It was mid-1971, Marina Del Rey, California. I was a little over a year out of the Marine Corps, 2 1/2 years back from Vietnam, and totally lost, without a compass, in the entertainment capital of the world!
Thanksgiving was a spectacular event that year; a Taco Bell Taco, a bag of Orville Redenbacher popcorn, and a glass of water. I wasn't able to find a real job and was surviving by singing Neil Diamond, etc., songs, for drinks and dinner in tips at Kelly's Steak House in Marina Del Rey.
And then I met Bill Brogger and he provided me the opportunity I needed to literally pick myself up and go forward in life. He offered me a job that I immediately accepted, and long story short, Bill Brogger very likely saved my life one day with a very simple comment that made such an impact to me at that time and has remained with me almost 40 years, "If you believed in yourself as much as I believe in you, nothing can ever hold you back from great accomplishments". I listened and took his words to heart. (I'm so sorry for those people who never have the Bill Broggers in their lives to provide that encouragement. Since that minute in my life, I do try to replicate his compassion, but fail so many times).
And now the story continues.
The next part of my adventure continued when Bill sent me to meet his brother Frederick Brogger, producer of the Hallmark Hall Of Fame movies, The Red Pony, A Girl Named Sooner, and Heidi.
I had been offered what appeared to be an excellent job opportunity in Denver and it had come down to the "decision making" time that eventually occurs if a company and a candidate for employment feel comfortable with each other. I was faced with the dilemna of staying in California and taking a chance on "being discovered in the entertainment world I dreamed about", or moving to Denver and beginning what would become a glorius career for the next 30 years. Bill set up an appointment with Fred to discuss my hopes and dreams and the reality of the entertainment world.
I met Fred in his office at Samuel Goldwyn Film Studio. We talked and at the end of our discussion, he promised that that he would introduce me to his Hollywood connections to help me in the entertainment world, if I chose to stay in California, but when I asked him what he would do if in the same situation, he suggested that I put my guitar in its case for a year, go to Denver, excel with the new job, and at the end of a year, take the guitar out of the case and simply enjoy playing and singing.
I took his advise, and a year later, I had become delighted with my marketing and sales job and the company and leadership I had chosen to join.
And then the karmic experience of a lifetime occurred. When i opened my guitar case and took my guitar out again after a year, I found myself smack dab in the company of The Memphis Mafia, Elvis's Entourage. In taking the job offer in Denver, unknown to me, one of my co-workers was Tommy McDonald, cousin to Lamar Fike, who had lived with Elvis Presley for 25 years and started Elvis's Memphis Mafia.
In a recent conversation with Fred, he assured me he didn't even remember our conversation or the time that made such an impact upon my life to follow. But that is another story, to be continued.
I will never be able to return the compassion that both Bill and Fred presented me, but I am always here to return their magnificent favors to me.
Fred is now writing and making independent movies and Bill, retired now, is enjoying the lifestyles of two diverse locations, Manhattan Beach and Chicago. And we remain friends after what is now 40 years. Dreamers still dreaming and living our dreams.
Bill Brogger on the left and Frederick Brogger third from the left in 2011.
