Paul Wilborn\n1 sound file (56 min.) : digital, MPEG4 file + ;\nArt, Municipal ( lcsh )\nPaul Wilborn, former manager of creative industries for the City of Tampa, discusses the city's art program. He begins the interview talking about growing up in Temple Terrace, Florida. He also discusses his college experience at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa; working on USF's student newspaper, the Oracle, and the campus magazine, the Omnibus; and his years after college working at the Tampa Tribune (1978 to 1991). Also included in the interview is a discussion of Graphicstudio at the University of South Florida, Tampa. Additionally, he discusses his love of music and life with his wife, actress Eugenie Bondurant.\nInterview conducted on January 12, 2006.\naleph - 028732213\noclc - 213443656\nusfldc doi - T31-00002\nusfldc handle - t31.2\nT a m pa A r t s a nd C ul t u r e O r a l H i s t or y P r oj e c t U ni ve r s i t y of S ou t h F l o r i da I nt e r vi e w w i t h: P a ul W i l bor n I nt e r vi e w e d by: S uz e t t e B e r km a n L oc a t i on: T a m pa F L D a t e : J a nua r y 12, 2006 T r a ns c r i be d by: R ut h H C ha ve z A udi t E di t by: C yr a na W yke r A udi t E di t D a t e : D e c e m be r 05, 2007 F i na l E di t by: N i c ol e C ox F i na l E di t D a t e : D e c e m be r 05, 2007 T ape 1; s i de 1 be gi ns S uz e t t e B e r km a n: H i s t or y p r ogr a m o f t he U ni ve r s i t y of S out h F l or i da L i br a r y i t s T hur s da y, J a nua r y 12 2006 5 6 A w a r m s unny da y i n T a m pa B a y, i t s gor ge ous a nd I ha ve be f or e m e P a ul W i l bor n w ho i s c ur r e nt l y C r e a t i ve I ndus t r i e s m a na ge r f or t he c i t y of T a m pa H i P a ul P a ul W i l bor n: G ood da y, how a r e you? S B : I m g r e a t ( l a ughs ) t ha nk you. P W : I m g l a d t o be he r e S B : I a m s o gl a d you a r e a nd t ha nk you f or a gr e e i n g t o t hi s i nt e r vi e w a h P W : I t s a t r e a t ; i t s a n honor I a m gl a d t o be a s ke d. N o one e ve r w a nt s t o i nt e r vi e w t he guy w ho ha s a l w a ys i nt e r vi e w e d e ve r ybody e l s e T hi s i s f un S B : O h, m y g os h. W e l l t ha t s t r ue ; you ha ve qui t e a hi s t or y o f i n t e r vi e w i ng, f or s ur e P W : I ha ve a l w a ys be e n on t he ot he r s i de of t he i s s ue S B : W e d ki nd of l i ke t o s t a r t a t t he be gi nni ng, a nd I w a s w onde r i ng i f you w oul d s ha r e w i t h us w he r e you bor n, t he ye a r you don t ha ve t o s a y your a ge ; w e c a n do t he m a t h. ( W i l bor n l a ughs ) P W : I w a s bor n a t T a m pa G e ne r a l H os pi t a l I t w a s M a r c h 30, 1952. A da t e w hi c h w i l l l i ve i n i n f a m y S B : ( l a ughs ) A s i t i s f o r a l l of us P W : A nd, a h, t he f i r s t c hi l d o f B oyd a nd L oui s e W i l bo r n. A nd m y m om w a s t he gr a ndda ught e r of S i c i l i a n i m m i gr a nt s w ho c a m e t o T a m pa a r ound t he t u r n o f t he c e nt ur y,\n2 a nd w e r e pa r t o f t ha t w hol e i m m i gr a nt e xpe r i e nc e A nd m y da d w a s t he ot he r bi g e xpe r i e nc e of t he t w e nt i e t h c e nt ur y. I gue s s [ i t ] w a s W or l d W a r I I a nd he w a s i n t he A i r F or c e dur i ng t he w a r a nd w a s s t a t i one d i n t h i s a r e a a nd m e t m y m om a t a U S O da nc e S B : W ha t di d he do, P a ul ? A s i de f r om t he w a r P W : H e w a s a n e duc a t or H e ha d a M a s t e r s i n E n gl i s h a nd w e l l he e nde d up a t i n voc a t i ona l e d uc a t i on f or H i l l s bor ough C ount y a nd a t t he t i m e of hi s de a t h he w a s r unni ng a l l t he voc a t i ona l s c hool s f or t he H i l l s bor o ugh C ount y s ys t e m H e got t o de s i gn, de s i gn s c hool s H e r e a l l y w a s a f r us t r a t e d a r c hi t e c t t oo, s o he bui l t T a m pa B a y T e c h a nd r e di d t he E r w i n C e nt e r w hi c h i s on H i l l s bor ough A ve nue a nd s t a r t e d a t B r e w s t e r but he w a s ul t i m a t e l y ove r a l l t he voc a t i ona l p r ogr a m s H e l ove d t ha t S B : M y goodne s s t ha t s s om e t hi ng. D i d your M o m w or k? P W : S he di dn t w or k unt i l w e w e r e a bout 12 o r s o a nd t h e n s he be c a m e a gui da nc e c ouns e l or i n t he s c hool s ys t e m S he di d s om e o t he r j obs but m os t l y s he ki nd of w a i t e d unt i l w e w e r e a l i t t l e bi t g r ow n. S B : Y ou ha ve s i bl i ngs ? P W : I ha ve a b r ot he r t ha t i s f our ye a r s younge r w ho w on t a dm i t t o be i ng f ou r ye a r s younge r ; he d r a t he r be t e n ye a r s younge r a nd he s a h, hi s na m e s S t e ve n a nd he i s a pr of e s s i ona l s i nge r a nd l i ve s i n S a n F r a nc i s c o. S B : L i ke a c hur c h s i nge r ? P W : H e s a c hur c h s i nge r he di d B r oa dw a y, di d a bunc h of B r oa dw a y r oa d s how s a nd r e a l l y h a d s om e good s uc c e s s i n s how s B ut ul t i m a t e l y t ha t l i f e s t yl e ; on a ga i n, of f a ga i n, e m pl oye d, une m pl oye d j us t d i d not s ui t hi s c ons t i t ut i on a nd he got t o a n a ge w he r e he w a s no l onge r c a s t a s t he young l e a di ng m a n bu t n ot ol d e nough t o be t he da d. H e w a s s o r t of i n t he m i ddl e a nd he de c i de d i t w a s t i m e t o pur s ue he a l w a ys ha d a c hur c h s i ngi ng j ob s o t ha t s t u r ne d out t o be a be t t e r c a r e e r t ha n e ve r a nd he t r a ve l s 30 w e e ks a ye a r m a ke s C D s i n N e w Y o r k, a nd m a gni f i c e nt C D s w i t h t he H a r l e m B oy s C hoi r a nd s e l l s t he m l i ke hot c a ke s on t he r oa d a nd pe opl e I t s be e n ve r y s uc c e s s f ul S B : D oe s he ha ve a f a m i l y? P W : N o no he s ne ve r m a r r i e d H e s a l w a ys be e n a pi s t ol H e s da nc e d t o hi s ow n dr um m e r S B : W e r e ki nd o f t he t w o of yo u pi s t ol s ? I don t kno w t ha t w oul d ha ve be e n i nt e r e s t i ng gr ow i ng up P W : ( l a ughs ) I w a s t he s w e e t one\n3 S B : O h, oka y, t ha t w a s i nt e r e s t i ng. W e r e you bos s y a s a n ol de r br ot he r ? P W : N o, I w a s a l w a ys t he ni c e one M y pa r e nt s ha d m e a nd t he n f our ye a r s l a t e r s a i d, T hi s ki d i s s o good w e r e goi ng t o ha ve a not he r o ne A nd m y br ot he r w a s t r oubl e f r om t he s t a r t S B : B ut you gr e w up i n Y bo r C i t y? P W : M y m om s f a m i l y gr e w up i n Y bo r C i t y W e gr e w up i n T e m pl e T e r r a c e W e m ove d m y pa r e nt s bui l t a hous e out t he r e I t w a s t he he i ght o f t he ba by boom a nd e ve r ybody i n T e m pl e T e r r a c e ha d ki ds ou r a ge A n d i t w a s [ a ] s hoc k, a bl oc k f u l l o f ki ds e ve r yw he r e you t ur ne d a nd t he r e w a s a r i ve r t he r e a nd a gol f c our s e a nd w oods I t w a s a r e a l i dyl l i c pl a c e t o gr ow up a nd go t o s c hool S B : W ha t w a s i t l i ke t he n? P W : T e m pl e T e r r a c e i t w a s a f a i r l y w e l l de ve l ope d pl a c e Y ou c oul d go t w o bl oc ks a nd t he r e d be de e p w oods a nd s o f or a ki d a nd t he r e w a s a l l t hi s s t uf f on t he r i ve r s o w e c oul d be l i ke l i t t l e H uc k F i nns w i t h ou r l i t t l e boa t s a nd you c oul d di s a ppe a r a nd go i nt o t he w oods A nd you know t he r e d be hous e s not f a r f r om you bu t you d be i n de e p, de e p i n t he w oods W ha t a gr e a t pl a c e f or a ki d t o pl a y a nd s o i t w a s a r e a l l y, i t w a s a ni c e s i t ua t i on. B ot h s e t s of g r a ndpa r e nt s l i ve d ne a r by I t w a s a ve r y s t a bl e ne i ghbo r hood a nd s t a bl e f a m i l y. S B : W he r e di d you go t o s c hool ? P W : A h T e m p l e T e r r a c e E l e m e nt a r y a j uni or hi g h r i ght ne a r t he r e T ha t w a s ba c k i n t he da ys w he n t he r e w a s a j uni or hi gh S B : G r e c o? P W : U h huh, a nd t he n K i ng H i gh S c hool w hi c h w a s w he r e m y f ut u r e bos s P a m I or i o, a l s o w e nt A nd t he n t he U ni ve r s i t y of S out h F l o r i d a I t s ha r d t o br e a k a w a y. M y pa r e nt s m y da d w a s a n e duc a t or a nd w e ne ve r t h ought w e w e r e not r i c h or s om e t hi ng but w e c e r t a i nl y j us t w e l l budge t e d I t hi nk a nd s o t he y s a ve d m one y f or m y c ol l e ge but Y ou got t o go s om e w he r e w he r e you don t ha ve t o pa y f o r a do r m S o i t w a s U S F a nd i t w a s a good e xpe r i e nc e S B : N ow i n hi gh s c hool di d you s how pa r t i c ul a r i nt e r e s t ? P W : I w a s a j our na l i s t i n hi gh s c hool I w a s t he e d i t or of t he pa pe r f o r t w o ye a r s A nd ki nd of f e l l i n t o t ha t S B : S o i t be ga n t he n.\n4 P W : Y e a h, i n ni nt h gr a de a t K i ng a nd t he n m y f i r s t w e e k a t U S F I w e nt a nd t r i e d out f or t he ne w s pa pe r a nd got hi r e d. S o i t w a s a l w a ys s om e t hi ng t ha t c a m e e a s i l y t o m e a nd i t w a s a w a y t o m a ke m one y a nd m a ke f r i e nds a nd t h os e door s you know how you j us t ki nd of f a l l i n t o t hos e t hi ngs a nd t hos e door s s e e m e d t o ope n f or you S B : O h, s ounds l i ke you di d W ha t d i d you do w i t h t he O r ac l e ? S o you w e r e a j ou r na l i s m m a j or a t s c hool P W : Y e s j ou r na l i s m m a j or a t U S F a nd, a h, di d vi r t ua l l y a l l t he j obs a t t he O r ac l e e xc e pt e di t or i n c hi e f A nd t he y e l e c t e d t he e di t or i n c hi e f a t t he t i m e a nd t he e l e c t i on, t he r e w a s m e w ho ha d ha i r dow n t o m y s houl de r s a nd l ooke d a l i t t l e r a gge dy a nd ha d a gi r l w ho w a s he a d of t he young R e publ i c a ns A nd w he n t he r e w a s a t i e one of t he s c hool a dm i ni s t r a t or s ge t s t o pi c k W e l l f o r s om e r e a s on, he di dn t p i c k m e ( l a ughs ) I don t know w hy ( l a ughs a ga i n) S B : I don t e i t h e r ( l a ughs ) C e r t a i nl y pol i t i c a l P W : I e nde d up r e a l l y c onc e nt r a t i ng on m y w r i t i n g a nd be c a m e t he e di t o r of t he c a m pus m a ga z i ne S o I di d a l ot but i t w a s f un. I t w a s f un. S B : T ha t s w onde r f ul A nd w ha t w a s t he c a m pus m a ga z i ne c a l l e d a t t ha t t i m e ? P W : I t w a s c a l l e d t he O m ni bus ki nd of a dum b na m e but i t c a m e out qua r t e r l y a nd I di d i t f or t w o t e r m s O ne w a s a l i t e r a r y m a ga z i ne a nd one w a s s or t of a ne w s f e a t ur e s m a ga z i ne S B : D o a ny i nc i de nt s i n s c hool s t a nd out i n your m i nd? F a vor i t e t e a c he r s ? P W : Y ou know I w a s i n s c hool w he n N i xon bo m be d C a m bodi a a nd t he r e w e r e huge de m ons t r a t i ons on c a m pus t ha t f e l l i nt o t he s t r e e t s a nd w e ha d t o c ove r t he m a s j our na l i s t s but a l s o you w e r e i n t he m i ddl e o f t he m a s j our na l i s t s a nd i t w a s j us t i t w a s r e a l l y a w i l d t i m e V e r y t u r bul e nt t i m e t o be i n c ol l e ge a nd, a h, a t t he s a m e t i m e f un. I t w a s a huge w hol e e r a o f t he l a t e s i xt i e s e a r l y s e ve nt i e s I s t a r t e d i n c ol l e ge i n 1970 a nd 1971 a nd, a h you know t ha t w a s s t i l l ki nd of t he s i xt i e s i n a w a y. I t w a s ve r y t u r bul e nt a nd c r a z y a nd, a h r a di c a l but you know f un t oo I t w a s a f un t i m e t o be i n c ol l e ge S B : W e r e you i nvol ve d i n ot he r t hi ngs or c onc e nt r a t i ng on t he pa pe r ? P W : M os t l y t he pa pe r I m e a n, i t w a s a h be t w e e n goi ng t o s c hool a nd t he pa pe r t he pa pe r w a s a j ob t ha t you di d r e a l l y f r om t he e nd of s c hool t o unt i l 10 o r 11 a t ni ght of t e n t i m e s T he ni c e t hi ng w a s t ha t you got pa i d S o yo u, a h, i t r e a l l y w a s a n a l l c ons um i ng. T o m e i t w a s f r a t e r ni t i e s a nd s or or i t i e s w e r e k i nd of out o f f a s hi on a t t ha t poi nt ; t he y s t i l l e xi s t e d but i t w a s not r e a l l y c ool t o be i n t he m a nd s o I c ons i de r e d t he pa pe r m y f r a t e r ni t y. S o you l i ve d i t I t w a s g r e a t be c a us e i t p ut you i n t he m i dd l e of e ve r yt hi ng goi ng on, on c a m pus\n5 S B : A bs ol ut e l y. P W : Y ou kne w t he p r e s i de nt of t he s c hool you kn e w t he bi g r a di c a l s you kne w t hi s you kne w t ha t Y ou j us t s o S B : D i d you s t a r t you r m us i c c a r e e r a t t ha t poi nt ? O r da bbl e i n i t ? P W : I w a s da bbl i ng, I pl a ye d I ha d t a ke n l e s s ons i n pi a no a s a ki d p l a ye d a l i t t l e bi t pl a ye d a l i t t l e b i t i n c ol l e ge but r e a l l y, a h, not hi ng s e r i ous but I w a s a l w a ys a l w a ys pl a ye d, i f t ha t m a ke s s e ns e I a l w a ys pl a ye d. I f t ha t m a ke s s e ns e S B : S o you ha d l e s s ons w he n you w e r e young? P W : I ha d l e s s ons f or s i x o r s e ve n ye a r s w he n I w a s a ki d T he c hur c h or ga ni s t w ho l i ve d i n T e m pl e T e r r a c e a l s o t a ught m y b r ot he r a nd m ys e l f a nd, a h, bu t but a f t e r t ha t I j us t pl a ye d on m y ow n a nd w oul d pr a c t i c e i n t he m us i c r oom s a t U S F A nd go f i nd t hos e pr a c t i c e pi a nos a nd pl a y. S o i t w a s a l w a ys s om e t hi ng t ha t I w a s i nt e r e s t e d i n bu t w a s n t doi ng i t a nyw a y p r of e s s i ona l l y or a nyt h i ng. S B : S o t he n you gr a dua t e d w ha t di d you do? P W : A h gr a dua t e d a nd i t w a s t ow a r d t he e nd of t he s e ve nt i e s 76 or 77 a nd t he U S e c onom y w a s i n t he dum ps t e r r i b l e t i m e [ t o gr a du a t e ] f r om c ol l e ge t he y a l l s a y. I e xpe c t e d t o ha ve a l l of t he s e j ob o f f e r s be c a us e I h a d gr e a t e xpe r i e nc e A nd a h t he one j ob t ha t w a s a c t ua l l y out t he r e w a s w or ki ng f o r a n a f t e r noon pa pe r i n W e s t P a l m B e a c h, w hi c h w a s not w ha t I e xpe c t e d but he y, i t w a s a j o b a nd I ne e de d a j ob a nd i t w a s a n i nt e r e s t i ng pl a c e t o go c he c k out S o I w o r ke d t he r e f or a ye a r a nd a ha l f a nd t he n t he e c onom y pr e t t y m uc h w a s ge t t i ng be t t e r a nd, a h, I got a f ul l t i m e r e por t i ng j ob a t t he T am pa T r i bune S B : T ha t s t e r r i f i c P W : I ha d be e n a n i nt e r n a t t he T r i bune onc e be f o r e S B : T ha t s g r e a t W ha t e xa c t l y di d you do a t t he T r i bune ? P W : I d i d a nu m be r o f t hi ngs a nd I s t a ye d w i t h t he m f or a w hi l e a nd, a nd t he r e a s on I t hi nk I di d w a s e ve r y c oupl e of ye a r s t he y l e t m e d o s om e t hi ng c om pl e t e l y di f f e r e nt B ut I w a s a ha r d ne w s r e por t e r f e a t u r e w r i t e r ; I c ove r e d t he N e w Y or k f a s hi on c ol l e c t i ons f o r a ye a r a nd a ha l f t w o ye a r s be l i e ve i t or no t T ha t w a s a f a s c i na t i ng e xpe r i e nc e a nd t ha t t ook m e t o N e w Y or k a l ot a nd out t o L A t o c ove r f a s hi on out t he r e A nd, a h, i t w a s t ot a l l y out o f c ha r a c t e r a nd i t j us t w a s gr e a t f un. I l ove d t he t hi ng a bout j our na l i s m i s you c a n be a h f or a l i t t l e w hi l e you c a n be a l m os t be t he s e t hi ngs Y ou r e de e p i nt o t he f a s hi on i ndus t r y; you r e de e p i nt o t he f i l m i ndu s t r y; you r e de e p i nt o t he m i nd of a c r i m i na l ; you r e de e p i nt o t he m i nd of a c op; you r e f l yi ng on a j e t a t M a c D i l l Y ou know t he r e s\n6 S B : A va r i e t y P W : A va r i e t y of t hos e t hi ngs a nd, a h, a nd [ pa us e s ] you know I us e d t o t hi nk i t s a c ha r a c t e r f l a w t ha t you l i ke t o j us t e xpe r i e nc e t he m but not be t he m but I m f i ndi ng i t w a s a n a s s e t t o m y c a r e e r S B : A nd you w e r e a c ol um ni s t ? P W : I w r ot e a c ol um n U l t i m a t e l y a bout m y l a s t t hi ng f or t he T r i bune I w r ot e a l ot of l i t t l e S unda y p i e c e s f or t he m but I w r ot e a t hr e e t i m e s a w e e k c ol um n S B : T ha t s gr e a t P W : T ha t w a s j us t unde r m y na m e a nd you c oul d w r i t e a bout a nyt hi ng you w a nt e d t o w r i t e a bout S B : A nd how l ong, t ot a l a t t he T r i bune ? P W : I w a s t he r e i n 78 a nd l e f t i n t he ve r y be gi nni ng of 91, I t hi nk. S B : T ha t s a l ong t i m e P W : Y e s i t w a s a l ong t i m e a l i t t l e t oo l ong, I t hi nk. T a m pa w a s s o i nt e r e s t i ng, T a m pa a h, a l ot of s t uf f ha ppe ni ng out s i de of t he pa pe r i n T a m pa ke pt m e i nt e r e s t e d, a l ot o f gr ow t h. W e w e r e l a yi ng t he gr oundw or k f o r l ot s o f s t uf f A nd i t w a s ve r y e xc i t i ng t i m e t o be i n T a m pa a nd you c oul d do a l o t of s t uf f a nd w e di d i t S B : Y e s you di d uh oh, w ha t di d you do ( l a ughs ) ? N o oka y. P W : W e l l w e a h, f i r s t p l a c e I w e nt i n T a m pa w he n I r e t ur ne d i n 78 w a s t o Y bor C i t y a nd t he r e w a s a c a dr e o f a r t i s t s l i v i ng a nd w o r ki ng dow n t he r e a nd t he y ha d t a ke n ove r t he s e ol d, be a ut i f ul ol d bui l di ngs t ha t w e r e ki nd o f s e e dy; t he y ha d a pa r t m e nt s a nd s t udi os a nd t he r e w a s a r e a l s c e ne a nd I r e a l l y f e l l i nt o i t a nd f e l l i n l ove w i t h i t A nd s t a r t e d da t i ng a gi r l t ha t l i ve d dow n t he r e a nd m e t a l l of t he a r t i s t s a nd I ne ve r l i ve d t he r e be c a us e t he a pa r t m e nt s w e r e not n i c e e nough a nd I l i ve d i n S out h T a m pa but I s pe nt a l ot of t i m e dow n t he r e a nd, a h w e s t a r t e d S B : I s t h i s P a t ? P W : N o nope t hi s i s j us t a not he r ga l t ha t I m e t d ow n t he r e young a nd s i ngl e a nd you know ; s he l i ve d a bove t he R i t z T he a t e r w hi c h a t t ha t poi nt w a s x r a t e d. T he r e w a s nobody e xc e pt a f e w K o r e a n s a i l or s w a nde r i ng t h r ough t he r e\n7 S B : O h, m y gos h. P W : Y ou ha d t o t hr ow pe nni e s a t he r w i ndow t o l e t he r know you w e r e dow ns t a i r s a nd S e ve nt h A ve nue w a s j us t e m pt y e xc e pt f o r but t he r e w a s t hi s l i t t l e j us t t h i s w onde r f ul a r t s c e ne a nd s o w e j us t s t a r t e d doi ng t hi ngs t hr e w t he f i r s t a r t s pa r t i e s i n Y bor C i t y a nd w ha t be c a m e w ha t w e c a l l t he A r t i s t s a nd W r i t e r s B a l l S B : O h, t ha t s w he n i t be ga n? P W : Y e a w e s t a r t e d i t i n 19 S B : N ow w ho i s w e P a ul ? P W : B ud L e e t he phot ogr a phe r B ud L e e t o m e I gi ve hi m c r e di t f or s o m uc h t ha t ha s ha ppe ne d i n T a m pa a r t s w i s e H e c a m e dow n he r e a nd s or t of e nde d up he r e a nd w a s doi ng s om e s t uf f f or t he a r t s c ounc i l a nd of c our s e m ove d t o Y bor C i t y a nd he s t a r t e d j us t m a ki ng t hi ngs ha ppe n. H e w a s j us t a r e a l doe r a f a s c i na t i ng c ha r a c t e r a nd he l ove d t o m a ke t hi ngs ha ppe n, a nd he l ove d a r t s o f a l l ki n ds H e w a s not a n e l i t i s t ; he l ove d t he w or s t pa i nt e r w ho w a s s i t t i ng on t he s t r e e t c or ne r p a i nt i ng; he l ove d c hi l dr e n s pa i nt i ngs ; he l ove d e ve r yt hi ng s t i l l B ud s s t i l l a l i ve ; he w a s a j us t r e a l f o r c e a t t ha t t i m e H e w oul d gi ve t he s e s how s w he r e he w oul d book t he T a m pa T he a t r e a nd put on a nybody doi ng a nyt hi ng T he w or s e t he a c t t he be t t e r H e l ove d t he s e t hi ngs a nd i t w oul d be r e a l ha ppe ni ngs A nd s o w e t ook t ha t a nd c r e a t e d t hi s A r t i s t s a nd W r i t e r s B a l l w hi c h w e t ook t he s e ol d c l ubs t ha t w e r e s i t t i ng e m pt y i n Y bor C i t y; gi a nt c l ubs t ha t t he y ha d done f or t he i m m i g r a nt s a nd t he i m m i g r a nt c l ubs ha d ba l l r oom s a t t he t op a nd t he a t e r s i n t he m a nd a nd ga m e r oom s dow n be l ow a nd pa t i o s a nd you c oul d t r a ns f or m t he m W e w oul d t r a ns f or m t he m c om pl e t e l y i nt o t h i s a r t ve n ue w ha t e ve r t he t he m e w a s Y ou j us t w a l ke d t hr ough t hi s m a gi c a l t hi ng a nd s o t hos e pa r t i e s w e r e w i l dl y s uc c e s s f ul a nd [ w oul d] d r a w 2000, 3000 pe opl e S B : T he n? P W : Y e a h, t he n S B : O h, m y gos h. P W : W hi c h w e r e w a y t oo m a ny pe opl e f or t he pl a c e a nd w e put ba nds a nd a r t a nd e ve r yone c a m e i n c os t um e a nd w e ha d t he m e s a nd, a h, i t r e a l l y s how e d pe opl e t ha t Y bo r C i t y w a s t hi s pl a c e you c oul d go a nd ha ve a good t i m e a nd t ha t t he r e w a s s om e t hi ng i nt e r e s t i ng goi ng on t he r e I t ha d be e n w r i t t e n of f by t he m a i ns t r e a m c om m uni t y. A l l t he i m m i gr a nt s ha d l e f t a nd t he y w e r e l uc ky t he y di dn t t e a r i t dow n T he y t r i e d t o t e a r i t dow n a nd s o i t t ur ne d Y bo r C i t y i nt o a s c e ne a nd f r om t he r e w e l a unc he d s om e m or e e ve nt s a nd w e di d a n a r t publ i c a t i on a nd w e di d a t hi ng c a l l e d T abl oi d t ha t c a m e out f o r t w o ye a r s U nt i l w e l os t a l l of our m one y a nd you know w e w e r e ne ve r bus i ne s s pe opl e S B : ( l a ughs ) W ha t a bout G ua va w e e n? W he n di d t ha t s t a r t ?\n8 P W : G ua va w e e n s t a r t e d, w e us e d a l i t t l e bi t of t he m one y w e m a de doi ng t he A r t i s t s a nd W r i t e r s B a l l a nd t he r e w a s a t he a t e r c om pa ny i n Y bor C i t y c a l l e d t he P l a ym a ke r s a nd G ua va w e e n w a s c onc e i ve d a s a f undr a i s e r f or t he m S B : I di dn t kn ow t ha t P W : Y e a h a nd w e s ha r e d i t w i t h t he c ha m be r W e m a de i t t he Y bor C i t y C ha m be r a nd P l a ym a ke r s f undr a i s e r I t d r e w a bout 5000 pe opl e W e di d j us t a t e r r i bl e pa r a de t ha t c a m e up S e ve nt h A ve nue a nd i t w a s t he m os t w on de r f ul e ve nt f or a bout f i ve ye a r s a nd t he n one da y, I c a m e ou t a nd t he r e w e r e 100 000 p e opl e i n t he s t r e e t s a nd i t w a s j us t e ve r ybody a nd t he i r dog a nd I j us t a s ke d, W ha t h a ppe ne d? I f e l t l i ke D r F r a nke ns t e i n, you know ha d c r e a t e d a t hi ng t ha t w a s not qui t e w ha t you e xpe c t e d. S B : W e l l you ha ve t o f e e l good a bout t ha t s ur e l y. I t s qui t e a dr a w P W : I t s qui t e a dr a w but now w he n I t e l l pe opl e t ha t I [ w a s ] i nvol ve d i n t he s t a r t of G ua va w e e n, a l ot of t he m l ook a t m e l i ke O h, you r e ki ddi ng m e S B : N ow di d you he l p c ho os e M a m a G ua va ? P W : O h ye a h, ye a h. ( i na udi bl e ) Y ou r e not s uppos e d t o m e nt i on he r na m e of c ou r s e S B : I know i t s a bi g s e c r e t P W : B i g s e c r e t but a h w e p i c ke d M a m a G ua va a nd w e c r e a t e d t hi s w hol e ba c k s t or y. S B : T hi s i s how m a ny ye a r s ol d? P W : T hi s i s a bout t w e nt y ye a r s ol d. S B : T ha t s i nc r e di bl e J us t a m a z i ng [ G ua va w e e n] ke e ps ge t t i ng bi gge r a nd b i gge r P W : Y e a h, i t s ki nd o f got t e n t o be a nd t he P l a ym a ke r s ul t i m a t e l y di dn t m a ke i t a nd t he guy w ho r e a l l y w a s be hi nd i t m ove d on t o t e a c h out s i de of t ow n. S o i t j us t ki nd of l os t s om e of t he a r t s c e nt e r I t be c a m e j us t a m o r e c r a s s S B : C om m e r c i a l P W : A bi g ol d pa r t y t ha t s om e body m a ke s m one y of f of a nd t he c ha m be r ge t s a l i t t l e bi t of i t B ut i n i t s da y, i t w a s r e a l l y S B : I t de f i ne s T a m pa t hough I t r e a l l y doe s P W : I n s om e w a ys ye a h.\n9 S B : D i d you m e e t P a t F e nda i n t hos e ye a r s ? P W : Y e a h, I m e t he r a h, I w a s pl a yi ng t he pi a no i n t he l obby f or t he P l a ym a ke r s f o r one of t he i r s how s a nd s he w a s c hor e ogr a phe r o f t he s how I t w a s J e s us C hr i s t Supe r s t ar S B : O h, m y goodne s s P W : A nd I ha d s e e n he r pe r f or m s he w a s a pe r f or m e r a nd I ha d s e e n he r pe r f o r m a nd s o w e m e t i n Y bo r C i t y S B : P a t F e nda be i ng you r f i r s t w i f e a nd w ha t ye a r w a s t ha t P a ul ? P W : W e got m a r r i e d i n 85. S o w e m e t a bout 83 84. S B : A nd t he n how l ong w e r e you m a r r i e d? P W : A bout t e n ye a r s S B : A bout t e n ye a r s w ow O ka y, s o t he n t hos e t h os e w e r e e a r l y ye a r s Y ou t he n m ove d f r om t he T r i bune t o t he T i m e s ( St P e t e r s bur g T i m e s ) P W : I di d S B : A bout w h e n w a s t ha t ? P W : 91. S B : 91. P W : T he T i m e s w a s m a ki ng a pr e t t y s t r ong m ove t o a t t r a c t r e a de r s i n T a m pa s o t he y hi r e d a f e w qui t e a f e w f ol ks out of t he T r i bune A nd I w a s one o f ( i na udi bl e ) t he r e w a s a not he r ( i na udi bl e ) A nd I j oi ne d t he e di t or i a l boa r d a nd, a h a nd t he n be c a m e a s or t of a r e por t e r w ho c oul d w r i t e a bout a nyt hi ng. I w r ot e a l ot a bout T a m pa B ut a l s o w r ot e a c ol um n f or w ho? ? t oo, a nd t he n be c a m e t he i r s t a t e c or r e s ponde nt S B : T ha t s s om e t hi ng. P W : G r e a t ne w s pa pe r g r e a t j ob S B : I t i s a nd i t w a s t ha t pa pe r t ha t be s t ow e d on yo u t hi s ve r y p r e s t i gi ous a w a r d or P W : W or ki ng w i t h e ve r ybody t ha t he l pe d m e w i n t ha t a w a r d, I d w on a f e w w r i t i ng a w a r ds ove r t he ye a r s a nd ha ve a l w a ys got t e n goo d, I got i n t hi s bus i ne s s be c a us e I c oul d w r i t e a nd m y da d w a s a r e a l l y w onde r f ul w r i t e r I got hi s t a l e nt f or t ha t A nd a h s o I t he T i m e s s ubm i t t e d m e f or r e por t e r of t he ye a r a w a r d t ha t a h\n10 S B : T ha t s i nc r e di bl e P W : T he F l o r i da S oc i e t y of N e w s pa pe r s gi ve s out e ve r y ye a r a nd I t hi nk w ha t s gr e a t i s you s ubm i t a body of w or k s o i t s not j us t one s t or yl i ne I t w a s how you di d t he w hol e ye a r A nd s o t ha t I w on t ha t S B : T ha t i s ve r y i m p r e s s i ve P W : A nd i t w a s gr e a t a nd i t w a s l i ke ve r y gr a t i f yi n g a nd a l s o he l pe d m e w i n a na t i ona l j our na l i s m f e l l ow s hi p t o t he U ni ve r s i t y of M i c hi ga n, w hi c h w a s t r ul y a n ho nor S B : W ow T ha t i s qui t e a n honor P W : T a ke a ye a r of f w i t h pa y a nd be i n a uni ve r s i t y s e t t i ng w i t h 16 ot he r j our na l i s t s f r om a r ound t he w o r l d. S B : T ha t s a m a z i ng a nd i t w a s not e d t h a t t he r e w e r e qui t e [ a ] f e w p r e s t i gi ous pe opl e w ho w e r e gi ve n t hos e s c hol a r s hi ps P W : T he y ha d a r e a l l y good c r os s s e c t i on, s om e o f t he m a r e w e ha d W al l St r e e t J our nal N e w Y or k T i m e s a nd s om e one f r om a na t i ona l T V s how a s w e l l a s ne w s s how s a nd w e a l s o ha d s om e s m a l l t ow n j our na l i s t s B e c a us e t he y w e r e r e a l l y, t he y r e a l l y ba l a nc e d i t out ni c e l y W e ha d j our na l i s t s f r om K o r e a C hi na a nd P ol a nd. S B : A nd w ha t di d you s t udy, t he n, t ha t ye a r ? P W : Y ou r e not a l l ow e d t o be a j our na l i s t pa r t i c ul a r l y. T he y w a nt you t o ha ve a not he r s a bba t i c a l s o you c a n t a ke a nyt hi ng a t t he uni ve r s i t y, s o I di d a nd I s t udi e d s hor t s t or y w r i t i ng on a pr i va t e s e m i na r w i t h a guy, w i t h a gr e a t pr of e s s or t he r e na m e d C ha r l e s B a xt e r w ho i s c ons i s t e nt l y i n t he T he B e s t A m e r i c an Shor t St or y B ook s J us t a w onde r f ul w r i t e r of M i dw e s t s t or i e s a nd, a h s t udi e d g r a dua t e l e ve l pl a yw r i t i ng a nd s c r e e nw r i t i ng a nd you know t ook l o t s of t hi ngs a nd a c t ua l l y got a pl a y t ha t I ha d w r i t t e n ge t pr oduc e d a t t he U ni ve r s i t y w hi l e I w a s t he r e S B : W ha t w a s t he na m e ? P W : I t s c a l l e d St r ay D ogs A nd i t w a s S B : A nd w ha t w a s t ha t a bout ? P W : St r ay D ogs w a s a h, I s pe c i a l i z e d i n j our na l i s m I f a nyt hi ng I s pe c i a l i z e d i n, i t w a s w r i t i ng a bout pe opl e w ho di dn t ha ve a voi c e a ny w he r e e l s e a nd I l ov e d w r i t i ng a nd e nde d up gi vi ng pe opl e w or ds e i t he r s t r e e t pe opl e or out s i de of s oc i e t y i n s om e w a y. A h, a nd, a nd t hos e c ha r a c t e r s w oul d r e s ona t e w i t h m e be yond t he s t or y I w r ot e f or t he pa pe r be c a us e t he pa pe r i s ve r y l i m i t e d a s t o how f a r you c a n go, a n d onc e you ha ve\n11 w r i t t e n t ha t s t or y t he e di t or s don t w a nt t o s e e i t a ga i n. I ha ve a l r e a dy r e a d a bout t hi s pe r s on. B ut t he s e c ha r a c t e r s w e r e s t i l l ba t t i ng a r ound i n m y he a d a nd of t e n c a m e a nd bor r ow e d m one y f r om m e a nd t hi ngs i n r e a l l i f e a nd i t w a s a w hol e i s s ue a s a j our na l i s t of a h you w oul d s pe nd t i m e w i t h t he s e pe opl e a n d I d a l w a ys s pe nd t w o or t hr e e da ys s om e t i m e s on a s t or y, a nd ge t i nt o t he i r l i ve s a nd t he n you m ove on a nd t he n you w r i t e a bout i t A nd you d be t hi s ve r y i m po r t a nt pe r s on i n t he i r l i ve s a nd f or you t he y w e r e j us t a j ob. T he y w e r e w ha t you d i d f o r a c oupl e of da ys A nd t he r e w a s t hi s w hol e i s s ue of s or t of l ovi ng t he m a nd l e a vi ng t he m t ha t r e a l l y e xi s t e d. Y ou j us t di dn t t a l k a bout i t a w hol e l ot B ut i t s ve r y t r ue S o t hi s pl a y i s a l l a bout one of t he s e c ha r a c t e r t ha t br e a ks i nt o m y o f f i c e a s a r e por t e r a nd t o r e s c ue a l l of t he s e pe opl e I ha ve h i dde n i n m y c om put e r a l l t he s t or i e s S B : ( l a ughs ) P W : A nd he a s he r e s c ue s t he m S B : O h, I l ove i t P W : T he y s pe a k. S o a l l t he s e c ha r a c t e r s t e l l t he i r s t or y, a nd i t w or ke d r e a l l y w e l l A nd i t w a s pr oduc e d he r e by T he P e r f or m i ng A r t s C e nt e r a nd a l s o pr oduc e d a t t he U ni ve r s i t y of M i c hi ga n. S B : O h, m y goodne s s t ha t s g r e a t H a s a nyt hi ng h a ppe ne d s i nc e ? P W : T ha t w a s I ha d n t r e a l l y pus he d t ha t m or e t ha n t ha t s i nc e t he n. I t s s t i l l a r ound I d l i ke t o b r i ng i t ba c k i n a ga i n. I t w a s r e a l l y g r e a t I got t o di r e c t i t t o di r e c t t he s how t he r e I t r a n f or s e ve r a l w e e ke nds he r e i n T a m pa S o, i t ha d a good l i f e I m e a n, I don t know w ha t you w oul d do w i t h i t I don t c ons i de r m ys e l f a pr of e s s i ona l pl a yw r i ght B ut I l ove d t he t he a t e r w or l d a nd i t w a s gr e a t t o ha ve b e e n a bl e t o do t ha t S B : S o t he n you c a m e ba c k t o T a m pa f r om M i c hi ga n? P W : I c a m e ba c k a nd I ha d m e t a c oupl e o f t hi n gs ha ppe ne d w hi l e I w a s t he r e I t w a s a m a gni f i c e nt you know l i t t l e c ol l e ge t ow n a nd y ou r e w i t h 16 ot he r pe opl e a nd you r e not w or ki ng, a nd s o, a h, I w a s s i ngl e a nd t he r e w a s a w om a n f r om t he W a l l S t r e e t J our na l t ha t w or ke d i n t he B e r l i n bur e a u, a nd s o w e f e l l i n l ove A nd a h s he w a s i nvi t i ng m e t o c om e t o B e r l i n a nd S B : S he w a s G e r m a n? P W : Y e p. S B : Y e p.\n12 P W : A nd f r om a r e a l i nt e r e s t i ng G e r m a n f a m i l y, a ve r y w e l l know n G e r m a n f a m i l y A nd a l s o one of m y j our na l i s m s t or i e s ha d got t e n opt i o ne d a s a s c r e e npl a y a nd t he pe opl e t ha t opt i one d i t w a nt e d m e t o w r i t e t he s c r e e npl a y be c a us e I ha d s om e e xpe r i e nc e doi ng t ha t a nd, a nd s o I ne e de d t o t a ke s om e t i m e o f f t o w r i t e S o i t e nde d up be i ng L e t s go t o G e r m a ny a nd s e e i f t hi s r e l a t i ons hi p w i l l w or k out L e t s l i ve i n E ur ope f or a w hi l e w hi c h i s s om e t hi ng I a l w a ys w a nt e d t o do. A nd, I l l w r i t e t he s c r e e npl a y a nd go t o H ol l yw ood a nd be c om e f a m ous I t s s o e a s y, a f t e r a f e l l ow s hi p, you t hi nk e ve r yt hi ng i n t he w or l d i s pos s i bl e S o, i t di dn t qui t e a l l w or k out but I l i ve d i n G e r m a ny f or a ye a r T u r ne d out w e w e r e pr oba bl y not t he be s t c oupl e t o be t oge t he r but i t w a s f i ne T he n I w e nt a nd f ol l ow e d t he s c r e e npl a y t o L A ( L os A nge l e s ) A nd t he pr oduc e r s a c t ua l l y put m e up i n t he i r hous e i n t h e B r e nt w ood a r e a a nd I s or t o f i m m e r s e d m ys e l f i n t ha t w or l d f or a l i t t l e w hi l e I w a s l ooki n g f or t o ge t ba c k i n j our na l i s m out t he r e a nd w he n I f i r s t go t t he r e t he y he l pe d m e ge t a j ob a s a l oc a t i on gui de a t t he A m ba s s a dor H ot e l w hi c h i s w he r e R obe r t K e nne dy w a s ki l l e d. T ha t f a m ous hot e l w a s a l s o t he s i t e of t he C oc oa nut G r ove ni ght c l ub a nd t he y di d t he f i r s t O s c a r s e a r l y O s c a r s a t t hi s pl a c e I t w a s a n a ba ndone d hot e l t ha t w a s a f i l m s e t T he r e w e r e a l w a ys pe opl e f i l m i ng. A nd t he y ha d a n of f i c e of f i l m i ns i de t he hot e l a nd I w or ke d f or t he m a nd w or ke d w i t h m ovi e pr oduc t i ons a nd T V p r oduc t i o ns a nd c a bl e pr oduc t i ons a nd r oc k vi de os Y ou got t o s e e e ve r y t ype of t hi ng t ha t t he y w e r e s hoot i ng i n L A S B : N ow t hi s i s w hi l e you w e r e w or ki ng on t h e s c r e e npl a y? P W : Y e a h, I ha d f i ni s he d t he s c r e e npl a y, a nd I w a s w or ki ng on s om e m or e Y ou c oul d a c t ua l l y i t w a s one of t hos e t hi ngs w he r e a s l ong a s t hi ngs w e r e goi ng qui t e w e l l you c oul d s i t i n t he of f i c e a nd w or k on you r s c r e e npl a y. Y ou w e r e ki nd o f t he r e i n c a s e s om e one ne e de d s om e t hi ng. S o I got t o s e e t he w h ol e i nt e r w or k i ngs a nd w a t c h a c t or s gr e a t a c t or s w or ki ng a nd gr e a t di r e c t or s w or ki ng a nd s om e ba d a c t or s a nd ba d di r e c t or s but you know you got t o s e e how i t a l l got done S B : T he w hol e t hi ng um hm P W : Y e a h. S B : N ow s ha r e i f you w i l l how you m e t E uge ni e B ondur a nt your c ur r e nt w i f e P W : W e l l I ha d a h, gone t o w or k i n, f i r s t f or a s t a t e w i de l e ga l ne w s pa pe r a nd t he n of c our s e got a j ob w i t h t he A s s oc i a t e d P r e s s a nd I w e nt t o w or k f or t he A s s oc i a t e d P r e s s ba s e d i n L A w hi c h i s t he i r s e c ond or t hi r d bi gge s t bur e a u. I t w a s a r e a l l y i nt e r e s t i ng bur e a u be c a us e you w e r e c ove r i ng e nt e r t a i n m e nt a nd you w e r e c ove r i ng pol i t i c s a nd L A i s a ve r y t ough ne w s t ow n. T he r e s t ons of ne w s t h e r e Y ou f a l l ove r i t w he n you w a l k out door s I t s e ve r yw he r e I ha d a r e