Bugler

Here's a video of me on Letterman. I am working on getting a better copy with audio, so for now, this will have to do.....

www.markokeeffebugler.com/videos.htm

stchasking

When was it on? I missed it.
How much were you paid? Tell us the story.

Bugler

This show was aired on Aug. 7, 2003. This was my first experience with "showbiz". I got a call on a Thursday at about noon. Jill Lederman asked me "How soon can you guys be here?" I replied "Well, 2 guys are in Florida, one is in Atlantic City and I'm in Philly. When do you need us?". She replied "I need you here by 3 PM". Obviously the 2 guys from Florida were not going to make this gig. My guy in AC had just dropped his red coat off at the cleaners when I called him. "Go back and get it, were on Letterman in 3 hours!" I said. So Rich went back, got his coat and then hopped on the Garden State Parkway and I on the Jersey Turnpike. We arrived at the same time - 2:30.

We were welcomed into the green room where we had access to lots of cookies, veggie wraps, and soda while we waited. They tape 2 shows on Thursday - one for Thurs and the other for Fri. Since we were on the Fri show, taping didn't begin until 5:30 PM.

We had a rehearsal. Dave didn't show up, so we used a big box or something as a prop. We gave them a couple of options for playing "first call" and they chose the real simple 3rd grade version (it actually worked out well since it was a comedy routine). We were then given the rules: "Don't look at Dave. Ever! Don't talk to Dave. Ever!! If he talks to you, ignore him!!!"

After rehearsal, back to the green room where we hung out with the Russian girls who use sheet metal grinders and hoola hoops in their act. They are fairly regular performers on the show.

The one thing we were not prepared for were the sub freezing temperatures on the set which wreaked havoc on our intonation. Our horns were actually fogged over - it was that cold.

Anyway, we got through it fine. And the dollars? With residual checks, I have grossed about $1,000.00 for that 30 seconds of "work". Rich got much less as I was paid leadership rate. But I threw him an extra $200.00. Union scale just didn't seem fair........

Bugler

I forgot to mention an important aspect of "show biz". Watch the end of the clip. See where we exit the stage and approach a door? On the other side of that door was an alley on 48th st. Yes that's right, we had to wait in the street until Dave decided whether or not he wanted to call us back for an encore. (Routine for the show, we were assured....). Just like the green room which was no more impressive than your granny's basement - cheap green pile carpet, cinderblock walls....and seperate from the green room for the "Stars" of the show....But at least we had peace.....No hassles whatsoever.

The important lesson here is that NOTHING is what it seems on the surface. It was a nice time, and a good paycheck, but to aspire for that type of life and "career" is not something I would recommend.

wiseone2

Have they moved the show from the Ed Sullivan Theater? The Brooklyn Philharmonic was on the show a few times. We always entered and exited on West 53rd Street, across from the Broadway Theater stage door. It was as cold as a meat locker in the theater. We played the William Tell Overture with no warm-up. Brrrrrrrrr.
Wilmer

Bugler

Yes it was at the Ed Sullivan Theatre. I am probably mistaken about the street number. We entered one door (Broadway Theatre stage door?) and exited from a different door.

Thevor

Was this to keep the show flowing or was Dave such an egomaniac that having a non-star performer talk to him was beneath him?

Wow, this sounds like Dave can't stand the idea of NOT having all the attention on him. Forget that it's the audience calling for the encore not Dave. It would have been fun if you knew you were going to get an encore and just walk away.

Bugler

My guess is the latter. As we took our places next to him, however he did say "Hello boys". I was so tempted to look at him and reply in my best John Lennon voice "ello Dave!" But the temptation quickly passed. LOL



Actually, that's why we had to wait in the alley - in case he did call us back.

On our way back to the green room, Paul Schaffer and Al Chez gave us the thumbs up sign and Tom Malone came over and chatted with us for a few minutes. Real nice guy who said that he actually started out playing trumpet.

Bugler

Double post sorry.

Bugler

I have the audio working now. Also a second clip of me playing First Call at the track and a 3rd clip of my band playing my arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner. Comments welcome.

www.markokeeffebugler.com/videos.htm

Anthem here:
www.allstarbuglers.net/videos.htm