BIBB PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTORS
ADDRESS: 4864 Vance Road
CITY / STATE / ZIP: West Blocton, AL 35184
PHONE: (205) 938-7491

SUBJECT: PROPOSAL: HANK WILLIAMS MUSEUM
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

Dear Mr.______:

You and I together would not have enough fingers and toes to count the number of years that the Alabama State Department has been telling us that it MUST find more ways to bring in needed revenue resources for the State of Alabama or "SHUT DOWN."

Legislators have been seeking ways and means to do that for years. Desperate to find a solution to financial issues suggestions made have covered everything; from selling lemonade to bringing back the very thing that nominee for State Attorney General, former State Senator, Albert Patterson lost his life over in order to "clean house" back in the era of 1950.

Yet, they are failing to see the one asset they have to turn that around. And furthermore, it’s right there in their own "CAPITOL CITY OF MONTGOMERY."

I’m talking about the "PEOPLE" and the stories behind "THEM" -- PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE.

Due to lack of funding in State budget, assistance is being reduced or cut out completely for so many nonprofit organizations in the state of Alabama. And we can understand that critical needs of the State/Education and Health must come first in budget plans.

Efforts to find new ways of bringing needed industry and revenue sources into the state have proven exhausted, to say the least. Every day we hear more and more of how "CRITICALLY CRIPPLED" the Budget is for the state of Alabama. Suffering the most, are the children and unhealthy. Education and healthcare are about to slip away from us completely.

WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT THE VERY COMPANY WITH WHICH YOU ARE AFFILIATED AND REPRESENT ACTUALLY DID SOMETHING TO HELP CORRECT THAT SITUATION? I am sure that you would answer emphatically, "YES."

Well, the opportunity for YOU to do just that is drawn out in the contents of this "Proposal."

There are so many areas suffering as a result of these budget cuts. Naturally, that puts a heavier burden on other types of nonprofit organizations in locating supplemental funding sources to insure their stability as well. That includes our Landmarks and Historical Mainstays, such as the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.

Were you aware that since the opening of the Hank Williams Museum, only four and a half years ago, people from some 49 countries have come here just to visit it?

That amazes me that this young 29-year-old Alabama born and bred small town country boy, from right here among us, made such an impact on the world with his music. And did it in such a short span of time.

Museum Manager/Director (Beth Birtley) and I met in Montgomery on Friday, October 31 to discuss plans for Bibb Promotional Productions to bring our team of performers in to do our "STARGANZA" Show at the Museum. In the process, it came to attention that the Open House weekend for the Fifth Anniversary of the opening of the HW Museum is coming up in February 2004. (Open House will actually be on Sunday, February 8.)

We agreed that this weekend date of February 7th and 8th would be the perfect time to add other known-featured artists and introduce a "NEW PHASE" to the HANK WILLIAMS MUSEUM world of music; and to the town of Montgomery. That "NEW PHASE" and concept being, to have regularly scheduled live performances done from the HW Museum Music Hall.

Rental of the Music Hall, or a set percentage of ticket profits would afford the
opportunity to have even larger crowds of visitors touring the Museum and Gift Shop. Thus, bringing in additional funding needed to assist and insure the future of The Hank Williams Museum for Montgomery. In turn, aiding the Museum to become more self-sufficient as a nonprofit organization.

I am sure that you are familiar with plans for construction to build up the "waterfront" area in the locality of the museum within the next couple of years. More business means more people in the area. More people means more revenue for those businesses and the City of Montgomery, not to mention the Company you represent.

It has been my experience in this business that clientele and business associates alike seem to light up and become very excited about performances at the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. They would rather be able to perform there, than do a huge production in Madison Square Garden.

To them, it is like the "Grand Ole Opry" of "Alabama." With the introduction of this "Opry" type of venue, artists from all over the world would be enticed to perform at the Hank Williams Museum Music Hall in Montgomery, Alabama --" where it all began" for the "Legend" resting only a few blocks away.

Never has one man's music been interpreted, arranged and presented in so many ways by so many fields of the music industry than that of Montgomery’s GREATEST KNOWN ASSET, Hank Williams.

This "NEW PHASE" not only appeals to well established names in the Country Music Industry, such as Ray Price, the Bama Band, The Driftin’ Cowboys and members of the "Williams Family Tradition"(which now includes Tim McGraw &Faith Hill) but to Nashville moguls behind the Industry.

For example, my personal contacts in the business. People that assist me in promoting my clients with the major record labels of the world. Such as owner and operator of "Affinity Music" in Nashville since 1957 and Broadway’s own accomplished musician, Don Reed. (Mr. Reed was creator of "Bandstand USA"; televised nationwide every day from Philadelphia in the 1960’s. Also, successful singer/songwriter/producer/director Richard Donahue, whose music has sold millions of copies worldwide. And, one of the world‘s most accomplished and sought after songwriters, Bob Dellaposta/President of "My Three Kids Music" in Nashville, Tennessee.)

Not only would this afford established performers opportunity to play the HW Museum, but it will open the opportunity for new talent to be introduced to the world. I'm sure you know how much fun and enjoyment people get out of the idea of playing the "Blue Bird Cafe" and "Ernest Tubb Record Shop" in Nashville. Many go there just to be able to say they have played there. Even though the vast number are probably there to make contacts for music careers.

