Dear Skip: Plan C? From Outer Space

“Be ye kind one to another, even as God also in Christ forgave you.”
-- Ephesians 4:32

Date:
Sun, 25 Jan 2009 12:04:58 -0500 [12:04:58 PM EST]
From:
Randall Tessier
To:
Lee Haynes
Subject:
RE: Tim McGee Benefit

Dear Lee:

The tentative proposal is this: We would like to have a benefit concert for Tim McGee on EITHER Fri., July 24, or Sat., the 25th. The proceeds from the night -- door, pitcher, and PERHAPS…repeat…PERHAPS, a percentage of the bar (20% of the bar seems a fair donation) -- would go to McGee. Although I know you guys serve dinner until fairly late, it would be ideal to start as early as possible. One solution to this would be to start with an accoustic set which (I know you’ve heard this song and dance before) I GUARANTEE would be loungy soft enough to complement rather than undermine the dining experience. Who would play? The plan is to have a core band of veteran musicians. But the way it would be coordinated would by no means preclude having entire local bands, or elements of these bands, take the stage. Mike Letts of the Flat Broke Blues Band w/Laurie Hayes, assured me they are ready to heed the call. I haven’t yet contacted Sudzy and the Ski-Doos, Daryll Syria, Tret Fure, Fast Eddie, Bobby Hayes, Jerry Kippola, and other local luminaries, but I’m sure they’re all willing to contribute to this worthy cause. Aside from a mention in the advertising that former members of Walrus would be involved (as a way of maximizing the benefit to the McGees), this would have nothing to do with the Walrus as a musical entity. Three things: 1) I’ve had experience with playing and organizing these events in Ann Arbor; 2) this would be good local PR for the Upfront as a community minded establishment; 3) Since you would pay the band nothing the bar would MAKE MONEY. It is with great pride that I can say the members of FUBAR want to head north for this. Along with Don Kuhli and Kim French, the Fubarians can provide a a knock-out back up band for any and all that want to take the stage, and are more than willing to sit down to accommodate others. The format is perfect for making sure everyone is heard. I’ve talked to George Bedard, and there’s a good chance we can make his presence possible. As I said, these are fairly loose ideas at present, so any and all suggestions are welcomed. If this seems like something the Upfront can’t accommodate, that’s fine. We appreciate your consideration.

Best – Randy Tessier

Quoting Lee Haynes :
[Hide Quoted Text]

Randy,

Please forward any ideas you have. Before we consider anything I'd like to know what you guys have in mind.

Lee Haynes

Entertainment Director/Talent BuyerUpfront & Company102 E. Main St.

Marquette, MI 49855(906)228-5200 (ext 110)(906)226-2824 (fax)www.upfrontandcompany.com

Dear Skip:

I too favor the LBJ. The idea that I can walk to Squaw beach after a 5th of single malt scotch is certainly a key consideration in staging these kinds of events. And I ‘d be happy to put you up for the night at the Bystrom Lodge on the way to Lake Independence should that last quarter mile seem to incapacitating. But this is, after all, about generating funds for Teaker.

In truth, I didn’t really expect the Upfront to express much interest. But they did, and that’s a good thing. This doesn’t mean we don’t do The Lumberjack (by the way, who is that guy standing in front of the LBJ in the photo?), it simply means (should the Upfront accomodate us) we do one night in Marquette and one night in Big Bay. It’ll be a somewhat of a logistical headache, but that’s ok, this is about more than having fun (can you believe I said that?).

You’ll never take me alive, coppers! – Randy

PS: Skip, can they still prosecute me for the Getz’s and Fisher school capers?