As I was showing the ballroom of the Saint Paul Hotel to a group of 5 people for a wedding in the future, I heard a voice call out, “John, John are you there.” He walked into the promenade, wearing a black baseball cap. Stepping over to all of us, Bill Murray stood face to face. Graciously he pardoned himself, then said, “Hey, John could you help me with something?” My escorted group didn’t mind being interrupted by a celebrity as Mr. Murray.
Standing in the doorway of the ballroom, he came up with one of the most bizarre request I’d ever heard. As one of the principal owners of the St. Paul Saints, he was staying in the hotel for the Northern League Baseball playoffs, which the Saints were in. That night the team was playing the final game of the series. “John” he said, “can you get a hold of the phone number for Prince, I want to call him and give him tickets to the game tonight.” As a true concierge, I said, “I’ll do my best”
He left to have lunch in the St. Paul Grill. Turning around, my tour group had their mouths open in awe. After finishing up with the tour, I went back to my desk. Saying to myself, “How am I going to do this?” Putting on my clever thinking cap, I began my quest. Knowing that his name wasn’t in the phone book under Prince, at this time he was known as a symbol not a name, I called Paisely Park, his one time recording studio, in Chanhassen. There was no answer (it was Saturday). Then I called a few night club owners in the area, asking them if they knew how to get a hold of Prince. To my surprise, Kenny Horst, at the Artist Quarter, gave me the number to some of his band members and his producer.
My best bet was to call the producer. After finally getting in touch with him, I told him the situation. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t give out Prince’s phone number. Then I asked, “What if I put you in touch with Bill Murray personally? Would you give him the phone number?” To my surprise he said, “Yes.”
I transferred the call to Bill Murray, as he ate his lunch in the Grill.
Mission accomplished!!!
Bill made the call to Prince but he was not home. He did give the producer two tickets for the game.
That night the Saints won the championship. After the game I got a big thank you, a $20 gratuity, signed “Thanks, Bill Murray”.
No comments:
Post a Comment