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Some interesting news is the past week or so about a couple
of business people I know:
1. You and I have recently seen on television and cable the
visual tours of the newest hotel in Las Vegas. FOX News did
a terrific job. The hotel is called WYNN LAS VEGAS. The
fella’ that built it is Steve Wynn. Steve is one of the
greatest hotel people of all time (Bellagio and others in
Las Vegas). I knew of Steve through normal publicity and
chit chat. One of Steve’s friends is Howard Kalmenson who
owns Lotus Communications (Las Vegas, Reno, etc). As I have
written in a previous column Howard has a terrific radio
group that Burkhart/Abrams, our consulting company, was
pleased to advise for a decade or so.
Howard and Steve met in Las Vegas when Howard was working at
a TV station, and Steve was beginning his hotel career. I do
remember that either Howard or Steve is a God-person to one
of their kids; thus, you know from that family type of
obligation that the two are very close.
Steve was not happy with the background music at the
Bellagio. So, after scouting around he decided to make an
investment in over counter stock (TUNE at the time) company
called Digital Music Express (DMX). And in conjunction with
the investment he also hired DMX as the music provider for
his Bellagio hotel. Because of his financial and personal
interest Steve became a director of DMX. I know because I
WAS THERE on the board as well. Matter of fact Steve sat
next to me most of the time in board meetings. It took about
ten seconds of conversation for me to determine what
everyone else knew…..this guy had some real smarts. Not only
was he brilliant, but also he was a great conversationalist.
One night he called me at about 7:30 my time at my Atlanta
home. The conversation was very short. Steve asked, “Are you
busy (in business) at the moment”. I replied, “I really am”.
There was a short pause he said, “OK, thanks”…and hung up.
To this day I do not know for certain what that question was
about…but I think I know…which I shall keep confidential.
In return I called him in Las Vegas one afternoon and
stated, “I know you like music. I have some veteran music
friends who are looking for financing to begin a new music
venture”. Before I could continue Steve said, “not
interested”. I thanked him and hung up.
DMX was eventually bought by TCI; ending my director
relationship with Steve. But, I’ll declare one thing…this is
one smart man. It was a pleasure to serve on the board with
him.
2. I was fortunate to go the Kentucky Derby one year. I am
not a betting guy (except in my own radio business), but I
was persuaded by some friends to come along for an
experience of a lifetime. We rented a train car (with
bedrooms) in Atlanta and used it as a domicile when arriving
in Louisville. The derby was all I expected….fun, flashy,
etc. I don’t remember who won the Derby that year (1965),
but I recall the excitement of the award presentation.
Little did I know that 40 years later someone I knew would
be receiving the winning cup. His horse is Giacomo. His name
is Jerry Moss. Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss were the founders
of A and M records. I always presumed that Herb was the
artist and Jerry was the business chief of A and M. They
produced some great music in the 70’s and 80’s…and if memory
serves me correctly they sold A and M about 15 years ago.
Rumor on the street was that each received over 200 million
so Jerry had plenty of cash to invest in race horses.
I used to hang around the A and M offices which was Charlie
Chaplin’s old movie lot/studio in Hollywood. I had a number
of friends working at A and M including the late Charlie
Minor (who was murdered in his Malibu beach home about ten
years ago), and Harold Childs who wore many hats at A and M.
I certainly remember visiting with Jerry Moss in his office
on a number of occasions. He always took time to chat about
the relationship between radio music. I WAS THERE with the
person whose horse was a 50-1 long shot to win the Derby in
2005!!!!! And DID!!! Jerry looked great last Sunday on
national television being presented the winning cup from the
dignitaries on hand. A great guy..and I wish him well in the
next two big races!!!! Hey, he might win the Triple Crown of
five million dollars!!! Wouldn’t that be something!!!!
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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