CarusoBlog

The speaking biz has a more than a little theatre

Composed in Sarasota, Florida-

A speaking engagement has brought me to the gulf side of Florida where my client gave me a special treat.  He arranged a VIP tour of the Asolo Repertoire Theatre. 

During the tour, it occurred to me that the speaking business has a lot in common with the theatre world. 

A "green room," for example, is a place where performers can chill out before going on stage.  The origin of the term is not readily evident, ut it might have something to do with limelight, eh?

"Black box" is a theater term used to describe a simple, unadorned performance space.  Speakers often do their thing in the rather simple surroundings of a hotel meeting room. 

Finally, many theaters use a "phantom light" to illuminate the the stage when shutting the building down.  It's an old superstition that guarantees the stage never goes completely dark. 

Like most speaker/authors, my mind never goes completely dark.  My brain is always churning, trying to figure out weird things such as how to turn a theatre tour into a meaningful blog post.

What famous people have you photographed? Matthew Brady was America's first celebrity photographer

Composed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada--

I've been reading about celebrity photographer Annie Liebovitz.  She's taken scads of famous photos, including the shot of a naked John Lennon sprawled over Yoko Ono.

She's become a celebrity herself lately as journalists buzz about her having a baby late in life and her money problems.

Before there was Annie Leibovitz or Herb Ritts, there was Mathew Brady.

Brady is credited with being the father of phot journalism and was perhaps the country's first celebrity photographer. 

Before the Civil War began, Brady ran a very successful photo studio that catered to Presidents and other celebrities.  When the war broke out, he became the official lensman of the campaign. 

Brady was an interesting character on many levels. 

The photographer catered to the masses by providing dramatic and often graphic imagery of the campaign. 

He's credited with taking seven thousand of photos, although we now know that many of the shots were taken by members of his staff.  Indeed, Brady himself is seen in images that credit him as the photographer. 

After the war, things did not go well for Mathew Brady.  Tragically, Brady's eyes failed early in life.  The photographer's general health continued to decline and alcohol came into his life.  Even with all his fame and notoriety, his business eventually went bankrupt. 

Then, Brady suddenly experienced something that many celebrities go through.  He became a passing fad.

Brady had become known for providing over-size, over-priced prints.  Suddenly, even before the technical age, the photographer became of victim of advancing technology.

Mathew Brady died penniless in the charity ward of Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, in 1896, from complications following a streetcar accident.

What famous people have you photographed?

What's the best concert you've ever attended?

A recent e-mail from my youngest brother Rob, prompted me to think about the best concerts I've ever attended.  It's an eclectic grouping to be sure:

Paul Anka in the 70's.  The 1970's not Paul's 70s.  The singer is only 68.  I love his carefree, old school, Sinatra performance style.  Unlike Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett this guy actually writes his own songs.  Check out his CD of rock covers titled, Rock Swings. 

The Jacksons Triumph tour in the 80s.  This was when the brothers were at the peak, before before Michael left the act.  What am I saying?  Michael was the act.

Psychedelic Furs at Center Stage in Canton, Michigan in the decadent 80s. Center Stage is long gone, as are the Furs, but I remember a great vibe in the room that night.  There were no seats in the place, but I've always preferred small venues and somehow this rather average pop band (Pretty in Pink) and average venue really got to me  that evening.

Billy Joel at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan sometimes in 80s.  Say what you will about Joel being schmaltzy or square.  He's the consumate performer.  Funny, talented and armed with a battalion of great material, the younger Joel was known for delivering three-hour pop extravaganzas.  I've seen the piano man perform several times over three decades and find his shows remarkably consistent, high-caliber affairs. 

Squeeze at the Royal Oak Theatre with The Producers in 1982 or so.  Pop heaven!  Squeeze became a household name, but apparently, only in the Caruso house.  Their biggest hit was the bluesy, Black Coffee in Bed. 

David Bowie at the Hollywood Bowl with Pam Dunaway in around 1993.  Pam was working at Spin magazine and had scored tickets and a car to the concert.  There were only about 500 people at the show and we were close enough to see the pores in Bowie's skin.  I remember he performed Under Pressure, which I never thought I would hear live, since Freddie Mercury had already passed.  Wow!

