While St. Louis may not be thought of in the same way as Hollywood or Broadway, the region has some deep roots in the entertainment industry, especially in the music world. The St. Louis Walk of Fame, along the sidewalks of the Loop area in University City, honors musicians and entertainers such as Scott Joplin, Miles Davis, Chuck Berry, David Sanborn, Ike and Tina Turner, Johnnie Johnson, Fontella Bass, Clark Terry, and Josephine Baker—to name just a few with notable St. Louis roots. In the last number of years, we can legitimately say St. Louis is reemerging as a focal point for the music and entertainment industry, thanks to the region’s hip-hop artists. Such distinctive, multi-platinum artists such as Nelly, Chingy and Ebony Eyez are all St. Louis natives. St. Louis Commerce Magazine examines the impact of the entertainment industry on St. Louis with an in-depth look at the entertainment and entrepreneurial savvy of Cedric the Entertainer and his long-time friend and manager Eric Rhone. Both grew up in St. Louis and the pair has been working together since attending Southeast Missouri State University. This month’s issue also covers the professional-services sector that supports the arts-and-entertainment industry in St. Louis. Read about a number of lawyers, accountants and talent agents that are playing an often unnoticed, yet vital role. Entertainment also played a role in the Loop’s revitalization through the entrepreneurial genius of Joe Edwards. Joe took his unique perspective on entertainment and turned it into one of the more successful urban real-estate stories in the nation. His developments include Blueberry Hill, The Tivoli Theatre, The Pin-Up Bowl and The Pageant Building, spanning a corridor from University City into the City of St. Louis. Keeping with the entertainment theme, Commerce Magazine presents a wonderful sampling of summer music events across the St. Louis region. The events follow in the tradition of such cultural institutions as the Saint Louis Zoo, Science Center and Art Museum, in that each event is free. It’s a great way to enjoy St. Louis in the summer. This month’s magazine also gives an update on the significant up tick of coverage that St. Louis has realized from the national media thanks to region’s branding effort. The efforts already have yielded positive coverage in such news outlets as: The New York Times, Dow Jones News Service, Reuters, NPR, Associated Press and USA Today, among others. And finally, this month’s Spotlight features one of the region’s more unique developers. Rich Sauget is the president of East County Enterprises, focused on economic development in the Metro East. Read how his professional baseball persona represents a striking parallel to the Kevin Costner famous character in the film, “Bull Durham.” We hope you enjoy reading this issue of St. Louis Commerce Magazine. As always, please send your comments and suggestions to us at dfleming@stlrcga.org. RICHARD C.D. FLEMING President and Chief Executive Officer St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association

July 2006 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cover Story: Eric Rhone and Cedric the Entertainer Jeffrey Michelman Joe Edwards Harrah’s - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.stlrcga.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.technologygateway.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Whitaker Music Festival Soulard Market Ruth’s Chris Steak House