I'd like to address that Seattle Times article and specifically
what it said that revealed a tiny fragment of my concept that I
provided to Gary in 1996.
1st though...
"Ward Hall's Show and methods work absolutely FINE for an
experienced hand...a tremendous amount of work and knowledge
must go into a BIG show like that on a big midway. That's why
that portion of the game is fading...once Ward and Bobby
Reynolds wrap it up...that'll be it for awhile. That's why I
came up with what I did...and what the newspaper doesn't get!
Sideshow in many forms is not only alive and well, it is
prospering and growing! New bizarre and wonderful acts and
performers abound and new little grindshows are cropping up
coast to coast and overseas. I ought to know, I'm providing them
and getting the tremendous positive feedback!!"
As far as that newspaper goes...
Well...they got one thing right...I got him started in 96...hahaha.
But they (and he) couldn't be more wrong as to what IS viable
today. The original concept I gave him and sold him is as sound
today as it was then and in certain areas even MORE SO! Where I
think he went wrong is getting the 'Curator mentality' and going
from the SIMPLE concept of a Single-O as I envisioned it to
wanting to be a Curator of a whole museum collection. I and the
many folks who do the original concept have proven and continue
to prove it works BIG TIME.
I warned Gary back then to stick with the concept...big museum
collections on the road don't win the money...single-o's DO BUT
for specific psychological reasons if done correctly as I teach
it. I got a call last night from a showman who will be putting
out multiple units and adding a 4th Zibit...why? Because times
have changed and the public doesn't respond? HARDLY! What the
'sophisticated' public doesn't respond to is the OLD ways and
bogus presentation methods. I have OLD TIMERS calling me weekly
who have Changed their tune and are doing well...very well. I
wish I could say here but I can't for various reasons who and
what is kicking butt in the sideshow GrindShow biz RIGHT NOW!
Gary failed for whatever reasons...maybe what he brought to the
table but I doubt it...he's a sharp guy...but I think he had too
much enthusiasm and wanted to be PT Barnum (who doesn't) when
all he needed to be was Gary with the RIGHT single-o. They are
out there right now pulling in the bucks and the crowds are also
having FUN too...there are no complaints...no beefs...zero and
LOTS of admissions! I tell everyone who gets my Plan to STICK TO
THE PLAN! ALL Those who have, are doing fine. He put a TON of
money in Ward Hall's operation as I understand it...dreams of
the big time...whatever happened there, I don't know but
dreaming of the big time doesn't always work does it. Been
there! I was talking with Bev Bergeron yesterday about Gary and
Ward's show and trying to figure out what went wrong. I can say
this with absolute assurance. IF Gary had stuck to my plan and
not got big ideas he would have been alright and doing fine. I
remember specifically discussing the negatives with him of
buying the Harry's Rareies Show and expanding to a big
collection...that he would be entering a whole different arena
with too many uncertainties and downsides and to stick with the
original Plan.
But I can only advise.
I got a call from none other than (Name withheld...but FAMOUS!)
last night who confirmed how well one of the shows is doing and
the plans for it (He's helping the showman get it in place in
various spots). So the article in the paper is interesting but
like most media reports today HIGHLY INACCURATE in what they
(the reporter) surmises. There are numerous things there that I
know to be not true. Another thing really tells me how far Gary
went astray...when talking of my concept he say's in the
article..."The entire pitch would exceed your alloted column
inches". maybe as he did it...BUT the actual entire pitch I
teach is under a paragraph!!!! In fact...it is non existant!
Pitching the show requires NO pitch at all...it is all left up
to the FEW key words on the sign age...and it works. If you
pitch or not is left up to the showman but it is advised to say
VERY LITTLE at all. The pitch, unlike other endeavors in the
game, in this case, can turn away customers!!! But all the stuff
is in my How-To and despite what the article said the sideshow
is FAR from dying out...not where 'my' shows are
concerned...quite the opposite!
