Folks often ask why I don't perform on the Virginia Beach boardwalk stages. The short version of my response typically includes, "I'm banned from playing on Virginia Beach City-owned stages." When the inquirer's eyebrows raise I always suspect they are imagining how I used foul language during a performance, or worse, exhibited a wardrobe malfunction. As you know, the latter is NOT an option at my age.
In 2007 I released a song titled, 'Virginia Beach Blues.' The lyrics, as I perceive them, are a light-hearted, perhaps even comical snapshot of VB political happenings at that time. Though the song was not intended to be a personal affront to anyone, apparently it was received as such. A pair of business partner developers, who are inarguably the most powerful two people in the city, deemed that my name should be placed on a list of performers who are not permitted to perform on the city's boardwalk stages. In other words, I was added to the blacklist that goes out to the city's contractors who hire the live music acts.
In order to understand why such a blacklist exists, one should first recognize the entrepreneurial dynamics of boardwalk stages. Owned and operated by the city, these stages are located adjacent to hotels and their associated restaurants. Generally speaking, those establishments happen to be owned by one company and that company's controlling interest is held by the aforementioned gentlemen. Patrons at those restaurant patio areas are able to enjoy live music from the city's stages. The city pays for entertainment as well as maintenance to the stage and its facilities. There is little or no cost to the hotel owners. Nonetheless, the owners prefer to control the selection of acts permitted to perform for their customers - and they do. I should make it clear that I hold no animosity toward the two developers and certainly none toward the city employees and contractors who run the stages and hire the acts. Those folks are making a living. There's certainly no shortage of fun venues for my band and myself to perform anyway.
I do hope, however, that this pair of boardwalk emperors will learn to let go of their long burning bitterness toward my music. To them I would say, "Guys, I was just having a little fun and it's actually a fairly entertaining song. More importantly; I get really tired of having to explain to folks why my band is banned."