Marshall Texas: Birthplace of Boogie Woogie

June 9, 2014

REQUIREMENT

■ City Commission meeting on March 27, 2014, item 115: Discussion of continuing funding for the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie Program.

o Commissioner Moon expressed the need to continue funding for the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie Program.

o The Commission engaged in discussion regarding this agenda item.

o Chairman Smith suggested forming a Committee to develop a plan to go forward,

flowing guidelines outlined in the Tourism Update.

o Commissioner Moon will serve as the Chair of the Committee, with Commissioners

Oliver and Boersma also agreeing to serve.

■ Email message, Tuesday, May 6, 2014, from Commissioner Moon to Steven Flohr: My

Committee has met several times and have now in place the team that we want to help

move the Boogie Woogie program forward. I would appreciate you being the chair of this

group and hopefully you can meet soon. You may want to also meet with Jack and Nancy

Canson. The members of this group that I contacted are below (Doyle Curry, Eva Oliver). If there are others that would know please feel free to ask and bring them on board. Please

feel free to call. Gloria Moon

OBJECTIVE: The Boogie Woogie Citizens Advisory Committee will submit a plan to Commissioner Moon

to continue the Boogie Woogie music initiative following the recommendations of the Great Destination

Strategies report by John Kelsh:

■ "Position Boogie Woogie as a program of a variety of music, not just Boogie Woogie music."

■ "Incubate and track progress of Boogie Woogie events to :

■ Create Marshall awareness

■ Attract primary target market visitors for overnight stays.

■ Continue to link Boogie Woogie to the cultural heritage of Marshall.

■ Estimate the feasibility of a boogie woogie performance in Memorial City

Hall auditorium as part of the mix."

CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

■ The Citizens Advisory Committee on the Boogie Woogie music initiative was established and

met on May 12, 2014, to begin the development of the recommendation. Committee

members are Doyle Curry, Eva Oliver and Steve Flohr. The Committee was expanded to 5

persons with the addition of Ines Lancaster and Anthony Robinson. The Committee was

further expanded to 7 persons with the addition of Gail Beil and Judd Webber.

■ The committee conducted meetings to discuss the requirement, gathering public opinion

data, possible recommendations, and finalize the recommendation to the Commission. The

committee interviewed persons involved in the Boogie Woogie music initiative to gain

knowledge and develop the recommendation to go forward. A summary of the timeline of

interviews completed, actions completed, and meetings conducted is attached for

information. ENCL 1

■ Why Continue the Boogie Woogie Program? ENCL 2

■ Review and findings of Great Destination Strategies reports by John Kelsh. ENCL 3

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CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

■ The Committee strongly recommends that the City of Marshall continue to develop and

promote the unique Birthplace of Boogie Woogie music program as a significant content

contribution to the overall Marshall Entertainment Arts brand.

o Provide funding for an 18 month period of performance during calendar years 2014-

5. The level of funding should be sufficient to continue the program at a level similar to the past three years performance. The type of funds, whether Hotel

Occupancy funds, General Funds or other source, is to be determined by the City.

o Negotiate and award a contract for the 18 month period of performance with the scope of work that will sustain the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie program.

o Negotiation and award of a sole source contract to the incumbent will avoid the

additional time and expense to transition to a new vendor. The incumbent has

achieved favorable past performance that is well documented. The incumbent has

provided a list of proposed tasks for review. ENCL 4

o Evaluate the contract performance at the conclusion of one year to determine the

duration and level of continuation.

o Utilize the established City budgeting process (type and amount of funds) and

contracting procedures (sole source or competitive) which fulfill the objectives of

the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie music program. The level of funding and

contractual support for the Boogie Woogie music program should reflect the level of

program support within the overall priorities of the City of Marshall.

■ That the Commission encourage the establishment of a "Friends of Boogie Woogie Music"

organization, that, as a nonprofit citizens group organized under 501 (c) (3), will "support

and promote the Boogie Woogie music program in Marshall, Texas." ENCL 5

Submitted by the Citizens Advisory Committee on Boogie Woogie Music:

Steve Flohr, Chair .-----

Doyle Curry

Eva Oliver

Ines Lancaster

Anthony Robinson

Gail Beil

Judd Webber

Enclosure 1 ... Timelin of interviews and meetings

2 ... Why Continue the Boogie Woogie Program?

3 ... Review and findings of Great Destination Strategies by John Kelsh

4 ... Contractor task list proposed

5 ... Friends of Marshall Texas Birthplace of Boogie Woogie

Date -7--- 2---°/5‘

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Marshall Texas: Birthplace of Boogie Woogie

Interviews conducted:

1. May 7, 2014: Marshall Convention and Visitors Bureau, Geraldine Mauthe, discussed CVB

staffing changes. Geraldine is the only CVB employee. There is a conference room to use if

needed.

