The Biltmore Hotel & Nippersink Resort, Social Director & MC, the beginning of a lifelong friendship
Early 60's - Summer Resort Work
The Paul Marr Agency out of Chicago, IL booked me at several different summer resorts as a social director, singer, and Master of Ceremonies. Things really went great for me at these types of jobs. The money wasn't great, but I had regular work, lodging, and food. The resorts always had great bands to work with. I was able to work on my music and singing act.
BILTMORE HOTEL, Southaven, MI | My first summer resort to work was the Biltmore Hotel in South Haven, MI. About a month before I started to work at the Biltmore Hotel, I was back in Tupelo for a visit and I attended and attended a program at Tupelo High School. I saw a young magician that was very good - his name was Bob Kenney. I was introduced to him and learned he might be interested in working with me at the Biltmore Hotel for the summer. I told him this would give him a chance to work on his magic for the summer and he seemed excited to be working with me. I got the okay from the owners to hire Bob, we had a wonderful five-piece band and put together a great little show featuring Bob, myself and the band. The hotel guests were pleased and the owner was very happy with what we were doing - we were the talk of all the local resorts.
After finishing the summer resort season, I headed back to Chicago to look for work and Bob Kenney went home to Mississippi to attend Jr. College. It wasn't long after working resorts, that Bob decided he wanted to be in show business full time and that was the beginning of Bob's show business career and our life-long friendship.
NIPPERSINK MANOR RESORT, Genoa City, WI | In the early spring the following year, I was offered a really nice resort in Genoa City, WI at "Nippersink Manor Resort". I got my good friend from Tupelo, Bob Kenney, a job as the youth activities director and magician. The resort booked named talent out of New York and Chicago for special featured weekend shows, so Bob and I were able to refine our acts while working with some great entertainers as well.