[Dixielandjazz] Re: Jim Cullum info>>The Rule of Success

[BudTuba at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/27/03 12:26:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
mophandl at landing.com writes:

> To sum up, there are no "secrets" to Jim's success. One has to truly 
> believe
> in one's product first and foremost. Then, one should take into account
> Jim's long history in the jazz life and his business background. But, most
> importantly, there is the man's character: dogged persistence, energy,
> positive outlook, and the will to "close the deal." He was dealt a hand, and
> he played it.
> 

The "secret" is the combination of this vision and strategy with one 
essential ingredient: talent in the ideom and on the lead instrument, particularly.  
This has led to a consolidation of talent and fans to migrate to San Antonio 
and provide the support.  Within our OKOM community, I have heard from many 
folks who made the pilgrimage to The Landing and plan to return.  His willingness 
to include other musicians and bands in his productions is a definite 
enhancement, but if Jim had to stop playing, I don't think the enterprise would last 
very long.

The Prairie Home Companion has a similar talented focal point, Garrison 
Keillor.  HIs vision is that of old time live radio entertainment and his ability 
to spin a yarn with Lake Wobegone and the other scripted set pieces are central 
to that success.  He consolidates the talents of people with folksy themes 
and has a huge market through the PRI network.  Without Garrison, the show would 
fold in a week.

Therefore, unless there is are charismatic central figures with OKOM-cal 
talent to open additional satellite Landing franchises, I do not hold much hope 
that they will succeed.  Look at the rise and demise of Rosie O-Grady's in 
Orlando, they had a brief satellite in Les Vegas, but there the driving force is 
not the music  

 An additional factor comes to bear when added franchises do show early 
promise...it is similar to the proliferation of indian casinos.  As people are 
given more choices to satisfy their gambling desires, the initial high success of 
the early providers will diminish and they will find it harder to compete and 
eventually have to close their tent flaps.  The "build it and they will come" 
strategy is not the whole equation for success. 


Bud Taylor
Smugtown Stompers
Rochester, NY
Traditional Jazz since 1958