Meet the Black Widow - Part 1
I've been meaning to write this story about Jeanette for a long time so with a cold one on the desk and a fresh pack of Kools we go back in time to the Fall of 1998. My darts and billiards business had progressed from humble beginnings in 1995 in a 600 sq ft strip mall space to 4000 sf ft in a new storefront in the Spring of 1998. What I liked about the new digs was the location in the heart of downtown Clarksville, TN and the numerous bars and restaurants (and lawyer offices) as my neighbors. What better for a retailer then potential customers "walking" up and down the street. The walk-in traffic was fantastic and business was off to a great start.
During this time we became a McDermott Gold dealer. I forget exactly what the bennies were but one was the ability to book an appearance by Jeannette Lee at a substantial discount. At the time she was under contract and a spokesperson for McDermott. I didn't jump on this opportunity immediately but kept it on the backburner thinking it may be a good PR op in the future.
The initial summer business was very good and we were becoming established. Of course being the only darts and billiards shop in a 30 mile radius didn't hurt but we felt the key was to get the name out so folks would visit us rather then head down I24 to Nashville about an hour away. Strangely we started getting calls from Nashville folks asking for directions to our place but will save that for another time.
New location was working well but I kept thinking about doing a big time event to get us firmly established. One day over a 5 o'clock Jack on the rocks one of my buds that volunteered for the Dream Factory suggested doing a benefit event. The Dream Factory was a local organization very similar to Make a Wish and they operated a summer camp (Camp Rainbow) for seriously ill children. The wheels started clicking and ideas were popping. During the next week or so I bounced some ideas with a few of the local bar owners along the lines of running a citywide pool tournament to benefit the Dream Factory.
The idea was well accepted but in thinking about it there didn't seem to be enough of the big bang for my business from a PR standpoint. Then I remembered the Jeanette-card. Why not have all the bars run their own tournaments and the winners would get to play Jeanette Lee. I went back to a few of the bar owners with this idea and it was the nuts. A great promotional event for them, a fantastic reward for their best players and an opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause. Seemed to be a win-win situation so I hit every bar owner with the concept and each and every one agreed to participate if I could put it all together.
Now the fun part - getting a booking for Jeanette. I called McDermott who put me in touch with her. After a bit of telephone tag we finally got to talk and I described the event concept which she thought was a great idea. We briefly discussed fees and then agreed to talk again in a few days after she had a chance to check her schedule. A few days passed and she called me with possible dates to schedule the event. We agreed on Oct 31 which was a Saturday and perfect for both of us. She then mentioned she would be in Nashville in a few weeks for an event at JOB's and could I meet her there to discuss things in greater detail. That was easily a done deal.
The day before the meet her secretary calls to confirm. No worries I say. So I drive down to JOB's for my appointment with the Black Widow. Now that in itself is pretty cool. Got there a little early thinking I might catch up a bit with Jim Blaylock the owner. Then in comes Jeanette. Talk about some hoopla, the place is crowded, everyone and his brother wants to say hi to her. I'm sitting there envisioning this kind of scene at my store and thinking the event will be a home run if it all comes together.
So I finally walk over to JL and introduce myself. Exchange a few pleasantries and look for someplace to sit and talk but the place is rather noisey. So she asks if I like ice cream and with an inquisitive look I say sure. She suggests us going to Baskin Robbins a few blocks away so we could talk without all the distractions. Now this is even cooler, LOL, getting together with JL for ice cream. I drive us over there, we order then sit and discuss the event. And if you're wondering, yea, I bought - call it a guy thing.
In Part 2 I'll get into the planning and actual event. I should say that this whole story will come together to describe the real Jeanette Lee, down home and personal. Stay tuned.
During this time we became a McDermott Gold dealer. I forget exactly what the bennies were but one was the ability to book an appearance by Jeannette Lee at a substantial discount. At the time she was under contract and a spokesperson for McDermott. I didn't jump on this opportunity immediately but kept it on the backburner thinking it may be a good PR op in the future.
The initial summer business was very good and we were becoming established. Of course being the only darts and billiards shop in a 30 mile radius didn't hurt but we felt the key was to get the name out so folks would visit us rather then head down I24 to Nashville about an hour away. Strangely we started getting calls from Nashville folks asking for directions to our place but will save that for another time.
New location was working well but I kept thinking about doing a big time event to get us firmly established. One day over a 5 o'clock Jack on the rocks one of my buds that volunteered for the Dream Factory suggested doing a benefit event. The Dream Factory was a local organization very similar to Make a Wish and they operated a summer camp (Camp Rainbow) for seriously ill children. The wheels started clicking and ideas were popping. During the next week or so I bounced some ideas with a few of the local bar owners along the lines of running a citywide pool tournament to benefit the Dream Factory.
The idea was well accepted but in thinking about it there didn't seem to be enough of the big bang for my business from a PR standpoint. Then I remembered the Jeanette-card. Why not have all the bars run their own tournaments and the winners would get to play Jeanette Lee. I went back to a few of the bar owners with this idea and it was the nuts. A great promotional event for them, a fantastic reward for their best players and an opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause. Seemed to be a win-win situation so I hit every bar owner with the concept and each and every one agreed to participate if I could put it all together.
Now the fun part - getting a booking for Jeanette. I called McDermott who put me in touch with her. After a bit of telephone tag we finally got to talk and I described the event concept which she thought was a great idea. We briefly discussed fees and then agreed to talk again in a few days after she had a chance to check her schedule. A few days passed and she called me with possible dates to schedule the event. We agreed on Oct 31 which was a Saturday and perfect for both of us. She then mentioned she would be in Nashville in a few weeks for an event at JOB's and could I meet her there to discuss things in greater detail. That was easily a done deal.
The day before the meet her secretary calls to confirm. No worries I say. So I drive down to JOB's for my appointment with the Black Widow. Now that in itself is pretty cool. Got there a little early thinking I might catch up a bit with Jim Blaylock the owner. Then in comes Jeanette. Talk about some hoopla, the place is crowded, everyone and his brother wants to say hi to her. I'm sitting there envisioning this kind of scene at my store and thinking the event will be a home run if it all comes together.
So I finally walk over to JL and introduce myself. Exchange a few pleasantries and look for someplace to sit and talk but the place is rather noisey. So she asks if I like ice cream and with an inquisitive look I say sure. She suggests us going to Baskin Robbins a few blocks away so we could talk without all the distractions. Now this is even cooler, LOL, getting together with JL for ice cream. I drive us over there, we order then sit and discuss the event. And if you're wondering, yea, I bought - call it a guy thing.
In Part 2 I'll get into the planning and actual event. I should say that this whole story will come together to describe the real Jeanette Lee, down home and personal. Stay tuned.
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