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I had a spectacular night out at a concert in Orlando. This was my first arena concert in 25+ years (since I saw the B-52's in Ft. Lauderdale!) and I loved the show. Its useful to see how professional entertainers do some things differently than we do in racing. We need to pay attention and hopefully learn something about participation, pace and patriotism.
In this case, the arena was packed with 10,000 fans. No, they were not screaming teenagers, we were mostly middle aged conservatives: it was the Sean Hannity Freedom Concert after all.
Lynyrd Skynyrd, for example, had that whole place on our feet, arms in the air and singing along. Do you know how hard it must be to get 10,000 old timers on their feet and acting like kids? 3 hours into a show? It happened because lead singer Johnny van Zant was a total pro at playing that crowd, and he wouldn't tolerate anyone not having fun. Yes, they are music legends with lots of great songs, but if we were not prodded, we would have been sitting and applauding politely. As it was, I don't have much voice today and my wife is already taking a nap! My poimt is that being in an excited and happy crrowd is very infectious, and I don't mean that in the bacterial sense. It was exciting and fun because we felt like we were PARTICIPATING.
How can we duplicate fan participation like that in racing? Good question! Skilled announcers try to get the fans involved, but maybe it takes more effort from the drivers too. Maybe we need to quit trying to be professionals and run around like kids again.
This show was 4 hours, non-stop. Yes, there were breaks for the bands to set-up, BUT there were guest speakers and always something going on. I guarantee that there was no 45 minute intermission with music playing on vintage speakers like at most tracks. Skynyrd played 1 1/2 hours non-stop. They barely broke between songs and these guys were LOUD. But the fans not only tolerated it, we loved it. The PACE of a professional show was electric. As racers, we must find a better way to fill time between events, or even on long yellows.
A final note regarding patriotism. This was a night for faith, patriotism and no apologies. Charlie Danials, Michael W. Smith and Skynyrd didn't hold back their appreciation for America. In my opinion, most Americans, and a vast majority of race fans, feel the same way. I believe so many of us are frustrated at our current situation and would love to have a resurgence of American pride. There is no danger of over-doing it, the fans will eat it up! Get some live singers for the National Anthem, treat the vets and military members like heros and get those flags flying high!
In this case, the arena was packed with 10,000 fans. No, they were not screaming teenagers, we were mostly middle aged conservatives: it was the Sean Hannity Freedom Concert after all.
Lynyrd Skynyrd, for example, had that whole place on our feet, arms in the air and singing along. Do you know how hard it must be to get 10,000 old timers on their feet and acting like kids? 3 hours into a show? It happened because lead singer Johnny van Zant was a total pro at playing that crowd, and he wouldn't tolerate anyone not having fun. Yes, they are music legends with lots of great songs, but if we were not prodded, we would have been sitting and applauding politely. As it was, I don't have much voice today and my wife is already taking a nap! My poimt is that being in an excited and happy crrowd is very infectious, and I don't mean that in the bacterial sense. It was exciting and fun because we felt like we were PARTICIPATING.
How can we duplicate fan participation like that in racing? Good question! Skilled announcers try to get the fans involved, but maybe it takes more effort from the drivers too. Maybe we need to quit trying to be professionals and run around like kids again.
This show was 4 hours, non-stop. Yes, there were breaks for the bands to set-up, BUT there were guest speakers and always something going on. I guarantee that there was no 45 minute intermission with music playing on vintage speakers like at most tracks. Skynyrd played 1 1/2 hours non-stop. They barely broke between songs and these guys were LOUD. But the fans not only tolerated it, we loved it. The PACE of a professional show was electric. As racers, we must find a better way to fill time between events, or even on long yellows.
A final note regarding patriotism. This was a night for faith, patriotism and no apologies. Charlie Danials, Michael W. Smith and Skynyrd didn't hold back their appreciation for America. In my opinion, most Americans, and a vast majority of race fans, feel the same way. I believe so many of us are frustrated at our current situation and would love to have a resurgence of American pride. There is no danger of over-doing it, the fans will eat it up! Get some live singers for the National Anthem, treat the vets and military members like heros and get those flags flying high!
Sorry, this shirt deal is getting to me!! But i honestly do think NSS and OSW need to get some shirts made and sell the EVERY week at the ticket booth, AT cost or less. It COULD be written off. The way fans seem to like shirts, even ones with dog bones on them it just might help!!
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