Singing Hot Dog Vendor

[brianbor]

I was at the game tonight, and after buying dogs from the opera singing hot dog guy (Charley), he politely told us that he couldn't sing. I guess management is muting him for whatever reason. He was cool about it, but does anyone know what's up and why they're not letting him sing.

Brian
http://www.tigerblog.net

[holygoat]

Interseting. I personally find it annoying as hell, but it seems to have been rather successful. I don't know why they would want to stop a good thing.

[Ace]

I found his singing amusing. When I first heard him, it cracked me up, but it faded to amusement after a bit. It was one of those things that's cool about a ball park and the atmosphere, in this case Copa specifically. Kind of a trademark if you will. Maybe now that the team is decent, management doesn't want the vendors entertaining the fans and is leaving that to the players...as it should be. I'll miss hearing him on the radio...and the showdowns that always seemed to occur between him and some drunk guy who never failed to sit in the row behind me...no matter what lower section I sat in.

[OldTimey]

This is the greatest news I have ever heard. I hated when that guy sang.

[tiger337]

I hated him just watching it on TV.

[OldTimey]

He got on Sportscenter once so there was a grass roots campaign to get us all to love him. He was annoying. He also would come over and talk to you and not go away. This is not a "oh, who is the lowly hot dog vendor to talk to me" thing. I amnot liek that. He was extremely annoying and would not leave you alone.

[kpking3032]

on the video game MVP Baseball they have an imitation of the guy too!!!!

[NiteRider]

I liked the singing. I thought it was one of the cool things that Comerica could call its own. I guess no more though.

[Motor City Sonics]

Originally posted by OldTimey
This is the greatest news I have ever heard. I hated when that guy sang.

I concur

[Mattingly70]

Originally posted by OldTimey
He got on Sportscenter once so there was a grass roots campaign to get us all to love him. He was annoying. He also would come over and talk to you and not go away. This is not a "oh, who is the lowly hot dog vendor to talk to me" thing. I amnot liek that. He was extremely annoying and would not leave you alone.

Is he kind of like an early-30ish, balding, dude who you can tell has been in some trouble probably? I had season tix in 2000, and there was a beer vendor who was sketchy as all get out, but we hit it off for some reason and he would hook us up with by selling us more than the limit of beers. He'd just sell us the unopened cans and set them by our feet so no one could tell. We tipped him well and were never at a loss for drink. That was back when I drank a lot more than I do now. But he sounds like the guy you described a little.

[WMUDan]

Originally posted by Mattingly70
Is he kind of like an early-30ish, balding, dude who you can tell has been in some trouble probably? I had season tix in 2000, and there was a beer vendor who was sketchy as all get out, but we hit it off for some reason and he would hook us up with by selling us more than the limit of beers. He'd just sell us the unopened cans and set them by our feet so no one could tell. We tipped him well and were never at a loss for drink. That was back when I drank a lot more than I do now. But he sounds like the guy you described a little.

No.

[WMUDan]

Anyone thats got beef with Charley, has got beef with me. The guy is an All-Pro salesman in so many ways. The best part is that some people just don't get it.

[WMUDan]

M70 here is Charley and his Mom.

[eastside billee]

Wow - nice picture. Not enough lipstick though.

I think the guy adds a nice flair to Comerica Park.
Some people just don't have a sense of humor. I remember Charley when he worked at Tiger Stadium sans vocals.
He was the only hot dog vendor that carried relish, catsup and onions. The guy really cares about his job.

Somehow it doesn't surprise me that the Tigers would stop him from singing. They don't like anything outside the norm and anything that might be extra fun for the fans. I guess maybe it's something that Illitch can't charge for, so it's not usable.

[brianbor]

I'm with WMUDan. The guy is great. Personable, and I agree, he's a great salemen. hopefully they'll change their tune.

Brian
http://www.tigerblog.net

[davidsb]

Originally posted by eastside billee
Somehow it doesn't surprise me that the Tigers would stop him from singing. They don't like anything outside the norm and anything that might be extra fun for the fans.

It sounds more like a Jim Campbell move than DD.

Anyone remember the hot dog vendor at Tiger Stadium 20-25 years ago who use to holler "Hot dogs, plumpy, plumpy hot dogs".

[tiger337]

Originally posted by WMUDan
Anyone thats got beef with Charley, has got beef with me. The guy is an All-Pro salesman in so many ways. The best part is that some people just don't get it.

WMU Dan is the singing hotdog vendor !!!

[Dino]

Originally posted by kpking3032
on the video game MVP Baseball they have an imitation of the guy too!!!!

Does he sound like Tarzan in the game??

[TigerCap]

Originally posted by Dino
Does he sound like Tarzan in the game??

Yeah, that's what it sounds like on the radio. I've struck up a few conversations with him - real nice guy.

[OldTimey]

I have an excellent sense of humpr and like when vendors can add something to the game. What he "added" was an annoying sound and too much talking about stupid things.

[Shaggy Ry]

I could have sworn I heard him while watching the game on teevee this afternoon. Count me in the group who liked the guy - as long as he didn't linger in my section too long when I attended games. I think he added certain character to a ballpark that was really lacking it, despite the millions they paid to try to
manufacture character. The kid looked like he was having a good time and was happy with his job, which isn't something you could say about most of the staff at Comerica who seem to be there solely for the paycheck.

I'm betting a lot more people complained about the kid than said they enjoyed him though, so I understand their decision. Maybe I'll have to write a letter somewhere if he has infact been muted though. Maybe a compromise can be reached where he can sing during certain innings(like the 4-5-6)...

I miss the homeless guys selling peanuts in the brown paper bags for a buck outside Tiger Stadium, though I don't miss the forever overflowing through-styled urinals.

