Saturday, September 19, 2009

Pete Fountain Performing at Hollywood Casino Bay St Louis

Disappointing Visit to see Pete at
Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis

As usual, I make my yearly visit to see Pete play at the tiny Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis MS. Since he only plays once a month, I checked their website and it stated he now plays Tues and Wed. of the first FULL week of each month. So I checked the calender, then called them to Sunday before (9/6/09), spoke with a lady who assured me he was playing this Tues. (9/8 and 9/9). I even asked since the week before wasn't the first FULL week (a phrase that seems to escape understanding at this casino). When I got down there from Massachusetts, I was surprised to find out he played the previous Tues and Wed. (not the first FULL week of the month and apparently unknown to casino personnel who answer these sort of questions to people planning on travelling to their little casino) The best they could do is offer me a free buffet. That certainly is the poorest effort I've ever seen. Maybe I'm spoiled since I leave near the casinos Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, the two largest casinos in the world. These class acts would be embarrassed to offer a free buffet when they provided inaccurate information to a guest. Below are some excerpts from their website (which they now have changed the wording to cover themselves) and emails from the public relations person (who merely restated that Pete plays on Tues and Wed, ingnoring my concerns or their liablity).

Hollywood Casino Bay St Louis Website:

Old web page verbiage:
Pete Fountain Jazz it up with legendary Jazz Musician Pete Fountain LIVE in the Oak Royale Room. $20 cover includes 2 FREE drinks. Tickets sold in Token's Gift Shop. Shows are held the first Tuesday and Wednesday of the first full week of every month. See Tokens Gift Shop for show schedule.

New web page verbiage as of 9/17/09:
Jazz it up with legendary Jazz Musician Pete Fountain LIVE in the Oak Royale Room. $20 cover includes 2 FREE drinks. Tickets sold in Token's Gift Shop. Shows are held on selected Tuesday and Wednesday of every month. See Tokens Gift Shop for show schedule. Hollywood Casino reserves the right to cancel or change show schedule at anytime.
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From: David Mekalian
Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 2:12 PM
To: 'Bob Davidge'
Subject: RE: Hollywood Casino St Louis Bay, MS Contact Request

I understand he used to play every Tue and Wed and only plays the first FULL week of each month now. My point was he didn't play the first FULL week of Sept and before I made the trip from Massachusetts I called your Casino and was told when I called the Casino on Sun he was playing the Tues of my visit (the first FULL week). This was a long trip for what turned out to be a disappointment. I know Pete Fountain, I run a website dedicated to him and report on my visit to see him each year.

http://petefountain.blogspot.com

If Pete is still performing next year, I'll look you up next Sept or Oct 2010.

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From: Bob Davidge [mailto:Bob.Davidge@pngaming.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 10:55 AM
To: David MekalianSubject: FW: Hollywood Casino St Louis Bay, MS Contact Request

Mr. Mekalian,

Thank you for contacting us about your recent visit to our property. We are pleased to be the only casino on the Coast to feature the legendary Jazz musician Pete Fountain. Until recently, he performed every Tuesday and Wednesday, and now typically performs the first Tuesday and Wednesday of the first full week of the month. There have been occasions when he has been unable to do that.

Unfortunately, you’re right he played on Tuesday, Sept. 1st and Wed., Sept. 2nd and is scheduled to play again, on Oct. 6 & 7th, the first full week of October. I’m sorry that you didn’t get to seem him during your visit. I promise you that I will see that I’ll address this issue and I will change that verbiage on our website.

Please feel free to call me during your next visit.
Thank you again,
Bob
Bob Davidge
Advertising & Public Relations Manager
Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis
711 Hollywood Blvd.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 466-8047
www.hollywoodcasinobsl.com