Great show. Four guys in chaps and Stetsons, guitar, bass, accordion and fiddle. The Philharmonic in the background and around me hundreds of people in the audience of a couple thousand wearing name badges. Unusual, I thought. I have been to quite a few concerts and seldom seen name badges on anyone but the folk leading you to a seat. The name badges announced: Indiana Farm Bureau, there is a convention in town, and some eight hundred of them showed up at the Embassy last night. They were not disappointed.
Riders in the Sky was the name of the ensemble, 5000 plus performances under their belts and 30 years together. Two Grammies, lots of press clippings. Great humor. Songs of the west: Roy Rogers, Ghost Riders in the Sky, Cool Clear Water, Rawhide. Great show. Believe me. Take the kids. Go for yourself, savor the memories of Saturday morning TV when Tonto and the Lone Ranger saved humanity together.
But, there was a bigger story here. The Grand Wayne hustled the event and downtown restaurants were full. I stood in line at a central watering hole before the show for grub and a redeye. Lots of badges. Nice people. Farmers and grain elevator people from all over the state. Then, I went over to the Embassy for the show, having gulped down my redeye. Eight hundred paying customers on hand sporting those badges. At $40 a ticket, figuring a discount, they pumped $32,000 into the show last night, paid for rental of the Embassy, for wages for the Philharmonic musicians, wages for the Embassy staff, supplemental income for a few police officers, and filled a dozen restaurants downtown. Nice.
And it was a great show. I was proud that all those people from Evansville, Lake County, Jeffersonville and Indy were in my city seeing such a smile-making show in our beautiful theater.
Tourism dollars are new dollars, new income, to our little economy, and they support more than just the Grand Wayne. Jobs, jobs, jobs at hotels, restaurants, food vendors, electricians, cops, plumbers and entertainers. They add to the night life and to the energy of our charming little community, so I am glad I was there last night and glad that at least this moment in our tourism promotion effort was a success.
If you have the time tonight take in the show. It was just great.
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I agree that the Farm Bureau convention is a needed boost, and that it’s good to see people downtown. I’ll be taking in the Philharmonic myself tonight. Good times!
Jim,
I was invited to go after someone read your post. We went to the show last night, and had an amazing time. Walked in 30 minutes before the show and had seats in row K, on the aisle. Tiny was also there with his daughter.
The combination of The Riders and the Philharmonic was absolutely astounding.
I also met a German lad who’s here on a job assignment with 9 others from Germany, and told him about you. I will email you his info.
Dan, glad the show was as good for you and the rest aroun you as it was for me. They were truly a fun and quality act with plenty of good ol’ humor. It is nice to get away from the hardships and the frustrations every now and then to enjoy such a show.