RISE UP

Well here we are an end of another year but always a new beginning. With 2012 on the horizon I would like to take a look back with all of you on the past six months and tell you that I have been blessed to see so many new faces talent wise and fan wise. From Theatre 166 when we did "ELVIS AUGUST" to California to Choctaw casinos and back to Theatre 166 it humbles me that I have got a chance to perform for some wonderful people let alone have the talent which makes it all more magical.

For me I have been someone to never look back at your body of work but always kept moving forward but these past few weeks I finally had a chance to sit back and see what we have accomplished. With miles on cars and for the most part packed venues 2011 will always be remembered for me as the year of NEW BEGINNINGS. To thank each person individually would  be hours and hours of writing and I may forget someone along the way. So as a whole the most important person is you.  The Lori Vicks', The Russell Markhams', The Ann Kellys', Marge Hopes', The Chuck Billings' and others who came at a regular basis and stuck by us through and through. If it wasn't for them sitting in those seats...well we don't have to tell you what could have happened.

And new faces as well.  The Kelly family, The Carroll family, The Cantu Family, The Nims Family to name a few who made sure their daughters had the full support of what they do in their careers. We had people drive miles and miles to see our shows not once not twice but multiple times and for them I am truly grateful.

So many people to thank from Theatre 166 to Sara Jones in Sierra to my musicians who brought music to life all the long hours and rehearsal time with dancers who showed what the value of true hard work is and what rewards can be had in the end.

I would like to thank Russell Markham who if not for him and the opportunity he gave us would not have been able to show our hard work for new faces in Durant and Idabel. I am truly grateful for him and his loving family who are not only unsellfish but adoring and supportive fans as well. I always know when they are in the audience just like I know when my Mineral Wells fans are there. They are always the loudest and always the most complimentary. What a great combination.

You know its funny I was preparing to play for Christmas Eve service at Crosspointe Church and let me tell you going out there I was so nervous probably more nervous than I am when I do an Elvis show and sitting out there with tons of people who are all there to worship the birth of our Lord I felt "Where else would you rather be than playing on Jesus' Birthday?" What an honor and what a moment to have that as nervous as I was, what a great way to say THANK YOU to my LORD and SAVIOR for giving me and blessing me with such wonderful people in my life.  Needless to say it was a Rocking service. What a way to end a year of trials and tribulations combined with joy and laughter with the ones you love and laugh with you. Never take yourself so seriously. Powerful thought.

So what do we do for 2012?  FILL UP THOSE SEATS! I figured that if one person knew 10 people and that person knew 10 more and so on and so on we can sell out every night.  But all of you are also my marketers. From your mouth is the sales pitch that doesn't need a visual or a poster , its the passion you have when you have seen a show that we produce. I would like to expand our projects to other venues so if you have ideas or locations drop us an email.  We would like to do more casinos and that is in the works right now but it all starts with you the customer. When you go to a restaraunt sometimes you may not want the special maybe just something off the menu. Sometimes your not hungry and just want a few appetizers whatever it is as long as the service is good you will always come back.  We pride ourselves on the service we give you from start to finish that is why you keep coming back. At the same time we always want to know what we can do better what needs to be worked on and that is where you come in. So along the way if you have any ideas, PLEASE let us know. It may be the missing piece of our puzzle.

So from your mouth to Gods ears let 2012 be a year that we can all be proud of and that all of your goals will be defining moments in your lives whether that is to lose weight (again) or to be with a loved one, reconnect with a loved one, make an impact on others, whichever path you take let your discipline and your drive and most of all your faith take you to the next level of your life. There will always be the skeptics the ones that tell you that you can not do it, the ones that have more negative to give you than positive and the only way you can make them happy is to follow that trail with them. I had a mantra this past Christmas show,  when things were going bad or if there was negative energy which can cause struggle for harmony,  I told the cast to RISE UP! I made them repeat it and repeat it and repeat it. RISE UP! Say that to yourself whenever someone gives you static, whenever someone brings you down. You can even say it to them as an exclamation to yourself. RISE UP! It's a force field you put around of good will and good vibe and that you will not allow that negativity in your  life.  It will bring you above the negatism to strive back on your path on your goal for next year. If you are not RISING UP you are GOING DOWN. Say that to yourself no matter where you are, in the shower, in your office, right before you go to bed and affirm to yourself that no one will get in your way next year and that you will accomplish what you set out to accomplish.

 Remember there are only 365 days which means you don't have to make it all happen in one day but always make that one day last as long as you can. I will be praying for each of you and that I will see you again very very soon.

