Cab, limo drivers help steer show traffic

It always starts with a question: "What's a good show to see?"

In this case, the answer led limousine driver Dan Holmgren to a backstage meet-and-greet with Barry Manilow after a recent show.

Not bad for a guy who was never a huge fan. But Holmgren understands, "You can't go wrong going to see his show."

Manilow's '70s hits "take you back to a time when things were better," he says. "You just get a relief for that amount of time that you're there."

Manilow and his personal assistant, Marc Hulett, recognized Holmgren's role in the support network for Las Vegas shows. Cab and limo drivers are all part of the circuitry.

In this case, Hulett saw Holmgren hugging an usher friend after escorting some of his ODS (On Demand Sedan) customers. That led to a chat about how many others he had delivered to the singer's doorstep.

Monte Carlo headliner Lance Burton owns Trip Sheet, a monthly publication that's served drivers since 1984. It circulates 10,000 copies but is distributed at driver sign-in stations, not in public.

Trip Sheet is full of free or discount ticket offers, allowing drivers such as Holmgren to offer informed opinions. "I haven't been wrong yet," he says, when it comes to customer feedback.

Drivers, he says, get visual clues about a fare's willingness to pay for big tickets such as "O" by their jewelry, or even by the hotel to which he's taking them. And while limo companies are taking a beating with the rest of the town, those who opt for a $60 ride from the airport tend to be better off.

But Holmgren says he sticks to relatively safe bets such as Terry Fator and Manilow, and would only talk up "Peepshow" or "Zumanity" if someone asked about racier fare.

Magicians "all run together," he says. Hypnotists and magicians "always have their arms out to beg for applause."

And when Trip Sheet sends him to a show he doesn't like? He has a cop-out newspaper reviewers don't: "I just say I haven't seen it," he says. "I would never want to badmouth them."

There is ongoing controversy about strip clubs paying drivers $60 or $70 to deliver a fare. Holmgren hasn't heard of any entertainers trying that, and doesn't think it would work.

"Pretty much, there's pretty girls at every strip club. There's always a pretty girl a guy will like, and drink and admission prices are about the same."

But talking up a bad show? "How could you do that with a straight face?" he asks. Holmgren's income depends on repeat customers, who keep his card and call him again.

Besides, who can put a price on Barry Manilow's gratitude?

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.