STORY EPISODE – Joyous holiday season Venuelanders! As we prepare for an exciting 2024 with some incredible guests and bonus episodes, please enjoy this special holiday treat. Here is our version of that classic, fire-side story which will hopefully warm your heart – ‘Twas the Night Before Show Day. 📖💗 We hope you’ll share this short story with coworkers and fellow live event friends, and that you have a peaceful, happy holiday season however you celebrate. See you in 2024!
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'Twas the night before show day, throughout back of house,
Not a crew member stirred, not even a mouse;
Road boxes were packed into semi trucks with care,
In hopes that by load-in they would surely be there.
The GM was nestled all snug in their bed,
While visions of show profits danced in their head;
Marketing, ticketing, security and more,
Dreamed of patrons smoothly going through doors.
This holiday show – an iconic one of a kind,
Combined Mariah, TSO, Rockettes, and Mannheim;
Promoters all wanted this last-second show,
All venues were in awe, for that you must know.
As staff arrived and prepared for the night,
A snafu was discovered, the details weren’t right;
Part time support staff never got the call,
This last-minute booking may not happen at all.
Word went out that this show needs support,
If no help arrives, they'll have to abort;
As the staff hung their heads, joined the fans and cried,
A door opened with reinforcements from far and wide.
They exclaimed, "It’s AEG! OVG! Live Nation and Legends!
There's Kroenke, MSG, NS2 – good heavens!
We need all your help, give it your touch.
Let's make this show happen, thank you so much!"
The crew all jumped in, staffing entries and parking,
People unloaded trucks, got chalk and began marking;
Ticketmaster, AXS, eTix, and more,
All teamed up to get people through the door.
With everyone in their seats and anticipation high,
The lights went down with not a dry eye;
The crowd began to roar, giving everyone a hand,
Always a favorite moment for those in Venueland.
Mannheim Steamroller was first on this bill,
They brought out the classics and had no chill;
Putting their heart into every last song,
Synthesizers, drums, and even a gong!
Next up was the Radio City Music Hall squad,
Performing numbers as the crowd ooo-ed and awed;
Their eyes – how they twinkled! Their show so razzling!
Their legs kicking sky high, the Rockettes were dazzling!
And with a blast of pyro Trans-Siberian Orchestra took the stage,
Guitars shedding, lasers beaming, a show for every age;
Holiday classics with rockstar flair,
As musicians and singers swung through the air.
Mariah closed it out, and sang loud and true,
That all she wanted for Christmas, was you-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooooo!
And just as she finished her final note,
She invited staff and crew on stage and cleared her throat.
“Normally these companies compete for nickels and dimes,
But today, this special night, they put it all aside.
They understood how important this holiday show was.
And despite who landed it, it had to happen because,
No matter who performs, what venue, or profit split,
Making memories for fans is the reason we do it.”
They joined the performers, and sang through the mic,
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!
Camille Faulkner:
'Twas the night before show day, throughout back of house,
Not a crew member stirred, not even a mouse;
Road boxes were packed into semi trucks with care,
In hopes that by load-in they would surely be there.
Paul Hooper:
The GM was nestled all snug in their bed,
While visions of show profits danced in their head;
Marketing, ticketing, security and more,
Dreamed of patrons smoothly going through doors.
Samantha Marker:
This holiday show – an iconic one of a kind,
Combined Mariah, TSO, Rockettes, and Mannheim;
Promoters all wanted this last-second show,
All venues were in awe, for that you must know.
Megan Ebeck:
As staff arrived and prepared for the night,
A snafu was discovered, the details weren’t right;
Part time support staff never got the call,
This last-minute booking may not happen at all.
Dave Redelberger:
Word went out that this show needs support,
If no help arrives, they'll have to abort;
As the staff hung their heads, joined the fans and cried,
A door opened with reinforcements from far and wide.
Camille Faulkner:
They exclaimed, "It’s AEG! OVG! Live Nation and Legends!
There's Kroenke, MSG, NS2 – good heavens!
We need all your help, give it your touch.
Let's make this show happen, thank you so much!"
Paul Hooper:
The crew all jumped in, staffing entries and parking,
People unloaded trucks, got chalk and began marking;
Ticketmaster, AXS, eTix, and more,
All teamed up to get people through the door.
Samantha Marker:
With everyone in their seats and anticipation high,
The lights went down with not a dry eye;
The crowd began to roar, giving everyone a hand,
Always a favorite moment for those in Venueland.
Megan Ebeck:
Mannheim Steamroller was first on this bill,
They brought out the classics and had no chill;
Putting their heart into every last song,
Synthesizers, drums, and even a gong!
Dave Redelberger:
Next up was the Radio City Music Hall squad,
Performing numbers as the crowd ooo-ed and awed;
Their eyes – how they twinkled! Their show so razzling!
Their legs kicking sky high, the Rockettes were dazzling!
Camille Faulkner:
And with a blast of pyro Trans-Siberian Orchestra took the stage,
Guitars shedding, lasers beaming, a show for every age;
Holiday classics with rockstar flair,
As musicians and singers swung through the air.
Paul Hooper:
Mariah closed it out, and sang loud and true,
That all she wanted for Christmas, was you-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooooo!
And just as she finished her final note,
She invited staff and crew on stage and cleared her throat.
Samantha Marker:
“Normally these companies compete for nickels and dimes,
Megan Ebeck:
But today, this special night, they put it all aside.
Dave Redelberger:
They understood how important this holiday show was.
Camille Faulkner:
And despite who landed it, it had to happen because,
Paul Hooper:
No matter who performs, what venue, or profit split,
Samantha Marker:
Making memories for fans is the reason we do it.”
Megan Ebeck:
They joined the performers, and sang through the mic,
Dave Redelberger:
Happy holidays to all,
Paul Hooper:
and to all a good-night!
Dave Redelberger:
A big thanks to Paul Hooper for writing this holiday masterpiece. Before we wrap things up for 2023, I just want to thank all our listeners and everyone who is a big part of the podcast. And a big special thanks to our team. Paul, would you kindly introduce all of our readers today?
Paul Hooper:
Absolutely! We've got Sam, cam, and meg here with us, who are a huge part of our team, and really the reason we're able to continue doing what we are doing.
Everyone:
Happy holidays to all, and to all a good night!