2. May 8, 2014: Chamber of Commerce, Connie Ware, discussed Boogie Woogie music economic

impact, support by businesses, Connie Fugler has attendance numbers for Fire Ant festival that

was conducted in conjunction with BW.

3. May 9, 2014: Picked up a copy of the Great Destination Strategies, report by John Kelsh, dated

Dec 19, 2013, and made copies and distributed to committee members.

4. Dec 12, 2014: Met with Jan Black, owner of OS 2 restaurant. She supports continuing the

program but availability of Boogie Woogie performers is questionable.

S. May 13, 2014: Marshall Main Street, city staff, Bo Ellis, by telephone. Bo stated that BW is a

good asset, was managed by City Manager, Main Street has no staff to manage BW performances and does not want to manage BW contract, however, BW music performances do

positively impact and contribute to Main Street objectives of promoting Main Street.

6. May 15, 2014: Jack and Nancy Canson, meeting with BW Citizens Committee, provide the

review of past performances and recommendation for the future. Copies of charts presented

are available.

7. May 16, 2014: Contact with Shawne Somerford, manager of Blue Frog, telephone conversation, yes, continue the BW program, it is part of bigger picture of entertainment that is positive, BW

will not carry the load forward, reduce funding level.

8. May 16, 2014: Telephone conversation with Commissioner Marshall about his view of Boogie

Woogie program, he would like to contract out and past accomplishments were negative.

9. May 19, 2014: Telephone conversation with Gail Beil, she is planning the East Texas Historical

Association symposium on the East Texas roots of African American music, to be conducted in

spring 2015. 10. May 19, 2014: Telephone conversation with Christina Anderson, she has included the Boogie

Woogie music program in her narrative that is submitted for an award to Marshall as an All

American city. She provided a copy of the application which describes Marshall's Boogie

Woogie music initiative.

11. May 19, 2014: Doyle Curry provides summary report on his presentation to book club group

12. May 20,2014: Committee information and draft recommendation provided to City

Commissioners in response to review by Commissioner Boersma. 13. May 22, 2014: Contacted Chamber of Commerce, Connie Ware, about quantitative data on Fire

Ant festival attendance. Connie states that Boogie Woogie performance during Fire Ant festival

increases attendance for the annual festival and she provided attendance estimates for the past 4 years.

14. May 27, 2014: Gail Beil discusses the proposed Symposium on the East Texas Roots of African

American Music to be conducted by the East Texas Historical Association in spring 2015. 15. May 27, 2014: Anthony Robinson discusses the results of his completed interviews with civic

leaders and provides a memorandum summarizing the results: the Boogie Woogie program is a

worthwhile program, it should be continued, it is a major attraction during special events in

Marshall, and, it should be funded by the City of Marshall. 16. May 27, 2014: Doyle Curry provides feedback on interview with Jack Redmon, city staff person

as the Director of Support Services. Jack states that Boogie Woogie is a unique opportunity for Marshall and should be continued.

BW Citizens Committee meetings:

1. May 12, 2014: Introductions, discussed the committee process, the definition of the task, timeframe, and Kelsh report recommendations for BW initiative. Minutes attached.

2. May 15, 2014: Jack and Nancy Canson make presentation to the committee, with recommendations for BW future. Committee members also meet separately to discuss requirements for further interviews, data gathering, and draft recommendation.

3. May 19, 2014: Committee meeting to discuss further interviews, information gathering, and draft recommendation.

4. May 27, 2014: Committee increased to 7 members with the addition of Gail Beil and Judd Webber. Meeting to review the draft recommendation and any additional information

available.

5. June 2, 2014: The committee met to discuss the initiative to establish a "Friends of Boogie Woogie" organization as a nonprofit support group of citizens. The details of the Friends

organization were discussed and it was agreed that a Friends organization would be instrumental in gaining popular support for the program.

6. Meeting to present recommendation to Commissioner Moon is scheduled for Monday, June 9,

3:00 pm, at the Marshall Public Library.

As of June 9, 2014

Marshall Texas: Birthplace of Boogie Woogie

June 9, 2014

OBJECTIVE: The Boogie Woogie Citizens Advisory Committee will submit a plan to Commissioner Moon

to continue the Boogie Woogie music initiative following the recommendations of the Great Destination

Strategies report by John Kelsh: ■ "Position Boogie Woogie as a program of a variety of music, not just Boogie Woogie music."

