Spring signals graduation season, and for me that means Busy. This year I had 21 graduation party shows in 23 days, from May 17 to June 8.

Keep in mind this involves catching a few hours of sleep, getting up around midnight, working until 4, or 5, or 6AM.  I stayed in eleven different hotels from Brandon, SD to Ladysmith, WI,  logged 3,391 miles and flew to Williston, ND over Memorial Day, which you can imagine is another story altogether.

Friends ask, “What time’s the show?”

I tell them one o’clock, or two o’clock, or three o’clock, depending.

“This afternoon?”

“No, three o’clock in the morning.”

Someone who’s unfamiliar with grad parties with immediately ask, “WHY?”

Parent volunteers and anyone who works on a party like this will tell you it’s because we celebrate our students, and want to keep them safe on this highly energized evening. A tremendous amount of planning, effort, and financial support from sponsors and parents makes these parties a popular success.

I decided to have a little “best t-shirt” contest, and was impressed with the creativity of the various designs. It was also fun to compare the sizes of the graduating classes. I can tell you that class size does not matter when it comes to awesome hypnosis shows. Some of the funniest pictures I took were of volunteers from the smallest graduating classes.

2+0+1=3 – The only class that adds up! (Altoona, WI)

Making Waves – (Big Lake, MN)

Never Satisfied! (Brandon, SD)

Soaring Into the Future (Flambeau, WI)

Watch for the Good News!

Watch for the Good News (Ladysmith, WI)

Welcome to Fabulous Monticello – Class of 2013 – A Sure Bet (Monticello, MN)

Cruisn into the Future! (Pierz, MN)

Here’s the power of suggestion at work.

I say, “The person sitting next to you smells better than anything!”

Here’s what happens:

My congratulations to all graduates, and especially to the parent committees that work so hard to make these parties a success. And finally, a shot of Monticello High School class of 2013, which at 4AM was by far the most enthusiastic and awake audience of the year!

Each night before and after we took the stage, we were able to talk to Joan and get to know her a little better.  She is an absolute warm, loving, and kind person.  She took us under her wing, gave us great advice and asked us back for more shows in the future!  We are all still on such a high from such an incredible weekend.  The cream certainly rises to the top and today at 80 years old, Joan Rivers is at the top of her game!  And we are blessed to be a part of it!

Divas Through the Decades open for Joan Rivers at The Venetian Show Room in Las Vegas, NV.

Most people have memories of first grade – they remember their teacher, best friend, the classroom, recess . . . . .I remember all those things as well, but I also had two big events from my first grade year that are forever etched in my brain (well at least I hope they are!).  As I heard news of the 50^th Anniversary of the Beatle’s Album Please Please Me in March, it brought memories of those days to the forefront.

Gary Berg – First Grade

On a Friday in November of 1963 (the 22^nd to be specific) I had just come in from lunch and recess (which was a full one hour break that included a solid kickball performance by me which I remember for some strange reason . . . . but I digress) – I had settled in for my penmanship class (and those of you who see my writing probably do not believe I ever had that class).  It was quiet in the room while all 27 of us were working hard trying to keep our cursive letters on the lines when there was a knock on the door.

Sister Mary Anne went to the door, received a note, put her hand to her mouth, composed herself and told us all to put our pencils down and listen.   President Kennedy had just been shot.   She then led us all in a series of prayers and shortly after school was let out early.  I found my sister Sue and we walked home together as always but it was quiet and sad.   When we got home my mom had the TV on and was weeping while she watched.  My two other sisters, Clare Ann and Judy came home from high school – both crying.  It was a sad, surreal, strange day for a first grader who really only worried about baseball and fishing up to that point.  The days and weeks that followed that were hard on my family and the country.  Sad times.

Then, 77 days later (February 9, 1964) I was in front of the TV on a Sunday night to watch this new group called The Beatles make their first ever appearance in the US on the Ed Sullivan Show.  I watched and listened in amazement as these four guys sang and played guitars and drums and everyone went completely crazy.  I couldn’t help but be happy, excited and hopeful that I could hear another song.  It was exactly the medicine a country needed to start healing and moving forward.  They made two more appearances on that show over the next few weeks and each one had me glued to the TV in excited anticipation.  Mom and Dad even bought  the “With the Beatles” album for us which got played non-stop.

