[Dixielandjazz] Million Dollar ?

[G. William Oakley]

Thank you.  I appreciate that kind comment.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Creole Dixieland Jazz Band" <dixielandjazz@myexcel.com>
To: "G. William Oakley" <gwilliamoakley@earthlink.net>; "DJML"
<dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, July 15, 2002 4:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Million Dollar ?


> I appreciate this post. When I lived in the St. Louis area (early 1980's)
I
> went to the festival and had a blast. The highlight though was playing the
> fest one summer (1983 I believe) with the Jim Dapogny band when his bone
> player, Bob Smith, couldn't make it. Whether playing or listening, it was
> always a great festival, seemed well organized and professional, a good
> variety of bands -- what a gas! A terrific memory I'll always remember:
> There was a jam session every night after the final set. When I finally
left
> in the middle of the night (4:00am or so?) and was walking down the levee
> towards my car, I could still hear the sounds of session coming from the
> boat. Perfect. You did a good job, G. William Oakley.
>
> Dave
> =======================
> "It's a treat to beat your feet."
> The Creole Dixieland Jazz Band
> Dave Gravatt
> 417-581-5626
> www.CreoleJazz.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "G. William Oakley" <gwilliamoakley@earthlink.net>
> To: "DJML" <dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com>
> Sent: Monday, July 15, 2002 1:47 PM
> Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Million Dollar ?
>
>
> > First, let me say that I think being a festival director is one of the
> most
> > unrewarding, thankless jobs around. No matter what a gangbusters lineup
> you
> > choose, there will always be numerous questioners who ask why you DIDN'T
> > invite so-and-so and why you DID invite so-and-so. It's a no-win
> situation."
> > Wrote Bill Horton
> > I respectfully disagree.  I ran the St. Louis Festival for many years
and
> it
> > was most rewarding.  I loved every minute of it and to this day continue
> > relations with friends and associates acquired during that time.
> > As to diversity (not the PC kind) we always tried to bring as much
variety
> > as  could be conjured up.  I always had to have Turk and the Salty Dogs
> > because the audience expected it.  Beyond that I tried to have a
differnet
> > foreign group every year,  a different "kid band" (we prided ourselves
on
> > looking for up and coming young groups and giving them their first
> > professional exposure), and I always had an unusual group, e.g. The
> Etcetera
> > String Band.  We tried to represent different parts of the country as
> well.
> > Midwesterners at the time had not heard bands like the Hot Frogs or the
> > Royal Society and they were brought in to much acclaim.  I could go on
but
> I
> > think the point is made.  I see festival lineups that are right off the
> > Xerox machine and I can sympathize with the idea that "they sell
badges,"
> > but there is also something to be said for stretching your audience.  I
> > think we did that quite successfully in St. Louis and attendance grew
> every
> > year.  We were also attracting younger people.  At first they came down
> and
> > sat on the levee and listened for free but then they became full-fledged
> > ticket buyers.
> >
> > In my opinion it can be a win-win situation.
> >
> > Respectfully,
> > G. William Oakley
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com
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> >
>
>