por t e r f r i e nd s a y, s he c ove r e d t he c our t hous e i n L A a nd t he r e w e r e s i x s t or i e s on a ny gi ve n da y w hi c h w oul d ha ve m a de f r ont pa ge ne w s i n T a m pa S B : O h, m y goodne s s\n13 P W : S he ha d t o pi c k w hi c h one or t w o s he ha d t o w r i t e a bout a nd s o i t w a s t ha t ki nd o f pl a c e S o, I ha d gone t o w or k a t A s s oc i a t e d P r e s s c ove r e d l ot s of d i ve r s e s e r i ous a nd w a c ky s t or i e s a nd w a s c ove r i ng one of t he w a c ky one s t he W ynona R yde r s hopl i f t i ng t r i a l i n B e ve r l y H i l l s w hi c h w a s m o r e m e di a c ove r a ge t ha n a l ot of b i g s t or i e s s houl d ha ve A nd a h, I w a s i nvi t e d t o a pa r t y j us t not f a r f r om t he c our t hous e t ha t n i ght by a publ i c i s t w ho t hought I w a s c ool a nd w a s i nvi t i ng m e t o l ot s o f s t uf f I w a s r e a l l y t r yi ng t o m e e t a s m a ny pe opl e i n L A a s I c oul d. T hi s w a s a gr e a t w a y t o do i t a nd I t hought t he r e m i ght be a c ut e gi r l t he r e t oo A nd s ur e e nough, E uge ni e ha d m a de a m ovi e S he s a n a c t r e s s a nd s he ha d m a de a n i nde pe nde nt f i l m a nd ha d be e n i nvi t e d t o t he pa r t y a nd t hough t i t w a s a gr e a t p l a c e t o go t o pr o m ot e t he m ovi e be c a us e t he y w e r e l ooki n g f or a di s t r i but i on de a l A nd s he c a m e ove r by he r s e l f t o m e e t he r f r i e nds a nd t he y w e r e n t t he r e w he n s he got t he r e a nd I w a s t he r e a nd s a w he r a nd, a h, w e nt u p a nd qui c kl y got m ys e l f i nt r oduc e d a nd w a s c ha r m i ng a s a l l ge t out S B : S he w a s t ot a l l y c onvi nc e d? Y ou w or ke d a t t hi s ? P W : W e l l ye a h, s he w a s a c t ua l l y, s he a nnounc e d t o m e w he n w e m e t t ha t s he w a s E uge ni e B ondur a nt a nd I m m ovi ng t o N e w O r l e a ns S he w a s f r om N e w O r l e a ns S he ha d be e n t r yi ng t o ge t ba c k t o N e w O r l e a ns f or t w e l ve ye a r s S he ha d a good c a r e e r out t he r e a nd di d ve r y w e l l but s he ne ve r f e l t a t ho m e t he r e be c a us e s he ow ns a be a ut i f ul hous e out t he r e a nd done l ot s of s t uf f a nd pe opl e l ov e d he r b ut s he w a s de t e r m i ne d s he w a s m ovi ng t o N e w O r l e a ns S o s he t hough t I w o ul d be s om e body good t o i nt r oduc e he r gi r l f r i e nds t o m e S B : U h huh, oh m y ( l a ughs ) P W : I a c t ua l l y a s ke d he r out on a r e a l da t e f o r l a t e r a nd, a h, i n L A r e a l da t e s of t e n m e a n, M e e t m e a t t he r e s t a ur a nt G uys don t pi c k up i t s a w e i r d w or l d out t he r e a nd I a c t ua l l y s a i d, I ve m a de r e s e r va t i ons f or di nne r I l l be pi c ki ng you up a t t hi s hou r W he n s he c a m e out I a c t ua l l y ope ne d t he door f or he r a nd yo u know i t w a s l i ke s he s a s out he r n be l l e r e a l l y. S he s a U ni ve r s i t y o f A l a ba m a s or or i t y gi r l S he s a N e w O r l e a ns you know s oc i e t y gi r l e ve n t hough s he doe s n t a dm i t t o i t A nd s o, s he l i ke d a l l t ha t a nd w e e nde d up ha vi ng a l ot i n c om m on. S B : T ha t s gr e a t P W : H i t i f of f a nd ul t i m a t e l y, I T ape 1 e nds ; t ape 2 be gi ns\n14 ( C ha nge i n T r a ns c r i be r ) I nt e r vi e w w i t h: P a ul W i l bor n I nt e r vi e w e d by: S uz e t t e B e r km a n L oc a t i on: T a m pa F L D a t e : J a nua r y 12, 2006 T r a ns c r i be d by: R e be c c a W i l l m a n S B : P a ul m a ybe you c oul d t e l l m e how you c a m e t o T a m pa ba c k t o T a m pa P W : W e l l i t s i nt e r e s t i ng. A c oupl e o f f a c t or s w e r e a t w or k I w a s I w a s e nj oyi ng L A a nd ha d ki nd o f f ound m ys e l f t he r e a f t e r a w hi l e I t ha d t a ke n a l i t t l e w hi l e t o f e e l l i ke you w e r e t he r e B ut I w a s j us t f e e l i ng f e e l i ng l i ke t he A s s oc i a t e d P r e s s w a s w a s j our na l i s m ha s be c om e a 24/ 7 t he 24/ 7 ne w s c yc l e A nd i t w a s e ve r yt hi ng w a s a l l a bout how qui c kl y s om e t hi ng i s i n, r a t he r t ha n how [ t he ] qua l i t y [ o f ] s om e t hi ng i s A nd i t j us t I w a s j u s t i t f e l t l i ke f o r a nu m be r o f ye a r s t ha t j our na l i s m w a s ha d r e a c he d t ha t e dge of i t A nd i n s om e w a ys i n L A I w a s doi ng j our na l i s m be c a us e t ha t s w ha t I kne w how t o do a nd c oul d ge t pa i d ve r y w e l l do i ng. B ut but i t w a s ki n d of l i ke I w a nt e d t o f i n d t he ne w t hi ng f or m e A nd E uge ni e w a s r e a l l y w e ha d got t e n ve r y s e r i o us A nd w e r e i n t he p r oc e s s of be c om i ng e nga ge d, a nd s he w a s r e a l l y s he ha d m ove d ha l f he r be l ongi ngs t o N e w O r l e a ns a nd a c t ua l l y t a ke n a c a r t he r e S B : O h m y go odne s s P W : A nd s o, s he w a s not i t di dn t ha ve t o be N e w O r l e a ns f or he r but s he w a nt e d, s he r e a l l y w a nt e d t o m ove ba c k s om e w he r e w he r e t he y s e r ve d gr i t s w i t h br e a kf a s t S he w a nt e d t o be i n t he S out h s om e w he r e A nd s o w e s t a r t e d s or t o f l ooki ng a r ound. A nd a r ound t ha t t i m e a f r i e nd c a l l e d m e a nd s a i d, D i d you know P a m I o r i o w a s r unni ng f o r M a yor o f T a m pa ? A nd P a m a nd I ha d a l ong h i s t or y, j us t a pr o f e s s i ona l hi s t or y r e a l l y. H e r da d ha d be e n a p r of e s s or of m i n e a t U S F t he be s t p r of e s s or I pr oba bl y ha d t he r e J ohn I or i o A n d a nd P a m a nd I ha d kno w n e a c h ot he r t h r ough he r he r c ount y c om m i s s i on j ob, t hr ough he r s upe r vi s or of e l e c t i ons j ob, a nd s he kne w m e t hr ough m y j ob. A nd w e j us t ha d a r e a l good r e s pe c t f or e a c h o t he r A nd I kne w he r f a m i l y bu t I d ne ve r be e n t o he r hous e I di dn t r e a l l y f e e l l i ke I k ne w he r pe r s ona l l y, e xc e pt t ha t w e you know r e a l l y e nj oye d e a c h ot he r s c om pa ny a nd r e s pe c t e d e a c h ot he r A nd I t hought s o m uc h of he r i nt e l l i ge nc e a nd he r s t r a i ght f or w a r dn e s s a nd w ho s he w a s a s a pe r s on. A nd m y f r i e nd w ho w a s a f or m e r j our na l i s t l i vi ng e l s e w he r e s a i d, Y ou know I c oul d r e a l l y w or k f or he r A nd w he n I hung up t he phone [ I ] s a i d, W e l l I c oul d w or k f or he r A nd I ne ve r s a w m ys e l f w or ki ng i n gove r nm e nt S B : I s n t t ha t s om e t hi ng. P W : S o I di dn t r e a l l y ge t i n t ouc h w i t h he r unt i l a f t e r t he e l e c t i on. D i dn t gi ve he r a di m e ne ve r w or ke d on he r c a m pa i gn. I w a s i n L os A nge l e s f or he a ve n s s a ke A nd m y\n15 f r i e nd L i nda S a ul S e na w ho s a c i t y c ounc i l m e m be r a nd a f r i e nd o f P a m s a s w e l l ha d a l w a ys be e n t r yi n g t o f i nd a w a y t o ge t m e ba c k he r e A nd s o L i nda L i nda s a i d, W e l l l e t m e t a l k t o P a m a bout you. A nd s o s he di d, a nd P a m w a s a c t ua l l y ve r y i n t e r e s t e d. A nd S B : I m not s ur p r i s e d. P W : S o I w r o t e he r a l e t t e r a nd s a i d I di d no t w a nt t o be he r P R guy. S he s a i d, T ha t s good be c a us e I ha ve s om e body e l s e i n m i nd f o r t h a t j ob a nyw a y. S he di dn t r e a l l y ha ve a P R pe r s on. S he ha d a m e di a r e p A nd s he d c onc e i ve d t hi s i de a of a s or t o f a c r e a t i ve i ndus t r i e s a r t s pos i t i on. B e c a us e m y ba c kgr ound, a s w e ve t a l k e d a bout be f o r e w a s w a s i n gr ow i ng t he a r t s i n T a m pa I d be e n on t he boa r d of t he P e r f o r m i ng A r t s C e nt e r I d done a l l t hi s w or k i n Y bor C i t y I d be e n i nvol ve d i n t he a t r e c om pa ni e s a nd m us i c a nd ( i na udi bl e ) out s i de o f m y j ob. B ut I a l s o kne w e ve r yone i n T a m pa pr e t t y m uc h f r om m y j ob a nd f r om t hos e a c t i vi t i e s A nd, a nd I t hi nk w a s w ha t I c oul d do be s t a nd w ha t I t h i nk I s t i l l do be s t i s t ha t I c a n put on a s ui t a nd go t o t he bus i ne s s m e e t i ngs a nd a l s o go t o t he a r t s e ve nt s a nd ki nd of ha ve r e s pe c t i n bot h pl a c e s A nd t ha t t u r ns out t o be ki nd o f r a r e A t t i m e s S B : I t i s r a r e P W : E s pe c i a l l y w i t h s t r e e t l e ve l a r t s a nd s om e o f t he S B : V e r y m uc h. P W : S o s he ha d t hi s j ob i n m i nd a nd w e c or r e s ponde d a nd I w a s o f f e r e d t he j ob i n M a y. S he ha d be e n t he m a yor f or a bout a m ont h a nd I w a s of f e r e d t he j ob i n M a y of 2003 a nd t ook i t A nd c a m e ba c k t o T a m pa a nd s t a r t e d I t hi n k i n J ul y o f 2003 S B : H ow di d s he pe r c e i ve you r j ob de s c r i pt i on? P W : W e w r ot e i t S B : W ha t w e r e your i ns t r uc t i ons ? Y ou f or m e d i t t oge t he r ? P W : Y e s S he ha d s om e i de a s I s a i d s om e s t uf f R i c ha r d F l or i da ha d be e n t o t ow n, a nd R i c ha r d F l or i da i s t hi s a ut hor w ho ha d w r i t t e n a bo ok c a l l e d T he R i s e of t he C r e at i v e C l as s A nd he m e t w i t h t he m a yor H e dr e w f our o r f i ve hundr e d pe opl e t o he a r hi m s pe a k a t t he P e r f o r m i ng A r t s C e nt e r A nd hi s t he or y s t i l l i s you know a c oupl e of ye a r s dow n t he r oa d s t i l l c a r r i e s a l ot of w e i ght t ha t t he c i t i e s t ha t a r e goi ng t o t hr i ve i n t he f ut ur e a r e goi ng t o t hr i ve be c a us e t he y a t t r a c t br i g ht young m i nds B e c a us e t he y ha ve a hi gh qua l i t y o f l i f e be c a us e t he a r t s a r e t hr i vi ng, b e c a us e i t s a good pl a c e f or e nt r e pr e ne ur s hi p. A nd s he f e l t l i ke t he c i t y ha dn t pa i d e nough a t t e nt i on t o t ha t W e w e di dn t r e a l l y ha ve m uc h o f a de pa r t m e nt of a r t s a n d c ul t ur a l a f f a i r s W e ha d a w om a n doi ng t ha t j ob a nd c e r t a i nl y not a knoc k on he r b ut t he r e w a s no s t a f f t he r e w a s no S B : Y e s\n16 P W : I t w a s r e a l l y j us t r e pr e s e nt t he c i t y w i t h t he a r t s gr oups S B : S ur e P W : A nd s o t he m a yor w a nt e d t o be m o r e a m bi t i o us t ha n t ha t A nd s o i n s om e w a ys i t w a s s he w a nt e d t o c r e a t e a j ob t ha t s or t of t a ppe d i nt o t ha t R i c ha r d F l o r i da e xc i t e m e nt t o t r y t o w or k on t he a r t s bot h t he f or pr of i t a nd t h e non pr of i t a r t s A nd a l s o be a pe r s on w ho c oul d m ove be t w e e n t he bus i ne s s c om m uni t y a nd t he a r t s c om m uni t y S B : O ka y. P W : A nd ge t he l p us s ur pr i s i ngl y t he r e w e r e v e r y f e w c onne c t i ons e xc e pt m a ybe a t t he hi ghe s t l e ve l Y ou know c e r t a i nl y t he C B B C onve nt i on B us i ne s s B ur e a u m a ybe r e c ogni z e d t he P e r f o r m i ng A r t s C e nt e r or t he y m a ybe r e c ogni z e d T he F l or i da O r c he s t r a but t he y s t i l l di dn t r e a l l y r e c ogni z e t he e c onom i c be ne f i t s of t he s e or ga ni z a t i ons a nd c e r t a i nl y not o f s m a l l e r a r t s or ga ni z a t i ons S B : S o you ki nd o f bui l d r e l a t i ons hi ps ? P W : T ha t s w ha t ha s be e n t he bi gge s t pa r t of m y j ob, I t hi nk i s m a ki ng be i ng t he pe r s on w ho c onne c t s t hos e t hi ngs a nd he l pi ng. A nd w e ve not t he i t s be e n a qui e t l i t t l e r e vol ut i on, a nd I don t t a ke a l l t he c r e di t f or i t be c a us e l ot s of ot he r pe opl e a r e w o r ki ng on i t B ut w e ve m a de i nc r e di bl e i n r oa ds w i t h t he C onve nt i on a nd V i s i t or s B ur e a u, w i t h t he C ha m be r S B : W onde r f ul P W : W i t h, you know j us t s or t of c onne c t i ng S B : T e r r i f i c P W : M a ki ng us pa r t o f t he m a ki ng t he a r t s pa r t o f t he e c onom i c de ve l opm e nt m i x a nd pa r t of t he a t t he t a bl e w h e n de c i s i ons w e r e m a de S o S B : Y ou do no t f und r a i s e pe r s e D o you e ve r ge t i nvol ve d i n s pons or s hi ps of pr oj e c t s ? P W : O nl y a l i t t l e bi t S B : L i ke L i ght s O n? P W : Y e a h. W ha t w e ha ve f ound I m e a n, I m c e r t a i nl y not m y ba c kgr ound i s not a s a f undr a i s e r a nd t he c i t y doe s n t ne c e s s a r i l y w a nt t o be out c om pe t i ng f o r dol l a r s a ga i ns t a r t s or ga ni z a t i ons B ut t o do s om e o f t he a m bi t i ous t hi ngs t ha t w e d l i ke t o do you ve got t o f i nd s om e m one y. B e c a us e i t s not i n ou r budge t I m e a n w he n I got he r e I l ooke d a t m y budge t a nd i t w a s pr e t t y m uc h m e Y ou know a nd you ve got t o, you ve go t t o I ve\n17 l a t c he d on t o m one y or t o p r oj e c t s t ha t w e c a n, t ha t w e c a n you know s or t of t a ke ove r i n a w a y S B : O ka y. P W : A nd t he r e i s you know t he r e i s s om e f und r a i s i ng i nv ol ve d. B ut w e ve a l w a ys w e ve t r i e d t o l ook c e r t a i nl y i n m y pr oj e c t s t r i e d t o l ook out s i de t he no r m a l r e a l m a nd S B : W ha t boa r ds a r e you on? P W : I ve be e n on S B : I m e a n w ha t a r e you a c t i ve i n? P W : W e l l S B : I n t he c om m uni t y s pe c i f i c a l l y? P W : R e pr e s e nt i ng W e l l t he c i t y gi ve s m one y t o a num be r of t hi ngs a nd w e ha ve t o, w e t he r e s w e a r e on t hos e boa r ds a l ot of boa r ds t ha t w e s uppor t A nd s o I m on t he P e r f or m i ng A r t s C e nt e r boa r d; I m on t he F l or i da O r c he s t r a boa r d now I j us t c a m e of f t he P l a nt M us e um boa r d. A f e w of us r ot a t e t hr oug h t he s e boa r ds B us i ne s s C om m i t t e e f or t he A r t s ; C ha m be r s A r t s C om m i t t e e T he r e s a f e w ot he r s t ha t pr oba bl y a r e not c om i ng t o m i nd r i ght now but you t he G a s pa r i l l a A r t F e s t i va l f or a w hi l e I j us t c a m e of f [ o f ] t ha t S o you, you t he r e i s a r ol e of s or t of c i t y r e pr e s e nt a t i ve I f i nd t ha t p r oba bl y t he l e a s t you know vi t a l pa r t of m y j ob but i t he l ps yo u m e e t pe opl e I t he l ps you c onne c t a nd you c a n a t l e a s t s e e a M os t of t he or ga ni z a t i o ns t ha t I ve be e n on f or t una t e l y ha ve be e n ve r y w e l l r un a nd no t ha d, be e n [ i n ] c r i s i s T h e r e ha ve be e n s om e boa r ds w he r e pe opl e ha ve be e n on i t a nd ha ve not be e n t ha t l uc k y! S B : W e r e t a l ki ng a m us e um ? U h huh Y ou a r e no t i nvol ve d i n t he m us e um ? P W : N o, i nt e r e s t i ngl y e nou gh. T he w a y t he m a yo r e nvi s i one d t he r e or ga ni z a t i on of t he c i t y t ha t c r e a t e d m y pos i t i on, w hi c h i s C r e a t i ve I nd us t r i e s w e ha ve a publ i c a r t d i vi s i on, t he A r t s a nd C ul t ur a l A f f a i r s A nd t he m a yor ha d w a nt e d t o br i ng i n a na t i ona l l e ve l a r t s pe r s on t o, t o s o r t o f m a na ge t he c i t y s a r t s w hol e a r t s pi c t ur e A nd I unde r s t a nd t ha t phi l os ophy a nd t he c i t y s t r y i ng t o bui l d a bi g m us e um A nd s he f e l t l i ke s he ne e de d s om e body t o r e a l l y r e pr e s e nt he r i n t ha t p r oc e s s be c a us e i t s be e n a t ough p r oc e s s a s w e a l l know S B : S ur e P W : I t ha s s t um bl e d i n r e c e nt ye a r s a nd, I m e a n l a s t ye a r a nd hope f ul l y w i l l be ge t t i ng ba c k on i t s f e e t S o s he w a nt e d t hi s pe r s on t o be t he m us e um A nd i t w a s I t hought a t\n18 f i r s t W e l l I w i s h I c oul d pa r t i c i pa t e be c a us e I t ho ught t ha t w a s you know t he bi gge s t t hi ng goi ng on A s i t t u r ne d out i t w a s t he be s t t hi ng t ha t e ve r ha ppe ne d, be c a us e you know t he f i r s t m us e um p r oj e c t of t he ( i na udi bl e ) p r oj e c t e nde d i n s om e a c r i m ony on bot h s i de s A nd R obi n [ N i gh] a nd I w ho r uns our publ i c a r t s d i vi s i on a nd m ys e l f w e r e not i nvol ve d i n a ny o f t ha t S o w e a r e a bl e t o j us t c ont i nue w or ki ng S B : U ns c a t he d? P W : U ns c a t he d a nd w or ki ng w i t h a l l t he c om m uni t y a nd ha ve be e n a bl e t o be s or t of c a r r y on. A nd t he n I w a s one of t he pe opl e w ho r e c om m e nd e d K e n R ol l i ns t o t he m a yor t o t a ke ove r S B : T ha t s ni c e P W : I n t he i nt e r i m pos i t i on. A nd ul t i m a t e l y a s w e t a l ke d a bout i t t he y d i d hi r e t hi s pe r s on [ W e ndy C e c c he r e l l i ] a nd i t di dn t r e a l l y w or k out be c a us e pe r s ona l i t i e s j us t di dn t c l i c k not w i t h m e or w i t h R obi n, but t he m a yor a nd t hi s pe r s on d i dn t qui t e w or k out A nd I t h i nk i t t he y onc e t he y r e a l i z e d t he r e w a s not e nough f or he r t o m a na ge be c a us e w e w e r e s t i l l a r e [ a ] g r ow i ng a de pa r t m e n t S o w e i n goi ng f or w a r d w e r e goi ng t o be a bl e t o us e t ha t s a l a r y l i ne t o c r e a t e t w o j obs O ne f ul l t i m e a nd one w ho s a pe r s on w ho i s t a ki ng i t on a s a f ul l t i m e c ons ul t a nt K e e p t he m i n t he p r i va t e s e c t or s o t he y c a n do s om e t hi ngs a l i t t l e e a s i e r t ha n be i ng a c i t y e m p l oye e S B : A nd e ve nt s ? P W : A n e ve n t s pr o f e s s i ona l B e c a us e w e r e ve r y a m bi t i ous a nd w e ki nd of do t he s e m a j or t hi ngs but w e r e a l l y ne e d e xpe r t i s e i n t hos e a r e a s S B : I s t he ne xt e