A Photographer’s Gamble…

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On April 18, 2010 MGM Grand in Las Vegas hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards.  The award show where everybody who is anybody in the world of Country Music is in attendance. 

For two years, I had been requesting permission to attend.  (I did not send in this year… only so many times you can be told ‘no.’)  Sending in forms, and waiting and waiting… only to be told ‘no.’  Of course being told ‘no,’ is done very politely… as you can see: “Regretfully, we are not able to accommodate your Media Credentials Request for the Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. We are limited on space this year and I’m sorry we do not have room for all of the amazing, amazing media we would like to have on-site. Thank you so much for your interest and support in this event!”

So when the time arrived this year to submit a request to cover the ACM Awards, I didn’t even pay it any mind.  No sense in wasting my skills and time where I was not invited.  Instead I was honored to be covering the PBR World Cup, at the Thomas and Mack.  Did I mention I love bull riders… great guys, honest, and you know you are welcome there.  I love the PBR, so covering the World Cup was awesome… but, that is for another post.

Well I had got done photographing the PBR World Cup the last bull was bucked, and the winning team was crowned.  It was time to head back up from the arena floor to the media room to get close to the winning team.  I squeezed through the mob of fans (excuse me, pardon me, excuse me…) still crowding the breezeways and halls of the Thomas and Mack, and finally arrived at the media room.

When I arrived I was told that I had a chance to cover the ACM Awards, for another media organization.  All I had to do was show up at the credential office and they would meet me there.  I was leery of such an offer, I didn’t know this media organization and it seemed like I was being set up.  But, friends of this guy assured me that he was good to his word and I would be able to go to the ACM Awards.  There was nothing to worry about.  Yeah, right.

I was torn should I go cover the ACM Awards that I never had a chance to, or should I stay and hang out with the bull rider’s?  Well I chose the ACM Awards, I knew I would be able to see the bull rider’s at the PBR World Finals in October.

So I packed up my gear, traded shirts with a friend, and got a lift to the MGM.  I found the credential office.  I was not on their list, and they didn’t have any tickets for me as media.  Never mind the fact the person who was handling the credentials had just packed up, despite the fact I was told the media office was still open until four o’clock.  A nice lady tried hard to track down the person I needed to see about my credentials, I even made it to the media room, but was told I was not on the list so I couldn’t be there.  I was told to go wait in the hallway and somebody would get back to me. 

 By now I knew I had been set up and I was upset.  The guy with the other media organization never returned numerous phone calls.  I waited for over an hour, before I gave up and accepted the fact he wasn’t going to show.  I doubt he even had access to the ACM Awards… I have learned not to trust some guy who says he has access to a big event, even if he has people that agree with him. 

Never trust people you don’t know and believe everything you hear.  Old advice that I did not heed, and I paid the price for it.  I got burned but, it won’t happen again. 

Camera Wench
“Have Camera… Will Travel”

Garth Brooks Press Conference at the Encore Theater

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October 15, 2009… History was made and I was there to bring you history in the making.  I attended the press conference of the year, and maybe the century.  Garth Brooks and Steve Wynn came on stage at the Encore Theatre to announce that Garth was coming out of self imposed retirement, which lasted nine years.

Garth officially came out of retirement so there would be no limitations going forward.  Garth said “We’re going to take the retirement roof off over our head, and let me tell you I already feel taller. It’s nice.”

Garth is the # 1 selling solo artist in the United States, and Steve Wynn is the Chairman of the Board and CEO for Wynn Resorts.  Steve made Garth an offer that no one else ever had.  It was an offer that would allow Garth to perform the music he loves, and still be at home with his children.  “Every argument we ever had about why we shouldn’t do this, he had an answer to,” Garth said.

Garth said… “I told him he couldn’t afford me, I was wrong. Wow.”  Garth will perform fifteen weekends a year, for five years.  And if at any point Garth doesn’t want to do it anymore, Garth can walk away.  Oh, and do not forget the jet plane Steve bought for Garth, to ensure Garth never misses any time with his family.

The biggest issue was ticket prices; Garth has always wanted to make sure his fans could afford to see him, regardless of where he played, which is why his tour tickets were $ 25.00 for every concert.  Garth said “This was where we really went at it, this was tough.”  Steve and Garth settled on ticket prices being $ 125.00 for any seat in the 1500 seat Encore Theater.

This time there will be no band, no fancy lights, no flying over the fans, as that is in the past… but, Garth will be standing proud doing what he loves for those that love Garth for who he is… his fans.   Garth will be alone on stage, with his guitar… sharing the hits, the moments, and the memories that fans have come to know Garth for.  Garth did say Trisha Yearwood would join him occasionally on stage, and there might be a few other special guests.  But, most importantly fans will see Garth singing not only his music, but the music of those who inspired Garth during his career… including Merle Haggard, Elton John, George Strait, and Simon & Garfunkel.

Garth loves his fans and those who have been with him since the beginning.  But, in respect to his decision to play music again, Garth had this to say… “I don’t have any trepidation because I’ve cleared it with the most important people.” In case you are wondering who those important people are, they are Trisha Yearwood his wife, Sandy Mahl his ex-wife, and his three daughters Taylor, August, and Allie.

Thank you Steve for allowing Garth to keep his passion for music alive, and still have all the special moments and memories with his family.  Garth thank you for coming out of retirement, your fans love you and have respected your desire to be a family man.

Garth you don’t have to prove yourself to your fans, you already have… we are just glad to have you back while allowing you keep your family.  After nine long years Garth, Welcome Home, you will always have a special place in our hearts.

I would like to leave you our fans with this parting thought from Steve Wynn, as we couldn’t have said it better ourselves… “When a man can do what Garth does, it’s almost a crime against nature for him not to do that.”

Camera Wench
“Have Camera… Will Travel”