[The G Man]

Are you sure that isn't the hot dog opera dude with Loni Anderson?

[elvisontour]

If the problem arose from him singing in the same section all the time..with some season ticket holders.....

Just send him out the bleachers...

[WMUDan]

Originally posted by OldTimey
I have an excellent sense of humpr and like when vendors can add something to the game. What he "added" was an annoying sound and too much talking about stupid things.

"Talking about stupid things" --- I would bet all he's ever said to you is that you should buy a hotdog. Please tell me if I'm wrong.

[WMUDan]

Did you people that have a problem with Charley dislike 'The Brow'?

[WMUDan]

Originally posted by Shaggy Ry
I think he added certain character to a ballpark that was really lacking it, despite the millions they paid to try to manufacture character. The kid looked like he was having a good time and was happy with his job, which isn't something you could say about most of the staff at Comerica who seem to be there solely for the paycheck.

Bingo. If you sit in the sections where Charley works, have you ever seen the 250ish pound black guy with a beard that walks up and down the stairs never saying a word! Is that a better alterative OT?

[WMUDan]

I suggest everyone in this thread read ALL of this site:

http://peggyjostudio.com/charleys_bio.htm

Dude is special.

[tiger337]

Originally posted by WMUDan
Bingo. If you sit in the sections where Charley works, have you ever seen the 250ish pound black guy with a beard that walks up and down the stairs never saying a word! Is that a better alterative OT?

Nobody is saying the hotdog guy is a bad guy or lacks creativilty. He just makes an annoying sound. It's annoying just hearing him on TV. Sometimes I watch the game on TV and I can hear his voice the whole game. I'd hate be sitting in his section. I'd prefer the guy who just walks up and down saying nothing.

[Mattingly70]

He sounds like a great fella, I'm all about having fun, but his "singing" is loud and annoying, both on tv and at the game. He should develop a new gimmick that isn't as intrusive and irritating. Maybe he can dance, or dress up in a funny costume, or whistle, I don't know.

[BiggieG]

You guys have got attending a game down to a science. I don't attend maybe one or two games a year, and I for one love the sounds of the game, the smells, the vendors yelling, "Hotdogs! Get your hotdogs here!" It's all part of the experience.

This vendor that sings would certainly be an interesting experience, however I could understand if you were a season ticket holder how it could get old really fast.

Man, if I was a vendor, I'd make sure people knew I was there and offer fast service with a big ol' BiggieG smile. You need to separate yourself from the crowd but become part of the game and the overall experience as a vendor.

[Biff Mayhem]

I'm writing a letter to the Tigers in support of Charley. I like the schtick and I like him. I've talked with him a few brief times and he seems like a nice likeable kid. God forbid that someone might enjoy their job and do something at a baseball game that wasn't done back in the 1890's.

[Oblong]

I liked the singing too. Apparantly a lot of other people did too because he'd get cheers. I liked listening to a game on the radio or TV and hearing it in the backgroud. It's one of those quirky things that you identify with a stadium.

Maybe the fans should start doing it instead.

They made him stop because it drowned out the cool music for the players. You need less opera/organ and more hip hop.

[ToledoTigerFan]

If I liked the whole hip-hop scene, I'd be ashamed to admit that I liked something so dorky-sounding as "hip-hop". Say it to yourself about five times straight and you get the drift.

Weeeeeeeee, hit-hop. Hippity, hoppity, weeeeeeee!

How quaint.

[Jonesy]

I went to the game friday night and he informed us he was not aloud to sing anymore. Then he had the crowd sing for him. It was really funny. He seemed like a really nice guy. he did not work the game on Sat, but showed up half way through the game in a very nice suit and watched the rest of the game.

So My question is does he have other jobs for the team? Because everytime asked him what he was doing he replied "Hey someone around here has to work"

[WMUDan]

Originally posted by Jonesy
I went to the game friday night and he informed us he was not aloud to sing anymore. Then he had the crowd sing for him. It was really funny. He seemed like a really nice guy. he did not work the game on Sat, but showed up half way through the game in a very nice suit and watched the rest of the game.

So My question is does he have other jobs for the team? Because everytime asked him what he was doing he replied "Hey someone around here has to work"

Charles sells high end suits at tht Claymore shop in Birmingham.

[caseyo4]

That guy is such a jerk. I heard he was almost fired once before for using his "fame" to get into the press box and talk to Earnie Harwell. He also works at some mens store in Royal Oak and I've seen him trying to sell people suits while selling hot dogs. I think more than anything he's a pain in the ***, and his voice sucks, especially for opera.

What I do find entertaining about him in MVP Baseball 2004 is they actually have him sound more like a tarzan call rather than opera....serves him right.

[caseyo4]

Originally posted by WMUDan
Did you people that have a problem with Charley dislike 'The Brow'?

I'd have no problem with the dude if he bought season tickets and did his opera schtick singing like "go Tigers" or something. But he is paid to sell hot dogs and keep the spotlight on the game. I can imagine him being the stage type to try and steal the show from the lead actors.

[WMUDan]

My "FREE CHARLEY" campaign begins May 28 vs BALT. That game will be on UNP and I will continue until Charley is out from under the supression of the evil fun Nazis. I invite anyone to join my campaign.

[mattie]

Originally posted by WMUDan
"Talking about stupid things" --- I would bet all he's ever said to you is that you should buy a hotdog. Please tell me if I'm wrong.

he's also given people crap about eating nacho's, pizza, and anything else that someone was eating if it wasn't a hot dog. he also gives people grief if they ask for ketchup and not mustard!

[Mattingly70]

Originally posted by mattie
he also gives people grief if they ask for ketchup and not mustard!

this guy should be fired and banned from any ballpark. a dog needs ketchup.