Maynard Ferguson at Pershing High School in Detroit around 1974.  By the 70s, the big band sound was a dinosaur, but us high school musicians were still interested in trumpet music.  This was the first time I ever heard a big band live.  My Dad, a fantastic trumpet player, took me and my brothers and my world opened up.  Maynard was always a trip live.  His version of MacArthur Park was always a favorite.  There were only 100 people scattered throughout the dark auditorium that evening, but MF made a terrific impression on me.

 

Some surprising disappointments:

The Rolling Stones at Joe Louis in the mid 1990s.  I walked out of their show.  By this time, the band had become a parody of itself.  An older, more processed parody.  I remember attending the show with an extremely hot chick, so it's possible I was distracted that night.

Paul McCartney at the Palace of Auburn Hills in the 90s.  It wasn't Paul's fault.  I was literally sitting three rows from the top of the arena.  When Paul was playing old tunes from his days with the Fab Four, I felt like I was watching a Beatles cover band.  I know, Paul McCartney was a Beatle, but the music still felt inauthentic.  I remain a huge McCartney fan, however. 

What's the best concert you've ever attended?

The Osmonds and the Carusos Were the First Boy Bands

Composed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana--

The Osmond family is celebrating 50 years in show business.   They've had  dozens of gold records and are still red-hot in the United Kingdom, having recently sold out Wembley Stadium in 24 hours. 

Everyone knows that Marie Osmond was on last season's Dancing With the Stars.  Donnie, I'm told, is close to signing a long-term deal to perform in Las Vegas.

You may know that my brothers and I emulated the Osmond brothers in our early years as the Caruso brother band.  We thought we were hipper than the Mormon family, but who didn't?  Anyway, the sibling connection wasn't lost on us.  The media loved the angle and we got tons of local and regional press.

I'm sure that all the time I spent in front of rock 'n' roll audiences helped prepare me for a career in the speaking business.  What do you think?

My brothers and I informally sing together once in a while.  Dave, Rob and I had some musical fun over the holidays at Rob's beautiful waterfront home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Veni, Vidi, ?

Posted from Royal Oak, Michigan--

One of the best e-zines I receive is from Dan Poynter.  As a writer, I find Dan's information timely and refreshing.  He's an expert on book publishing and a mentor.  I've only met him once, but Mr. Poynter continues to inspire and educate. 

A recent issue of his e-zine offered a funny nugget from Charles Boyle.

The following phrases are adopted from the old saying, "Veni, vidi, vici . . . I came, I saw, I conquered."  I punched up a few of them.

• Veni, vidi, velcro . . . I came, I saw, I stuck around
• Veni, vidi, vino . . . I came, I saw, I got drunk
• Veni, vidi, visa . . . I came, I saw, I charged it
• Veni, vidi, viagra . . . I came, I saw, I rose to the occasion
• Veni, vidi, vinyl . . . I came, I saw, I sided the house

• Veni, vidi, venereal . . . I came, I saw, I caught  something
• Veni, vidi, volvo . . . I came, I saw, I drove safely
• Veni, vidi, veggie . . . I came, I saw, I ate healthy

I Ride Along in NASCAR style with Mike Guerity

Posted from Royal Oak, Michigan--

     I recently keynoted a conference for some talented software developers and their customers in Charlotte, North Carolina.  We were treated to a thrilling ride-along in a stock car at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

     I took three laps around the 1.5 mile track at 160 miles per hour with Mike Guerity, a friendly, polite and confident young man.  Mike is one step away from joining the superstar ranks of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).  His proud mother, Linda took some of the photos here.    

     All NASCAR drivers and passengers must where helmets.  The foam on the inside of my helmet was soaking wet with perspiration from previous passengers.

     The car is an 850 horsepower, Nextel cup car that weighs 3,400 pounds.  A Ford Escort has 110 horsepower and a Dodge Viper has 450.  An Escort weighs 2,470 lbs. and the Viper weighs 3,320 lbs.

     The ride-along was fun, even though it wasn't an actual race.  The turns were pitched at 24 degrees and roar of the engine sure kept me awake.  As one conference attendee put it, "At 160 miles per hour, you don't go toward things as much as things come toward you."

     Our race day was exciting, but I'll bet a full house of 167,000 fans on race day  really makes the track rock!

     Thanks to Bob Arndt at Integral and Mike Guerity for another great adventure!