UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 4, Page 3
September 21, 1995
Star search; Booking acts involves planning, coordination

     Gloria Estefan, Charlie Pride, the Four Tops, the Temptations,
Milli Vanilli and the Oak Ridge Boys are but a few of the name stars
with whom Gary Simpson has worked.
     The assistant director of alumni and University relations said he
had contact with a lot of prominent entertainers during the seven
years he was general manager of the Delaware State Fair.
     Since coming to the University in 1992, Simpson said his
responsibilities have been a bit more varied. But, he said, he still
keeps in touch with some of show business' name acts and their
managers in his role as booking agent for University events.
     Simpson, who can provide a story to accompany all of the
autographed publicity photographs that fill a drawer in his Dover
office, serves as chairperson of the University's Performing Advisory
Group. The group is part of the Events Council, he explained, which
works to present a performance schedule for the campus community that
avoids overlapping and offers quality entertainment for the students,
staff and community.
     Simpson's subcommittee consists of about a dozen representatives,
including both staff and students, from such diverse areas as the
Perkins Student Center, Bob Carpenter Center, Performing Arts Series,
Department of Music, Center for Black Culture, Student Center
Programming Advisory Board, the University Gallery and the Cultural
Programming Advisory Board, among others.
     "We want to make sure there are not two of the same types of acts
performing on campus at the same time. If the Bob Carpenter Center has
booked a pop artist for a particular date, the committee wants to make
sure there is not another pop artist on campus who is in conflict with
that same date."
     "The Events Council represents a wide spectrum of the University
community, from students to senior administrators. While I was at the
fair, we had an entertainment committee of 16 people. Initially, I
actually thought there were too many people. But I realized after
working together that if you could convince 16 people that you could
sell the public on a particular act and afford to pay for it, there's
a good chance the public would respond favorably. It's also good to
get a group reaction, rather than having one or two or three people
make a decision."
     Ask Simpson how far in advance he must book an act and he
responds with a simple, "That depends."
     Country stars, rock 'n' roll performers and popular adult singers
and entertainers usually have their tours and schedules set up months,
and sometimes years, in advance. Pop/alternative singers and rappers
are more likely to set up a tour at the last minute, or as a result of
more immediate, skyrocketing popularity.
     Simpson booked Judy Collins in June for her upcoming Dec. 8
Holiday Season concert at the Bob Carpenter Center.
     "Generally, contemporary pop and alternative acts don't book that
far in advance because they set their tours late," he said. "But, the
bad thing about booking a pop act six months in advance is the fact
that they might be cold by the time they arrive to perform. Popular
country acts, on the other hand, will sell as well today as they would
in six months, because most of those stars have an established
audience that has been around for years."
     Thinking back on his years rubbing elbows with the stars at the
Delaware State Fair, Simpson described Reba McIntire as one of the
most considerate artists with whom he has ever dealt.
     Following a fantastic, sell-out performance in deadly heat,
Simpson said the country star went to her dressing room, changed into
fresh clothing and stood for an hour signing autographs. That same
year, Simpson helped host Willie Nelson and Gloria Estefan, who also
presented sold-out performances.
     "Country stars, like Randy Travis, usually started at the bottom
and worked their way up through the club stands and one nighters, and
built their careers over the years," Simpson said. "A lot of the pop
performers are almost overnight sensations, coming with a sudden hit
song. As a result, the demands of the two different groups are
completely different. Some of the pop performers are not used to less
than ideal conditions."
     Simpson said he has a few favorite stars whom he would book into
the Bob Carpenter Center if he had the ideal conditions and financial
resources. All of them, including Mariah Carey, Tony Bennett, Reba
McIntire and Garth Brooks, would have no problem selling out, but the
ticket prices would have to be about $35 per person to cover expenses.
     "People will pay to see a good act," he said, "but, on a campus,
you want your students to go and see good quality entertainment at
affordable prices."
     While it's enjoyable to be up close and personal to visiting
entertainers, Simpson said one of his most satisfying achievements is
the increase in the public's response to the University's Summer Arts
Festival.
     "The Lewes event seems to be growing each year," he said," and
that includes the caliber of talent and the dramatic increase in
attendance, that this year reached about 10,000. It's gratifying to me
that the event has grown and evolved, and I'm proud to be associated
with it."
     Simpson said the relaxed, family atmosphere under the stars is an
important part of the Lewes summer performances. Perhaps, he said, the
evening events may expand to include more daytime attractions in the
future.
     "I like my position because it's diverse," Simpson said. "There's
not just one aspect, such as booking acts. I also do some development
work, and I'm responsible for most of the cultural programs that the
University presents in Southern Delaware. In all these areas, I get to
work with the public a lot, and I enjoy that, too."
     Reflecting on this summer's rock 'n' roll concert, to be repeated
at Homecoming Oct. 13, by the Coasters, Drifters and Martha Reeves and
the Vandellas, Simpson smiled and said, "There are a lot of people out
there who still like that '50s and '60s music. You see them in the
audience singing along. It gives you a great deal of satisfaction when
you see people up at concerts dancing and having fun, mouthing the
words to the songs."
                                                         -Ed Okonowicz