■ "Incubate and track progress of Boogie Woogie events to :

■ Create Marshall awareness

■ Attract primary target market visitors for overnight stays.

■ Continue to link Boogie Woogie to the cultural heritage of Marshall.

■ Estimate the feasibility of a boogie woogie performance in Memorial City

Hall auditorium as part of the mix."

Why Continue the Boogie Woogie Program?

■ The Birthplace of Boogie Woogie is a unique and distinguishing program for Marshall Texas.

It is part of our legacy, whether we like it or not. We can exploit this legacy to our

advantage by continuing the music program within the overall tourism plan for the City. The

majority of Marshall citizens want the program to continue in some form to sustain the

momentum accumulated over the past four years.

■ Boogie Woogie music performances closely relate to the other elements of the Marshall

brand development, such as down town development, entertainment and arts

performances, historical research and recognition, and healthy dietary and activities

programs. The Boogie Woogie music program must coordinate with the other resources of

the brand development: Marshall Main Street, Marshall Convention and Visitors Bureau,

Marshall Regional Arts Council, Marshall Symphony, Wiley College and East Texas Baptist

University musical performances, Get Healthy Marshall food and diet program, the

Michelson Art Museum, Harrison County Historical Museum, Marshall Depot, and Marshall

Convention Center events. It appears that the "Birthplace of Boogie Woogie" program fits

well with these other brand activities and contributes to the overall success of multiple

venues, from other music forms to historical displays and buildings to live performances to

art shows to dietary alternatives.

■ The Birthplace of Boogie Woogie music performances will serve as entertainment content

for the renovated Marshall Memorial City Hall auditorium. It is envisioned that the

Birhplace of Boogie Woogie could be a significant, continuing musical program featuring

various forms of musical performances for the renovated Marshall City Hall Auditorium.

■ The Boogie Woogie program is already well documented on the City of Marshall website, as

provided by the incumbent contractor during the contract performance of the past 4 years.

Twelve data items are listed under the website heading of Birthplace of Boogie Woogie

Music. These data contract deliverables by the incumbent contractor demonstrate the

favorable past performance in execution of the contracted effort. The video recording of

program performances, the origins and history descriptions, and the local support of Boogie

Woogie music are all well documented.

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■ The Boogie Woogie Music program has been scheduled in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce Fire Ant festival for the past 4 years. It is reported that over $23,000 in funds from local business sponsorships and ticket sales was generated during these past 4 years. The Chamber of Commerce reports that estimated attendance figures rose from approximately 6,000 attendees in 2010, to 10,000 in 2011, to 12,000 in 2012, and 10,000 in 2013. This increase in attendance is primarily attributed to the interest in the Boogie Woogie music program scheduled as part of the Fire Ant weekend event. This availability of the Boogie Woogie music program contributes to successful events scheduled in downtown

Marshall Texas.

■ A proposal to conduct a Symposium on East Texas Roots of African American Music is under development by the East Texas Historical Association. This proposal to conduct the

symposium in the 2015 timeframe reflects community interest and support for the

Birthplace of Boogie Woogie Music program. The symposium also serves to fulfill the Kelsh report recommendation to relate Boogie Woogie to local African American history. The symposium would also include the dedication of a Texas Historical Marker in honor of the East Texas Roots of African American Music. The schedule of events would include Wiley College participation and both historical presentations as well as musical performances.

■ The City of Marshall was nominated for recognition as an All American City award by the National Civic League and has been selected as a finalist for this award. The nomination includes reference to Marshall as the place where Boogie Woogie music originated and the heritage of African American music in our community. In May 2010, The Marshall City

Commission signed a proclamation declaring Marshall as the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie. All American City recognition serves to promote the City of Marshall, its tourism plan, and

the unique Boogie Woogie program in Marshall. Continuation of the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie Music program demonstrates the commitment to the All American City award

nomination.

■ Establishing a nonprofit organization under tax code 501 c (3) as the "Friends of the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie" will promote public awareness, as specified in the Kelsh recommendations. The Friends will support the program, create a source for private

financial contributions, encourage sponsorships for musical events, and build popular enthusiasm for the program. This will also support the historical recognition of Boogie

Woogie and may be supported by grant funds to achieve historical designation.

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AlC4

Marshall Texas: Birthplace of Boogie Woogie

June 9, 2014

MARSHALL TOURISM PLAN

■ The Committee reviewed the GDS Report by John Kelsh, dated Dec 19, 2013, to determine

all recommendations and input pertaining to the Boogie Woogie program. The Committee

also reviewed the update to the GDS Kelsh report that was presented to the City Commission on Feb 25, 2014. Other documentation from the City website was used, which

included the Destination Development Inc. report, Branding, Development & Marketing

Action Plan, dated July 2007, and the 12 items listed under the heading Birthplace of Boogie

Woogie Music on the City of Marshall website.

