Some horses asses on parade (and the Clydesdales, too)

April 12, 2007
By Billy Dennis

I received the following press release from the lovely Angie Walker, a fellow blogger whose day job is promotions director at JMP Media. It is as a favor to her that I run the following puff piece, rather than charge these guys big bucks for an ad:

For “The Markley & Luciano Show” size matters.

This Friday, 1470 WMBD-AM’s No. 1 drive-time radio program kicks off The World’s Smallest Parade. The fabulous procession, led by the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, will celebrate opening day for the Peoria Chiefs. And the public is invited to join the fun in this family-friendly promenade.

Forget about the old and lame likes of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Tournament of Roses. The new hotness is the World’s Smallest Parade.

After all, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog. As of Friday, those big parade dogs will be put to shame by a lowly Chihuahua — a dangerous, deadly Chihuahua known as “The Markley & Luciano Show World’s Smallest Parade.”

The shenanigans begin at 4:30 pm at Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 619 SW Water St. Friends of show can enjoy a root beer (or whatever) while “The Markley & Luciano Show” broadcasts its popular Cannonball Friday feature at Kelleher’s from 4:30 to 5:30pm. Giveaways include tickets for the opening-night Chief game, plus door prizes from Brewers Distributing, sponsor of the Clydesdales.

At 5:30pm; Markley & Luciano will lead participants on a grand march to O’Brien Field. Shortly before 6pm at Oak Street, just behind the Chief’s box office, the parade will begin a jaunt around the ballpark.

Leading the parade will be a hitch drawn by the majestic Budweiser Clydesdales. At the hind end (appropriately enough) will be Markley & Luciano, poised in a Pontiac Trans Am with t-tops. Between them will be other merry-makers, including a marching band. The public is invited to join the parade.

When the parade finishes its regal trek, Chiefs manager and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg will alight the hitch, joined by Peoria baseball icon Pete Vonachen. The hitch will then enter the field from the bleachers and take a solo jaunt around the grounds.

Don’t be left out. Help launch the Chiefs season with “The Markley & Luciano Show World’s Smallest Parade.”

My two cents: This is the homeowner for the Peoria Chiefs. Which is big. And Ryno is coming to Peoria to manage the Chiefs. Which is hugemongous. And then here comes these two publicity hogs glomming onto the excitement to promote their semi-entertaining show. Some people have no shame.

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7 Responses to “ Some horses asses on parade (and the Clydesdales, too) ”

  1. Cory on April 12, 2007 at 8:34 am

    There is a story behind why they’re doing this, and it has NOTHING to do with a publicity grab. Originally, it wasn’t even their idea. It was the idea of Sean, one of their regular listeners. The whole story from the beginning is on my site. When it comes down to it, it IS a bunch of buffoonery, but not a publicity grab. I don’t think a bunch of drunks walking down a sidewalk to a baseball game is ideal publicity, even for Markley and Luciano.

    • Billy Dennis on April 12, 2007 at 11:33 am

      OK … so it’s all in good fun.

      ;-)

  2. BJ Stone on April 12, 2007 at 11:30 am

    What are the Cardinals going to do about their Clydesdales going to a game involving a Cubs farm team? Blasphemy, I say!

  3. Billy Dennis on April 12, 2007 at 11:33 am

    Cardinals? Talk about some real horses’ asses …

  4. Cory on April 12, 2007 at 12:23 pm

    I will be happily chugging Miller Lite, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try for a free t-shirt. One can never have enough cheap white t-shirts.

  5. BJ Stone on April 12, 2007 at 12:39 pm

    Being a Cubs affiliate, they could have tried to get the Old Style Swayback Carnival Ponies to stop by. :)

  6. Cory on April 12, 2007 at 2:25 pm

    Mmmmm, Old Style. Reminds me of college.