One of the things about being a tour manager, according to John Callahan, is the fact that you need to be “on” when everyone else is “off.” But for an enduring icon such as Tony Bennett, routine duties rise to another level. Callahan may find himself riding a freight elevator with Barbra Streisand. Or meeting Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. Confirming passes for VIP guests usually means your VIPs are as famous as Tony. When the fans’ meet-and-greet line to talk to Tony includes The Beach Boys’ Mike Love and Al Jardine, for example, it’s still just part of the job. But the cool factor kicks in. “Places I’ve been, you pinch yourself, you ask, am I really here? Especially with Tony. You meet the coolest people. With Tony, it’s highlights all the time.”
—From “The Art of Tour Managing,” by Debi Moen, PLSN, March 2017, page 55.
