We arrived in Houston 2 days before the kickoff of the Triple Threat Tour starring Beyonce', Rhianna & Tigress. All the performers were there. Our game plan was to check out the Arena and photograph the sound check for Rhianna & Tigress. After that we had an evening to ourselves and all Houston had to offer, whatever that was. Rhianna had a new band backing her and she was eager to toughen up her sound. Tigress had new material from their next album they planned to debut on the tour, as well as a new stage show befitting a tour this big. Chuck was on his cell phone 24/7 the whole time. A normal person would've lost his mind doing this, but Chuck seemed to thrive on it. It seemed like all we had to do was show up with cameras in hand.
Hey, Fine by me!
Once we got our rooms, I was hungry. I wanted to find an authentic Texas barbeque joint.
I found it in the most unlikely place.
As I was going out on my search, Chuck cornered me in the hotel lobby.
"Glad I found you, Mercedes-Benz is throwing a party tonight and you guys are invited, not as employees but as guests." He said.
"Cool! Where is it?" I said.
"The Regional Director has a place outside of town, just be here at 5, I'll handle the transportation."
Like I said, fine by me!
Chuck wasn't kidding when he said he'd handle things. At precisely 5, a black Mercedes 500 sedan, complete with chauffeur, pulled up. Chris and I looked at one another, very impressed.
The Benz rolled smoothly along the highway as the skyscrapers and strip malls disappeared and became open farmland with houses set far back from the road. We slowed down and drove under a huge iron gate with the words "Southfork Ranch" on top.
"This is a joke, right?" I wondered aloud.
"I don't think so...there's Chuck." Chris replied.
"Howdy, boys! Welcome to Southfork!" He said with a laugh.
"This isn't real is it?" I asked.
"Well, yes and no. The real ranch is up in Dallas, but that would've been a long car ride. This oil guy built an exact replica of it, and when he went bust, well, Mercedes bought it." Chuck explained.
It all made sense to me now. If you're starting a big tour, with big stars, sponsored by a big company (with money to spend), why not have a party at an address that says "big money"?
"So where's J.R., Chuck?" Chris asked sarcastically.
"Yer lookin' at him!" He replied with swagger worthy of J.R. Ewing.
The grounds had been transformed into an enormous party, with extensive food selection, fully staffed bars, a dance floor, the works.
"Big time, 'Hollywood'...big time." Chris said as he surveyed everything.
"You said it, pal." I replied. "Where should we start?"
We both looked at each other.
"The bar." We said together.
The party served as a launch for the tour, and as a promotion for Mercedes, all their cars were there on display. A big hubbub erupted when Beyonce' and Jay-Z arrived with their entourage. She was smiling and waving to everyone as her new album played over the huge sound system. She naturally had a contingent of fierce-looking bodyguards around her that steered her to a roped-off VIP area. I figured that's as close as I'll get to her.
Again, fine by me!
I was still searching for the right barbeque to go with my bottle of Lone Star beer when Chris called me over;