ve nt t he L a t i n F e s t i va l ? A r e t he r e a ny i n be t w e e n, o r ? P W : W e l l L i ght s O n w e c r e a t e d P ubl i c A r t c r e a t e d t he L i ght s O n T a m pa A nd I w a s I pul l e d he l pe d pu l l t oge t he r w i t h a num be r o f a r t s g r oups a t hi ng t ha t be c a m e know n a s A r t e 2005, a bi g L a t i n A m e r i c a n a r t s f e s t i va l I t s c om i ng ba c k e ve r y t w o ye a r s a nd s o i s L i ght s O n i n a l t e r na t i ng ye a r s S B : G r e a t P W : A nd S B : T ha t s ve r y a m bi t i ous P W : A nd t hos e a r e p r e t t y a m bi t i ous pr oj e c t s A nd w e r e a l s o doi ng ot he r t hi ngs W e r e w e r e j us t i n M i a m i a t t he A r t B a s e l e ve nt A nd I don t know i f you r e f a m i l i a r w i t h t ha t B a s e l\n19 S B : I a m ye a h. P W : I t s a bi g ga l l e r y s how G a l l e r i e s f r om a r ound t he w or l d c om e t o M i a m i a nd pa y 50, 000 dol l a r s t o be j us t r e pr e s e nt e d a t t hi s a r t s ho w S o i m a gi ne how m uc h t he y r e s e l l i ng. A nd M i a m i i s be c om i ng t hi s huge a r t s ve n ue S B : I nt e r na t i ona l P W : I nt e r na t i ona l a r t s ve nue W e r e not s a yi ng T a m pa i s s uppos e d t o t r y t o e m ul a t e t ha t but w ha t w a s W ha t s a m a z i ng t ha t ha s ha ppe ne d i s a r ound t hi s bi g t hi ng, A r t s B a s e l ha s c om e s e ve n or e i ght s m a l l e ve nt s t ha t a r e goi n g on a t t he e xa c t s a m e t i m e s pi n of f s A nd t he y ve a c t u a l l y e nc our a ge d i t A nd, a nd w e r e a l l y l ove d t hos e t hi ngs A nd s o c om i ng ba c k, w e l ooke d a t W e l l w ha t s our bi gge s t s or t o f a r t s f e s t i va l or e ve nt ? A nd t ha t s t he G a s pa r i l l a A r t s s i de w a l k a r t s f e s t i va l I t s t hi r t y f i ve f or t y ye a r s ol d. I t s ve r y s uc c e s s f ul S om e of t he h i ghe s t pr i z e m one y i t s a ve r y hi gh qua l i t y s how A nd 100 000 or m or e pe opl e c om e dow n t o s e e i t S o w e r e c r e a t i ng f o r M a r c h t hi s M a r c h t he c i t y s c om m i s s i one d a c ur a t or t o c r e a t e s or t of a s i de s how t ha t w i l l be s or t of a B e s t of T a m pa a r t s how A nd w e r e goi ng t o ha ve t h r e e or f ou r ot he r t hi ngs goi ng on t ha t a r e s i de s how s W e ve one o f t he t hi ngs t ha t w e w e r e a bl e t o do w a s m a ke s om e c i t y s pa c e a va i l a bl e t o a n a r t s c ol l e c t i ve a nd t he y r e i n dow nt ow n a t f r e e a dol l a r a ye a r t he y ge t a bout a t hous a nd s qua r e f e e t of e m pt y o f f i c e s pa c e i n a be a ut i f ul r e d b r i c k t r a i n s t a t i on. A nd s o, s o t he y r e goi ng t o ha ve a bi g s how W e l l ha ve t h i s ot he r b i g s how t h a t w e a nd one m or e pi e c e of L i ght s O n T a m pa hope f ul l y a ppe a r i ng t ha t w e e ke nd, a nd t w o or t hr e e o t he r S B : T ha t s e xc i t i ng P W : T hi ngs A nd w e r e goi ng t o bi l l i t a s a you k now bi g a r t s w e e ke nd w i t h t he s e s pi n of f t hi ngs Y ou c a n s e e t hi s s how you c a n s e e t hi s s how you c a n s e e t ha t A nd i t w i l l s a y, T he r e s a l ot o f s t uf f goi ng on S B : V e r y e xc i t i ng, s ur e P W : I n T a m pa A nd i t w i l l be ve r y i nt e r e s t i ng a nd hi gh qua l i t y a r t S B : T ha t s e xc i t i ng I di dn t m e a n t o i gnor e your m us i c your l ove o f m us i c A nd I t hi nk I c a n t r e m e m be r i f w e m e nt i one d t he P op T a r t s w hi c h y ou be ga n m a ny ye a r s a go, I r e m e m be r l i s t e ni ng t o t he m A nd I t hi nk you ha d t he m f or m a ybe 10 ye a r s ? P W : Y e a h. S B : O r s o? A nd t he n you ha d a br e a k P W : T ook a l i t t l e br e a k.\n20 S B : H a d a br e a k. P W : A nd i t w a s i t w a s f un i t w a s a ve r y popul a r gr oup a nd ha d gi r l s i nge r s a nd i t w a s ki nd of a s how t ha t you c oul d da nc e t o i n a w a y. A nd s o c om bi ne m y l ove of t he a t r e a nd m y l ove [ o f ] m us i c ; a nd I m a pi a no pl a ye r a nd I o ught I s or t of de s c r i be m ys e l f a s W e l l I m not t he w or l d s gr e a t e s t pi a no p l a ye r but I m a good e n t e r t a i ne r S B : A w onde r f ul e nt e r t a i ne r P W : S o, i t s f un, a nd w e ha ve a good t i m e A nd w e got a l ot of w or k be c a us e w e l ook l i ke w e w e r e ha vi ng f un. S B : B ut now you ve r e s um e d your l ove ? B y f or m i ng a not he r gr oup A nd t hi s i s how ol d? P W : M a ybe a ye a r a nd a ha l f s om e t hi ng l i ke t ha t S B : A nd t he na m e ? P W : T he na m e i s B l ue R os e s A nd S B : I ha ve t o a s k, w hy? P W : W he r e w e got t ha t na m e S B : W he r e ? P W : W e l l I m a bi g T e nne s s e e W i l l i a m s f a n. A nd I ve j us t he s m y f a vor i t e a r t i s t w r i t e r how e ve r y ou I j us t t hi nk he s j us t a m a z i n g S B : H e s w onde r f ul P W : A nd, a nd i n [ T he ] G l as s M e nage r i e t he ge nt l e m a n c a l l e r c a l l s t he s i s t e r B l ue R os e s be c a us e s he ha d ha d pl e ur os i s i n H i gh S c hool he di dn t know w ho t o s a y pl e ur os i s a nd s o he c a l l e d he r B l ue R o s e s A nd I a l w a ys t hought W ha t a gr e a t na m e f o r a ba nd G uys i n m us i c a r e a l w a ys goi ng, G od, t ha t w oul d be a gr e a t na m e f or a ba nd not t ha t one Y ou know a l w a ys s om e t hi ng. S om e body w i l l s a y s om e t hi ng, I go, W ha t a gr e a t na m e f o r a ba nd! S o I a c t ua l l y ha d t ha t one i n m y ba c k poc k e t f or a l ong t i m e A nd t hi s g r oup w a s j us t a t r i o oc c a s i ona l l y w i t h a gi r l s i nge r t ha t w e h a d, a nd w e a l w a ys S B : A nd w he r e do you pe r f or m ? P W : W e r i ght now w e r e do i ng t h r e e s how s a t a t he a t e r i n S t P e t e c a l l e d t he P a l l a di u m A nd i t s t he I ve be e n I ve a l w a ys l ove d s t a nda r ds a nd I ve a l w a ys l ove d w e ve a l w a ys ha d s ongs f r om t he t h i r t i e s e ve n i n our P op T a r t s da nc e ba nd, be c a us e t hos e a r e gr e a t s ongs A nd pe opl e r e a l l y r e s ponde d, a nd I ha d t he you know ba c k up t he gi r l\n21 s i nge r s a nd w e c oul d do, A m I B l ue ? a nd w e c o ul d do F a t s W a l l e r t une s a nd w e c oul d do s om e of t hos e s or t of s t a nda r ds t ha t w e r e j us t h a d a good r hyt hm t o t he m A nd I ve a l w a ys a nd now I m r e a l l y e xpl or i ng t he m a l ot de e pe r A nd t he s e a r e a c om bi na t i on of t he a t r e a nd m us i c w he r e I t e l l s t or i e s a bout t he s ongs a nd t he s ongw r i t e r s S B : O h t ha t s how w onde r f ul P W : A nd w e do S B : E duc a t i ona l P W : T he s ongs A nd s o t hi s w e ve t he f i r s t one w a s a l l a bout l ov e s ongs I c a l l i t L ove a nd O t he r N a t ur a l D i s a s t e r s a nd s or t of t r a c k l ove t hr ough t he e ye s of t he s e c om pos e r s A nd t he n t hi s one s c a l l e d P oe t s of T i n P a n A l l e y, a n d i t s a bout w hy t he l yr i c s w e r e s o good dur i ng t he pe r i od be t w e e n t he t w o w or l d w a r s S B : T hi s i s not j ob r e l a t e d, t hi s i s l i ke pur e f un. P W : [ A ] t ot a l s e pa r a t e t hi ng S B : F or you, I gue s s E xc e pt you know t he r e a r e o c c a s i ons w he r e you l l ha ve t o ha ve gr oups pe r f or m a nd a l l W oul d you, w oul d you do t ha t ? P W : N o, I t r y not t o I t r y t o m a ke t hi s S B : S e pa r a t e ? P W : I t s ow n t hi ng I m e a n s e e i f you e ve n not i c e W e r e pl a yi ng i n S t P e t e r s bur g. Y ou know w he r e I don t e ve n ha ve t ha t a ny c l out I di dn t you know t hi s t he y a s k us t o pl a y ove r t he r e S B : B ut i t s t i l l ke e ps you s o i nt e g r a l l y i nvol ve d P W : Y ou ha ve t o i f you w a nt t o I l ove m us i c a nd I ha ve t o do i t e ve r y da y. A nd i f you don t ha ve a g r oup, I f i nd t ha t I l os e t hi s I t s not t ha t I don t do i t but i t i t m a ke s you w or k a t a h i ghe r l e ve l A nd I I w or k s o ha r d a t i t i t s i t j us t f e e l s unna t ur a l not t o be doi ng i t i n s om e w a ys S B : Y ou ve be e n a j our na l i s t you ve be e n a m us i c i a n, a r e por t e r P W : S c r e e nw r i t e r S B : S c r e e nw r i t e r P W : A ba d, you know pl a yw r i ght you know I do n t know\n22 S B : P i a ni s t I m e a n, w ha t f l oa t s your boa t ? W ha t d o you l i ke t he be s t ? P W : T ha t s a good que s t i on be c a us e I t hi nk a t t he poi nt I m doi ng i t I l ove e a c h of t hos e t hi ngs I ne ve r f e l t l i ke one w a s you know m y da y j ob w a s ne ve r s uppor t i ng m y ni ght j ob i n a s e ns e I m e a n, j our na l i s m I f e l t l i ke i n t e r m s of m y t a l e nt a nd I us e d t hi s l i ne a nd I t hi nk i t s pr e t t y t r ue A s a j our na l i s t I ha d a s hot a t a P ul i t z e r P r i z e B ut I don t t hi nk I d e ve r be a t t he G r a m m y s Y ou know w ha t I m e a n? S B : I s ur e do. P W : I k i nd of I l ove m us i c a nd I l ove do i ng i t but I ne ve r e nvi s i one d m ys e l f a s s om e one br e a ki ng t hr ough i nt o t he na t i ona l m a r ke t F or m e i t s j us t a t hi ng t ha t you do a s pa r t of your l i f e I t s j us t S B : S o w ha t i s your goa l ? I n C r e a t i ve I ndus t r i e s ? P W : W ha t s ni c e i s I m now i n t hi s j ob i t c om bi ne s a l ot of m y t a l e nt s I m m y l ove of t he c i t y, m y ba c kgr ound i n t he c i t y, m y i n t e r e s t i n s e e i ng i t c ont i nue [ t o ] i m p r ove I t hi nk w e r e w e r e you know F l or i da i t s e l f I t h i nk, i s a s t a t e t ha t s e vol vi ng ve r y r a pi dl y S B : I t s ur e i s P W : A nd f r om one t hi ng t o a not he r A nd i n e vol ut i on, s om e t hi ngs de ve l op f a s t e r t ha n ot he r s A nd you s om e t hi ngs c a n be ve r y s t r ong a nd ot he r t h i ngs ne e d s om e he l p. A nd I t hi nk you know w e F l o r i da de ve l ope d a s a t ou r i s t e c onom y. W e de ve l ope d a s a s por t s ba s e d e c onom y w he r e pe opl e a r e he r e f or t he w e a t he r A nd t he a r t s i n s om e w a ys ha ve l a gge d a l i t t l e be hi nd W e ve be e n f or t una t e t ha t w e ve bui l t a gr e a t P e r f or m i n g A r t s C e nt e r he r e T he F l o r i da O r c he s t r a ha s be e n he r e f or s o l ong a nd e ve n t hough i t s ha d s om e s t r uggl e s i t s he r e A nd i t s you know i t s r e a l l y f ound i t s p l a c e A nd, a nd I t hi nk t he a r t s i n ge ne r a l t hi s i s t he poi nt w he r e w e ne e d t o t o r e a l l y c onc e nt r a t e on t ha t W e s t i l l don t ha ve a m a j or e qui t y t he a t r e hous e i n t he T a m pa B a y a r e a t ha t i s f ul l on you know r e gi ona l t he a t r e W e ve j us t got S B : [ T o ] t a ke i t up a not c h? P W : W e ve got a f e w t hi ngs t ha t ne e d t o be w e ne e d t o pa y s om e a t t e nt i on t o A nd I t hi nk t ha t s one t hi ng t he m a yor s t r yi ng t o do w i t h t hi s j ob, a nd c e r t a i nl y w ha t I m t r yi ng t o do w hi l e I m he r e A nd I d on t s e e m ys e l f a s a p r of e s s i ona l gove r nm e nt pe r s on. I m he r e t o m a ke s om e t h i ngs ha ppe n, t o ha ve s om e f u n doi ng i t t o m a ke i t you know t a ke a dva nt a ge of t hi s oppor t un i t y. T he m a yor r e a l l y s a ys Y ou know t hi s i s i t Y ou know w e r e you ge t you r e l uc ky i f you ge t t he s e w i ndo w s w he r e pe opl e ha nd you s om e t hi ng a nd s a y, G o do i t S B : I s n t t ha t s o t r ue\n23 P W : A nd you know w e m i ght S B : T ha t i s a t r ue f a c t P W : E i t he r do s om e t hi ng or or you know w hy a r e w e he r e ? B e c a us e i n t e n ye a r s you l l l ook ba c k a nd s a y, W e l l w e ha d our s hot A nd s o w e r e j us t t r y i ng t o m a ke s om e t hi ngs ha ppe n a nd m y goa l you know I t hi nk m y goa l s a r e a l w a ys t o t r y t o t a ke w ha t e ve r I m doi ng a nd t r y t o do i t a s be s t I c a n A nd p r oba bl y h a ve n t f ol l ow e d t he c a r e e r pa t h t ha t i f I j us t l a i d i t out but m y m i nd doe s n t ne c e s s a r i l y w or k t ha t w a y m y m i nd i s m or e w ha t i nt e r e s t s you? W he r e i s i t pu l l i ng you? A nd t r y t o r e a l l y w or k ha r d t o do t ha t S o I w or k r e a l l y ha r d a t m y m us i c a nd I w or k r e a l l y ha r d a t t hi s j ob a nd, a nd I t hi n k t hos e t hi ngs l e a d you t o t he ne xt t hi ng S B : A bs ol ut e l y. P W : I t hi nk you f i nd your s e l f you know you w a l k t hr ough a door a nd s udde nl y S B : A bs ol ut e l y. P W : Y ou r e a t t hi s ne xt pl a c e S o w he r e t ha t i s I m not c om pl e t e l y s ur e S B : B ut I ha ve t o t e l l you a nd t ha nk you you r e a l l y a r e he r e a t a n oppo r t une t i m e T hi s i s ki nd of a n e di t or i a l s t a t e m e nt i n a w a y, but t o t ha nk you f o r m a ki ng a di f f e r e nc e i n T a m pa t he w a y you ha ve i n t he pa s t I m e a n l ooki ng a t your w hol e l i f e a s you ve be e n he r e a nd he l pe d w i t h t he gr ow t h, a nd i t s w e r e ve r y l uc ky t ha t you c a m e ba c k. P W : W e l l I I a ppr e c i a t e t ha t A nd you know I t hi nk t he r e s s om e t hi ng, t he r e s j us t a l ot of pe opl e w ho, w ho c a r e a nd i t s i t s a c e r t a i n m i n ds e t I m e a n not e ve r ybody s om e pe opl e t he i r m i nds e t i s a bout do i ng bus i ne s s or do i ng ot he r t hi ngs a nd I t h i nk t ha t s t ha t s gr e a t T he w o r l d ne e ds a l l t ha t a nd t he r e s c e r t a i n pe opl e t ha t I f i nd m ys e l f w or ki ng w i t h a nd dr a w n t o w ho a r e a bout c om m u ni t y bui l d i ng i n s om e w a y S B : W e l l you P W : A nd t ha t j ou r na l i s m w a s c e r t a i nl y s om e w ha t a bout t ha t a nd S B : S ur e P W : I t hi nk e ve r yt hi ng i s s om e w ha t a bout a bout i t S B : Y ou ve ki nd of l e d up f or your w ho l e l i f e t o p e r ha ps t hi s poi nt i n t i m e P W : Y e a h, I t hi nk i n a w a y, ye a h A nd I w oul d ne ve r [ ha ve ] pr e di c t e d t ha t I w oul d ha ve be e n he r e B e c a us e i t s a n odd s ki l l s e t t ha t I ha ve B e i ng a bl e t o t a l k t o pe opl e r e l a t e t o pe opl e E ve n f r om hi gh s c hool on I r e a l i z e d I di dn t be l ong i n a ny one gr oup but I c oul d m ove pr e t t y e a s i l y f r om t hr o ugh a l l of t he m\n24 S B : A s ki l l P W : A nd t ha t w a s a s ki l l t ha t w or ke d w e l l i n j ou r n a l i s m a nd i t w or ks w e l l i n t hi s gove r nm e nt w or k S B : T ha t s g r e a t P W : A nd I us e d t o t h i nk t ha t w a s [ a ] p r obl e m but i t t ur ns out i t r e a l l y w a s a n a s s e t S B : T ha t s g r e a t P a ul W e l l I c a n t t ha nk you e nou gh, t hi s ha s j us t be e n gr e a t P W : I t w a s a t r e a t t o be a s ke d! S B : I r e a l l y f ound out a l ot a bout you t ha t pe r ha ps you know I di dn t e ve n r e a l i z e m ys e l f a nd hope f u l l y w i l l be r e c or de d f o r a l l pos t e r i t y. I know pe opl e w i l l e nj oy l i s t e ni ng t o t hi s P W : W e l l I hope s om e body doe s t ha t w oul d be go od! ( bot h l a ugh) P W : T ha nk you s o m uc h, S uz e t t e S B : T ha nk you T ape 2 e nds ; t ape 3 be gi ns I nt e r vi e w w i t h: P a ul W i l bor n I nt e r vi e w e d by: S uz e t t e B e r km a n L oc a t i on: T a m pa F L D a t e : O c t obe r 14, 2006 T r a ns c r i be d by: R e be c c a W i l l m a n A udi t E di t e d by: C yr a na W yke r S B : T oda y i s O c t obe r 4t h I a m s i t t i ng w i t h P a ul W i l bor n. W e r e doi ng our s e c ond i nt e r vi e w I t s t he ye a r 2006 A nd w e r e s i t t i ng a t 3401 S out h B e a c h D r i ve W e w oul d l i ke t o c ont i nue t a l ki ng a bout P a ul s s e c ond m a r r i a ge ; hi s f i r s t m a r r i a ge be i ng t o P a t F e nda w ho ha s a n e nt e r t a i nm e nt bus i ne s s [ a nd] s t i l l l i ve s i n T a m pa A nd t he y r e good f r i e nds a s a m a t t e r of f a c t P W : S t i l l m y a ge nt f or m y m us i c a l s t uf f S B : O h r i ght O h t ha t s gr e a t W e l l w he r e w e l e f t of f P a ul i s t ha t you ha d m e t E uge ni e i n L A a nd i t w a s he r w i s h t o go ba c k t o N e w O r l e a ns A nd I t hi nk you ha d a l i t t l e bi t t o s a y a bout t ha t\n25 P W : ( l a ughs ) S B : C oul d you e nl i ght e n us ? P W : W e w he n w e m e t t ha t w a s a l m os t t he f i r s t l i ne out of he r m out h. A nd s he ha d be e n, f e l t l i ke s he ha d be e n s om e w ha t s hi pw r e c ke d i n L A f o r a bout 12 ye a r s A nd a f t e r a bout s i x, s he ha d r e a l l y w a nt e d t o go ba c k t o N e w O r l e a ns S he s a i d, j us t got N e w O r l e a ns i n he r he a r t a nd s oul S t i l l ha s a hous e t he r e ha s ot he r p r ope r t y t he r e H e r e ve n S B : F a m i l y? P W : S om e f a m i l y, t hough, he r none o f he r s i s t e r s l i ve t he r e H e r m om a nd da d ha ve bot h pa s s e d a w a y. B ut t he y ve ke pt t he f a m i l y hous e M om c oul d c om e ba c k t om o r r ow a nd w oul d s t i l l be a bl e t o ge t dr e s s e d. Y ou know i t s j us t t hos e c r a z y s out he r n gi r l s you know A nd t he j oke t ha t I s ha r e w i t h m y br ot he r i n l a w i n L A i s t ha t t ha t w he n w e r e a l l de a d a nd gone t he s e t hr e e s i s t e r s a r e goi ng t o be l i vi ng i n t ha t hous e f i ght i ng ove r t he s i l ve r Y ou know a nd w a nde r i ng a r ound i n s om e ki nd of w e i r d T e nne s s e e W i l l i a m s s or t of S B : D o you vi s i t ? P W : O h, w e go a l l t he t i m e W e a c t ua l l y ke e p a c a r t he r e A nd S B : S o you go o f t e n. P W : S o w e