That same thing could evolve here; making the HW Museum in Montgomery even more famous worldwide than it is already! With that would come the possibility of some small radio station wanting to broadcast from the Music Hall during show hours. (Needless to say, it wouldn’t be a small time radio station long.)

A venue of this nature would entice other businesses to seek residence in that new buildup area. Recording studios and agencies would be attracted. Next step could turn into Montgomery’s own "Music Row." Parents would be more intrigued with the idea of their children becoming involved with music.

This would help take them off the streets and put them into "workshops" set up for after school interest in learning music and how it all works. Not just "ON" the stage, but "BEHIND" the scenes. Set up special vocational training programs within the Recording Studios, for "ON HANDS" experience in the electronics associated with recording.

Let’s suggest even further in offering training in various aspects of the music industry. This time, what about actually "making" and "crafting" special made instruments. Student "Workshops" that actually operate producing their OWN instruments to learn to play. Sales from these instruments would assist the "workshop" financially to keep it operating. How many successful musicians have you ever heard say "I learned to play from a homemade fiddle my uncle made." Get the picture?

It falls in with "GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH HIM "HOW" TO FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A LIFETIME." Teach our kids a trade and they can take care of themselves the rest of their lives. There are so many "Vocational Trades" to chose from in the music business.

Teach them how to "recycle" funds back into their programs. It would even allow them to prepare and participate in actual "mock shows" to help raise funds to support these projects and build scholarships for continued education. Thus, contributing toward easing the State Educational Budget. Then, if they want to continue studies in a college setting, they will be well prepared.

We realize that it costs for artists to come in and put on a show of this magnitude. Therefore, NONE of the artists that participate in the "Starganza" Show presentation in February are going to be asked to "donate" their talents and services.

They will be paid from proceeds off ticket sales as usual, with a big percentage of ticket profits going to the Museum. Thus, assisting them on their way with this "NEW PHASE." We, here at Bibb Promotional, intend to continue to promote and assist the HW Museum in bringing in the type of entertainment that will be an asset to the museum’s "image and reputation" worldwide. Creating the dignity for a family oriented environment suitable for everyone.

At present we plan to use the Museum Music Hall for the February event; however, that is subject to change. And most likely will be necessary. Dependent upon the number of advance ticket sales. (We plan for tickets to go on sale six (6) weeks in advance of the show.) That means promos and advertising need to go out before very long.

As the Music Hall itself will only seat about 200/250 at most, if sales should go over that but less than 500, we will do two (2) shows that evening. Should sales go over that, we must be prepared to move the production to larger facilities.

Of course, if "ALL" of the entertainers invited to participate do accept, we will be forced to use larger facilities. (Let's hope that is going to be the case. How wonderful it would be to have such cooperation from our invited performers that we would need to use it. Montgomery would greatly benefit revenue-wise from City &Local Taxes. Rooming arrangements will be needed and restaurants will be flooded.)

The event is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2004. As you know, there will be a lot of "upfront" expenses involved in this project. Therefore, we need sponsorship sources. We are submitting this detailed proposal and extending a sincere request in "begging" you to assist us in the endeavor to help make this project a real success. Not just a success for the Hank Williams Museum, but also for Montgomery City/County and the State of Alabama as a whole.

There are many areas that we need assistance in putting this "natural asset" to good use. Newspaper advertising can be quite expensive, but very necessary to the success of the event. Also, deposits will be needed in several areas in advance of the forum. That includes, but is not limited to, rental of the Joe Reed Acadome on the campus of the State University, if program has to be moved to larger facility.

Deposits will be needed to engage the services of our invited "Talents" to insure their performances as part of our presentation. (Of course, these deposits have been figured into the contract budget for each "talent"; therefore, any deposits for this purpose would be considered a loan and returned to the donors after the show.)

Look at the example of the small city of Georgiana, Alabama. They have made good use of the ASSET Hank Williams left behind there. Were you aware that a portion of proceeds from the Hank Williams Museum/Archives Festivals held in Georgiana go to the American Cancer Society? That is very important to people like me....being a cancer survivor myself.

The "Williams Family Tradition" is doing much to help society in ways that the public doesn't realize. Hank was known as a generous and caring man, even as we've seen and felt displayed in his music; and as those closest to him attest about him. "Ole Hank" himself would be proud and happy that his family hasn't forgotten others, and that his own Legacy has benefited the needs of those left behind.

The Cancer Society isn’t the only organization benefiting from this great ALABAMA BORN ASSET. The "Williams Family" program, called "Audrey’s Dream", has been established for assistance and counseling those with problems of substance abuse. Daughter, Lycrecia Williams Hoover, has played a major role in furthering the use of that "NATURAL ASSET" in benefiting others.

Thank you so much for your time and attention. I look forward with "hopeful" anticipation to a "positive" response in assisting us in making this event a true success.

Sincerely,

A.W. Blake/Director
Bibb Promotional Productions
bibbpromotional@cs.com
205-938-7491

Supporting/Promoting
Hank Williams Museum
Montgomery, Alabama
www.hank50.com
http://hankjr.com/almeria.htm
"I'M ONE OF YOU"