Appearing in New York

Performing in New York City is always an adventure, for the native as well as for artists who stream in from all around the world to entertain there. This page is for general thoughts on experiences related to gigs in the city.

Betty Mann of The Gateway Trio shares some thoughts from her journal.

"One of the longest three weeks in my life," I wrote in my journal. We opened on April 17, 1963.

We were booked into the Roosevelt hotel, in what they were calling a "Show-Go-Round" at the Roosevelt Grill.

After 34 years of featuring dancing to big-name bands, and Guy Lombardo, the hotel launched a new supper club policy featuring three different acts, plus a combo for dancing.

We were featured in their "second" attempt at this "Show-Go-Round" effort. On the same bill was a female comic named Peggy Lord, and a youthful singer Bob Newkirk. Al Conte and his Trio played for dancing.

It was deadly. For openers, no matter what we did, it didn't work. The older audiences wanted to dance to Guy Lombardo, and we weren't that. I don't think they understood a thing we were doing or saying, and would sit there looking like stuffed owls, blinking back at us.

I think we did two or three shows nightly. The best part was afterward, when I'd go down through a tunnel and come out in Grand Central Station and buy myself a hotdog about 2 a.m. before I went to bed. I was always so hungry after working. I loved being in that great big station at that time of night. It was so quiet with only cleaning personnel about.

Betty Mann Doutt is currently living in Santa Barbara, and doing research for a book about the folk era.

Betty Mann Doutt

July 2004

Betty Mann is currently living in Santa Barbara, and doing research for a book about the folk era.