go e ve r y a bout s om e t i m e s a bout onc e a m ont h S o i t s f un. A nd w e ve ha d l ot s be c a us e of t he s t or m t he y a c t ua l l y ha d a r e n t a l pr ope r t y t ha t got f l oode d S o s he s be e n ha vi ng t o go ba c k a l i t t l e m or e of t e n be c a us e [ of t ha t ] B ut i t s a l l w or ke d out S B : S t or m be i ng K a t r i na ? P W : B ut K a t r i na w a s a huge a huge t hi ng f or f or us A nd c e r t a i nl y f or N e w O r l e a ns A nd f or E uge ni e S o w e ve be e n goi ng a l ot m or e e ve n t ha n w e m i ght j us t t o r e a l l y s how s uppor t s pe nd m one y, ge t t he hous e f i xe d up a nd S B : I s i s t ha t how you got he r t o a gr e e t o not l i ve i n N e w O r l e a ns ? P W : S he S B : J us t by vi s i t i ng? P W : Y e a h, w e l l I c onvi nc e d he r t ha t t ha t S out hw e s t ba s i c a l l y pa i d you t o f l y f r om T a m pa t o N e w O r l e a ns I t w a s ve r y c he a p, a nd ve r y e a s y. A nd t ha t s he w oul d be i n ki nd of a a t ow n w he r e t he y s e r ve g r i t s w i t h br e a kf a s t A nd, a nd s o, a nd s he i t s r e a l l y w or ke d out w e l l f or he r B e c a us e s he s ha d gr e a t o ppor t uni t y he r e I t s ve r y e a s y t o ge t\n26 t he r e you know you c a n be t he r e i n a n hour a nd a ha l f T he f l i ght s a r e r e a l l y c he a p. A nd, a nd s o w e r e ba c k a nd f or t h a l ot A nd f or he r i t s be e n ki nd of t he be s t of bot h. S o s he s you know s he s t i l l r oot s f or t he S a i nt s S B : U h oh, oka y. P W : B ut you know but s he r e a l l y l ove s T a m pa S o s he s be e n ve r y ha ppy S B : H ow di d you ge t ba c k t o T a m pa ? W ha t br oug ht you ba c k? P W : W e m e t a nd be c a us e of he r pl a nni ng t o m ove w e m e t a nd t hr e e w e e ks l a t e r s he a nd he r s i s t e r a c t ua l l y d r ove he r c a r a c r os s c ount r y t o l e a ve i t i n N e w O r l e a ns i n a nt i c i pa t i on of m ov i ng. S o s he w a s i t w a s not j us t i dl e t a l k. A nd, but s he ha d, s he ha d a hous e t ha t w a s a be a ut i f ul ol d hi s t or i c S pa ni s h dupl e x. A nd dow ns t a i r s t he w om a n ha d j us t m ove d a w a y. A nd s he ha d be e n t he w i f e of F a m ous A m os t he c ooki e m a ke r A nd s he w a s a l i t t l e nut t y. A nd s he ha d f i na l l y m ove d t o be w i t h he r f a m i l y i n a not he r s t a t e A nd s he ha d be e n i n t ha t a pa r t m e nt s i nc e E uge ni e bought i t S o E uge ni e ha d ne ve r r e a l l y done a ny w or k. S he w e nt i n t he r e a nd i t w a s j us t a hor r or s how I t w a s one of t hos e pl a c e s t ha t w a s y ou know a c om pl e t e m e s s a nd s o s he w a s i t t ook he r t h r e e or f our m ont hs t o f i x i t up A nd i n t ha t t i m e I a s ke d he r f o r t h r e e m ont hs f or us t o de c i de how w e f e l t a bout e a c h ot h e r A nd a t t he e nd of a c t ua l l y w e nt on f or a bout f our be c a us e of t he t i m e but [ by] t he e nd of M a r c h, w e w e r e e nga ge d. S B : T ha t s p r e t t y f a s t P W : T ha t s p r e t t y f a s t S B : Y e a h. P W : B ut you know you know w ha t you w a nt A n d i t w a s I ki nd of s e ns e d i t e a r l y on but w e ga ve our s e l ve s s e ve r a l m ont hs a nd s he di d n t e ve n f i ni s h t he pl a c e unt i l t he n a nyw a y, s o S o w e w e r e e nga ge d r i ght a r ound E a s t e r t i m e l a t e M a r c h, e a r l y A pr i l A nd a r ound t ha t s a m e t i m e w a s t he e l e c t i on i n T a m pa S B : W hi c h e l e c t i on? P W : T he m a yor a l e l e c t i on. S B : O ka y. P W : I n w hi c h P a m I or i o w a s e l e c t e d m a yor A nd I ha d ne ve r w o r ke d i n gove r nm e nt i n m y l i f e I ha d a l w a ys be e n on t he out s i de l ooki ng i n a nd ne ve r t hough t I w oul d be on t he i ns i de l ooki ng out A nd, but s om e f ol ks i n T a m pa ha d be e n i nt e r e s t e d i n t r yi ng t o ge t m e ba c k. A nd I ha d ha d c onve r s a t i on w i t h a f r i e nd w h o w a s a a l s o a j ou r na l i s t w ho ha d l e f t T a m pa w ho t ol d m e P a m w a s r unni ng. I ha dn t e v e n he a r d a bout i t B e c a us e I w a s n t\n27 ke e pi ng t ha t c l os e i n t ouc h A nd a nd a t t he e nd of our c onve r s a t i on, s he s a i d, Y ou know P a m I or i o t ha t s s om e body I c oul d w or k f o r A nd I s a i d, O h, ye a h, ye a h A nd I hung up t he phone a nd w he n I hung up t he phone I t hought Y ou know t ha t s s om e body I c oul d w o r k f o r I r e a l l y, w e ha d a g r e a t r e s pe c t f o r e a c h ot he r H e r da d ha d be e n m y c ol l e ge pr of e s s or I ha d m e t he r a s a young w om a n, doi ng s om e w or k f or t he de m oc r a t i c pa r t y. S he ha d be e n doi ng t ha t s he c a m e i n, a nd I w a s a r e por t e r W e ha d m e t I w a t c he d he r ge t e l e c t e d a nd S B : W e r e you pe r s ona l f r i e nds ? N o? P W : O nl y pe r s ona l f r i e nds i n t he s e ns e t ha t w e w e r e on a f i r s t na m e ba s i s a nd I kne w t h a t s he w a s m a r r i e d, a nd I kne w s he ha d ki ds B ut I d ne ve r be e n t o he r hous e W e di dn t you know w e w e r e m or e p r of e s s i ona l f r i e n ds I t hi nk i n t ha t s e ns e T ha t you m e e t s om e one t hr ough pol i t i c s or a s a j our na l i s t I w oul d, w oul d s he w a s a pe r s on I w oul d w r i t e a bout A nd e s pe c i a l l y w he n, i n he r ne xt j ob a s t he S upe r vi s or o f E l e c t i ons w e t a l ke d a l ot be c a us e a s r e por t e r s you w oul d go do w n t he r e a nd f i nd out w ho ha d w ho w a s r unni ng, w ho ha d gi ve n m one y, t he r e w e r e l o t s of que s t i ons f or f or he r S o i t w a s i t w a s m o r e of a pr o f e s s i ona l r e l a t i ons hi p. W e r e a l l y e nj oye d e a c h ot he r s c om pa ny. A nd I w a s c l os e t o he r e nough t o s a y t ha t you know P l e a s e don t e ve r s i ng i n publ i c T hi ngs l i ke t ha t you know S B : ( l a ughs ) P W : A nd, but l i ke I s a y, i t w a s no t l i ke w e w e r e c hum s or e ve n you know f r i e nds s oc i a l f r i e nds S o but w ha t I ha d S B : W ha t m a de you t hi nk you c oul d w or k f o r he r ? P W : O ne I r e a l l y t hought t ha t s he w oul d a nd s he c e r t a i nl y pr ove d t ha t t o be t r ue t ha t s he w oul d i n e ve r y w a y be t r y t o do t he r i ght t hi n g, be p r of e s s i ona l t he r e w oul d ne ve r be a hi nt o f s c a nda l S he w oul d do gr e a t t hi ngs by t he c i t y t ha t you w oul d be pr oud t o s a y you w e r e a pa r t of he r a dm i ni s t r a t i on. A nd, a nd t ha t s not a knoc k on a nybody e l s e i n pol i t i c s but I di dn t f e e l t ha t w a y a bout a l ot of f ol ks A nd i t s not w he t he r t he y w oul d good, ba d o r di f f e r e nt I j us t f e l t l i ke s he w a s r e a l l y w oul d s e t a s t a nda r d. T ha t you d be pr oud t o s a y t ha t you ha d w or ke d f or he r A nd I w a s i nt e r e s t e d i n t he a r t s T ha t ha d a l w a ys be e n m y s i de l i ne I w a s not i nt e r e s t e d i n be i ng I w oul d not ha ve c om e t o be he r pr e s s guy. A nd s he w a s not i nt e r e s t e d i n m e a s t ha t a nyw a y. S he a l r e a dy ha d s om e body i n m i nd f or t ha t B ut L i nda S a ul S e na w ho w a s a c i t y c ounc i l pe r s on, a nd C ha i r m a n a t t ha t poi n t o f c i t y c ounc i l i s a good f r i e nd of m i ne A nd s he ha d t hought I w oul d be a good f i t f o r t he a dm i ni s t r a t i on. S o s he w a s s or t of a go be t w e e n. A nd m e nt i one d i t t o t he m a yor w ho w a s i nt r i gue d by t he i de a A nd F r a n D a ve n w ho w a s he r a dvi s or i n t he t r a ns i t i o n a nd i s s t i l l a n a dvi s or w ho w a s a l s o s om e one t ha t I c ove r e d, a nd kne w m e p r of e s s i ona l l y ve r y m uc h l i ke d t he i de a A nd s o w e s t a r t e d a l i t t l e c onve r s a t i on, a nd by I gue s s M a y, s he got e l e c t e d a t t he e nd of M a r c h, t ook of f i c e f i r s t e a r l y A pr i l ve r y e a r l y. A nd a r ound M a y w e put t oge t he r a j ob de s c r i pt i on a nd\n28 S B : S o you c a l l e d he r ? O r s he c a l l e d you? P W : I L i nda s poke t o he r s he r e s ponde d t o L i nd a Y e s I m i nt e r e s t e d i n he a r i ng f r om hi m S o I w r ot e he r a not e s or t o f s ugge s t i ng t hi n gs t ha t I w a s i n t e r e s t e d i n. A nd s he got ba c k. W e di d s om e e m a i l s a nd s om e phone c a l l s A nd s o, a nd a t t ha t P aus e i n r e c or di ng P W : A nd a t t ha t s a m e t i m e I be l i e ve i t w a s A pr i l I w a s n t he r e a t t he t i m e but i t w a s A pr i l or e a r l y M a y. A n a ut hor a nd a n e c onom i s t n a m e d R i c ha r d F l or i da c a m e t o T a m pa H e ha d w r i t t e n a book c a l l e d, T he R i s e of t he C r e at i v e C l as s A nd he w a s a bi g hi t he r e H e dr e w a f u l l hous e t o t he P e r f or m i ng A r t s C e nt e r e xc us e m e S B : A t F e r gus on? Y e a h. P W : A nd a t F e r gus on H a l l s o you know bi g c r ow d t ur ns out A nd hi s m e s s a ge i s a l ot of t hi ngs but ba s i c a l l y i t s s or t o f c r e a t i vi t y a nd e c onom i c de ve l opm e nt go t oge t he r A nd c i t i e s t ha t r e a l l y w or k on t he i r c r e a t i ve s i de a r t s c r e a t i ve pe opl e r e t a i ni ng t a l e nt a l l t ha t s t uf f w oul d be t he c i t i e s t ha t t hr i ve i n t he f ut ur e T a m pa w a s a t a poi n t w he r e t ha t r e a l l y r e s ona t e d w i t h pe opl e B e c a us e w e f e l t I t hi nk pe opl e f e l t l i ke t he y ha dn t qui t e done e nough i n t ha t a r e a W e c oul d do m or e S o R i c ha r d F l o r i da a c t ua l l y m e t w i t h t he m a yor a nd s he w a s t he n t a l ki ng t o m e a nd I w a s pi t c hi ng s or t of a n a r t s t hi ng. A nd s o t he t w o ki nd of c a m e t oge t he r a nd s he i t w a s r e a l l y f r om he r c a m e up w i t h t hi s i de a o f a C r e a t i ve I ndus t r i e s pos i t i on. T ha t I d be s or t of a l i a i s on t o a r t a nd a r t i s t s B ut a l s o w i t h s or t of a n e c onom i c de ve l opm e nt j ob a s w e l l A nd, a nd s o w e ki nd of t ha t w a s r e a l l y e x c i t i ng t o m e S B : W ho, w ho c a m e up w i t h t he i de a of T a m pa C i t y of t he A r t s ? P W : T ha t ha ppe ne d be f or e I got t he r e S B : O ka y. P W : T he t he m a yo r ha d be e n t he r e ha d be e n a s e s s i on a t a t T a m pa T he a t r e w he r e t he m a yor a l c a ndi da t e s s poke A nd i t t he a r t s c om m uni t y s or t o f s pons or e d I t hi nk, T he B us i ne s s C om m i t t e e f or t he A r t s s pons or e d i t A nd L e ona r d S t one w a s one of t he pe opl e i n t he a udi e nc e a nd he a s ke d t he m a yor a bout t he a r t s a nd a nu m be r o f ot he r pe opl e w e r e t he r e A nd a nd t he m a yor r e a l l y pl e dge d t o m a ke T a m pa i f s he w a s e l e c t e d, a C i t y of t he A r t s A nd you know i t s k i nd of one o f t ho s e t i t l e s t ha t you ki nd of w i s h m a ybe you ha d s a i d s om e t hi ng ot he r t ha n, C i t y of t he A r t s be c a us e i t s a l m os t l i ke T he C i t y on t he H i l l o r s om e t hi ng B ut but s he r e a l l y w a s c om m i t t e d t o doi ng t ha t a nd s o I t hi nk t ha t s one r e a s on I got hi r e d. A nd t he y c r e a t e d a po s i t i on t ha t di dn t e xi s t be f o r e S o I gue s s a r ound, s om e t i m e i n M a y a nd I don' t r e a l l y ha ve t he da t e i n m y m i nd c l e a r l y, but i t w a s M a y of 2003, I a gr e e d t o t a ke t h e j ob. I 'm w o r ki ng a t s t i l l w or ki ng a t t he A s s oc i a t e d P r e s s a s a s t a t e c or r e s ponde nt w i t h C a l i f or ni a A nd, a nd E u ge ni e a nd I\n29 t a l ke d, a nd s he t hi nks t h i s w oul d be a good t hi ng a nd, a nd s he l i ke s t he i de a a nd i t ge t s he r a gua r a nt e e d ba c k t o t he s out h. S he 's a t l e a s t g e t t i ng m uc h c l os e r t o N e w O r l e a ns S B : Y e s P W : A nd i f f o r s om e r e a s on I t ur n out t o be a bi g l os e r s he w oul dn't ha ve s o f a r t o go t o g e t t he r e S B : ( l a ughs ) P W : B ut a t t h i s poi nt w e 'r e e nga ge d, a nd s o w e a g r e e t o m ove t o T a m pa pl a n a w e ddi ng, a nd [ I ] t a ke t hi s j ob A nd w e t a ke [ i t ] know i ng i t w a s n't goi ng t o ha ppe n onc e I s t a r t e d W e t ook s i x w e e ks of f A nd w e nt t o H a w a i i a nd S B : B ut you, you got m a r r i e d i n T a m pa ? P W : W e di dn't ge t m a r r i e d, w e di dn't ge t m a r r i e d u nt i l a l m os t a ye a r l a t e r S B : O h, oka y P W : J us t be c a us e of a l l t he m ovi ng S B : O ka y. P W : A nd a l l t ha t s t uf f W e ha d t o p l a n a w e ddi ng S B : B ut i n T a m pa P W : W e g ot m a r r i e d i n T a m pa S B : Y e a h. P W : I n 2004 A pr i l o f 2004 B ut t he w e t ook a m a gni f i c e nt l ong t r i p, a l l t h r ough C a l i f or ni a a nd t o H a w a i i a nd t he n w e d r ove a c r os s c ount r y a nd t ook a r e a l l y ni c e c r os s c ount r y dr i ve t o N e w O r l e a ns S pe nt s e ve r a l da ys t he r e a nd t he n S B : T e r r i f i c P W : C a m e he r e S B : T ha t 's t e r r i f i c P W : A nd you know i t 's be e n gr e a t S he 's r e a l l y l o ve d i t a nd S B : W ha t doe s s he do?\n30 P W : S he a nd I di dn't know t hi s a bout he r be c a us e s he w a s n't doi ng i t a c t i ve l y w he n I w a s t he r e W he n I w a s i n L A s he w a s s t i l l w or ki n g a t be i ng a n a c t r e s s B ut s he ha d, f or m a ny ye a r s a l s o be e n a t e a c he r of a c t i ng A nd ha d t a ught s om e s e m i f a m ous f ol ks a nd S B : L i ke w ho? P W : I w a nt t o s a y J e s s i c a A l ba t hi s f a m ous ve r y f a m ous A l ba 's t he l a s t na m e S B : S ur e P W : I m a y be w r ong be c a us e I 'm not s o good on m y c ur r e nt young s t a r s B ut t hi s w om a n's l i ke one of t he hot t e s t s t a r s ha d be e n a y oung s t ude nt of he r s A nd s e ve r a l ot he r s A nd s he s t i l l poi nt s t o pe opl e i n m ov i e s a nd, O h, t ha t w a s m y s t ude nt o r t ha t w a s m y c o w or ke r S B : T ha t 's gr e a t P W : S o w e a r r i ve d he r e a t a gr e a t t i m e be c a us e t he P a t e l C ons e r va t or y w a s i n t he pr oc e s s of I don't t hi nk i t ha d c om e out o f t he gr ound ye t but i t w a s r e a l l y ha d be e n, w a s s e t a nd w a s i n t he pr oc e s s of be i ng b ui l t I gue s s A nd t he y w e r e s t a r t i ng [ a ] pl a n W ha t w e r e t he y goi ng t o i nc l ude t he r e ? A nd s o s he m e t W e nd y L e i gh, w ho's a f r i e nd o f m i ne a nd w ho w a s goi ng t o r un t he s c hool A nd i n t he i r c on ve r s a t i on s t a r t e d t a l ki ng a bout t he s e c l a s s e s t ha t s he di d a nd t he y l i ke d t he i de a s o m uc h t ha t t he y r e a l l y s he s t a r t e d t e a c hi ng be f or e t he s c hool w a s f i n i s he d. T he y s t a r t e d, s he w a s t e a c hi ng i n t he l obby of t he J a e b T he a t e r S B : O h m y go odne s s P W : A nd s he w a s one of t he f i r s t t e a c he r s t he y hi r e d. S o s he S B : S he e nj oys i t ? P W : S he e nj oys i t I t 's a pa r t t i m e pos i t i on, w hi c h s he l i ke s A nd s he S B : W ha t w ha t c l a s s e s doe s s h e t e a c h? P W : T he y'r e c a l l e d on c a m e r a a c t i ng A nd s he t e a c he s a dul t s a nd younge r ki ds A nd i t 's how t o a udi t i on f o r c om m e r c i a l s how t o how do you s he doe s n't s he 's not a s t a ge a c t r e s s S he 's gr e a t on s t a ge but t ha t 's not he r s pe c i a l t y. S B : S he 's s he 's be e n i n f i l m s ? P W : S he 's be e n i n f i l m s on T V i n c om m e r c i a l s s he 's done a l l of t ha t s t uf f t ha t i nvol ve s a c a m e r a T ha t 's he r ba c kgr o und a s a m ode l a nd t he n s he s be e n i n m ovi e s A nd s he s t udi e d, a nd s he 's a gr e a t na t ur a l t e a c he r s o\n31 S B : S he 's s t r i ki ng l ooki ng P W : Y e a h. A nd s he r e a l l y S B : S he r e a l l y i s be a ut i f ul P W : S he ha s t hi s f oc us w he n s he doe s t hi ngs a nd a s a t e a c he r t ha t 's s o gr e a t be c a us e t he ki ds j us t f e e l l i ke t he r e 's t hi s c onne c t i on be c a us e s he r e a l l y ge t s e xc i t e d a bout i t s o. S he 's a gr e a t t e a c he r a nd a na t ur a l a nd t he y l ove he r S o t ha t 's w ha t s he 's doi ng. S B : T ha t 's t e r r i f i c W e l l how do you l i ke you r j ob w i t h t he c i t y? W ha t w ha t ha ve you e xpe r i e nc e d f or i ns t a nc e w i t h t he T a m pa M us e um of A r t ? I t hi n k i t s c om m on know l e dge t he r e ha ve be e n i s s ue s w i t h t he m a yor w i t h t he c i t y, w i t h c i t y c ounc i l w i t h t he pub l i c w i t h pe r ha ps t he M us e um B oa r d m os t of a l l P W : Y e a h, i t 's be e n a you know i t 's c e r t a i nl y be e n a S B : H a ve you be e n i nvol ve d? P W : I ha ve n't be e n a s di r e c t l y i nvol ve d a s I t hough t I m i ght be w he n I c a m e he r e A nd I w a s a l i t t l e c onc e r ne d a bout t ha t a t f i r s t be c a us e I w a s w onde r i ng w hy t he y w e r e s or t o f ke e pi ng a l i t t l e bu f f e r be t w e e n m e a nd a l s o ou r P u bl i c A r t D i r e c t or R obi n N i gh a nd t he M us e um B ut t ur ns out t he y'r e m uc h s m a r t e r t ha n w e w e r e i n t ha t t he m a yor di dn't w a nt us t o be pul l e d i nt o t ha t A nd a s a s t hi ngs un f ol de d, i t w or ke d out w e l l i n t h a t w e w e r e w e w e r e not s or t of s e e n a s one pl a ye r on one s i de of t he ot he r W he n I c a m e t o t a ke t he j ob I w a s a s s um i ng t ha t t he V i nol y P