Headline Talent 

How I cut my teeth.

The first headline artist I ever booked was James Brown.  And boy oh boy what memories that included...  like confirming probationary restrictions would not prohibit artist travel, the debate between hot food and cold cuts for dinner, being invited by James to come in for dinner, and still kicking myself in the butt for not going in.  It pouring down rain that night and holding James' umbrella as we walked to the stage together.  He danced through every puddle on the stage that night, and to a packed wet house!  Truly "the hardest working man in show business".

While still a young little talent buyer, I ended up being given the responsibility for booking Bob Marley's Reggae Fest.  The festival had lost money for all of its previous years, taking a lot of pressure off my back.   I was lucky enough to spot a new emerging artist, Sean Paul, and he had just dropped his new hit "Gimme the Light".   We fought like heck to increase our entertainment budget,  marketing believed in us and away we went!  Our festival that year included Sean Paul, Wayne Wonder, Tanto Metro & Devonte, and of course Rita Marley. The event made more money in 1 day than what was projected for both days.     

As a "promotional show" I even asked Sister Hazel (through appropriate management) if they would be willing to sing the national anthem one year for the Daytona International Speedway.  They said yes, absolutely, and even got their record label on board for some support.  The Daytona 500 had a heck of a national anthem that year, only to be followed by a bad mama jama free concert!!!  

And although I have worked with a number of headline musical acts, I think Tony Hawk would be my last WOW before realizing that headline talent was a lot more contract and paperwork then sparkles and pixie dust.  If you are still reading this, I really don't like that part, but it has to be done.