Ojai resident "House' guest
By Kelly Feser Eells

Ed Sullivan would have called it a "really big shew," perhaps even a "really, really big shew." And it was.

Just ask local talent, or rather, talent agent, Bill Monot of Paradise Artists - he produced it. And though Monot has produced a lot of shows over the years - including shows for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, even when "everyone was still wearing black Mao suits" - the show he produced for the White House's annual congressional picnic, held June 20, was a personal favorite.

"We had 'em all dancing in the aisles," Monot laughed. "The president, everyone; it was a blast."

The picnic, Monot explained, is a White House tradition. "It's the administration's way of thanking Congress for all their hard work, a fun way for the president and first lady to honor the congressmen (and women) and their families, who don't get to see much of them when Congress is in session."

This year's picnic was actually a barbecue, down to the red-checkered tablecloths on every table and Texan-sized portions on every plate. But the music was Motown, not country.
Indeed, "we got a call in early June from an aide of the First Lady, a Texas debutante" familiar with Paradise Artists and Dennis Edwards, "original voice from The Temptations" and longtime Paradise client.

"This year," said Monot, "they wanted the Motown sound," which Paradise Artists all but specialized in when producing shows at foreign embassies. "It gives a little flavor of home," he said, smiling. "We had Mary Wilson (former Supremes singer), for example, for the show we did for the diplomats in Vatican City; everyone loved that.

"Motown," he noted, "is the music of joy, and with all the stuff going on in the world, well, we need it."

Monot also noted that "everyone loved Edwards and his band - he calls it The Temptation Review" - and they were all given an almost royal welcome.

"The White House gave us great access," he said, "arranging for a private tour and everything. It was kind of a surreal feeling, walking along the halls and looking at the Lincolns' china and whatnot."

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, "the Secret Service has to bring you into the White House now," and public access to it is limited - a sad fact that, Monot indicated, the current administration is all too aware of.

"The president said it best," Monot said, describing his first encounter with 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.'s current occupant. "He said, 'Welcome to the People's House.'" Monot added that later, "when he was chatting with us, asking us how we liked the tour, complimenting us on the show, etc., I said, 'Mr. President, Dennis has been here before.'"

"Yeah," Dennis said, "I was here for Tricia Nixon's wedding."
And the president just smiled at him and said, "Man, you hide your age well."

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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