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[biscuitcreek]

Thought you might be interested in this "one on one" interview with Pete Herschend and Hometown Daily Radio in Branson.  The link provides an article to read plus if you click on the buttons within the article you can hear parts of the interview.

http://www.hometowndailynews.com/8180/one_on_one_with_pete_herschend_sdc_cofounder_sits_down_for_indepth_interview.html

[biscuitcreek]

Here's the link to the entire audio interview:

http://soundcloud.com/earls-family-broadcasting/pete-herschend-one-on-one-with

[MissinTheGreenTrams]

Thanks B- I will have to listen to that tonight!!

[Ozark Outlaw]

Great interview! It is about 50 minutes in length, but it is definitely worth a listen. Here is a brief overview of the topics discussed.

Silver Dollar City a Favorite Place to Visit
Marvel Cave
Pete's Immediate Family
Holiday Traditions
Herschend Family
   Pete and Family Visiting the Park
   Herschend Grandchildren Working / Playing at the Park
   Herschend Grandchildren Learning History of the Park
Silver Dollar City's Core Values
Managing the Park in Tough Times
The Park Adapting, and Changing Over Time (For those who wish the park would never change)
Corporate Advertisement / Sponsorship
Appreciating the Authentic Attractions (Cabin, Homestead Pickers, Etc.)
Shad Heller / Peter Engler / John Corbin
Street Entertainers
Train Robbery
   Original Steam Engine
Rebounding in a Poor Economy
Successful Business Model
   Business A versus Business B
Pete's Lasting Impression in Branson
Charitable Giving

[Injun Joe]

Thanks for the link biscuitcreek! That was pretty awesome!  Chris should try and add the ducks operation at the foot of the Space Needle in Seattle to his own.

It was a great interview.  His analogy for the recovery of the economy gave me the chuckles:  Hey, Branson and the economy will rebound if the rappers don't take over.

And how could Monty leave Yakov out of his one namer Branson royalty list?

But seriously, a great man with a great family and a great vision.  I'm grateful for the chance to hear him speak.  I rank this right up there with a tv show I watched with lots of footage of Walt during the planning and building of WDW.

Absolutely worth a listen.  Thanks again biscuitcreek.

[Junior]

It was a good interview.
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So, Chris Herschend (Pete's son) will soon purchase outright the Ride the Ducks operation and operate it on his own? Interesting.
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I think it's kind of funny that both Jack and Pete seem to always refer to their parents in interviews as Hugo and Mary rather than dad and mom.
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I can tell that Jack and Pete are very proud of what they have done with their life's work and their families and charitable work. They are highly esteemed business people.
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I did like hearing the comments about how things must change. Pete did say no pay raises this  year because the bottom line does not support it. I noticed he choked and stumbled for a moment as he had announced that, sounds like he regretted that that is the way it is. Pete said change has to occur. He said you have to sometimes cut employment when times are tight. He didn't discuss why one attraction is cut and another is kept except when giving the analogy that in Battlefield Mall in Springfield some stores attract people, others don't. But this makes sense.
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Pete said that SDC, the beauty of the lakes and Ozarks region, and the overall entertainment establishments are the big draws in Branson. He did not mention retail...the shopping malls. Found that interesting.
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All in all, a great interview and I was glad to hear it! Thanks for posting.

[pintrader]

Yes, thanks a lot for the link Biscuitcreek!  Very interesting interview.  I thought it was great how he answered about himself skipping lines.  Just gives yourself that much more respect for the man.

[pintrader]

And how could Monty leave Yakov out of his one namer Branson royalty list?

I think the Herschends and Yakov have had at least one or two political disagreements over the years.

[Ozark Outlaw]

I thought it was interesting when he brought up about how Silver Dollar City wouldn't, and couldn't be the park that it is today, if Marvel Cave was even just a few cities away from the Branson area. The Sheppard of the Hills, and the rich heritage of the area is what help to springboard Marvel Cave into Silver Dollar City.

[Injun Joe]

I think the Herschends and Yakov have had at least one or two political disagreements over the years.

Ahhhh, yes, that would probably explain it.

I did like hearing the comments about how things must change. Pete did say no pay raises this  year because the bottom line does not support it. I noticed he choked and stumbled for a moment as he had announced that, sounds like he regretted that that is the way it is. Pete said change has to occur. He said you have to sometimes cut employment when times are tight. He didn't discuss why one attraction is cut and another is kept except when giving the analogy that in Battlefield Mall in Springfield some stores attract people, others don't. But this makes sense.
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Pete said that SDC, the beauty of the lakes and Ozarks region, and the overall entertainment establishments are the big draws in Branson. He did not mention retail...the shopping malls. Found that interesting.

The last time I remember hearing it, something like upwards of 80% of new startup businesses fail in the first year or two.  I'll never forget my sister sending a steak that wasn't cooked enough for her tastes back to the kitchen what must have been at least 3 times at Mutton Hollow. 

I could listen to Pete forever, basically.  I don't think we have much to worry about while Pete's around.