■ The Kelsh report findings in general support the Boogie Woogie program and include recommendations to continue the program as a niche element of the overall Entertainment Arts brand concept for Marshall. The Birthplace of Boogie Woogie program provides music performance content to contribute to the Marshall brand.

■ The Kelsh Report Recommendation D, Boogie Woogie, specifically states that the Boogie

Woogie program should be continued with emphasis on the links to other forms of

American music and the "Birthplace" relationship with the origins of Boogie Woogie in local

Black history.

Findings, Conclusion and Recommendations by Great Destination Strategies (GDS), John Kelsh report,

dated December 19, 2013.

■ GDS Report Finding 27. Boogie Woogie Music.

o "There is evidence that the formation of Boogie Woogie music took place in rural

wooded areas and on railroad land near Marshall. Some have refuted the evidence,

but in considering ownership by the City of Marshall of the title 'Birthplace of

Boogie Woogie Music' it hardly matters. No other place is claiming it, and for now,

Marshall has as good or better a claim as anywhere and in fact acquired the

trademarks and registrations to bolster its claim. Boogie Woogie music is a niche

market, and has limitations that keep it from replacing the Entertainment Arts

brans. It has limited appeal as evidenced by the numbers who have attended

concerts. There are simply not enough people that can be lured to Marshall for an

hour or two session of Boogie Woogie music, on a consistent basis, as would be

required if it were the brand. Attendance can be improved through more

awareness and education, but we are still of the opinion that as a core brand it

would not generate the numbers of enthusiasts needed to make it economically

viable as Marshall's brand."

o Many of the music events are not Boogie Woogie at all, but rock, jazz, the blues or

soul. The argument has been made that these forms of music had their origins in

Boogie Woogie. For rock, jazz, the blues and soul that also may be debatable.

Nevertheless, millions enjoy these forms of music without any knowledge of Boogie

Woogie or its connection. Each of these styles of music is appropriate to the

Entertainment Arts Brand and DDI recommended these types of music to be

included. Labelling 'Boogie Woogie Wednesdays' and offering some other form of

music is not advancing the cause of Marshall as the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie. If

advertised, it should be offered.

1

o The City has subsidized Boogie Woogie for three years and spent $230K and success

has been limited.

o Two aspects of value to the Entertainment Arts brand:

■ Programming must demonstrate links to Boogie Woogie history and

contributions to other music styles.

■ Boogie Woogie music programming must reflect Black History context and

local Black History legacy.

o The development of this niche product as a part of the overall Entertainment Arts brand should be placed back in the purview of the MCVB where it began when the

Bureau approved the Boogie Woogie Production Proposal in April 2010.

■ GDS Report Recommendation D. Boogie Woogie.

o "Boogie Woogie music has a place in the mix of music and entertainment for the

brand, just as does rock, jazz, the blues, soul, classical, folk, and other musical forms.

It is our belief that Boogie Woogie music is a niche market and has limitations that

keep it from replacing the Entertainment Arts brand. It has limited appeal as

evidenced by the visitor numbers who have attended concerts. There are simply

not enough people that can be lured to Marshall for Boogie Woogie music on a

consistent basis, as would be required if it were the brand. Attendance can be

improved through more awareness and education, but we are still of the opinion

that as a core brand it will not generate the numbers of enthusiasts needed to make

it economically viable as Marshall's brand."

o "There are two aspects of Boogie Woogie that should be pursued. First,

programming should be developed into a song, dance, and narrative show that

would feature the history of Boogie Woogie music, its development,

demonstrations of its links to other forms of American music, and with audience

participation. But it has to be profitable for the producers, not subsidized by the

City. Secondly, the story of Boogie Woogie music should be told within the context

and the broader perspective of the local African-American history, so that the

African-American ownership of this legacy can be reinforced."

GDS chart presentation to City Commission, Feb 25, 2014, entitled Marshall, Texas Tourism Plan

Review: Boogie Woogie recommendations chart:

o "Position Boogie Woogie as a program of a variety of music, not just Boogie Woogie music.

o Incubate and track progress of Boogie Woogie events to :

■ Create Marshall awareness

■ Attract primary target market visitors for overnight stays.

■ Continue to link Boogie Woogie to the cultural heritage of Marshall. ■ Estimate the feasibility of a boogie woogie performance in Memorial City

Hall auditorium as part of the mix."

