DEL MAR: Grandstand acts spell out their preferences in contracts

By RUTH MARVIN WEBSTER - Staff Writer | Tuesday, July 1, 2008 3:11 PM PDT ∞

DEL MAR ---- When pop and disco icons KC and the Sunshine Band take the Grandstand Stage at the San Diego County Fair on the Friday, chances are that gummy candies and Aleve will be waiting backstage for them.

That's because the band specifically demanded "either cinnamon bears, worms or Swedish fish" for its production staff and Aleve or Extra Strength Tylenol for the band in the deal it struck with the fairgrounds.

The demands were part of the band's "rider" ---- an addendum to the contract that performers negotiate with the 22nd District Agricultural Association, the agency that runs the San Diego County Fair.

The riders can provide a glimpse into the wants and whims of big-name acts.

When pop star Fergie performed at the fair June 27, she asked for healthy cereal, cottage cheese and freshly squeezed orange juice for herself ---- and Lucky Charms and Red Bull for her band.

The rider for Grand Funk Railroad showed a penchant for sugary breakfast cereals. The band demanded a variety pack of small cereal boxes that must specifically include Corn Pops and/or Sugar Smacks.

And Steel Pulse, an English reggae band, requested 30 new or freshly washed cotton towels (preferably white): 18 bath-size and 12 hand towels.

"Bar towels and wash cloths are not acceptable," the band's rider spells out, in all capital letters.

Steel Pulse also asked for an iron and ironing board, with the proviso that nothing be purchased from Wal-Mart or Sam's Club or "from any other Republican Party shills," though receipts from Costco, Target or "similar places that treat their employees like human beings" would be acceptable.

Becky Bartling, the fair's deputy general manager and concert booking agent, said she understands that some performers' requests may sound kind of strange, but that the point is to make the performers feel comfortable.

"These guys are out on the road every day, and they don't have the luxury that we do of just opening the refrigerator and eating what they want," Bartling said. "Our folks at Premier Catering really try to get them everything they can to make them feel at home."

Joan Osborne, the sexy soul singer who will perform at the fair July 5, put baby wipes and Purell Hand Sanitizer at the top of her dressing room wish list. Osborne travels with her nanny (and, presumably, her child).

In Osborne's rider, she also says she and her touring group would prefer organic food whenever possible, with absolutely no MSG.

"If we are not near any nice places to eat," states Osborne's rider, "then please provide a catered dinner for 10. We always look forward to creativity in choices for meal options such as meals from other ethnicities other than our own, but we also love home cookin' very much."

Two of this year's performers at the fair ---- Dwight Yoakam and Earth, Wind & Fire ---- stipulated that no plastic and paper products should be used to serve the catered food, just china and silverware.

The Guess Who, a popular Canadian band from the 1970s, requested that its dressing rooms be stocked with spring water ---- not reverse osmosis water ---- and that the sign on the room door be specifically labeled The Guess Who.

The fair does not always agree to the demands that are in a rider, officials said.

For instance, a number of performers put in requests for bottles of fine wine, beer or liquor. Those requests were crossed out of the riders, because the agricultural district's policy prohibits the district from providing items such as alcohol or tobacco.

Earth, Wind & Fire ---- which asked that the band be served only natural fruit juices and Boars Head brand luncheon meats and cheese ---- had attached an extensive wine list to its band rider. It lists a number of 1996 and 1997 vintages of bordeaux, shiraz and chardonnay.

BB King had requested a fifth of unopened Glenlivet Scotch.

Those requests were not granted.

In addition to backstage niceties, band riders also outline specifications on stage design, sound systems and lighting.

Contact staff writer Ruth Marvin Webster at (760) 901-4074 or rwebster@nctimes.com.