- Place – Lafayette, Louisiana
- Time – 1992
- Artist – Toby Tomera
Baloo Arrives
Having spoken to Camey Doucet I phoned Toby almost immediately, I explained who I was and about the project I was trying to put together.
He sounded a very polite, laid back young man and asked me if I would speak to his brother, Baloo.
Baloo turned out to be both the drummer in his band and his manager.
I contacted Baloo to explain the scenario and to arrange a meeting.
He suggested a club called Poets in Lafayette and we should meet up at 4pm the next day.
I drove back to Lafayette and arrived at Poets only to find it was closed.
I peered through the glass front door and saw the silhouette of a body walking towards me that made Arnold Schwarzenegger look like Stan Laurel.
As the door opened I was greeted with
“Hi, are you Kenny? I’m Baloo, come on in. It’s strange, you sounded a lot taller on the phone.”
An interesting opening line I thought.
As the meeting went on I soon realised that Snow White must have had an affair with Dopey and I was having a meeting with their offspring.
The next few hours were spent explaining the whole idea to Baloo, this was truly hard work .
He just didn’t seem to be able to grasp anything.
I was trying to explain that using computer technology and mixing it with a cajun artist we could make the music more
Cajun Adventure Part 3: Baloo really was a Bear
- Place – Lafayette, Louisiana
- Time – 1992
- Artist – Toby Tomera
Baloo Arrives
Having spoken to Camey Doucet I phoned Toby almost immediately, I explained who I was and about the project I was trying to put together.
He sounded a very polite, laid back young man and asked me if I would speak to his brother, Baloo.
Baloo turned out to be both the drummer in his band and his manager.
I contacted Baloo to explain the scenario and to arrange a meeting.
He suggested a club called Poets in Lafayette and we should meet up at 4pm the next day.
Poets Club, Lafayette
I drove back to Lafayette and arrived at Poets only to find it was closed.
I peered through the glass front door and saw the silhouette of a body walking towards me that made Arnold Schwarzenegger look like Stan Laurel.
As the door opened I was greeted with
“Hi, are you Kenny? I’m Baloo, come on in. It’s strange, you sounded a lot taller on the phone.”
An interesting opening line I thought.
As the meeting went on I soon realised that Snow White must have had an affair with Dopey and I was having a meeting with their offspring.
The next few hours were spent explaining the whole idea to Baloo, this was truly hard work .
He just didn’t seem to be able to grasp anything.
I was trying to explain that using computer technology and mixing it with a cajun artist we could make the music more accessible to a younger record buying public.
It appeared that his only concern was himself and being the drummer and how he had to be involved in all recordings.
This was really a discussion for later, but first I wanted to meet Toby and see him play.
Line Dancing
Eventually Toby arrived, carrying his schoolbooks in hand looking like a young version of Buddy Holly.
This relaxed quiet spoken young man, at last, added a degree of understanding to the conversation.
It was easy to see who had inherited all the IQ in the family.
The following evening the band was to play their regular weekly appearance at Poets.
I arrived to find the place was heaving. Camey was right, Toby had a huge amount of talent and coupled it with an incredible stage presence.
I was really impressed with his voice his accordion playing and completely knocked out with his guitar playing.
At one stage four girls took to the dance floor dancing in complete synchronization.
I thought they must be Toby fans and followers that had rehearsed every step of the dance.
Within a few minutes a dozen or so more people joined in.
Before long the entire dance floor was awash with people dancing in perfect step, all in lines all executing each move at the same time, it looked amazing.
After the show, I asked Toby about this extraordinary dance routine.
“Man you’ve never seen line dancing before?” He was so surprised.
“No, but I just witnessed the perfect idea for your first video.” I replied
Unfortunately, later that year, Billy Ray Cyrus managed to capitalise on the idea with his hit Achy Breaky Heart.
That night was one of the most exciting gigs I had seen in a long time and seeing the girls screaming for Toby confirmed that he was the artist I had been looking for.
It Was Looking Good
The following eighteen months would see me being relieved of my sanity and $50,000.
The first six months was negotiating the deal with Toby’s family and their lawyer, with Toby being only sixteen his father had to sign the deal on his behalf.
The contract with them would be for five years divided into yearly options.
What could possibly go wrong.
to a younger record buying public.
It appeared that his only concern was himself and being the drummer and how he had to be involved in all recordings.
This was really a discussion for later, but first I wanted to meet Toby and see him play.
Line Dancing
Eventually Toby arrived, carrying his schoolbooks in hand looking like a young version of Buddy Holly.
This relaxed quiet spoken young man, at last, added a degree of understanding to the conversation.
It was easy to see who had inherited all the IQ in the family.
The following evening the band was to play their regular weekly appearance at Poets.
I arrived to find the place was heaving. Camey was right, Toby had a huge amount of talent and coupled it with an incredible stage presence.
I was really impressed with his voice his accordion playing and completely knocked out with his guitar playing.
At one stage four girls took to the dance floor dancing in complete synchronization.
I thought they must be Toby fans and followers that had rehearsed every step of the dance.
Within a few minutes a dozen or so more people joined in.
Before long the entire dance floor was awash with people dancing in perfect step, all in lines all executing each move at the same time, it looked amazing.
After the show, I asked Toby about this extraordinary dance routine.
“Man you’ve never seen line dancing before?” he was surpised.
“No, but I just witnessed the perfect idea for your first video.” I replied
Unfortunately, later that year, Billy Ray Cyrus managed to capitalise on the idea with his hit Achy Breaky Heart.
That night was one of the most exciting gigs I had seen in a long time and seeing the girls screaming for Toby confirmed that he was the artist I had been looking for.
It Was Looking Good
The following eighteen months would see me being relieved of my sanity and $50,000.
The first six months was negotiating the deal with Toby’s family and their lawyer, with Toby being only sixteen his father had to sign the deal on his behalf.
The contract with them would be for five years divided into yearly options.
What could possibly go wrong.
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