Nov. 8--When the Executive Inn Rivermont opened its doors on Oct. 14, 1977, it was hard to imagine that reality would outstrip the soaring dreams owner Bob Green and Owensboro officials had for the downtown hotel and convention center.

It wasn't long before the expansive 366-room facility with its star-attracting Showroom Lounge became Las Vegas on the Ohio River.

The hotel closed on June 9, 2008, after a stunning 31-year run and will become rubble after a 9 a.m. implosion today. Just like in its heyday, the Executive Inn, with its big green "E" atop the main tower, knew how to put on a show.

Bob Hope. Wayne Newton. Ray Charles. Waylon Jennings. Liza Minnelli. James Brown. Johnny Cash. Willie Nelson. Conway Twitty. Liberace. Clint Black. B.B. King. Randy Travis. Bill Cosby. Sammy Davis, Jr. ...

There's not enough room to list all the acts, the big names who crossed the threshold to stay for even just a night, or the accompanying memories of management, staff or guests. Suffice to say, the stories will last a lifetime.

"The first show was with Charlie Rich and Woody Woodberry," said Steve Chandler, the hotel's former entertainment director who moved to Nashville and remains in the music business. "This was something Owensboro had never seen before.

"It was unbelievable, and it became the main catalyst for tourism in the city."

Jan Kinsey worked at the Big E in a number of management positions for more than 20 years, from sales manager to assistant general manager. She helped land conventions that kept the hotel thriving and praised the hotel's eager-to-please staff for its service-minded dedication.

"It was a really fun place to work, because every day was a different situation, a different opportunity," Kinsey said. "You dealt with all aspects of business and entertainment.

"It was challenging, and hard work, and you'd be so tired you could hardly walk at the end of the night, but once you worked there, it got in your blood."

Owensboro's proximity to Nashville, with its abundance of country and western acts looking for a quick gig, helped the Big E build its reputation, although there were others who came because of an association with Green, such as comedian Red Skelton. The two were boyhood friends, and Skelton helped ring in the hotel's first new year with a Dec. 30 show.

Green's desire to get Frank Sinatra to perform here never came about, although Chandler said a contract had been signed for the music and movie icon to appear. Sinatra broke it to do a movie, Chandler said, and a future engagement never worked out. Brooks and Dunn was another hot-ticket group the Big E was unable to land.

Many of the artists who came through the city were up-and-coming acts who later struck gold, such as Toby Keith.

"He played here right before he catapulted to an arena-size act," Chandler said. "That was the advantage I had by being in the music industry. I'd know when an artist was going to make that big leap.

"Toby came here in the $30,000 range for two shows because I locked him in early. Soon after that, he was getting anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000.

"Keith Urban played the Executive Inn a couple of times before he skyrocketed. He had a No. 1 hit record, and that was the last time he played Owensboro."

Wayne Newton, Mr. Las Vegas himself, did shows at Green's Kentucky and Indiana hotels. Chandler called him one of the nicest stars he'd ever met.

"He was very humble and accommodating," Chandler said. "He'd go out of his way on his open dates to come to Owensboro.

"And he was good guy off-stage, too. He'd have his bodyguards with him, but if someone walked up and spoke to him, he'd take the time to speak with them."

Willie Nelson was as down-to-earth as he appeared to be. One night after a show in the hotel's Expo Center, he stood by his tour bus and met anyone who wanted to come by.

"People were lined up around the building to meet him," Chandler said. "We were up late that night telling stories."

The Oak Ridge Boys didn't mind walking through the audience to get to their show. The late Jerry Clower played the Big E regularly. He didn't have a limo or chauffeur but drove himself to Owensboro, did the show, pocketed his paycheck for about $6,000 and returned home.

Randy Travis and Brad Paisley were among some of the stars who occasionally used the local health clubs for workouts, or played a round of golf. They dressed down when they went into town and frequently went unnoticed, Chandler said.

In the early 1980s, Dolly Parton was scheduled to appear four nights in a row but left town suddenly after receiving a threatening phone call, Chandler said.

Chandler said the older artists were professional onstage but typically less-demanding off of it. They didn't have what he called "star-itis," or the expectation of special treatment. He said Motown acts like Little Richard and The Temptations were big on requesting perks in their contract, such as Cristal champagne. Others wanted certain food items like Gummy Bear candy, SnackWells, or beverages like a favorite brand of Scotch or imported beer.

Sammy Kershaw collected pictures of Bugs Bunny but never got one at the expense of the Executive Inn Rivermont, Chandler said.

"Mr. Green would go through the contracts and use a green 'X' to cross out the perks," Kinsey said.

Said Chandler, "REO Speedwagon wanted six cases of beer or something, but we didn't give it to them. Rock bands were like that, but we didn't want to send them on stage drunk. We didn't mind sending them a couple of bottles of wine after the show."

Singer Gary Morris complained about the chicken he ordered from room service one time, and later during his show, pulled a grill onstage and prepared chicken to his liking.

"We never had him back after that," Chandler said. "He thought he was somebody."

The Showroom Lounge seated a little more than 1,000 people during its peak years but was down to about 780 when it closed. The venue got good reviews from the artists because management did whatever it could to provide proper lighting and sound equipment.

"They looked at us as professionals," Chandler said. "We took pride in what we did.

"When that happens, word travels fast in the entertainment business. Artists liked coming here."

Not all the acts were Nashville-based, of course, so Chandler kept abreast of tour dates and worked out appearances when artists played Cincinnati, Indianapolis or Michigan, all relatively short hops to Owensboro.

"It still happens today when I say I'm from Owensboro, and people here (in Nashville) will say they'd been to a show at the Big E," Chandler said. "They know all about it. The Executive Inn put Owensboro on the map."

Rich Suwanski, 691-7315, rsuwanski@messenger-inquirer.com

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