[Dixielandjazz] Woody Allen - my perspective

[John Wilder]

Hi all,

 

As is probably true for most of us, I've never heard Woody play, but I've
seen him in many movies.  Regardless of his playing ability, he is a famous
and well known personality.  From what I understand, he does not get up on
stage and preach or lecture, as you may remember Linda Ronstdat did when,
after using her show to make a long-winded political stand, she elicited so
many complaints from the audience members that the casino in Las Vegas not
only cancelled her remaining shows, but also threw her out of the hotel.
(They physically put her personal belongings from her room outside on the
sidewalk!)  Since Woody does not create negative feelings like that, the
audience gets what they want - to see someone famous up close and in person.

 

As to his alleged poor playing performance, I believe it was mentioned that
his fellow band members are all competent players.  Surely, none of you can
say you've never ever played in a band where one members' talent level was
inferior to the other members.  In many cases it does not completely "ruin"
the show for the audience.  (Perhaps for the other players, but that's
another story.)   We frequently judge our performances more harshly than a
typical audience member would.  If indeed Woody's performance is below par,
he still surrounds himself with pros and I imagine he puts on a decent show
as a whole.

 

Someone mentioned that people would hear Woody and determine that they don't
like the style, and then never listen to it again just because Woody plays a
sour note here and there.  That assumes a lot!   First, it assumes that
Woody's band would be the FIRST band they went to see, so they wouldn't have
heard any other bands at the festival to compare them with.  Second, it
assumes that even if it is the first band they see, they will dislike it
enough to go home after (or during) the first concert without sampling any
of the other offerings.  (If I went to Disneyland and my first ride was
"Pirates of the Caribbean" I would stay and see the rest of Disneyland even
if I was disappointed in the Pirates offering.)  Third, it assumes that they
will, indeed, dislike the performance.  I have really enjoyed many
performances which were given a negative review by "professional" reviewers.
At times, I've even wondered if the reviewer even saw the same show!

 

A direct marketing guru I study extensively used to speak on a circuit.
There were about eight different speakers all trying to sell their courses,
tapes, CD's and books.  There was also always one famous personality, such
as Brian Tracy, Colin Powell, Zig Ziglar, etc. who spoke.  The famous person
was not there to sell anything - he was there to interest people in the
event enough to get them through the door.  In fact, as the marketing guru
commented, "We don't care if you just go up there and speak for twenty
minutes reading poetry backwards, just as long as you make your appearance
that we're using to get the folks here.  Your job is like fish bait - you
attract the people here like bait attracts fish.  Then we sell em' on our
programs, which is like reeling in the fish.  Once they're here, it's like
the fish is "hooked".  We no longer need bait at that point.

 

If a jazz festival were to hire Woody's band (or any other famous
personality, for that matter) his fame would be the "bait" to help people
who are "on the fence" to decide if they want to go at all.  Once there,
they'll see and hear other performers who will "Wow" em'.  After all, how
can you "Wow" someone at your concert if they don't attend?  Bottom line -
you can't.  So I say, what does it matter if they attended because they love
the genre of music or because they wanted to see a famous person up close?
Once they're there, you no longer need the bait!

 

Like it or not, our society is more and more enamored with the rich and
famous.  Not long ago, I played piano for a private party hosted by Arnold
Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver for the California Legislature.  Although
it was a fun gig, in my opinion, it was far from the most impressive
performance I've given.  It was just a typical background piano gig.  I just
sat there playing background music, almost unnoticed.  I didn't even meet
Arnold, and only said, "Hi" and shook hands with Maria.

 

On my bio it touts that I've played solo for 3,000 fans, backed by a 25
piece concert band.  I've charted horn parts for full song and dance revues,
and played shows on cruise ships and throughout the country.  I've done a
thousand things that I believe are way more grand and impressive than that
party.  Still, the first comment I get from anyone reading my bio is, "Oh,
wow!  You actually played for Arnold?"

 

The Sacramento Jazz Festival has recently stopped bringing in a famous
personality to headline a show during the event.  Probably an attempt to
save money.  In my opinion, a huge, huge mistake!  Knowing what I know about
publicity, I'd say that bringing in a Woody Allen or a Doc Severenson or
even a Carol Burnett or a Jay Leno would do tons more for the festival than
bringing in great bands from out of the country that no one's ever heard of
outside of OKOM circles.  Does it matter if they're a musician?  I think not
so much.  I'm not saying that foreign bands shouldn't be invited, just that
they can't be counted upon to draw as well as a known name - musician or not
- talented or not.

 

My marketing guru always says, "Remember, you are not your customer!"  By
that, he means for example, that you shouldn't avoid selling something at a
high price because you personally wouldn't buy it at that price.  Likewise,
you shouldn't dismiss the idea of bringing in a famous personality to boost
sales just because you wouldn't personally go to see that personality.  Just
think how many attendees would scramble to buy tickets to a jazz festival if
it were announced that Bill Clinton would be playing sax with a band there.
Would you buy a ticket to see him?  Doesn't really matter, as thousands
would.  No one would ever say Clinton was a top-notch player, but they would
come anyway - not to hear his expertise, but to see him up close and
personal, and perhaps to meet a famous person.  

 

How about hiring Paris Hilton?  She doesn't even play anything (except maybe
"around"), but if you wanted the really young crowd in droves, featuring her
would get them there in a heartbeat!  Would I go to see her?  Nah!  If I
were on the board, would I vote to bring in Paris?  No, but only because
I've heard of Paris being unreliable and not showing up for contracted
appearances.  I certainly would vote to bring in Bill Clinton if he were
available, however, as we would fill up the stands!  With "bait" like Bill -
good player or not - you'd likely need a large hall for the appearance.  And
I don't think anyone would make a decision on whether they liked OKOM based
on Clinton's playing (or attempts at playing).

 

John Wilder