2/25/1994
Another year, another Gavin convention.
If you missed it…wait a second…I don’t think anybody missed it. Except Steve Kingston and Scott Shannon. And nobody missed them. Except me.
It was the largest Gavin convention ever with over 3,000 registrants and at least that many uninvited gangstas in the lobby of the St. Francis Hotel.
The highlight of the convention was Capitol Records President Gary Gersh’s Keynote Address. The speech, as Gary, was thought provoking, futuristic and right on the money. Those who didn’t hear it should try and get a copy. It would make a great Editorial in The Network Forty.
One of the downsides to this year’s convention was the unpredictable San Francisco weather. It was rainy and cold, driving many inside to the numerous panels. Unfortunately, the less-than-stimulating discussions drove many back into the streets.
Maybe it’s me, but these panels at different conventions seem to be identical in shape and scope, from the topics and the lack of give-and-take to the same people not discussing the same things. But what’s the answer? It isn’t like everyone hasn’t tried. And the folks at Gavin did the best they could. Perhaps it’s the forum.
At next year’s convention, how about no panel discussions? Let’s face it, very little is accomplished with five or more people on a forum. The talk is disjointed at best and boring most of the times. Nobody wants to say something that might put him at odds with his peers on the dais. So, let’s have shorter talks by individuals with a limited amount of time for questions afterwards. If these panelists, most of whom are intelligent and well-respected, have time to prepare a presentation on a specific subject, we’ll all be better off and might learn something.
Or if we’re stuck with panels (I understand the Gavin mindset of trying to involve as many people as possible), how about having specific questions prepared in advance for individual members on the panels? This would give each an opportunity to make points on certain topics and would generate a wider range of discussion than the hit-and-miss of panelists reacting to each other.
How about a real hot seat? Not where a programmer or promotion executive is asked provocative questions, but where, for a nominal fee donated to charity, participants could throw ripe fruit at the guest of honor? Or maybe a dunk tank? One of the elements missing at the convention was humor. We need a sideshow like this to put everything into perspective. And I know the first person we should put in the tank. Gavin could have made a fortune!
The different record company parties and showcases were well attended…too well attended for most tastes. A common complaint was that there were too many people at this convention. But what are we supposed to do? Criticize Gavin for being successful?
And how about that awards banquet? Is it time to give out some of the awards at other, earlier function? This bad boy goes on forever. I know better than to suggest we cut down on the number of those up for awards. But could group presentations be way out of line? There’s no room to mention all the winners (this week’s Gavin will have a “supplemental pull-out†for that), but I’ll take one deep breath and get the first paragraph in: Record Company of the Year: Epic; Independent Label of the Year: Interscope; Record Executive of the Year: Jimmy Iovine; Sr. VP Promotion: MCA’s Bruce Tenenbaum; VP Promotion: Columbia’s Jerry Blair; National Promotion Director: Reprise’s Nancy Levin; Small Market PD and Station: Ed Lambert/Z104; Medium Market: Pete Cosenza and KLUC; Large Market: Jimmy Steal and KKRZ/Power Pig (tie); Major Market: Steve Rivers/Kiss 108. Another highlight? Mike Joseph receiving the Bill Gavin Heritage Award. Many in the audience were unfamiliar with Mike Joseph and his historical programming record, but his acceptance speech galvanized many of those listening…especially when he beseeched his fellow programmers “not to forget the teens…they’re our future…and never stop playing the hits.†Hey, it worked for him.
As is usually the case, the overall feeling of most of those attending was that the convention was good. And who can be overly critical of the never-tiring Dave Sholin and the always-smiling Ron Fell, the two institutions who make Gavin what it is today?
Gavin must solve one major problem that could hurt attendance at future conventions. Something must be done about the posers hanging out in the lobby of the St. Frances. Saturday night, after some threats and confrontations and many complaints, police moved all the furniture out of the lobby and restricted entrance to those who were registered at the hotel. Holding the panel discussions and speeches at another venue (like the nearby Moscone Center) could restrict access to only registrants, something that can’t be done at the public hotel. This could keep many of those who are just “looking for a good time†out of the way of those who have paid money to attend. Security must be beefed up so those attending functions in the hotel won’t feel threatened. Although this would take a show of force that might inhibit invited guests and convention registrants, most would swap that feeling for the fear that permeated this year’s event.
Admittedly, most of the gangstas in the lobby of the hotel weren’t invited. They just “dropped by†for a good time. However, some artists still insist on traveling with an entourage. Perhaps Gavin could outlaw entourages.
Unless Elvis comes back. He can have as many people with him as he wants. And we’re sure Bill Gavin will be on his arm.