2008 Woodie Awards
SIUE's biggest party
Mississippi River Festival drew crowds
Matthew Schroyer
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: 50th Anniversary Special Edition
Ward said it was also a marketing opportunity for SIUE, which had recently finished the construction of the core campus.
"The festival was no mistake. It was a merchandising program for (SIUE Chancellor) John Rendleman to get people here," Ward said.
In 90 days, organizers managed to pull together the resources to have the MRF. It was, by all accounts, a massive feat of leadership and vision from President Delyte W. Morris, and John Rendleman, the charismatic SIUE chancellor who was in his forties. Ward recalled Rendleman's determination to complete the project at an SIU Board of Trustees meeting.
"He said he wanted something done in 30 days, and the young man who was his legal counsel said 'John, as your legal counsel, I have to advise you that you can't do that,'" Ward recalled of the meeting. "Oh, it got cold in that room. John turned to him and said, 'I don't pay you to tell me what I can't do. We're going to get this done, you tell me how to do it.'"
"That was the attitude necessary to make this thing happen," Ward said.
Despite the preparation of tent, and the crushed limestone floor, and the design of the robust sound system courtesy of Bob Heil (whose sound systems have since been included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum), the MRF was only a stopgap measure. The ultimate goal was to create a permanent venue to conduct the festival on an annual basis.
It is a remarkable detail that is sometimes forgotten, Kerber said.
"What we know as the MRF site was only indented as a site for one year," Kerber said. "From the very beginning, in their agreement, they planned for a permanent venue."
What most do remember was time spent with friends, enjoying world-class acts for a $2 ticket price. While attendance averaged 2,000 per event, ticket sales never covered the entire costs of the festival, and only through donations and university funding was the festival able to return year after year. That wasn't the point, Kerber said, though booking popular acts helped raise funds. These acts were also booked as to provide a balance with the classical, pop and theater performances.
"The festival was no mistake. It was a merchandising program for (SIUE Chancellor) John Rendleman to get people here," Ward said.
In 90 days, organizers managed to pull together the resources to have the MRF. It was, by all accounts, a massive feat of leadership and vision from President Delyte W. Morris, and John Rendleman, the charismatic SIUE chancellor who was in his forties. Ward recalled Rendleman's determination to complete the project at an SIU Board of Trustees meeting.
"He said he wanted something done in 30 days, and the young man who was his legal counsel said 'John, as your legal counsel, I have to advise you that you can't do that,'" Ward recalled of the meeting. "Oh, it got cold in that room. John turned to him and said, 'I don't pay you to tell me what I can't do. We're going to get this done, you tell me how to do it.'"
"That was the attitude necessary to make this thing happen," Ward said.
Despite the preparation of tent, and the crushed limestone floor, and the design of the robust sound system courtesy of Bob Heil (whose sound systems have since been included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum), the MRF was only a stopgap measure. The ultimate goal was to create a permanent venue to conduct the festival on an annual basis.
It is a remarkable detail that is sometimes forgotten, Kerber said.
"What we know as the MRF site was only indented as a site for one year," Kerber said. "From the very beginning, in their agreement, they planned for a permanent venue."
What most do remember was time spent with friends, enjoying world-class acts for a $2 ticket price. While attendance averaged 2,000 per event, ticket sales never covered the entire costs of the festival, and only through donations and university funding was the festival able to return year after year. That wasn't the point, Kerber said, though booking popular acts helped raise funds. These acts were also booked as to provide a balance with the classical, pop and theater performances.
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