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Marshall, Texas Tourism Plan Review

By John Kelsh

GDSP GREAT DESTINATION STRATEGIES,LLc

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Boogie Woogie

• Position Boogie Woogie as a program of a variety of music, not just Boogie Woogie music.

• Incubate and track the progress of Boogie Woogie events to:

Create Marshall awareness

Attract primary target market visitors for overnight

stays.

Continue to link Boogie Woogie to the cultural heritage of Marshall

Estimate feasibility of a boogie woogie performance in Memorial City Hall auditorium as part of the mix.

z-/ Canson & Canson

3109ViLlary DJ).* :A?t tzA 3X 75672 Tortryrarson@preiitclorn Fgay.:436 iatiotartson@attnet 903.217.-7/4513

The Future of the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie Program

The Birthplace of Boogie Woogie Program has enormous potential to become one of the most effective visitor attraction programs in the nation for a town of Marshal's size — if additional support for the program is provided and program managers obtain needed commitments in order to engage in longer range planning than has been possible to date. This is particularly the case insofar as planning applies to scheduling festivals and other seasonal activities and contracting with high profile artists to perform at major events.

We propose a new contract for Canson & Canson to undertake the following projects:

1 A feasibility and use study for Memorial City Hall Auditorium to develop a recurring

Birthplace of Boogie Woogie Saturday Night Revue weekly show that is designed to attract

overnight visitors on a regular basis.

Z. Plan and produce a Second Annual Boogie Woo* Heritage Festival as a two-day event with

adequate lead time for promotion to attract overnight visitors.

3. Plan and produce Second Annual Gospel Boogie Jubilee Festival as a two-day event with

adequate lead time for promotion to attract overnight visitors.

4_ Resume Birthplace of Boogie Woogie Chemed outdoor concerts for Main Street Second

Saturdays and create new Boogie Woogie Second Friday shows to encourage overnight visitors_

5. Plan, promote and produce a two-day Boogie Woogie Fireant Festival event.

6. Continue to provide guidance and encouragement to Marshall venues to present Birthplace

of Boogie Woogie Chemed entertainment weekday nights and weekends_

-T. Create Boogie bogie Thursday Showcase for a downtown venue.

B. Continue to provide critical marketing & promotion services for all Mantle entertainment

and cultural activities.

CONCLUSION

Marshall, Texas IS

the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie

At very modest cost, we have demonstrated that people of all ages and backgrounds respond

to entertainment presented under the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie banner.

We have proven the birthplace claim to the satisfaction of scholars, journalists, entertainers,

and the general public.

The public has responded far and wide with an emphatically positive response to the Birthplace

of Boogie Woogie brand.

The Birthplace of Boogie Woogie brand is not only a catchy, hard-to-forget, totally unique

brand — it successfully incorporates Marshall's premiere tourism-attracting assets.

• African American cultural history including the Buard History Trail.

• Texas & Pacific Railway history and the T&P Depot Museum.

• Caddo Lake, it's cultural and environmental history and its recreational offerings.

• The Harrison County Historical Museum and Michelson Museum.

• Memorial City Hall Auditorium and its potential to provide hard-to-find old-fashioned entertainment experiences in an intimate setting.

• A rich and profoundly important musical geographical area, of which Marshall is the center.

There can be no better or more effective brand for Marshall. It's time we stopped treating it as

a stepchild and put it to work to realize its full potential.

/

Behind Every Good Boogie is a Woogie

To address specific Tourism Plan Review recommendations:

a. Position BW as program of a variety of (related) music not just Boogie Woogie music. - Rhythm & Blues, Gospel, Rock & Roll, etc.

b. Incubate BW events.

c. Track the progress of BW events. - Create awareness of Marshall as destination point. - Attract primary target market visitors increasing overnight stays. - Link BW to Black cultural heritage of Marshall (and >Caddo area).

Empower the `Woogies Behind the Boogie', and establish 'Friends of Marshall, Texas, the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie'.

a. creating an independent, community-based, 501 (C) (3), self-funded advisory body supporting the BW program in Marshall, and assisting as possible, City Staff who will award, fund and manage the contractor program.

b. extending reach and participation through inclusion of rural Harrison County & Caddo region by involving county-wide organizations in support of BW Brand; bringing rural music traditions into focus; encouraging up-take by new musicians; and showcasing established area artists.

c. initiating, incubating and supporting community-involved activities in cooperation with local education, arts and community initiatives, and evolving them into sustainable, marketable, community-supported traditions.

d. developing (with the participation of strategic partners and contractor), a 5-yr rolling strategic plan guiding development of BW in Marshall, and enabling qualitative and quantitative evaluation against established benchmarks.