r oj e c t w a s c om i ng out of t he gr ound a t s om e poi nt s oon. A nd r e a l l y d i d a l ot of r e s e a r c h on i t t a l ki ng t o E m i l y a n d doi ng i t e ve n f r om a f a r B e c a us e I j us t a s s um e d t ha t w oul d be t he bi g t hi ng t ha t w a s ha ppe ni ng. S B : S ur e P W : B ut you ha ve t o l ook a t t he hi s t or y o f T a m pa s om e w ha t A nd i t 's a t hi ng t ha t c a n be de ba t e d a l ot of w a ys W e 've done s om e i nc r e di bl e t hi ngs t ha t t ha t di dn' t ne c e s s a r i l y pa y f or t he m s e l ve s f or a pr e t t y l ong t i m e S B : L i ke w ha t ? P W : L i ke t he F l o r i da A qua r i um S B : O ka y. P W : W hi c h w a s a s e e n a s t hi s e c onom i c de ve l op m e nt t ool E ve r ybody's doi ng a n a qua r i um S o w e pr og r e s s i ve c i t i e s w i l l d o a bi g a qua r i um W e l l a bout t i m e w e got our s f i ni s he d, t he a qua r i u m bus i ne s s ki nd of f e l l o f f a l i t t l e bi t a nd t he t he w a y t he num be r s\n32 w e r e w or ke d out w e r e not s us pi c i ous j us t di dn't d i dn't t he e xpe c t a t i ons di dn't a dd up t o t he r e a l i t y. A nd t he c i t y i s S B : S t uc k. P W : O n t he hook f o r a l ot o f m one y, c ont i nue s s t i l l e ve n t hough t he a qua r i um i s doi ng m uc h be t t e r S a m e t hi ng ha ppe ne d w i t h C e nt r o Y b or B ui l d t hi s bi g pr oj e c t t he c i t y unde r w r i t e s i t a nd t he b i l l c om e s due a nd t hi s m a yor c a m e i n a nd I 'm not s a yi ng t hi s i s ne c e s s a r i l y ba d, be c a us e t he P e r f or m i ng A r t s C e nt e r w a s c e r t a i nl y one o f t hos e c a s e s I n w hi c h, f o r w e s t i l l pa y a pr e t t y good bi l l t o m a ke t ha t bui l di ng, t o ha ve t he m t he r e A nd f or f i ve ye a r s o r s o, t he y r e a l l y s t r uggl e d. T he y w e r e i n t he r e d i n t he i r ope r a t i ng i n a bi g w a y, a nd S B : T he P e r f P W : T a m pa B a y P e r f or m i ng A r t s C e nt e r S B : R i ght P W : S o, but w e w e r e pr ove n s m a r t t o ha ve done i t S o t hi s m a yor c om e s i nt o of f i c e w i t h a l ot of bi l l s c om i ng due F or c ul t ur a l a nd t he s e t yp e s of f a c i l i t i e s A nd s he 's a ve r y pr a gm a t i c w om a n w ho l ooks a t t he bo t t om l i ne A nd s he doe s not w a nt t o be one w ho l e a ve s a l e ga c y t o he r s uc c e s s or of H e y you f i gu r e out how t o S B : O f de bt P W : S ol ve t hi s pr obl e m S B : Y e a h. P W : A nd I t hi nk s he w a s ge nui ne l y c onc e r ne d w h e n you l ook a t t he c i t y w a s c om m i t t i ng t hi s m uc h t o t he m us e um a bout a m i l l i on buc ks a ye a r A s i de f r om w ha t w e w e r e goi ng t o gi ve t he m t o bui l d i t a nd t hi ngs l i ke t ha t A nd t h e budge t w a s goi ng t o t r i pl e t o upgr a de t he m u s e um S B : Y i ke s P W : A nd w he n you r e a l l y l ook a t i t i n r e a l i t y w i l l t he r e be t r i p l e t he a m ount of pe opl e pa yi ng t o c om e ? W i l l you ha ve g r ow n i t t ha t m uc h? M a ybe t he f i r s t ye a r but a f t e r pe opl e ha ve s e e n t he bui l di ng, w i l l i t f a l l ba c k? A nd I t hi n k s he w a s r e a l l y c onc e r ne d a nd s t a r t e d de m a ndi ng s om e ha r de r num be r s A nd r e a l l y s t a r t e d hol di ng s om e f e e t t o t he f i r e t ha t ha d not be e n ne c e s s a r i l y he l d t he r e be f o r e G r e c o. G r e a t guy, f r i e nd of m i ne w a s a he l i ke d t o s e e t hi ngs ha ppe n i n c onc r e t e L e t 's m a ke i t ha ppe n a nd t he n w e l l f i gu r e i t out f i gu r e i t out l a t e r A nd you ge t a l o t of t hi ngs done t ha t w a y. A nd he di d a l ot o f good t hi ngs B ut he a l s o ha d a l ot of b i l l s c om i ng due S o\n33 S B : W ho, w ho w a s s he de m a ndi ng of ? P W : W e l l I t hi nk t he t he m us e um boa r d a nd t he m us e um di r e c t or a nd j us t s or t of l e s s I s t hi s goi ng t o w or k? A r e w e S B : S ur e P W : C a n you r e a l l y c a n w e r e a l l y do t hi s ? B e c a us e no m a t t e r w ha t a nyone s a ys a bout gua r a nt e e s or pe opl e s i gni ng w i l l pl e dge s or t hi ngs W he n a l l i s s a i d a n d done t he c i t y's on t he hook. S B : A bs ol ut e l y. P W : A nd s o, s o S B : W e l l j us t hi s t or i c a l l y i t m i ght be good t o ke e p t hi s i n pe r s pe c t i ve W he r e do w e s t a nd r i ght now ? P W : W e l l S B : W i t h t he m us e um P W : I t hi nk S B : F r om t he c i t y's poi nt of vi e w P W : U l t i m a t e l y I t hi nk i t w a s not j us t t he m a yor 's c a ut i ons but t he ba nks ha d a l ot ha d que s t i ons A nd s o ul t i m a t e l y, e ve n t hough t he c i t y I t hi nk t he c i t y, i n t e r m s of t he c om m uni t y di d r e s pond i n l ot s of g r e a t pl e dge s A nd a l ot of m one y w a s pl e dge d t o t hi s pr oj e c t T ha t t he w hol e t hi ng s or t of f e l l dow n und e r t he w e i ght of i t A nd a t t he s a m e t i m e bui l di n g c os t s w e r e s kyr oc ke t i ng. W e w e r e i n t he m i ddl e of t hi s bubbl e of c ons t r uc t i on w he r e e ve r ybody, e ve r y pi e c e o f dr y w a l l w a s w or t h t r i pl e w ha t i t s h oul d be S o, s o ul t i m a t e l y t he ba nks di dn' t gua r a nt e e t he l oa n a s a nd t he l oa n di dn't ha ppe n. T ha t pr oj e c t s t oppe d. E ve r yone 's l ooki ng a r ound f or a ne w p l a c e t he m a yo r s ugge s t e d one di dn't l i ke pe opl e di dn't l i ke i t W e t r i e d a not he r t ha t w a s t i m i ng w a s w r ong a nd t he m one y w a s w r ong. A nd now i t 's e n de d up i n w ha t s e e m s t o be t he boa r d ha s a ppr ove d, t he c i t y ha s a ppr ove d, t he y r e out s e a r c hi ng f or a n a r c hi t e c t i n w ha t w i l l be a be a ut i f ul s pot on on t he r i ve r i n w ha t 's goi ng t o be a m a gni f i c e nt ne w a r t s pa r k f o r l a c k of a be t t e r w a y t o de s c r i be i t I t w i l l be t he pl a c e w he r e t he or c he s t r a pl a ys i t s out door c onc e r t s w he r e w e 'l l ha ve f e s t i va l s S B : T ha t 's P W : A nd t he m us e um w i l l f r ont on t ha t S B : I t 's r i gh t a ga i ns t t he P oe G a r a ge\n34 P W : R i ght a ga i n s t t he P oe G a r a ge a nd ne xt t o t he c hi l dr e n's m us e um S o you'l l ha ve s om e hope f ul l y s om e s yne r gy i n t ha t A nd a nd I don't s e e a ny obs t a c l e s a he a d of us t he r e t he n. T he c i t y m one y pl e dge d t he m us e um b oa r d ha s s a i d, Y e s A nd t he y' r e goi ng t o bui l d i n a f e nc e S B : T ha t 's e xc i t i ng. P W : A nd w e 've got e nough m one y I t hi n k, t o ge t i t done S B : T ha t 's e xc i t i ng. P W : S o S B : D oe s t he c i t y ha ve pl a ns f or a c t i vi t i e s or a ny y ou know r e l a t e d f unc t i ons t o t o he l p t he m us e um ? H ow i s t he R i ve r w a l k c om i ng? A nd h ow doe s i t r e l a t e ? P W : W e l l I t h i nk t he p l a c e m e nt i s goi ng t o be i nc r e di bl e B e c a us e a s i t i s w he r e t he m us e um s i t s t oda y, w hi c h w i l l be gone w he n t hi s n e w t he y be c om e pa r t of t he pa r k I t 's be e n ki nd of on i t 's ow n I t 's be e n s or t o f i s ol a t e d t he r e S o t hi s ne w bui l d i ng w i l l be pa r t of your bi g e ve nt s pa r k t ha t w i l l be a m a gni f i c e nt R i ve r w a l k t ha t c onne c t s t he e nt i r e dow nt ow n w he r e pe opl e c a n j og a nd w a l k, a nd t he r e w i l l be publ i c a r t a l ong t he r e T he r e w i l l be j us t a c r os s t he e xpa ns e of t he pa r k w i l l be a bi g ope n a i r r e s t a ur a nt w i t h out doo r di ni ng a nd r i ve r f r ont di ni ng you'l l S B : I t 's e xc i t i ng. P W : B e c onne c t e d c l os e r t o t he P e r f o r m i ng A r t s C e nt e r W e 'r e c r e a t i ng s or t o f a c ul t ur a l hub t he r e A nd I t hi nk i t 's pr oba bl y t he be s t s ol ut i o n t ha t c oul d be r e a c he d f o r e ve r ybody S B : D o you, w ha t i s t he publ i c c ons e ns us ? W ha t w ha t [ doe s ] t he m a yo r 's of f i c e t hi nk a bout t hi s l a t e s t de c i s i on? P W : W e l l I i t s e e m s t o be S B : P os i t i ve ? P W : I t s e e m s t o be pos i t i ve A nd I t hi nk I don t t h i nk you ge t i n t r oubl e a s a n e l e c t e d of f i c i a l l ooki ng out f or t he publ i c dol l a r A nd I t h i nk i n t hi s c a s e i t c om e s t he r e a r e s om e c e r t a i nl y s om e pe opl e on t he boa r d w ho a r e ups e t w i t h how t hi ngs c a m e out B ut but a t t he bo t t om l i ne you w i l l e nd up w i t h I t hi nk a ne w m us e um a nd a g r e a t s pot a nd t he c i t y w on't be on t he hook f or qu i t e a s bi g a bi l l pot e nt i a l l y. A nd I t hi nk w oul d [ i t ] ha ve be e n ni c e t o ha ve ha d a m us e um ope ni ng l a t e r t hi s ye a r ? Y e a h. T ha t w oul d ha ve be e n gr e a t S B : S ur e\n35 P W : A nd I 'm s or r y t ha t t ha t yo u know t ha t w e l os t a di r e c t or W e br ought i n a ne w one I t 's be e n, i t 's not be e n a n e a s y t i m e A nd a s I s a y, I ve be e n, now i n r e t r os pe c t g r a t e f ul t ha t t ha t w a s not m y c ha r ge T ha t m y c ha r ge w a s e l s e w he r e S B : S ur e I t 's a n e xc i t i ng t i m e P W : Y e a h. S B : I t r e a l l y i s A nd you' r e r i ght i n t he m i ddl e of i t P W : I t 's be e n a n e xc i t i ng t i m e I t hi nk i t 's a n e xc i t i ng t i m e i n F l or i da A nd I r e a l l y t h i nk, c om i ng f r om C a l i f or ni a i t s how e d m e a l o t F l or i d a i s i n a I t hi nk, a bi g t r a ns i t i on A nd w e 'r e c a t c h i ng up i n a l ot of w a ys t o ot he r s t a t e s a nd, a nd w e 'r e ha ve be e n be c om e s uc h a pow e r hous e of a s t a t e i n m a ny w a ys S B : I n t e r m s of t he a r t s ? P W : I t hi nk f i na l l y i n t e r m s o f t he a r t s ye s S B : O ka y. P W : B ut i t 's you know i t 's be e n a S B : H ow I m e a n, I ha ve t o t ouc h upon t he T a m p a S t P e t e r s bur g pe r s pe c t i ve c onne c t i on. T he r e 's a l ot s a i d a bout how f a r a he a d S t P e t e r s bur g i s i n t e r m s o f de ve l opi ng t he a r t s Y e a r s a go, w ho w oul d ha ve t h ought T a m pa w a s pe r c e i ve d a s be i ng t ha t m uc h f u r t he r ? H ow how do you t hi nk pe opl e a r e pe r c e i vi ng t hi s ? P W : W e l l I t h i nk, I a l w a ys l ook a t t he s e t hi ngs a s e vol ut i ona r y i n a w a y a nd t ha t t hi ngs ha ppe n i n di f f e r e nt t i m e s i n d i f f e r e nt pl a c e s I m e a n, T a m pa ha d a pe r i od w he r e c l e a r l y, i t w a s s or t of t he c e nt e r of t he a r t s A nd i f you r e a l l y l ook a t i t obj e c t i ve l y t he r e 's s t i l l s o m uc h m or e t ha t ha ppe ns he r e W ha t m a ke s S t P e t e r s bur g s o w onde r f u l a nd I m a huge f a n a nd [ a m ] t he r e a l ot i s t ha t w ha t t he y ha ve i s i n s or t of a c om pa c t a r e a A nd s o w i t hi n a f e w m i l e s i n a ny di r e c t i on, you c a n hi t a l l o f t he i r a r t s r e s our c e s A nd t he r e 's a c e nt e r t he r e A nd i t w a s a r e s or t t ow n, a nd i t 's on t he w a t e r I t 's pr e t t y A nd one of our i s s ue s i n T a m pa 's a l w a ys be e n, w e 'r e a l m os t a l i t t l e w e 'r e not s o bi g, but w e 'r e t oo bi g. A nd s o t h i ngs a r e ki nd of s p r e a d out A nd bui l di ng a c r i t i c a l m a s s i n T a m pa ha s be e n m o r e di f f i c ul t A nd t he dow nt o w n ha s be e n s l ow t o de ve l op r e s i de nt i a l A nd S t P e t e r s bur g a l w a ys ha d r e s i de nt i a l i n t he i r dow nt ow n. E s pe c i a l l y a r ound t he pe r i phe r y of t he i r do w nt ow n. S B : I s t ha t one of t he t hi ngs R i c ha r d F l or i da t a l ke d a bout ? P W : ( N ods Y e s )\n36 S B : T he r e s i de nt i a l a s pe c t ? P W : Y e a h. A nd I t hi nk, you know I t hi nk w e w e w e nt w e 'r e i n a t r a ns i t i on f r o m f or t he f i r s t t i m e t he s t a t i s t i c s a r e s how i ng t ha t a m a j o r i t y of pe opl e pr e f e r a n ur ba n r e s i de nc e ove r t he s ubur b r e s i de nc e S B : F or t he f i r s t t i m e ? P W : F or t he f i r s t t i m e A nd t ha t 's l ooki ng a t t he bi g pi c t ur e I t 's l i ke ba by boom e r s r e t i r i ng, young p r of e s s i ona l s S B : T hi s i s ba s e d on s t udi e s ? P W : B a s e d on s t udi e s f r om t he hom e bui l de r s a nd t hos e f ol ks w ho a r e i n t ha t bus i ne s s S B : I nt e r e s t i ng. P W : T ha t 's you'r e not s e e i ng t he s e t hi ngs pop up be c a us e t he y t hi nk i t 's a good i de a T he y'r e s e e i ng i t pop up be c a us e t ha t 's w ha t t he m a r ke t i s l ooki ng f or A n d s o S B : H ow do s t udi e s r e f l e c t on t he a r t s ? A r e pe opl e a s ki ng t ha t t he a r t s be pa r t of t hi s dow nt ow n s c e ne ? W ha t c om e s f i r s t ? P W : I t hi nk t he c e nt e r s of c i t i e s ha ve a l w a ys be e n w he r e t he a r t s ne e d t o be t o bl os s om A nd t ha t 's s or t of w he r e pe opl e ne e d t o go I m e a n t ha t 's w hy S B : C ongr e ga t e P W : C i t i e s ne e d l ook a t N e w Y o r k C i t y, I m e a n, you know S B : A bs ol ut e l y. P W : S o m uc h t ha t ha ppe ns t he r e c oul d ha ppe n e l s e w he r e but t he a r t s a r e r e a l f oc us e d. I n s o m a ny c i t i e s t ha t 's w he r e you put your a r t s a nd your e nt e r t a i nm e nt s t uf f S o i s i t w ha t 's t he c hi c ke n or t he e gg? I m e a n, w e 've got t h e a r t s i n dow nt ow n I t 's now w e but w e 've ne e de d t he r e s i de nt i a l t o a c t ua l l y ha ve t he f o ot t r a f f i c t o m a ke i t f e e l l i ke a pl a c e A nd S B : W oul d you s a y t he r e 's a c om pr e he ns i ve pl a n i n pl a c e w i t h t hi s de ve l opm e nt ? O r i s one t hi ng de ve l opi ng ove r t he ot he r a nd t he ot he r ( i na udi bl e ) P W : W e l l you know w e 'r e i n a f r e e m a r ke t e c ono m y s o i t 's ve r y ha r d t o put a gi a nt pl a n i n pl a c e be c a us e t he de ve l ope r s a r e goi ng t o d o w ha t t he m a r ke t t e l l s t he m T he c i t y ha s s om e i nf l ue nc e t he r e but not a l ot I m e a n, you kn ow w e c a n t a l k a bout z oni ng a nd\n37 t hi ngs l i ke t ha t but dow nt ow n i s de ve l opi ng be c a u s e t he m a r ke t i s de m a ndi ng r e s i de nt i a l A nd hope f ul l y w e c ont i nue t o do t ha t f o r a w hi l e S B : D o you, how do you i n t e r a c t w i t h bus i ne s s ? W ha t i s your o f f i c i a l t i t l e ? P W : M y t i t l e i s C r e a t i ve I ndus t r i e s M a na ge r A n d I r e a l l y s e e m y r ol e a s i nt e r a c t i ng a l ot w i t h bus i ne s s a nd be i ng t he guy w ho r e pr e s e nt s t he a r t s a nd c r e a t i ve c om m uni t y but i s a bl e t o go t o t he s a m e m e e t i ng w i t h t he guys i n s ui t s a nd be t he s ui t t ha t r e p r e s e nt s a l l t he s e f ol ks w ho a r e n't w e a r i ng s ui t s ne c e s s a r i l y. S B : O ka y. P W : A nd, a nd w e 've done a l ot o f w or k w i t h t he C ha m be r of C om m e r c e T he y've be c om e bi g pa r t ne r s i n t hi ngs t ha t w e do a nd w e 'r e s e ndi ng now our a r t s pe opl e on t he i r t r a de m i s s i ons W e s e nt f our o f t he m t o M e xi c o S B : T e r r i f i c P W : A s pa r t o f a t r a de m i s s i on, a nd t he y S B : T ha t 's gr e a t P W : M a de a r t s c ont a c t s W e 'r e s e ndi ng t w o t o B r a z i l m a ybe m o r e S B : E xc i t i ng P W : A nd s o t he y'r e s e e i ng us now a s how t ha t he l ps t he m A nd e s pe c i a l l y w i t h L a t i n A m e r i c a n t r a de t he a r t s a nd c ul t ur e a r e a bi g pa r t of ge t t i ng t o know e a c h ot he r A m e r i c a ns w a nt t o go dow n a nd s a y, L e t 's do bus i ne s s W e l l t he y w a nt you t o r e s pe c t t he i r c ul t ur e a nd unde r s t a nd a nd c e l e br a t e i t A nd s o w e 'r e he l pi ng t he m w i t h t ha t S B : W ha t t ype of e c onom i c i m pa c t w oul d you s a y t he a r t s a r e m a ki ng on t ha t ba s i s ? P W : W e l l t ha t 's one of t he m e s s a ge s t ha t w e 'r e t r y i ng t o ge t out be c a us e w e 've ha d a r e put a t i on, qui t e j us t i f i a bl y of be i ng s or t of a s por t s pl a c e A nd F l o r i da pe opl e c om e t o F l or i da be c a us e t he y w a nt out doo r a c t i vi t i e s T he y c om e f or t hi s be a ut i f ul w a t e r f r ont A nd w e 've de ve l ope d pr of e s s i ona l s por t s t e a m s a n d t he y've r e a l l y pu t us on t he m a p. B ut w ha t pe opl e don't a l s o t he dr u m w e t r y t o be a t i s t o s a y, L ook a t t he r e a l nu m be r s T he r e a r e m or e pe opl e [ t ha t ] pa i d m one y t o s i t do w n a t T he T a m pa B a y P e r f or m i ng A r t s C e nt e r l a s t ye a r t ha n pa i d m one y t o s i t d ow n i n R a ym ond J a m e s S t a di um S B : W ow P W : A nd R a ym ond J a m e s i s a bi g pl a c e S B : S ur e i s\n38 P W : A nd w e s or t of ha ng our ha t on t ha t W e l l pe opl e pa y bi g m one y t o go t o t he P e r f or m i ng A r t s C e nt e r a s w e l l A nd t ha t doe s n't c ount t he pe opl e w ho w e nt t o R ut h E c ke r d a nd w ho w e nt t o t he M a ha f f e y, a nd t he pe o pl e w ho w e nt t o c onc e r t s a nd s how s a nd S B : A l l t he ot he r e ve nt s P W : T he a t r e A nd o t he r pl a c e s T he bus i ne s s c om m uni t y f o r t he a r t s e ve r y f i ve ye a r s doe s a s ur ve y, a nd, a nd i t 's a huge you know I t hi nk t he num be r i s i n you know t he 500 m i l l i on dol l a r s i m pa c t e ve r y ye a r of t he a r t s S B : I nc r e di bl e P W : A nd j obs S o T ape 3, s i de 1 e nds ; s i de 2 be gi ns P W : B e c a us e t ha t 's S B : T hi s i s you r e xpe r t i s e P W : T hi s i s w ha t w e 've r e a l l y be e n w or ki ng on a n d i t 's i t 's k i nd of be e n qui e t be hi nd t he s c e ne s w or k t o r e a l l y w i n pe opl e ove r T o kno w I m e a n, i f you l ooke d a t a pl a c e w ha t C hi c a go ha s done a nd w ha t N e w Y or k ha s d one i n t e r m s o f w hy do pe opl e go t o vi s i t t he r e ? T he y go t he r e f or a r t s a nd c ul t ur e T he y g o t he r e f or t o s e e t hi s i nt e r e s t i ng pl a c e be c a us e t he y know t he y c a n. T he r e w i l l be m us i c i n t he pa r k T he r e w i l l be t h i s gr e a t you know t hi ng t ha t C hi c a go bui l t M i l l e nni um P a r k, a nd i t 's pr ogr a m m e d e ve r y ni ght of t he s um m e r I t s i nc r e di bl e S B : O h m y. P W : A nd t he y ha ve t ur ne d c ul t u r a l t ou r i s m i nt o t hi s huge e c onom i c e ngi ne A nd w e s pe nt a l l s or t s of e f f or t t o ge t a S upe r B ow l [ A ] gr e a t t hi ng! I 'm f or i t W e s pe nt a l l t hi s e f f or t t o ge t l i ke a bi g s por t s ga m e dow n he r e B i g s por t s ga m e f ol ks c om e i n, t he y s e e t he ga m e t he y s pe nd s om e m one y, o f f t he y go. B u t i f you'r e i n C hi c a go or i n N e w Y o r k or i n A us t i n T e xa s or s om e pl a c e t ha t 's know n f o r c ul t ur e pe opl e c om e e ve r y da y, a l l ye a r l ong. T he y s t a y. T he y s pe nd m one y. I t 's a l i t t l e qui e t e r be c a us e you don't s e e t he m c om i ng i n f o r t he bi g ga m e a nd t he c ol o r s B ut w e a r e r e a l l y w or k i ng ha r d t o e s t a bl i s h T a m pa a s a c ul t ur a l t our i s m de s t i na t i on W e 've got w a t e r ; w e 've got s por t s ; a nd w e 've got a r t s A nd w e 've a c t ua l l y c onvi nc e d t he t our i s t de ve l opm e nt f ol ks t o gi ve us 50 000 dol l a r s t hi s ye a r A nd l a s t ye a r w e r a i s e d a bout a n ot he r 50, 000 A nd w e 've w or ke d, l a unc he d a c a m pa i gn t o ge t pe opl e t o c om e he r e f o r t he c ul t u r e no t j us t f or S B : T ha t 's good.