It Was Still Fun...
I am all about some food, I suppose that shows when you see me with my Santa belly and full cheeks. My son recently did an interview and a music performance for a Food Network Show.
Whether it airs, when it airs, if it will include the footage of him, these are all uncertainties for me. One certainty is that I enjoyed myself and he and Holli Moseley (also from Mobile), sang and played music. Also he tasted the food of a chef and gave his opinion as they requested.
With all of the excitement of the possibility of local people being on a national show, there was tremendous joy and gaiety in the air. The mascot of our minor league baseball team the Bay Bears was in attendance and he/she is adorable. There were about a dozen Azalea Trail Maids milling in and out of the building. We were physically located at a building across from the cannon on Government street that was once a nice restaurant called Pillars. Outside there was a grilling cook-off that included the two finalists, one team from Mobile (Meat Boss) and one from New York for a competition on the network. Inside there was a full house of people. Included in the crowd was the building's owners/operators, the directors, photographers, videographers from the show and the handlers who made sure everyone knew what to expect and had signed release papers just in case they got in a shot for the show.
A chef, who spoke with a heavy accent, but I did not hear his name, had prepared several items from his repertoire. He stepped up to the Azalea Trail Maids to have them taste this food; then he asked that Eric and Holli taste and let him know what they thought of his featured items. Eric tasted chicken in a waffle cone and this man's version of a moon pie which he said were very good. Holli declined tasting and commenting (I am not sure why).
There was a lot less singing than is normally done at a gig as they followed the instructions of the program director…”stop”, “play”, “softer”, “louder”, “sing”, “don’t sing”… We had seen something similar when a few years ago, a dating show came to Fairhope called “Sweet Home Alabama” and the characters came on a date to “The Shed” barbecue place on Old Shell Road, near University of South Alabama. Eric and his band “The Ugli Stick” began singing his song “Bird on A Powerline” and those in charge of the filming had them sing the same verse/chorus over and over and over again for about 40 minutes. By the time they got through even those of us who loved the song were quite sick of it. After all of that, there was not one second of their performance on this show!
It is exciting to think of possibly getting national exposure on a TV show, but realistically, the likelihood of real exposure is very slim. Yet the musicians will show up and donate their time just for the slight chance. They also come because they are asked and it is the right thing to do. It is right for our city, right for the musicians and right to give the correct impression to the TV networks that we want to help in any way we can to present our city in a positive light.
The reality show TV production is tough and there are lots of disappointments associated with the difference in what is filmed and what is actually used for the show. Also the music industry is so difficult and filled with disappointments. It takes a person with thick skin and extreme courage to pursue these careers. There are also rewards for these entertainers who know in their hearts that this is what they are supposed to do with their lives and it is what keeps them moving forward. As for Eric and Holli, they are not slowing down.
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