AM: It seems like sometimes you should put the phone down though, doesn't it? EB: Booking the music is really my baby, and I saw who it was, and thought, "Oh, I've got to take this call!" AM:What's coming up at the Brink? EB: Well I'm looking forward to our Holiday Extravaganza, which is a formal event- black tie optional- on December 17th. AM: So share with us a little more about you, while growing up, what did you want to be? EB: Oh, I wanted to be a schoolteacher! AM:What's your favorite style of music? EB:There are too many to choose, I love everything, I love rock and roll and I love gypsy swing, and I love jazz! In fact I serve on the Jazz at Five Board of Directors. AM:What have you been listening to in your free time? EB: In the car, I've been listening to Adell, I listen to Roger Whitaker, I love the Beatles, I listen to the Statler Brothers. each other; it’s begun to take some of the pressure off me. A couple of examples are MadToast Live,hosted by Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines who present shows with different performers twice monthly and podcast each concert. Another example is Beth Kille’s Chick Singer Nights. There are others as well and they have been very successful.
AM: Of all the groups you've welcomed at the Brink, was there any one who surprised you?
AM: How far out is the venue booked?
AM: Elizabeth, tell me three things which you are NOT?
EB: I am booking in May, but I have some availability between now and May.
EB: Bored, Sedentary, and I'm never without people I enjoy being around. I love doing this, and I've never met a musician I didn't like. I don't sit still long, if I need a re-charge of my batteries, I'll take a drive or hike.
AM:What's the best thing about running a music venue? EB: It's seeing so many people supporting local music, there is just so much talent- it's a totally amazing wealth of talent. Plus, I get to choose the music that plays at our venue.
EB:Walan St. Palan and the Magic Elves did a Christmas show, it was like a mad cabaret, it was absolutely hilarious!
AM:What's the worst thing?
AM: Okay, the speed round: Cake or Pie?
EB: Oh, that I can't get back to everybody who requests dates to play here. I try to stay as connected to the musicians as I can, I used to have time to sit down and write them all a thank you note after they were here, but they've gotten to be too many to be able to do that anymore.
EB: I'm not much of a dessert eater, but cake.
AM: How do you do this? How do you be a music promoter?
AM: Morning person, or night owl?
EB: I sort though the various requests, fit my event schedule with the different time slots and genres, book the music and advertise the dates. When I need to take time off, I do. We have a great staff who keep things under control. I'm pretty active,I hike,love to play golf, and I spend a few weeks each winter in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. AM: Do you have family there? EB: I have a sister there, I go stay with her. AM:What about the rest of your family, are they nearby? EB: I have one son in Manhattan and two sons, 1 stepson and their wives and 4 grandchildren living in New Glarus and Madison. I absolutely love being near them. AM: So you grew up in Belleville, and lived in New Glarus, and now you spend your time on the isthmus, how do you feel about being a business owner on the isthmus in Madison? EB: It can be hectic and exciting at the same time. We really enjoy so many different groups of people though,we have a lot of fund-raisers,people bring there business meetings here, we are booked with numerous weddings, sometimes Friday and Saturday on the same weekend throughout the year. There are so many different kinds of events that happen here, not just the music. AM: How do manage all of that? EB: For some of the larger events, that are hosted by us, such as our Holiday Extravaganza, I have the support of a good group of girlfriends who will come and help out! I really work hard to promote our business, and that means promoting all of the events that take place here. All I really need is my phone and my computer, and I can get it done! I've booked bands from a cruise ship in Alaska, from a hospital bed once. w w w. a m e r i c a n a g a z e t t e . n e t
EB: Well I've made the transition. When I was a schoolteacher, I was a morning person, but now I have to be a night owl! AM:What's your guiltiest pleasure? EB: I enjoy a fine glass of red wine! Elizabeth and I shared a visit for a while longer after my interview questions were satisfied. She shared about herself generously and I really enjoyed getting to know her. The Brink is an all-purpose events site and you should make time to enjoy some local musical talent there soon. Elizabeth's passion is based on an amazing wealth of talent, and we should all take her lead and support it! You may wonder, dear reader if controversy and edgy expose are in my repertoire of writing genre- and that would be a fair question. But honestto-Pete, that publisher of mine keeps handing me interviewee after interviewee who are just about the nicest folks you ever want to meet. There just don't seem to be any seedy folks with questionable morals and checkered pasts that Madame Jayzee means to introduce me to, or maybe she's just keeping them all to herself. The Brink Lounge 701 E Washington Ave, Madison,WI 53703 http://www.thebrinklounge.com Story by:Anne Miller Read more from Anne at her website: takeascavengerhunt.com
15