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FEATURE: Part One Of TwoClick here for: Part Two (Bon Jovi)
MILLER BEER150 Years And Still Brewing
by Julie Lounges
In 1855, Frederick J. Miller, a immigrant from Germany moved to Milwaukee to start his own brewing company. He brewed three hundred barrels of beer in his first year.
Today, the Milwaukee brewery alone can produce approximately thirty-five thousand barrels of beer a year. Between their seven locations, over thirty-seven million barrels of beer are produced by this Midwest-based company each year. That’s a lot of beer!
From 1919-1933 during Prohibition, Miller attempted to keep it’s doors open by producing soda and malt syrup.
The Miller company has come a long way since its first three hundred barrels. Today, Miller is the oldest and biggest brewery in the United States.
This year marks Miller’s 150th anniversary. To celebrate, they planned many events and programs designed to give back to those who have made them what they are and to say, “Thanks”.
Several money donations have been made to the community for their years of support. One million dollars was sent to the Milwaukee County Zoo for their giraffe exhibit. Another 2.5 million went to renovate Summerfest’s Miller Lite Oasis.
They also gave one hundred and fifty dollars each day leading up to the big event to a charity designated by each of their employees. Each employee also was given a free copy of a commemorative book written on the history of Miller Brewing Company.
They also wanted to show appreciation to loyal Miller consumers, so on August 20, Miller put together a huge concert free for their employees and the public.
The catch was being able to obtain a pair of tickets to what was called, “The Big Brew Ha”.
The concert was held at Miller Parkway, the home to the Milwaukee Brewers. Tickets were only available through different promotions with Midwest radio stations, grocery stores and different festivals up to the day of the event.
To kick off the festivities, a tailgate party was set up with nine stages spread throughout the grounds where local bands kept everyone entertained.
This event was free to anyone even without tickets to the main concert. Along with the bands, many of the local radio stations were also set up and broadcasting live all over the area.
Beer, food and merchandise tables had been set up as well. Not everyone walked around listening to the bands. Many people stayed by their cars and had their own little tailgate parties, much like you see at football games. People brought their own food, beer and lawn chairs waiting for the big event to start.
At the start of “The Big Brew Ha”, VIP guests and media were the only ones able to attend the first hour and a half. Food and drink were available for all to enjoy before the main doors opened.
Several things went on between bands. Clips of all the old commercials were shown. A little parade through stadium included the U.S military, a marching band and cheerleaders, plus there were people in beer bottle suits and some riding little bikes shaped like bottles of beer. It was really cute.
A lot of thought was
put into this event. Those who performed that night included The
BoDeans, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Goo Goo Dolls and
headliner, Bon Jovi. Hosted by, and this was a “scream”, Jamie
Kennedy.
The BoDeans and Robert Randolph & The Family Band did a great job. I know my mom, who was my assistant that day, enjoyed them a great deal. Of course my favorite was Bon Jovi. The Goo Goo Dolls also left everyone quite impressed. They sounded just as good live as they do on the radio.
As for my Bon Jovi boys...I could go on and on about their performance. Opening up with their hits “Living On A Prayer” and “You Give Love A Bad Name”, the Jovi boys came out full force and energetic. I loved the mixture of songs they played – from the box set and older songs you rarely hear them do. Also played was their newest single, “Have A Nice Day” and another from the new album, “Who Says You Can't Go Home”.
Of course they encored with a twin hit of “Wanted Dead Or Alive” and “Bad Medicine”, which included a portion of the classic Isley Brothers classic, “Shout”.
Just when you thought the night was over, out into the dark blue sky came a flash of light and millions of fireworks lit the dark sky. Miller’s huge fireworks display was breathtaking.
I was really impressed with all the events that had taken place throughout the entire day. Miller really put a lot of time, effort and cash into this huge event, just to say – “Thank You” – to all who made them what they are today.
So in return, I would just like to say “thank you” back for the great opportunity that they gave me to be a part of this event and to wish them a Happy 150th Anniversary! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURE: Part Two Of Two
Having A Nice Day with …BON JOVI
by Julie Lounges
While at Miller’s “The Big Brew Ha”, I was able to go back stage and talk with Bon Jovi guitarist, Richie Sambora, about the new Bon Jovi album that hits retail on September 20.
Their new
single, “Have A Nice Day” (also the title of the CD), has been
playing on the radio since July 18. The video, taped the weekend of
July 8
“The response has been fantastic so far,” said Sambora of the reaction the band has gotten to the new single. “World wide it’s tracking so well on radio that we’re very, very happy. Dare I say, its looking like another ‘It’s My Life’. For guys that have been in this business as long as we have, to have another contemporary big hit like this, I think it’s a really great thing.”
Bon Jovi has been quite busy these past few months.
The pace began with “Live 8” back in July, where millions first heard the new single. Then came the taping of the new video, and here was the “Big Brew Ha”. Bon Jovi was headed the following day to play the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
“It’s kind of a nice way to warm up for the tour,” Sambora continued. “After you are a band for 22 years, you rarely rehearse. We know each other so well, we know the songs so well, that these kinds of things are a nice way to warm up for the big tour that’s coming.”
At the time of our interview, Richie did not have much information about that broadcast, but all the details have since been posted on their website –– www.bonjovi.com.
As for the tour, according to Richie, it is set to start in November and will begin here in the U.S instead of overseas.
“This is kind of
a weird tour,” he said. “We usually start in Japan or Europe or
These guys have so much going on at the same time, I don’t even know how they do it.
Jon Bon Jovi has his new movie, “Cry Wolf” coming out September 16th. Sambora is working on his latest, as-yet-untitled solo album, as well as composing TV theme songs. Keyboardist David Bryan was recently named to the advisory board of the Music For All Foundation, which supports music education in our schools (www.music-for-all.com), while drummer Tico Torres is keeping busy with Rock Star Baby, his new kids clothing line.
Plus Jon and Richie are also co-owners of the AFL arena football team, Philadelphia Soul, which likewise keeps them busy.
“Just enjoy the new record, it’s certainly one of my favorite Bon Jovi records yet,” concluded Sambora, as we wrapped things up backstage. “It sounds to me like the chemistry really came together on this one. I’m really happy about it. When you listen to the record it’s pretty undeniable.”
I have to agree. I love the new single along with the sound bites heard from the rest of the CD. If you have not heard it yet, don’t let the title fool ya.
“Have A Nice Day” doesn’t mean quite exactly what it says. It’s basically a way of telling someone off in a nice and polite way. So remember, when someone makes you mad or tells you how you should live your life, tell them – “Have A Nice Day”! |
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in Manhattan, has also been airing on VH1 since August 15.