\n39 P W : A s por t s ga m e S B : A l ot of pe opl e don't know P W : Y e a h. W e l l I m e a n w e 'r e of f e r i ng w e a t he r a nd c ul t ur e S B : W ha t 's he r e P W : S o w e 've got [ a n] e ve n be t t e r c om bi na t i on. S B : W e 've got i t a l l P W : S o, s o w e 've be c om e pa r t ne r s w i t h t he t our i s m s i de w e 've be c om e pa r t ne r s w i t h t he e c onom i c de ve l opm e nt s i de A l l of ou r i ni t i a t i ve s w e 'r e doi ng a bi g L a t i n A m e r i c a n A r t s F e s t i va l e ve r y t w o ye a r s a nd i t 's be c om i ng S B : I t 's e xc i t i ng. P W : H uge A nd but w e 'r e ha vi ng i t a r ound a L a t i n A m e r i c a n T r a de C onve nt i on t ha t 's he r e W e 'r e goi ng t o be br i ngi ng i n L a t i n A m e r i c a n di gni t a r i e s a nd p r e s i de nt s a nd t r a di ng pe opl e s o S B : W he n i s t hi s ? P W : T hi s i s N ove m be r of 2007. S B : O ka y. P W : A nd s o you'r e you t a ke w ha t w oul d ha ve be e n a n i nt e r e s t i ng a r t s e ve nt but you m a ke i t a ne xus f o r t r a de a ne xus f or bus i ne s s a b a c k dr op i n w hi c h pe opl e c a n go M y gos h, l ook a t t hi s c i t y S B : T ha t 's e xc i t i ng. P W : Y ou know a nd pe opl e i n S out h A m e r i c a a nd L a t i n A m e r i c a c a n l ook a nd s a y, W e l l T a m pa t he y've go t t hi s t h i ng goi ng on a nd w e 'r e t r a di ng w i t h t he m W e 'r e us i ng t he i r por t W e 'r e goi ng ba c k a nd f or t h S B : T ha t 's ve r y e xc i t i ng. P W : S o t ha t 's t he t ype W he n I a l ot o f s t uf f w e d o, w e t r y t o ha ve t hos e e c onom i c de ve l opm e nt e l e m e nt s i n t hos e S B : T e l l us a bout s om e of t he a r t s a c t i vi t i e s you c a r e a bout Y ou c a r e a bout a nd, e xc us e m e s om e you've be e n r e s pons i bl e f or ove r t he ye a r s t ha t a r e s t i l l a r ound S om e a r e n't W ha t w ha t 's ha ppe ni ng a r t s w i s e ?\n40 P W : G os h t ha t 's a bi g one W he n I got i nvol ve d i n t he e i ght i e s be c a us e I w a s a l w a ys a m us i c i a n; a nd t he r e w a s a a s m a l l but s or t o f vi t a l i nt e r e s t i ng a r t s c om m uni t y be t w e e n U S F a nd s or t of Y bor C i t y. A l ot of a r t i s t s ha d di s c ove r e d a nd m ove d t o Y bor C i t y A nd s o be t w e e n t he gr e a t pr o f e s s or s a t U S F a nd gr a phi c s t udi o a nd, t hi s t hi s s or t of s om e a l ot of t he m gr a dua t e s f r om U S F w ho e nde d up i n c he a p s t udi o s pa c e i n t he ol d hi s t or i c di s t r i c t T he r e w a s a r e a l m om e nt i n t i m e w he r e t h e r e w a s s or t of a bi r t h of a n a r t s c om m uni t y t ha t ha dn't e xi s t e d. S B : T hi s w a s t he e i ght i e s ? P W : T hi s w oul d be l i ke '79 '80, a nd i n t h r ough t he 1980s A nd t he gr ound z e r o w a s m os t l y Y bor C i t y W hi c h w a s a t t ha t poi nt e m pt y I m e a n, e m pt y. P e opl e l ook ba c k a nd i t ha s n't be e n t ha t l ong B ut you know I w a s w e w e r e dow n t he r e A nd you c oul d, you know l ook dow n t he s t r e e t on a S a t ur da y n i ght a n d not s e e a nybody. S B : W ha t 's t he r e now ? P W : N ow i t 's a b i g e nt e r t a i nm e nt a nd r e s t a ur a nt d i s t r i c t A nd i t 's you know 25 or 30 000 pe opl e dow n t he r e S B : I nc r e di bl e P W : W e 'r e t hi s w e e ke nd, t hi s i s i n O c t obe r of 20 06, w e 'r e r e vi vi ng f or one ni ght onl y t hi s A r t i s t s a nd W r i t e r s B a l l t ha t w e 've c r e a t e d i n Y bor C i t y i n 1979, t ha t be c a m e a phe nom e non a nd l a s t e d 13 ye a r s a nd r e a l l y s how c a s e d t he hi s t or i c di s t r i c t f or t he f i r s t t i m e a s a n a r t s a nd e nt e r t a i nm e nt pl a c e S B : Y ou've m e nt i one d t ha t be f or e a nd you ga ve a num be r W ha t you a nt i c i pa t e d r a w i ng t hi s ye a r ? P W : W e l l t hi s ye a r a c t ua l l y w e 'r e pul l i ng, w e 'r e a c t ua l l y t r yi ng not t o dr a w t he num be r S B : O h, O ka y P W : I t 's goi ng t o be 400 t i c ke t s onl y S B : O h? P W : A nd i n pa s t ye a r s i t w a s t hi s g i a nt m ons t r os i t y. T w o a nd t h r e e t hous a nd pe opl e i n e ve r y c or ne r a nd you know i t j us t be c a m e t hi s gi a nt t hi ng. S B : R e a l bi g. P W : T hi s one i s w e 'r e t r yi ng t o s or t of r e c r e a t e t he f e e l i ng o f i t but not not ha ve t o do m a ke i t qui t e t he m ount a i n A nd I don't e ve n i t 's m or e of a n a c know l e dge m e nt of w ha t\n41 a gr e a t t hi ng i t w a s r a t he r t ha n t r y i ng t o s t a r t i t a l l ove r a ga i n. I t 's one o f t hos e t hi ngs [ t ha t ] w he n w e f i ni s he d i t a f t e r t w e l ve ye a r s I ne v e r w a nt e d t o do i t a ga i n i n m y l i f e S B : ( l a ughs ) P W : B u t i t w a s a n i nc r e di bl e a r t s e xpe r i e nc e A r t i s t s c r e a t e d e nvi r onm e nt s i n t he s e ol d c l ubs i n Y bor C i t y I booke d a l l t he be s t i nt e r e s t i n g m us i c f r om bi g ba nd t o punk t o you know w hoe ve r w a s t he m os t i nt e r e s t i ng f ol ks A nd s o i t w a s a n e xpe r i e nc e t ha t you c a m e i nt o. A nd e a c h one w a s a di f f e r e nt t he m e a n d, i t w a s ba s e d on s or t o f t he o l d V e ne t i a n B a l l s a nd i t w a s a l i t t l e bi t of a s a t i r e o n G a s pa r i l l a w hi c h you know w e ha d a c or ona t i on, a nd a ki ng a nd que e n, a nd t he y w e r e a l w a ys a r t i s t s a nd i t w a s ve r y c a m py a nd f un. B ut i t w a s a w a y I n F l o r i da I t h i nk, a nd i s one o f t he t hi ngs i s w e d on't ha ve a n a r t s c ul t u r e a hi s t or y of a n a r t s c ul t ur e Y ou dr a w pe opl e t o t he a r t s t hr ough e ve nt s m o r e t ha n t hr ough, O h, I ha ve t o go t o t hi s ga l l e r y a nd s e e t hi s ne w s h ow I t doe s n't ha ppe n qui t e s o m uc h l i ke t ha t he r e Y ou b r i ng pe opl e t o t he a r t s t h r ough e ve nt s a nd t hr ough pa r t i e s a nd t hi ngs a nd you gi ve t he m t he a r t s a nd t he y ge t i t a nd t he y go, W ow t hi s i s s o c ool B ut t ha t 's how you ge t t he m out S B : I t 's ha ppe ne d a t a n e ve nt B ut w e do ha ve a r t g a l l e r i e s P W : O h, a bs ol ut e l y w e do. S B : N ow w e w e l l w ha t a r e s om e o f t he ga l l e r i e s t ha t ha ve be e n a r ound f o r a w hi l e ? P W : W e l l w e 've got a num be r of you know ga l l e r i e s c om e a nd go, a nd w e 've ha d you know e ve r y t i m e you t a l k i nt o i n t o t he a r t s c om m uni t y t he r e a r e pe opl e w ho w i l l m oa n a nd, O h, t hi s i s t he l ow e s t t i m e i t 's e ve r be e n, a nd how no one 's s uppor t i ng t he ga l l e r i e s A nd S B : B ut f or one t ha t goe s out one c om e s i n, ki nd o f t hi ng P W : I M i c ha e l M ur phy a t M G a l l e r y i n S out h T a m pa j us t ope ne d. H e 's now go t 10 000 s qua r e f e e t of a r t ga l l e r y s pa c e t ha t 's ve r y w e l l don e Y ou know ve r y hi gh e nd A nd I w oul d m a i nt a i n t ha t i n 1980 t he r e w a s not 10, 000 s qua r e f e e t of a r t ga l l e r y s pa c e i n t he e nt i r e c i t y. S B : S o, i t i s i m pr ovi ng P W : Y e a h. S B : A nd G r a phi c S t udi o s t i l l e xi s t s P W : G r a phi c S t ud i o. Y ou've t he uni ve r s i t y S B : T ha t 's a s e c r e t\n42 P W : T ha t 's a n i n t e r na t i ona l S B : I t 's w e l l know n i nt e r na t i ona l l y but pe opl e w h o l i ve i n T a m pa don't r e a l l y know C ou l d you e xpl a i n a l i t t l e bi t ? P W : W e l l ye a h, G r a phi c S t ud i o i s a t o s a y i t 's a pr i nt m a ki ng hous e i s not t o do i t j us t i c e B ut i t 's i t 's a r e s e a r c h a r m of U S F a nd t he a r t s A nd i t f oc us e s a r ound pr i nt m a ki ng a nd s pe c i a l p r oj e c t s l i ke t ha t a nd t he y ha ve br ought i n e ve r y bi g na m e a nd a l ot of na m e s t ha t you s houl d know bu t m a ybe you don't know i n t he a r t s f o r pr o j e c t s f or f or ye a r s S B : L i ke R a us c he nbe r g? P W : Y e a h. O h I i nt e r vi e w e d a l ot o f t he m w he n t h e y c a m e t o t ow n a s a j our na l i s t B e c a us e nobody e l s e kne w w ho t he y w e r e s o I w o ul d go out e ve n t hough I w a s n't a n a r t s w r i t e r a nd s i t w i t h P hi l l i p P e a r l s t e i n w hi l e he w a s you know S B : O h m y gos h P W : D oi ng a nude a nd j us t a m a z i ng s t uf f S B : V e r y w e l l know n a r t i s t P W : A nd i t 's r e a l l y i n a gr e a t S B : I n t he a r t w or l d. P W : I t 's pos i t i one d i t s e l f r e a l l y w e l l ; t he y ve done w onde r f ul s t uf f T he y'r e a bi g pa r t ne r i n t he L a t i n A m e r i c a n f e s t i va l B ut s o t he ga l l e r y bus i ne s s w i l l a l w a ys be a s t r ugg l e A nd I t hi nk w e pr oba bl y do ne e d t o hope f ul l y a s t he e c onom y c ont i nue s t o g r ow a nd m or e pe opl e c om e you bui l d a bi gge r c ol l e c t i ve ba s e A l ot o f our c ol l e c t or s w i l l go t o N e w Y or k a nd M i a m i t o buy S o w e 'r e s t i l l t r yi ng t o S B : W ha t i s your goa l ? I m e a n w ha t w ha t do you w a nt t o a c c om pl i s h P a ul i n t he ne a r f ut ur e ? P W : W ha t I w a nt t o do be c a us e t hi s a c i t y of f i c i a l a nd i n a c i t y c a n't c onvi nc e pe opl e t o go buy a r t T he y c a n't c onvi nc e pe opl e t ha t t hi s a r t i s be t t e r t ha n s om e t hi ng you go, a pos t e r you go buy I t 's not I c a n't ne c e s s a r i l y do t h a t B ut w ha t w e c a n do i s hope f ul l y c ha nge t he publ i c de ba t e a nd s a y, Y ou know t he a r t s a r e i m po r t a nt A nd unl e s s w he ne ve r w e do s om e t hi ng, s how you w ha t good a r t i s I m e a n, ou r L i gh t s on T a m pa pr oj e c t t ha t ou r publ i c a r t f ol ks di d T he y c om m i s s i one d i nc r e di bl e a r t i s t s f r om he r e a nd f r om a r ound t he w o r l d, a nd pe opl e got r e a l l y e xc i t e d a bout i t A nd t ha t 's a pr oj e c t t ha t 's uni que a r ound t he c ount r y. P e opl e a r e e m ul a t i ng i t now S o w ha t w e t r y t o do i s j us t s e t\n43 r e a l l y good e xa m pl e s c r e a t e t hi ngs t ha t a r e e xc i t i n g a nd t ha t s e t t he ba r h i ghe r I m e a n m y be i ng a guy w ho g r e w up i n F l o r i da F l or i da ha s f or ye a r s s ol d i t s e l f t o t he l ow e s t bi dde r A nd w e 've you know e xpl oi t e d t he be a ut y a nd w e 've done a l l t hos e t hi ngs t ha t w e s houl dn't do. A nd I t hi nk w e r e a t a poi nt w he r e w e ne e d t o s a y, E nough w i t h t ha t A nd w e ha ve i n m a ny pl a c e s I m e a n l ook a t t he P e r f or m i ng A r t s C e nt e r l ook a t t he A i r por t w e bui l t he r e W he n you do t hi ngs f i r s t c l a s s t he y a r e s uc c e s s f ul A nd s o m y t hi ng i s : l e t 's t r y t o do a s m uc h i n t he a r t s f i r s t c l a s s a s w e c a n a nd s e e w he r e S B : A nd you t hi nk t hi s w i l l dr a w pe opl e f r om a l l o ve r ? P W : I t hi nk s o. A nd I t hi nk i t w i l l i t w i l l F l or i da i s i t 's a s t a t e of i m m i gr a nt s W e 'r e a l l e s s e nt i a l l y i m m i gr a nt s a t one poi nt or a not he r i n t h i s s t a t e A nd w e w a nt t o, w e w a nt t o a t t r a c t br i ght t a l e nt e d i m m i gr a nt s f ol ks t o l i ve h e r e F r om a l l a r ound t he c ount r y a nd a r ound t he w or l d w ho c om e f o r t he w e a t he r w ho c om e f or t he oppor t uni t i e s t o w or k a nd w ho c om e be c a us e t he r e 's a gr e a t c ul t ur a l ba c kdr o p. A nd I t hi n k w e 'r e he a di ng t he r e I m e a n I m a y be S B : T ha t 's ni c e P W : I n a w he e l c ha i r w he n w e ge t i t r e a l l y done b ut you know w e 've got a l ot of t he m a l r e a dy he r e S B : I t h i nk t ha t 's gr e a t t o he a r T ha t 's e xc i t i ng. P W : W e l l t ha t 's S B : Y ou m a ke i t yo u m a ke i t s ound l i ke t hi s i s a g ood pl a c e t o l i ve P W : I you k now t o m e a nd I i t 's i nt e r e s t i ng, I w a s t a l ki ng t o a young a r t i s t t he ot he r da y w ho s a i d a l ot of hi s buddi e s w ho m ove d t o ot he r c i t e s a r e c om i ng ba c k. B e c a us e S B : W e l l t ha t 's ni c e t o he a r P W : Y ou go t o a c i t y l i ke L A w he r e I l i ve d, a nd y ou go t o N e w Y or k a nd you go t o s om e of t he s e c i t i e s t he r e a r e t hi ngs ha ppe ni ng b ut t he y'r e ki nd of done Y ou know you, you c a n f i nd a l i t t l e ni c he w he r e you go i nt o, but w ha t I l ove a bout T a m pa w ha t I 've a l w a ys be e n a bl e t o do i s you c a n ge t r i ght t o t he f r ont of t he l i ne a nd do s om e t hi ng! S B : Y ou c a n m a ke a di f f e r e nc e P W : Y ou c a n m a ke a huge di f f e r e nc e A nd I 've e nj oye d t ha t m or e t ha n be i ng s om e w he r e l i ke L A w hi c h I e nj oye d. B ut w he n I w a s t h e r e I f e l t l i ke I w a s e nj oyi ng t he di f f e r e nc e t ha t s om e body m a de f i f t y ye a r s a go or t w e nt y f i ve ye a r s a go. A nd he r e you c a n be pa r t of t he pa r t of i t S B : Y ou f e e l k i nd of l i ke a bi gge r f i s h i n a s m a l l e r pond.