In the Spotlight Gregg Herning, The Peabody Little Rock

Photography by Nancy Nolan

Gregg

r e g g

Herning Herning

H e r n i n

The Peabody Little Rock

Little Rock's Living Room

General Manager Doubles as Front Man

Find Out Which Major Recording Artist CRISIS! Plans to Work With Next

(duck strategically placed) Out of towners might not understand what locals do about The Peabody Little Rock; it's not just a historically modern haven for weary travelers or the choice selection for numerous conventions and functions. The Peabody Little Rock, located in the heart of downtown, is an all-encompassing hotel destination that boasts 396 guests rooms and over 15 specialty suites. Visitors and area residents are equally accommodated by The Peabody Little Rock's Capriccio Grill® Italian Steakhouse when in search of breakfast, lunch or dinner. "Meet me at Mallard's? is a common phrase uttered by folks in the know from ages 21-70 when coordinating either a private or group gathering with friends. Steeped in deep political history, Mallard's Bar is the consummate location for downtown professionals to unwind after work and perhaps combine business and pleasure. The Peabody Little Rock certainly knows how to host a party. Summertime Rivertop Parties are only rivaled in dancing, celebration and general merry-making by its own New Year's Eve celebration, an event that has grown to be the largest such party in the state. Deemed the premier meeting and convention hotel in Arkansas, The Peabody Little Rock is a newly reconstructed and redecorated Four Diamond-rated hotel and Statehouse Convention Center. With such versatile and commodious meeting space, the hotel plays host venue to conferences, meetings and countless charitable fundraisers, dinners and functions. Certainly you've noticed The Lobby Bar fi lled with black-tied gliteratti teeming about before the swankiest nonprofi t fundraisers of the year? One of hotel General Manager Gregg Herning's goals when he began working at the hotel four years ago was that The Peabody Little Rock become the headquarters for any convention interested in the Little Rock area. Likewise, he strove to be hospitable to locals and visitors alike. In a recent phone interview, Gregg gratefully admitted that the hotel is "very honored to be the convention headquarters hotel in this city.? "But,? he added, "we are equally excited that the community has embraced The Peabody as a social living room, not just a convention hotel that happens to be in their town.? As Gregg runs the hotel during the day with enthusiastic vigor, it wasn't too surprising when he revealed he is also lead singer of the local dance band CRISIS!, a fi ve-man operation comprised of two other hotel employees. "Although I am the General Manager of the Peabody and the front man of our band, for me, it's not about that,? he remarked. "We are all doing this to have fun and relieve stress!? Gregg joked that while other area executives like to play golf or go boating, he can say that after two years of being in CRISIS!, he's never found a comparable way to relax. "All of the band members golf games have suffered tremendously, though? he laughed. "A lot of folks in my age bracket always think 'Wouldn't it be fun to be a rocker?' And I get to do it!? he exclaimed.? CRISIS! which plays 70s and 80s classic rock covers, like The Peabody, reaches multiple generations in its appeal and style. Entertaining those from 20-somethings to a much older crowd, and singing favorites like Brick House, Alright by Free and even some funk and country, Gregg leads the group as principal singer. Gregg enjoys the crowd reward from performing, especially when he can tell the songs "conjure up memories of where people were when they fi rst heard the songs we perform.? As his performance style is crowd-interactive and quite lively, he has been known to walk amongst throngs of dancing partygoers and sing to, and with, tables full of people. He can be found sneaking up on people, wireless microphone in hand, ensuring their involvement in the show. "Its funny to see what grown adults will do at a party, Gregg added. "We try to entertain the crowd, but they usually just entertain us.? CRISIS! plays at gigs around town, but have a very special performance on September 20th at the Clinton Presidential Center Lawn. The band will perform as the opening act for southern root rockers Little Feat at the March of Dimes Bikers for Babies fundraiser. Gregg is certainly invested in cultivating the hospitality culture of Little Rock and partnering with the Clinton Center and a local non-profi t is an ideal match. "We have a great relationship with the Clinton Center and support the mission of March of Dimes... and whenever CRI- SIS! is called upon to help out, we love to do that,? Gregg noted. The band has performed at charity and non-profi t fundraisers. "Any money we make off the band we use to pay off our Guitar Center bill!? 37 Inviting Arkansas

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