Breakfast with Carlos Santana

by Jonathan van Bilsen

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of meeting some fascinating people, but one encounter, in 2007, stands out as particularly memorable. It involved a legendary musician, a corporate event in San Diego, and a breakfast meeting that turned into an experience I would never forget.

At the time, I was organizing a major corporate function, in San Diego, California. The organizers wanted a headline entertainer, someone whose name alone would create excitement and make the evening truly special. My responsibility was to find the right performer, negotiate the arrangements and, hopefully, deliver an unforgettable experience for everyone attending.

After contacting several entertainment agents and exploring various possibilities, one name caught my attention: Carlos Santana. The internationally acclaimed guitarist, whose distinctive sound had captivated audiences for decades, seemed an ideal choice. His combination of Latin rhythms, rock, and blues, would certainly appeal to a diverse corporate audience.

There was, however, one rather significant obstacle. Mr. Santana's asking price was approximately twice the budget I had available. Nevertheless, I believed there might be an opportunity to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. After several conversations, a breakfast meeting was arranged with his manager and publicist.

I arrived, prepared to discuss the event, explain our expectations, and hopefully find some common ground. What I was not prepared for was, the unexpected arrival of Carlos Santana himself.

Suddenly, instead of simply negotiating with his representatives, I found myself sitting across the breakfast table from one of the most recognizable guitarists in the world. It was a remarkable surprise, and certainly made the meeting considerably more interesting.

We spent quite some time talking, and I found the experience thoroughly enjoyable. Despite our discussions, however, the financial gap proved too large to overcome. Carlos's fee remained beyond our available budget, and eventually we agreed an appearance would not be possible.

Before parting, we took a photograph together, providing a wonderful reminder of our meeting. I also decided to push my fortune a little further, and asked whether he might sing a few lines from one of his famous songs. Unfortunately, he politely declined, leaving me without either a performance or a private serenade. We parted on friendly terms, and I left feeling both fortunate and humbled. Sometimes the most memorable experiences are not the deals we complete, but the remarkable people we meet along the way.

Jonathan van Bilsen is a television host, award winning photographer, published author, columnist and keynote speaker. Follow his escapades at photosNtravel.com