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SFCC Performers Have Asked For Limos, Fine Wine, Roast Lamb – And 4 Dozen Eggs ...

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By Gary Pinnell | Highlands Today

Published: June 5, 2008

AVON PARK — Before Eddie Money takes the stage June 27 at South Florida Community College, he'll have some hot water with lemon and honey in his dressing room, coffee, a quart of French Vanilla creamer, sugar and Equal.

One hour before the curtain goes up, there should be a deli tray of fruit and vegetables with dip in the band's dressing room.

And after the show, they'll have three pizzas – pepperoni, sausage and supreme – from a national chain. And two dozen buffalo wings.

It's all in the contract, says Doug Andrews, SFCC's dean of cultural programs.

When entertainers like pop rocker Eddie Money sign to perform at SFCC, they send pages of requirements to Andrews. For instance, a certain British singer who was here seven years ago faxed three pages called "Englebert's Dinner Requirements, revised 1/12/01."

Mr. Humperdinck (born Arnold George Dorsey) wanted dinner served in his dressing room. According to page 19 of 28 to the addendums to his contract, the on-site chef should prepare to serve one of six entrees: a New York sirloin "medium but charred," grilled swordfish with lemon and Italian seasoning, a rack of lamb "crisp, crisp, crisp to the bone, butterflied with mint sauce jelly," grilled or broiled cod, salmon or halibut. Along with grilled asparagus, a mixed green salad (no garlic), and chicken broth soup with chicken meat only (no salt).

Oh, and a crab or shrimp cocktail appetizer.

"He didn't like the charred steak, so it was tossed," Andrews said.

Unlike Eddie Money, Englebert can't stomach fast food: "When a caterer excels in a foreign dish, Mexican, Italian, etc., this is an acceptable diversion to standard roast beef and mashed potatoes. Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's, etc., do not meet these requirements. The health and morale of the crew is directly related to the type and quality of this mean and consequently the success of the show."

Off Broadway
Michael Feinstein, the Broadway vocalist and pianist, wanted 30 complimentary tickets. Andrews marked out the word 30, and wrote in 16. His gastronomic needs were relatively simple: Tupelo honey, herbal tea, six whole lemons and a cutting board with a knife, fresh whole fruit, room temperature Volvic water (no Evian), and hot water in a pot that has "NEVER BEEN USED FOR COFFEE."
Feinstein wanted fat-free, dairy-free, fried-free dinners, delivered to his hotel suite after the show.

Neil Sedeka, a 1950s teen idol who sang "Calendar Girl" and "Laughter in the Rain," was still singing the same songs at SFCC. But this time, he wanted eight hotel rooms, a two-bedroom suite, and three limousines with drivers while he was in Avon Park.

Instead, Andrews wrote in a one-bedroom hotel suite and luxury sedans provided by a local car dealer.

Sedeka also wanted a bottle of chilled white wine, a bottle of room-temp cabernet or merlot, and a case of beer on ice.

Andrews scratched that request: "College policies prohibit alcohol on campus."

For a hot meal, served following the on-stage sound check, Sedeka wanted roasted, baked or grilled beef, chicken or fresh fish. "Creativity is appreciated," the contract said.

The Gambler
Country artist Kenny Rogers, who will be paid $60,000 to appear on campus Feb. 11, sent a four-page financial contract, five pages of stage instructions, and nine pages of dietary requirements.

Rogers will be the highest paid artist. Art Garfunkel was paid $35,000 and Victor Borge earned $40,000.

Rogers (if you're old enough, you'll recall the First Edition and their rock hit "Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Was In,") wants $1 million worth of insurance, approval of all the advertising, box office reports, and control of how many complimentary tickets are issued.

"We do not want police officers with guns around the stage," the contract says. Six security officers are to wear T-shirts, and police officers should be out of uniform, but dressed uniformly for easy identification.

But Mr. Rogers does want a wardrober. "The promptness of the wardrobe person is critical," the contract says. A professional must come four hours prior to the concert to press Kenny's and the band's clothing, and bring an iron, a sewing kit and a commercial upright steamer.

"We require 15 hot meals such as barbeque, hamburgers, french dip, stir fry, tacos, chicken breasts," the contract says, but adds generously, "any suggestions you have are greatly appreciated, as we are open to trying something different."

But even a star like Kenny Rogers doesn't get everything he wants, like those four dozen eggs cooked by order.
Andrews wrote in, "Crew must walk over to college cafeteria for hot foods."

What Eddie Wants
ON THE BUS
40 pounds of ice
24 boxes of Kellogg cereals
2 boxes of Lean Pockets
12-pack of Pepsi
6-pack of Coke
Ritz or Triscuit crackers
Fresh squeezed OJ
Nabisco Nilla wafers
Jello pudding, fat free
Ocean Spray cranberry juice
Yoplait fat-free yogurt
Starkist Lunchables
Wonder bread
Also fresh fruit, water, milk, soy milk, almonds, plain M&Ms, jerky, peanut butter, jelly, potato chips with refrigerated french onion dip, sliced ham and turkey, Swiss cheese, lowfat mayonnaise, brown mustard, ketchup and paper towels.

ON STAGE
16 new pre-washed hand towels, a dozen opaque Solo plastic cups, a pack of blue Hall's cough drops, and a roll of Tums.

OFF THE LIST
SFCC refused to provide a package of Gillette disposable razors, two Cliff peanut butter energy bars, a carton of Vantage cigarettes, a 12-pack of Bud, a 6-pack of Heineken, a 6-pack of Newcastle brown ale, a bottle of Glenlivet Scotch, and a bottle of Jacob's Creek Merlot.

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