Statement Of Concern

Well our second week of our show came and left. There really wasn't much to write or talk about because we had to cancel our Saturday show and six people showed up for our Sunday show. Funny we actually had more people working for us than people in the audience. But the people who did come saw something beautiful. Not one of us phoned it in. Not one of us took the approach of marking through the show. We went full out! Just as if we had a 100 people. The audience that was there not only appreicated that we didnt just phone it in but felt like they should have paid more to see a show of this caliber. I have so much respect for my dancers and my musicians  for that and feel ashamed that they are performing to empty houses, when a month ago we had 800 people in a Casino that made us feel larger than life. I do take responsibility for it because at the end of the day it is my name on the marquee.

 What's the deal? Are we doing something wrong? Are you getting burned out on what we do?  Do you not like the space we perform in? Is it the money or the price of the ticket? Please understand we are trying to figure this out. People drive 100 miles to see us but they can't be our audience all the time (I wish they were though). Is it the quality of the show? Is it me?

This is not by any means a dart for people that havent come seen my shows just concerns financially and what it costs to put on a quality show that you expect from Jack Foltyn. Now take away the financial aspect  it is just an embarrassment to go out and perform with other artists after working so hard for months and seeing empty seats.  Its like throwing a big party with caviar and champagne and everyone had RSVP'd and when the night of the party arrives, no one shows up. Now your left with a bunch of groceries and an empty feeling in your gut. Again its after doing such awesome work in California and Oklahoma and coming home (because this is my home) and finding that it is a struggle just to get ten people to see a show that I am so proud of. What do I need to do?

Here are a few answers to suggestions you have given me:

A lot of people will say you have to market the show better. Now I have done everything from newspapers , hiring marketers, putting ads on radio but I cant give away tickets. People want a band, they want great music, sound,lights, but unfortunately that all costs money.
I love having my band but they need to get paid. I can spend a lot of money on marketing my show but then I will have to go to Karaoke tracks. That will not work for the paying customer. You might come see it once but after that you may not be back again

I do get the economy story but not entirely.  Dallas has more events during the holidays than any holiday and people go. Texas is home of the affluent and influential. If I had to schedule everything by other people's schedule I would be out of business. Theatres in Richardson, Dallas, Grapevine thrive on the holidays and yes even Plano because thats where people are wanting to see dance shows, recitals anything that will put them into the Christmas Spirit

Another suggestion I get is ask your manager to help. Well I don't have a manager I am producing all of this on my own. My question to you is do you know of any. I fund these shows on my own and I have no sponsors, no private sectors that are willing to fund a show of mine. So do you know any people who would help.  People who are in casinos, artistic directors, bigger market venues. I ask because all of you have said that Texas is way to small for our caliber of shows. So I am asking now. You are my eyes and ears.

Another question I get is why do you have to rent space. Why can't a theatre bring you in?
My thoughts Exactly!  Why  don't they. I will put my show against any show out there and it is head over heels better than anything out there. We spend months putting a show like this together and the man hours. There are a lot of stubborn theaters that spend money on out of town shows thinking they are getting quality. I have addressed what I thought about that. I would be nice to be on concert series or a theatre season so that all I would have to do is bring a show in rather than being a producer as well. When you rent space you are not part of the subsciber season.  When you rent the patron has to pay extra for that show.  A patron has already paid a certain price for a list of shows. If you are not part of their season the patron will not pay extra. That is where we fall miserably. If you want our show to be at another theatre or other venues PLEASE recommend us. Let them know we exist!  So please ask around other theatres and let them know that you have experienced a great show which only Jack Foltyn provides. Remember you pay the bills not them. So let your voice be heard

Bottom line is I am an entertainer, but also someone who is in the business, I have no idea how to get YOU the valued customer in. Email me, write me, send smoke signals. I need your help. Of course I don't have my own theatre and I have to abide by the guidelines set by other theaters but if the quality of the show is not to your standard I want to know so that I can change the venue or the project.
The show has one more week of performances starting this Friday and I am asking from the bottom of my heart come and support those people who worked so hard just so they can hear an applause. That's all we do it for. The tickets are a good price and you will find that you will get more than your money's worth. If not and we will gladly give you a refund back. If you can order Netflix for eight dollars a month you can afford the price of a ticket for a live performance.

I blogged about this, not to have a platform, but more of trying to find insight. How my show can sell out in California, Boston, Oklahoma, and struggle to get seven people in a theatre in Carrolton in between Plano and Dallas is jaw dropping. Something is not working.

I love all of you so much all I ask is to show your support.