When I really reflect back on things – I think that is where the seed was planted to love music, rock and roll, live performance, and entertainment in general.   The Beatles were not only amazing musicians and performers – they also provided the emotional lift we all needed to get past the terrible occurrence in Dallas that had happened in November.   What an amazing gift!

As the Cesare Pavese saying goes – “We do not remember days . . . . we remember moments.”  These were a couple of big historical moments I experienced at a very young age and remember very distinctly.   Of course because they were so historical in nature, in this case, we also remember the days!

Gary and I have always talked about that one of the greatest things about the entertainment business is having the opportunity to meet and work with the people we do.  G.L. Berg Entertainment will celebrate its 25^th Anniversary next year, and I have been a performer with The Memories for over 40 years.  Through the years there have been many lasting friendships formed with acts and clients.  Our business has also allowed us to meet some really special people, like Bob Williams.

Bob is not a client of G.L. Berg – he has never booked one of our acts.  And, even though he is very funny – we have never booked him to perform at an event.  Bob is with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection and has been Fair Coordinator for many years.  Bob travels the State of Wisconsin each summer visiting over half of the 75 County & District Fairs each year.  In his “free time”, he visits fairs around the country and also speaks at several fair conventions & meetings. He is a true Goodwill Ambassador for the fair industry.  Gary and I both first met Bob at a Wisconsin Fair Convention around 30 years ago – and are fortunate to be able to call this “young” gentleman our friend.

Bob Williams and Gary Berg taking a break at the IAFE Zone 3 Conference. Bob & Gary were featured speakers at the Conference in Louisville, KY in March.

Bob Williams and Connie Stevens (Tim’s wife) visit at the G.L. Berg Entertainment Booth at the recent Florida Federation of Fairs Convention held in Naples. Bob attended the convention, leading workshop sessions and stopped by the booth several times throughout the three day convention to enjoy a Wisconsin treat that Tim & Connie brought along – The “Mini Cow Pie!”

Here is a link with information on all the great performers presenting shows on the free stages at this year’s fair!

In 2011, the duo began a canoe trip in Minneapolis and continued down the Mississippi River for 30 days until they arrived at the St. Louis Gateway Arch.  During that trip, they camped, canoed, and composed the songs that made up their last adventure album for kids and families entitled Can You Canoe? 

Can You Canoe? was the winner of a Grammy for Best Children’s Album of 2012, among other awards.  We can’t wait to see what results from the Appalachian Adventure Album.  Have fun, Joe, Justin, and crew!

Photo from the Mississippi River trip in 2011.

On April 18^th we held our 21^st Annual Talent Showcase and Customer Appreciation Event at the Paramount Theater in St. Cloud, MN.  With 550 people registered and planning to attend, a great event was all in place . . . and then the snow came.   It snowed throughout the day and by the time the snow ended early the next morning, the official snowfall for St. Cloud was 12.3,” setting an all-time record for snow on that date in April.

But the show must go on!  Despite the snow, 200 people came out to enjoy a great night of fun and food.  A special thank you to Custom Catering Simple to Elegant by Short Stop for providing culinary delights; and to all the acts for being the pros they are.  Indeed, the show did go on!   The Zany Waiters had people laughing before they even got to their seats.  Once in their seats, everyone was treated to excellent performances by Divas Through the Decades, Scott Novotny, Laura Goodrich, SongBlast!, Mary Mack, Laura Ernst, and Legacy – A Tribute to the King of Pop.  Everyone  who experienced the event enjoyed non-stop fun, which led to one attendee telling me her face hurt from smiling and laughing so hard . . . love it!

Reflecting on the evening, I am sad the weather prevented so many people from attending, causing them to miss an amazing show and customer appreciation; but it also pointed out how wonderful it is to work with truly professional entertainers and staff members who rolled with the punches and pulled off a great show as always.  Their talent and level of commitment to providing great entertainment is extraordinary and constant, and reinforces why our agency and our acts are so good at what we do.

The date for next year’s showcase is set for Thursday, April 24^th – please mark your calendars and plan to join us rain or shine (and hopefully never in snow again, ever!!!).  We will do our best to make sure it is a spectacular event from start to finish.

If you would like to see photos from this year’s showcase please watch the video below.

Thank you and we look forward to working with you soon –