I do LOVE that quote though where Gary tells how the State Game
Commission guy saw the 'creature' I made him and didn't have a
clue as to what it was! THAT'S what it's all about folks! It's
when you load up with a lot of other bogus crap that the whole
thing comes unraveled....Man: "Doc...it hurts when I do this..."
Doc: "So DON'T DO THAT!"
My plan is available on my site for $12. No I ain't given it
away. Too many are workin' it hard and successfully for to do
them a sideswipe. I'm not out to sell info either...I sell
exhibits...but this info is KEY to makin' it today or at least
havin' a leg up.
But to put the article to bed and backup what I'm
saying...here's a post from the Magic Café I think from last
month (?)...well..January maybe...
"Mr Higleys "how to" definetely works. Take if from me. I used
the "system" this summer and averaged good money everytime I had
my zibit out. First time out was $1600.00 Last time out was
nearly $2K...
I really can't say enough about Doug's manual. Very simple, easy
and makes a lot of sense. This was the first year out for me as
a Grind Show operator--for the past dozen years I have been
selling slum at fairs big and small out here on the west coast.
Doug's system works--its as simple as that....
abigkahuna (Jeff)"
Jeff STUCK TO THE PLAN. Yep...Simple as that. Jeff had a very
successful year. Interesting in that this year he will be
straying from the plan a bit...so we'll see how that turns out.
There is also a MAJOR show in the UK of my stuff that will be
straying from the original concept somewhat...again, we'll see
there but that one has a built in success path so it should do
VERY VERY well.
Here is the problem Gary had and some others in my
estimation..my original concept works almost TOO well..and they
think "...well...if one 'THING' works, more 'THINGS' will work
better."
NOT! Sure I could sell alot more Zibits if I said they did! But
I tell everyone that they DON'T work any better and CAN work
against you! (unless you can split into 2 seperate single-o
shows.
Is it greed that drives them away from the plan? I don't really
think so...just too much enthusiasm and that pesky 'Curator
Mentality' which I do address in the How-To...maybe I should put
it in there 10 times and in HUGE print!
I hope Gary got something out of his experiences...obviously the
sideshow life is not for everybody...but then again that's why I
aim it at those who can work the occasional Flea Market and keep
it FUN rather than a lifestyle. Gary started out having
FUN...then the dreams began to pull on him I'm sure. Well, the
best to him. Gary is a great guy...a really good person.
My idea is NOT to do the big Fairs and Midways...that's where
Ward Hall's and Bobby Reynolds shows will work fine...the point
of my stuff is to downsize drastically and do the Flea Markets
and Small Fairs...there are so many reasons why, I can't list
them here. Main things are, you get in for VERY little cost, the
folks RESPOND with their pocket change...not just the punks but
the families as well and for me, the big thing is you're not
attached to any Tour or rigid schedule...you only do one when
you FEEL like it and need some extra bread and it's local if
that's what you want!
At least Gary admitted it to himself and others that it wasn't
for him rather than stick it out and really go down the tubes. I
did that with my big museum...stuck it out when I should have
bailed. Like I said he's a smart guy.
The enthusiasm can get to you though...I try and calm down a
bit, the ones I detect that have the stars in their eyes a
little too brightly.
If ANYONE out there thinks they can do what Ward does or Bobby
Reynolds or Jack Contantine or Jeff Murray (not the Jeff I
mentioned above) without a TON of backup and experience they
will learn quickly. It takes more than desire and a cup of guts
and a spoonful of talent...a little success is so much better
than a big raft of flops and disappointments. The Big Pond is so
much more forgiving to the Little Fish than the big Whale unless
that Whale knows the tides and can take the scars...just the way
it is.
Doug Higley
The Phantom Of The Midway
The West Seattle native
decided in early February that, after a decade of loading and
unloading his assorted oddities on road shows from Moses Lake
to Florida, he had had enough. The last straw was when he fell
asleep at the wheel .................
Full story:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002845063_brodeur05m.html
Sunday, March 5,
2006
Nicole Brodeur's
Seattle Times staff columnist
Her column appears
Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Copyright © 2006 The
Seattle Times Company
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