GARY KELLY & THE SOUTHWEST WARRIORS BAND

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            The telephone was ringing as I arrived at my office early one morning.  On the line was Tonda Montague, Senior Director Communications Initiatives.  She got right to the point.  “Mike, we’re putting together a band to play some rock and roll.  Are you …?”

            “Count me in!” I interrupted, just before Tonda finished her question. 

            After all, she had me at “rock and roll!”  I love to play the guitar and am always up for playing among friends.  We talked for a few more minutes before I asked, “By the way, who else will play in the band?”

            Tonda answered, “Hmmm, let’s see.  Dallas Captain Colin Fite, Dallas Ramp Agent Shane Parker, Marketing Director of Product Development Chad Wadley, Provisioning Culture Ambassador Valerie Lagrone, and Customer Service Coordinator Harry Ehmann, and—uh, Gary.”

 

            Gary?  Gary Kelly?!?!?

            Of course, we all know he’s the Chairman, President, and CEO of Southwest Airlines, but he’s a musician too?

            Now that’s cool.

            “Okay then, we’ll need to rehearse,” I said as I tried to sound “cool.”

            Tonda agreed, “I suggest you all practice as much as you can.  After all, the band will be playing live in front of about three thousand People.” 

            Gulp.  (So much for me trying to sound cool!)

            As it turned out, Gary Kelly & The Southwest Warriors were scheduled to debut live at Nokia Theater!  This Dallas area venue is used to hosting major concerts like Stevie Wonder, Santana, Kelly Clarkson, Motley Crue, and the like.  Now, I’ve played my share of smoky bar rooms back in the day, but never played before a place that big!

            However, if Nokia is good enough for those acts, then I say it’s good enough for Gary Kelly & The Southwest Warriors!

            We assembled the band and held after work rehearsals for several weeks.  We even filmed an MTV-style video to promote our original rock song, “Kick Tail.”

            Then, on Monday, March 2 we reported for duty.  The room was a little bigger than I thought it would be and was a bit intimidating when we stood on the stage facing the thousands of seats.  However, we had our marching orders:  Rock the house—and rock the house we did!

We were a surprise to the crowd when the curtain went up.  Immediately, I was overcome with the bright concert lights, the thundering rhythm of the bass guitar and drums, the screaming guitars, and the vocals singing “Kick Tail.”  There were about three thousand of the coolest People around:  Southwest Airlines’ Employees and their families and friends screaming at the top of their lungs!

            I must confess that I felt like I died and went straight to a rock and roll fantasy camp!

            After our first song, we left the stage so Gary could deliver his annual Message to the Field detailing Southwest’s accomplishments and our upcoming challenges.  “The times are tough,” he told us.  Our Company is feeling the effects of our recessed economy like everyone else and no one knows when it will end or how things will turn out.  However, the most important mission of all Southwest Warriors is to protect our Employees by keeping our costs low and our Spirits high—and taking care of our Customers!

            After Gary finished his speech and took questions from the audience, he strapped on his guitar rejoined the band.  We played the classics, “Proud Mary,” “Takin’ Care of Business,” and “Hard to Handle.”  We had the time of our lives!

            At Southwest, we are Warriors!  The economy is struggling, but we are here for each other through the good times and the tough times.  We still take our jobs seriously, but not ourselves—with a little rock and roll added for good measure!

            Yes, the band will still be around so when you least expect us, you better expect us!  After all, we may ask to borrow your garage so we can practice for our next show! 

Since the gig, People have asked me, “What’s it like to play with Gary Kelly in a rock and roll band?”

            I just tell it like it is, “Gary is a Southwest Warrior—just like you and me.”

            Now that’s cool.