaGuardia to fly back to Ohio.  I have been in New York City for the past four days attending the APAP (Association for Performing Arts Presenters) Conference.  The enormity of New York never ceases to amaze me each time I come here.  Everything for everyone is here.

I spend hours each day meeting with agents who represent thousands of performing artists; from solo artists you have never heard of to huge stage shows and artists nearly everyone recognizes. There are many performers who want to work. I have appointments with certain agents I have planned to meet with and then I leave some time to browse and see what is new or what I have not noticed in the past. After five years of booking for the NPAC and Fountain Park, I have forged relationships with many agents and agencies. It is nice to see them each year face to face.  I believe this is a benefit when dealing over the phone or in emails. There is a trust that is built in when you get to know each other in person.

Next year will be our fifth season at the NPAC. Our 2012-13 season will be something special.  It will certainly be a year of celebration, and we will do it in grand style!  I have already met with our Programming Committee at the NPAC and we have discussed some ideas.  I am ready to report back on these ideas and share some new ones.

You never quite know exactly what you are getting when you book an artist, but certain due diligence helps make wiser decisions.  This is what I am looking for when I talk with artist reps and agents.  First of all, you want a concert or show that is of top quality.  Then I want artists who are happy to perform and are gracious you have hired them. The longer I am in this business, the more important this becomes. There are few shows we cannot present in our state of the art facility at the NPAC. If we don’t have it, we can usually get it — if it makes sense to.  Then pricing enters the equation. With 1,200 seats, many concerts fit our size, but some are meant for, and priced for, large arenas that seat three to four times more than we have. I am finding more and more that agents are telling me there are artists who just want to work, so they are willing to negotiate. They realize there are only so many arenas and many more PACs.

Once in a great while, situations occur that were never dreamed of.  For instance, when we booked Steel Magnolia, Meghan and Josh were on the rise in Country music. Their demand was increasing. Then Josh has “issues” and enters rehab. Trying to protect their livelihood, Meghan continues on with her band and tries to survive without Josh.  She hired a guitarist to fill in the duo vocals, but cuts her performance on us short.  We had little information to go by and were as surprised as our patrons by this. In talking with The William Morris Agency here in New York, they knew little more than we did. They apologized and we apologize, but we were all blindsided by what has happened to this duo. We wish them the best and hope their career can continue.  For those of you who attended Steel Magnolia’s concert, you can tell that Meghan has a great voice and her band was good.  Sometimes, you just don’t know!

Back to the future!  There was a band I was looking at for the NPAC next season.  As I went walking down Seventh Avenue toward Carnegie Hall, I noticed a big photo and poster of this band advertising they would be playing Carnegie Hall next week. Talk about timing!  Like I said, everything is here in the Big Apple. Just keep your big eyes open. They will never suspect you’re a visitor that way!

Oh, one more thing; as I was sitting in a theater last night, I overheard a lady talking to visitors from Uganda. She mentioned she just heard Jenna Bush Hager speak and she was very interesting and gracious. I just had to “butt in” and say that we were having her in Van Wert in a couple weeks. I was proud to say so! Don’t miss her on January 24 at the NPAC.

Oh, and another “one more thing”; I found some exciting entertainment for Fountain Park while here in New York. Although it seems like we haven’t had much winter yet, summer will be just around the corner!  See you in Van Wert!

FINÉ.