\n44 P W : W e l l a nd you'r e k i nd of a you'r e pi one e r i ng, a nd you'r e a bl e t o pe opl e a r e w e l c om i ng. O h, you w a nt t o do s om e t hi ng? Y e a h, c om e on i n! L e t 's l e t 's S B : I s n't t ha t g r e a t P W : A nd s o S B : T ha t 's ni c e t o he a r P W : T ha t 's be e n f un A nd I t hi nk, now t he w or l d i s s o w i r e d you c a n be i n a pl a c e l i ke T a m pa a nd be c onne c t e d t o t he l a r ge r w or l d t oo W i t h t he W e b a nd t he I nt e r ne t i t 's a di f f e r e nt w o r l d. S B : A bs ol ut e l y. P W : I t hi nk t ha n i t w a s be f o r e S B : T ot a l l y T ha t 's e xc i t i ng. P W : Y ou'r e not s o i s ol a t e d i n onc e pl a c e S B : W e l l I ki nd of w a nt t o ge t ba c k t o t he pe r s ona l s i de P a r t of t he s e i nt e r vi e w s i s t o ge t t o know you pe r s ona l l y, P a ul A nd but w hoe ve r i s l i s t e ni ng t o t hi s t a pe I 'd l i ke t he m t o know you! Y ou' r e a ve r y c ol or f u l guy P W : I 'm a f r a i d s o S B : A nd one o f your k i nd of i nt e r e s t s i s pe r f o r m i n g. W oul d you t e l l us a l i t t l e bi t a bout w ha t you'r e doi ng? P W : Y e a h I t hi nk, m y pa r e nt s ha ve n't qui t e f i gur e d out w he r e t he ge ne c a m e f r om but s om e how m y br ot he r a nd I bot h go t t he bu g a nd s o m e how got s om e t a l e nt I t hi nk he got e ve n a l i t t l e m o r e t ha n m e M y br ot he r s t udi e d m u s i c a nd w e nt on t o a c a r e e r i n N e w Y or k a s a B r oa dw a y s i nge r a nd s a ng i n B r oa dw a y r oa d s how s a nd now he 's a pr of e s s i ona l c hur c h s i nge r w ho t r a ve l s a r ound t he c ount r y. A nd ha s m a de s om e w onde r f ul C D s a nd ha s a voi c e t ha t w i l l j us t s e nd c hi l l s A nd, a nd I 've a l w a ys l ove d pe r f or m i ng S o e ve n t hough I ne ve r w a nt e d t o do i t f or a l i vi ng t he j our na l i s m a l w a ys t r e a t e d m e be t t e r a nd I di dn' t w a nt t o ha ve t o l i ve of f m y m us i c B ut i t 's be e n a g r e a t s i de l i ne f or m e S o I 've a l w a ys ha d, e i t he r done m us i c a l t he a t e r done ba nds I 've done you know r oc k ba nds da nc e ba nds f ol k ba nds f r om y ou know S B : W he n you s a y you've done t he m you pa r t i c i pa t e d or you ha d gr oups ? P W : I us ua l l y l e d t he m B e c a us e I ne ve r c ons i de r e d m ys e l f a good e nough m us i c i a n t o l i ke f ol l ow s om e o t he r guy I f I w a s l e a di ng t he m I c oul d t e l l pe opl e w ha t w e w e r e goi ng\n45 t o do, a nd w e c oul d do s om e t hi ng I kne w how t o d o. A nd I t hi n k I a l w a ys ha d t he pe r s ona l i t y t o be t ha t S B : Y our ol d gr oup w a s na m e d? P W : P a ul W i l bo r n a nd t he P op T a r t s A nd w e ha d gi r l s i nge r s w ho w e r e c a l l e d S t r a w be r r y a nd C he r r y, a nd w e w e r e I w r o t e f un ny s ongs a nd w e e ve nt ua l l y be c a m e s or t of a f un, j us t a w i l d da nc e ba nd t ha t pe opl e w o ul d c om e a nd ha ve s o m uc h f un be c a us e w e w e r e ha vi ng a l ot o f f un. A nd w e di d t ha t f or a bout t w e l ve ye a r s S B : W ow P W : S t a r t i ng e a r l y e i ght i e s s om e t i m e A nd, a nd t h e n I ha d a gr oup t ha t s or t of m or phe d f r om t ha t T he r e w a s be t t e r pl a ye r s e ve n, a nd i t be c a m e w a s c a l l e d t he B i g B a r B i l l s A nd t ha t w a s you know a l i t t l e m o r e S B : A nd how l ong di d you ? P W : F e w ye a r s f e w ye a r s B ut a t t ha t t i m e I w a s a c t ua l l y s or t of got t e n e xc i t e d t hi s w a s you know m i d ni ne t i e s m a ybe e a r l y ni ne t i e s I g ot e xc i t e d a bout I di s c ove r e d, a c t ua l l y, e a r l y on, I d i s c ov e r e d t he t hi r t i e s a nd t he t w e nt i e s W hi c h I c ons i de r t he he i ght o f A m e r i c a n m us i c I m not e ve n a b i g f a n of t he f o r t i e s I 'm a m uc h bi gge r f a n o f t he t w e nt i e s a nd t he t hi r t i e s T hi ngs go t a l i t t l e s c hm a l t z y by t he f or t i e s f o r m e G r e a t hot j a z z m us i c gr e a t s ong w r i t i ng, gr e a t i t w a s j us t w or ds a nd m us i c c a m e t oge t he r I t w a s one of t hos e pl a c e s w he r e w he r e I t hi nk w e a l r e a dy a r e l ooki ng ba c k but you l ook ba c k a nd go, T ha t w a s f o r A m e r i c a n m us i c a w a t e r s he d Y ou know a c oupl e of de c a de s be t w e e n t he t w o W or l d W a r s A nd s o I r e a l l y ha ve f oc us e d ha r d on t hos e de c a de s S B : T hi s i s now c ur r e nt your i nt e r e s t ? P W : W e l l a l s o f or t he l a s t pr oba bl y f or t he l a s t t e n ye a r s B ut c ur r e nt l y, I 'm r e a l l y a t i t a l ot m o r e t ha n e ve r be c a us e I 'm a c t ua l l y doi ng bi g s ho w s W e di d a s how W e 'r e doi ng a s e r i e s c a l l e d t he A m e r i c a n S ong B ooks S e r i e s a t t he P a l l a di um W e di d one S e pt e m be r 29 i t w a s a l l C ol e P o r t e r W e ha d ove r 300 pe opl e pa y bi g m one y t o he a r C ol e P or t e r s ongs S B : G r e a t P W : A nd w e do i t l i ke a ki nd of va r i e t y s how A nd I t e l l s t or i e s a bout t ha t pu t t he s ongs i n c ont e xt A nd i t 's goi ng ove r r e a l l y w e l l S o t ha t s m y pa s s i on. S B : A nd w ha t 's t he na m e o f you r ne w g r oup? P W : T he g r oup i s c a l l e d B l ue R os e s P a ul W i l bor n a nd t he B l ue R os e s\n46 S B : N ow doe s t he gr oup pe r f o r m o r i s i t j us t you p e r f or m i ng a t t he P a l l a di um ? P W : I t 's a t r i o. P l us I a l w a ys ha ve i nvi t e d gue s t s I a l w a ys f e l t l i ke you got t o ha ve s om e gi r l s i nge r s G ot t o ha ve be a ut i f ul gi r l s on s t a ge i t s a n i m por t a nt t hi ng. S B : O ka y. P W : S o w e w e i nvi t e E uge ni e U s ua l l y, s he a c t ua l l y doe s s om e pe r f or m i ng. B e c a us e s he 's a r e a l s he j us t knoc ks pe opl e out w he n s he ge t s on s t a ge S o, s o i t 's be e n, i t 's ki nd of a l i t t l e va r i e t y s how t ha t f oc us e s on one t he m e o r one c om pos e r A nd I 've done a s a j our na l i s t I j us t us e m y ol d j our na l i s m t hi ngs a nd d i d t ons of r e s e a r c h i nt o t he s ongs a nd t he s ongw r i t e r s A nd s o I t e l l s t or i e s A nd a l o t of pe opl e know t he s ong, but t he y don't know S B : T ha t 's e xc i t i ng. P W : A nyt hi ng a bout i t S B : T he s t or i e s P W : T he y don't know t he c ont e xt or t he y don't kn ow a nd I t e l l t r yi ng t o m a ke i t ve r y c ont e m por a r y, be c a us e a l l o f t he s e pe opl e w e r e yo u know go i ng out t he r e o r ha vi ng a gr e a t t i m e T he y w e r e l i vi ng t he i r l i ve s T he y w e r e you know m a ki ng l ove a nd doi ng l i f e S B : S ur e P W : A nd i t 's not t ha t m uc h di f f e r e nt t ha n now I t j us t ha d a be t t e r s oundt r a c k t ha n w e do now S B : ( l a ughs ) P W : S o ( l a ughs ) S B : W he r e do you f i nd t he t i m e P a ul ? P W : I s t e a l i t A nd a f t e r S B : S o, i s a l l you r t i m e t a ke n f o r t ha t ? P W : W e l l t he c i t y i s t he c i t y i s a pr e t t y de m a ndi ng j ob. S B : B ut I m e a nt i n t e r m s of a hobby P W : O h ye a h, I m e a n i t 's\n47 S B : T ha t 's t ha t 's you r m a i n f oc us P W : Y e a h. S B : A s a hobby. P W : Y e a h. I don't pl a y gol f I don't you know I g a r de n. I l i ke w o r ki ng i n t he ya r d a s s or t of a t he r a py B ut I don't ha ve a l ot of boy" hobbi e s S B : A nd t he r e a r e no c hi l d r e n. P W : I ha ve ne ve r ha d c hi l d r e n. A nd s o ye a h, i t g i v e s you a l i t t l e m or e f r e e t i m e a nd f l e xi bi l i t y. S B : S ur e P W : T o do t hi ngs A nd s o e s s e nt i a l l y you j us t s or t of gi ve up your ni ght s oc c a s i ona l l y. A nd a l ot o f m y ni ght s a r e s poke n f or a s w e l l w i t h m y j ob. B ut w e m a na ge t o f i nd t he t i m e I 'm onl y doi ng, you know t h r e e s how s pe r y e a r t he b i g t he a t r e s how s S o i t 's no t l i ke you'r e out e ve r y w e e k e nd pe r f or m i ng I c oul d n't do t ha t S B : Y ou'r e on a l ot of boa r ds P W : I s i t on a l ot o f boa r ds S B : A nd t ha t 's m a i nl y dur i ng t he da y? P W : Y e a h, but you know w he n you s i t on S B : W hi c h boa r ds ? P W : L i ke t he F l o r i da O r c he s t r a you ne e d t o go s e e t h e s how s S B : Y e a h, O ka y. P W : A nd I l ove t he or c he s t r a A nd I s i t on t he boa r d f or t he P e r f or m i ng A r t s C e nt e r s o I 'm t he r e a l ot f or t hi ngs I us e d t o w or k w i t h, s or t of G a s pa r i l l a A r t F e s t i va l T he I j us t w e nt of f t he P l a nt M us e um boa r d. T a m pa B a y B us i ne s s C om m i t t e e f or t he A r t s i t 's l i ke pa r t of a c ha i n. Y ou know t he r e 's t oo m a ny m e e t i ngs W a y t oo m a ny m e e t i ngs S B : A r e t hos e t he m a i n boa r ds t ha t you'r e on? P W : I t hi nk I m a y be l e a vi ng s om e out but r i ght n ow t hos e a r e t he m a i n boa r ds I 've s a t on ot he r s I e s s e nt i a l l y r e pr e s e nt a ny w e ha ve t o w he ne ve r t he c i t y gi ve s m one y w e gi ve a l ot o f m one y t o di f f e r e nt a r t s gr oups W e ha ve a r e pr e s e nt a t i ve s i t t i ng t he r e t o s or t of m a ke s ur e t ha t\n48 S B : S ur e P W : Y ou know w ha t 's goi ng on A nd t he boa r d i s a w a y t o do t ha t S B : S ur e P W : I a l s o s i t on t he A r t s C ounc i l A nd p r oba bl y a c oupl e ot he r t hi ngs t ha t I S B : D o you ge t i nvol ve d i n c ha r i t y w or k a t a l l ? P W : I do a nd I dona t e m y m us i c a l t i m e f or t ha t bu t I I r e a l l y ha ve ki nd o f l i m i t e d m y c ha r i t y w or k t o a r t s c ha r i t i e s S B : D o you ha ve f a vor i t e c ha r i t i e s ? P W : I k i nd of l ook t o s e e w ho, w ho m i gh t be w h o ne e ds t he he l p a t t hi s t i m e I m e a n S B : O ka y. P W : W ha t s or t o f got m e goi ng w a s w a s a f r i e nd of m i ne G uy K i ng w ho w a s on t he boa r d of t he P e r f or m i ng A r t s C e nt e r G r e a t guy A nd he a r ou nd t he t i m e be f o r e t he y f ound J udi L i s i a nd w he n t he c e nt e r w a s ki nd o f f l ounde r i ng, he s a i d, L i s t e n, w e ne e d t o ge t s om e pe opl e i nvol ve d i n t hi s t hi ng A nd he go t m e i nvol ve d a nd I s t a r t e d dona t i ng a l ot of t i m e a nd w oul d dona t e m us i c a l s e r vi c e s A n d I w e nt on a s P r e s i de nt of t he P r oduc e r s boa r d f or t he m A nd s o m y i nt e r e s t w a s t hi s i s s om e t hi ng t ha t 's a good t hi ng t ha t ne e ds s om e he l p r i ght now A nd you know I 'v e ha d f r i e nds w ho ha ve done t ha t w i t h t he or c he s t r a a nd I 've ha d f r i e nds w ho ha ve done i t w i t h ot he r t hi ngs A nd s o I ki nd of l ook t o s e e S B : W he r e t he ne e d [ i s ] P W : W ho I c a n m a ke di f f e r e nc e w i t h A nd one of t he t hi ngs w e 'r e m y i nt e r e s t now i s i n s om e of t he s m a l l e r a r t s or ga ni z a t i ons t ha t S B : L i ke ? P W : L i ke our t he a t r e c om pa ni e s S t a ge w or ks J obs i t e T he r e 's t w o or t hr e e o f t he m W ha t w e 've done a nd t hi s i s w e 'r e doi ng a c om m un i t y c ul t ur a l pl a n Y ou a s k a bout a pl a n w e 'r e a c t ua l l y a r e f i ni s hi ng up one r i ght now A nd one of t he t hi ngs w e 've di s c ove r e d i t 's w ha t w e a l r e a dy kne w but t he ha vi ng a n out s i de c ons ul t a nt t e l l you i t 's i t he l ps f oc us you. I s t ha t i f you r e a l l y l ook a t ou r a r t s a s a n e c os ys t e m w e 've got t he bi g pr e da t or s A nd t he y'r e doi ng pr e t t y w e l l e ve n t hou gh, you know i t 's s om e t i m e s a s t r uggl e Y ou've got t he F l o r i da O r c he s t r a Y ou've got t he P e r f or m i ng A r t s C e nt e r Y ou've got L ow r y P a r k Z oo Y ou've got M O S I Y ou've got s om e you know ve r y bi g\n49 pl a ye r s T a m pa M us e um e ve n w i t h i t s i s s ue s i s s t i l l a ve r y bi g pl a ye r t ha t 's no t i n a ny j e opa r dy. Y ou d r op dow n be l ow t ha t l e ve l a nd w e ve got a bi g ga p. S t P e t e r s bur g, one t hi ng I t hi nk pe opl e a r e pl e a s e d a bout i s t ha t t he r e i s s om e t hi ng t he y ha ve s om e f ol ks i n t ha t l e ve l F l o r i da C r a f t s a nd t he A r t s C e nt e r s om e t hi ngs l i ke t ha t t ha t a r e not a s m a ny e m pl oye e s a s a bi g. S o, I t hi nk w he r e w e 'r e l ooki ng t o go s t r a t e gi c a l l y i n t he ne xt f e w ye a r s a nd t hi s i s be t w e e n m ys e l f t he A r t s C ounc i l you know w e 'r e t r yi ng t o r e a l l y put a f oc us on t h i s i s H ow do w e he l p gr ow ou r s m a l l a nd m i d l e ve l a r t s or ga ni z a t i ons t o w he r e t he y c a n ha ve a n e m pl oye e ? O r f i ve e m pl oye e s ? H ow do t he y s us t a i n t ha t ? B e c a us e unt i l you do t ha t t hos e t hi ngs c om e a nd go a nd t he r e 's e ve r y ye a r i s a s t r uggl e a nd S B : H ow i m por t a nt a r e t he y t o t he gr ow t h of t he a r t s ? P W : I t hi nk t he y'r e i nc r e di bl y i m por t a nt S B : W hy? P W : B e c a us e be c a us e t he you l ook a t your bi g i n s t i t ut i ons A nd how m a ny f ol ks a r e goi ng t o, got t o be p r e t t y s pe c i a l i z e d t a l e nt t o be a t T he F l or i da O r c he s t r a T he P e r f or m i ng A r t s C e nt e r ha s a ni c h e but i s l oc a l i z e d. Y ou know i t 's t he r e 's a ve r y, you know i t 's r oa d s how s or p r of e s s i ona l e nt e r t a i ne r s Y ou ne e d t o ha ve a l e ve l w he r e pe opl e a r e a bl e t o b r e a k i n, a nd t he s e t hi ngs t ha t t ha t a r e how do you de s c r i be i t ? T he y' r e s or t of you know i t s l i ke a n e c o I t h i nk of i t a s a n e c os ys t e m Y ou ne e d t o ha ve t he bi g, t he m i ddl e t he s m a l l a nd i t 's i n ba l a nc e S B : A nd t he r e a r e va r yi ng t i c ke t p r i c e s I w oul d t h i nk. P W : V a r yi ng t i c ke t pr i c e s t he r e a r e t hi ngs a youn g t he a t r e c om pa ny m a y be doi ng t hi ngs l i ke J obs i t e w he r e i t i s doi ng t hi ngs t ha t de ve l ope d t hi s r e a l l y c ool young a udi e nc e T ha t t he y ki nd o f f e e l l i ke t he y' r e goi ng t o S a t ur da y N i ght L i ve or s om e t hi ng, but i t 's i t 's t he a t r e A nd t he y'r e r e a l l y a m bi t i ous a nd t he y'r e a nd t he y'r e do i n g s om e gr e a t s t uf f W e l l t ha t 's a ni c he t ha t w e ne e d t o f i l l A nd you know e ve r ybody a t t ha t t he a t r e c om pa ny ha s t o ha ve a da y j ob r i ght now W hi c h i s you know s o m a ybe i f t w o of t he m di dn t ha ve t o ha ve a da y j ob? I f t he i r da y j o b w a s t ha t t he a t r e ? H o w m uc h m or e c oul d t he y a c c om pl i s h? S o t ha t 's a n a r e a w he r e I t hi nk w e ne e d t o gr ow A nd I 'm r e a l i nt e r e s t e d i n t ha t M or e i nt e r e s t e d f r a nkl y t ha n I a m r i ght now i n s om e of t he bi gge r dogs W ho a r e gr e a t a nd I 'm you know l ove t he m B ut I t hi nk t he y'r e goi ng t o be oka y S B : W ha t P a ul w oul d you c ons i de r your g r e a t e s t a c hi e ve m e nt t hus f a r ? P ut t i ng you on t he s pot P W : W e l l I t h i nk, f or m e i f I r e a l l y l ook I w a s a ve r y good r e por t e r A nd I w on a l ot o f i m por t a nt a w a r ds a nd w a s na m e d F l o r i da J our na l i s t of t he Y e a r i n 1996 A nd I r e m e m be r w he n I got t ha t a w a r d. I 'd got t e n s om e o t he r na t i ona l t hi ngs but t hi s w a s l i ke t hi s t hi ng w he r e t he y j udge d you on t e n of your w or ks A nd you know t he e di t o r s of t he pa pe r s a r ound t he s t a t e pi c ke d. A nd you w e r e up a g a i ns t t he t op j ou r na l i s t A nd I\n50 r e m e m be r goi ng up t o m y r oom a nd ki nd o f l i ke c r i e d a f t e r I got t hi s t hi ng! B e c a us e i t w a s l i ke O ka y, I 've r e a c he d t hi s S B : T hi s l e ve l P W : T he r e w a s l i ke 20 ye a r s o f w or k S B : W ow P W : T ha t got a c know l e dge d t he r e A n d, a nd I r e a l l y t ook i t s e r i ous l y a nd w or ke d r e a l l y ha r d a t i t a nd t r i e d t o be t he be s t e ve r y da y t ha t I c oul d be a t t ha t j ob. A nd, a nd s o, I 'm ki nd of ha ppy now t ha t I m not i n i t a nym or e be c a us e I ha d a w onde r f ul c a r e e r I ha d a f e l l ow s hi p t o t he U ni ve r s i t y of M i c hi ga n. I 've w or ke d a l l ove r you know ha ve c ove r e d t hi ngs a r ound t he w o r l d. A nd di d a l ot of bi g s t or i e s a r ound t he c ount r y A nd s o I f e e l l i ke I 'm a t a ne w pha s e a nd a ne w c ha l l e nge B ut I l ook a t t ha t a s l i ke m y pr of e s s i ona l hi ghe s t a nd be s t pr of e s s i ona l s t uf f A nd S B : W oul d you, I m e a n, do you l i ke w r i t i ng be t t e r ? P W : W e l l I l ove w r i t i ng S B : B e t t e r t ha n pe r f or m i ng? P W : W e l l now I 'm ki nd o f i n a pha s e w he r e pe r f o r m i ng i s f un, but w ha t I 'm do i ng i s w r i t i ng t he s e s how s S o t he y'r e pe r f or m a nc e but t he y'r e a l l m y I w r i t e a w hol e s how t ha t goe s a l ong w i t h i t E ve r yt h i ng I s a y i n t he s how i s S B : S o you'r e w r i t i ng P W : S o I 'm w r i t i ng. S B : Y e a h. P W : A nd s o i t s or t o f b r i ngs t oge t he r t h os e t w o t hi ngs S B : T ha t 's gr e a t P W : A nd i t 's f un a nd i t 's you know i t 's pot e nt i a l l y s om e t hi ng I c a n do f or a l ong t i m e S B : W e l l P a ul I m e a n you'r e a n a m a z i ng pe r s on! Y ou r e a l l y a r e P W : ( l a ughs ) S B : I 've know n you f o r a l ong t i m e a nd i t i s a j oy t o know you\n51 P W : O h, t ha nk you. S B : A nd w e a r e s o bl e s s e d t o ha ve you i n t hi s a r e a W e r e a l l y a r e P e opl e w ho br ought you ba c k kne w w ha t t he y w e r e doi ng B e c a us e you ha ve you ha ve c ont r i but e d s o m uc h t o t hi s a r e a P W : W e l l i t s f un t o be ba c k. A nd you know I t hi n k a s w e t a l ke d a bout e a r l y on you know m y f a m i l y ha s be e n he r e f o r a l ong t i m e Y o u ge t t hi s t hi ngs t ha t dr i ve you c r a z y a bout t he c i t y a r e a l s o t hi ngs t ha t e nde a r i t t o you S B : S ur e P W : A nd you c a n poi nt a nd go, W e l l w hy i s t hi s a nd w hy i s t ha t ? B ut but I t hi nk t he r e i s t hi s pow e r f ul t h i ng of you know r oot s a nd c onne c t i on a nd w e c a n ha ve a f a m i l y r e uni on, a nd t ur n out ni ne t y I t a l i a ns A nd t he r e 's s om e t hi ng i n m y D N A t ha t s a ys O h you' r e s uppos e d t o be t he r e I don't know s o S B : T ha t 's gr e a t W e l l j us t pl e a s e s t a y. A nd I a ga i n I c a n't t ha nk you e nough f or t hi s t i m e I t 's j us t be e n a P W : S uc h a p l e a s ur e S B : A r e a l p l e a s ur e P W : I m gl a d s om e one c a r e s S B : P e opl e e nj oy ge t t i ng t o know you I a bs ol ut e l y ha ve P W : W e l l t ha nks s o m uc h. T hi s ha s be e n s o m uc h f un, a nd i t 's b e e n gr e a t s i t t i ng he r e a t t hi s be a ut i f ul hom e I 'm l ooki ng out a t t he T a m pa B a y! S B : O h t hi s i s m y of f i c e P W : I t 's gr e a t S B : T a ke c a r e a nd t ha nk you P a ul P W : T ha nk you E nd of I nt e r v i e w\nleader njm 2200421Ia 4500\ncontrolfield tag 001 028732213\n008 080318s2006 fluuunn d n eng d\nsubfield code a T31-00002\n1 sound file (56 min.) :\nPaul Wilborn, former manager of creative industries for the City of Tampa, discusses the city's art program. He begins the interview talking about growing up in Temple Terrace, Florida. He also discusses his college experience at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa; working on USF's student newspaper, the Oracle, and the campus magazine, the Omnibus; and his years after college working at the Tampa Tribune (1978 to 1991). Also included in the interview is a discussion of Graphicstudio at the University of South Florida, Tampa. Additionally, he discusses his love of music and life with his wife, actress Eugenie Bondurant.