Business Spin Off From The Barge

PART THREE

MUSIC ON THE BARGE, LOCAL ECONOMIC SPIN-OFF, AND WHY CAN'T THEY SEE THIS?

For the past three Music on the Barge concerts, this July, here at Gravenhurst's Rotary Gull Lake Park, attendance has been nothing short of fantastic. At least for Manager Fred Schulz, who usually gets a much larger collection pot, as the humanity, lining the shore, increases. And boy oh boy has it increased. I was estimating what he would have made if there was a ten dollar minimum donation. Gads. He could soon afford the Irish Rovers, or heck, maybe even the real James Taylor. But no, he would never do anything like charge an admission. Frankly he is so good at selecting acts, nobody cares what the band covers, as long as you can beach-dance to them.

When you hear stories about other entertainment venue shortfalls, and some managers complaining about their ability to attract a house-full of patrons, the Music on the Barge draw is hale and hardy. Fred Schulz should be smiling ear to ear. Of course there's a few issues these days, with his own future with The Barge program, limiting the length of time the smile stays in place. Regardless, and although it has taken more than fifty years to get this popular, there is no doubt (for those who play close attention), that Fred's line-up of ten Sunday shows, is pleasing larger and larger audiences.

I want to make this clear, so there is no confusion about the purpose of this blog series on The Barge. I have not written this material with Fred's approval, or even his encouragement to do so. He knows I'm an old fashioned reporter-kind who doesn't get bought-off. As long time friends and volunteers with The Barge program, we have a high regard for Fred because of what we've witnessed with our own eyes. We've watched his work ethic in full regalia for years, and frankly, he exhausts us. If he asks volunteers to be at The Barge at 3:00 p.m. on a concert night, he will have arrived an hour earlier, to unlock the doors, raise the flag, and clean up the assorted bird poop on the stage, and tend any other deficiencies before helpers and the musical guests arrive. As Fred has recently considered resigning from his duties at The Barge, because of some difficulties with the town administration, it would have been impossible, even if my fingers had been ripped from their sockets, to have avoided coming to his defense, in one form or another. I'm not alone. Town councillors will be finding this out presently. Those of us who know the true measure of his successes, and the spin-off advantages for the town, and its economy (and regional reputation), couldn't help but join the ruckus, when hearing their old friend was in need.

With so much belly-aching in this town about economic development and tourism attractions, I have never once heard, witnessed or read about, any one……..and I mean any one associated with the town, or its associate groups, discuss the economic advantages of Music on the Barge. I'm doubtful if any councillor has given it much thought, or felt it was worthwhile to study the wizardry of Mr. Schulz, to find out how this spin-off impacts the business community. If they did think it worthwhile, and it is after all sitting pretty close to town hall, they would be interested I'm sure, to know that many concert patrons arrive in Gravenhurst early on concert Sundays, to dine at our local restaurants. They get gas at our local stations, and get ice cream cones and concert-suitable picnic supplies at our businesses. We've seen them. In the store, in the restaurants, and then down at the park. A lot of these people we know from Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes, Lake of Bays and some from the Orillia area. I'm sure the concession operator at the park could attest to the better business climate when Mr. Schulz is running an event. Then check what happens after a concert. Just try to get an ice cream cone. A coffee and donut. A burger. The many hundreds of patrons at Music on the Barge are celebrating a great summer night in Gravenhurst, and that helps a lot of local enterprises…..who by Sunday evening, likely had experienced a usual slowdown. While we can't break it down into dollars and cents, the watchful town scout might actually see an economic boom in the making; although just a blip in the whole week, the mini rush benefits the business community as it does the concert coffers. Yet instead of crediting Mr. Schulz for his economic contribution, town hall, …..and I'm truly sorry to say this,….. doesn't seem to care whatsoever. If they did care, they would soon realize that instead of throwing down obstacles, and providing the every unpopular run-around, it would be far smarter on all counts, to invest in a man and a program, with a track record of success dating back decades.

Fred Schulz should be teaching a post secondary course, at a local college, about how to run entertainment venues. Heck, he should be running a course on tourism initiatives, and public relations in the entertainment business. Instead we find his work and accomplishments marginalized, if not totally minimized, despite the fact he delivers the goods each and every time. Even when it rains, Fred won't give up on running the concert. He'll move it to the Opera House. He just doesn't like to disappoint the park food vendor who needs the extra business, and all those who enjoy open air concerts. Is he a prince? No, just Fred. The guy who defines diligence.

At this time in local history, when there's a lot to snarl about when it comes to municipal government, and excesses, Music on the Barge is such a pleasant diversion from the landslide of negativism. Possibly folks like me do perpetuate negative connotations where presumably positivism would fare much better for all concerned. We are at a time however, where we must face the truths of councils past, and debacles that have arisen as a direct result. When we have to endure the plethora of problems, and alleged misadventures, it is remarkably nice, to sit down along the shore of beautiful Gull Lake, with hundreds upon hundreds of enthusiastic visitors, thinking that Gravenhurst must be a sort of paradise on earth. I'm one who does believe it is a paradise on earth. As does my family. Much of the feeling emanates from the way Fred Schulz operates the Music on the Barge, treating every patron as if they are known to him personally. Actually, he does know most of them, even the newcomers. His ambassadorship for our hometown, is of immense value in so many ways. When concert-goers arrive at the park, they look forward to Fred trundling out to the microphone to welcome them all to Gravenhurst. And at the end, or sort of the end, we all wait for those familiar words from the master of ceremonies….."Say, would you like to hear just a little more!" While most think the thunderous ovation is for the band. I think half is for Fred, who thinks enough of his audience, to beg a few more songs from his hired musicians.

It's easy to dismiss what you don't understand. I hope everyone who reads this, whether you are a councillor, a town employee, a regular patron, or a business owner who benefits from the crowds who attend the shows, understands the true peril of losing Fred as manager, and The Barge as an entertainment venue at Rotary Gull Lake Park. As the venue faces a large and potentially expensive overhaul this coming year, with some councillors undecided on whether it is worth the expense, it's incumbent to make you own conclusions based on facts……not as I have presented, as such, but what you can gather yourself, from experience, research, questioning or in some other association, with Music on the Barge. If at the end of the quest for information, and the debate on the council table inspires you to comment, then offer Fred Schulz a show of support for its continuation. Council does need to know how important this venue is for Gravenhurst.

Rest assured Fred didn't read or approve this blog before it was published. He may hate me for my bluntness. He may even be mad that I mentioned certain attributes and sensitivities. I will have to live with this, and offer an apology if I have embarrassed him in any way. As we know one another pretty well, after these many years, I think he'll just realize I'm just an overzealous friend, who can't come to terms with a Music on the Barge season without his enthusiastic participation. I'm sorry about that! It's just the way I am!