The Cool Water Band

"When you're thirsty for real country music" Super Bowl XXXVIII Host Committee Media Party

By SHELBY HODGE Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle January 28,2004

Give them good food washed down with adult beverages, fill their need for a raucous good time and they will love you. Or so that was the hope Tuesday night when the Super Bowl Host Committee pulled out the stops for the media party at the Downtown Aquarium. "Tonight is about the media," said Chuck Watson, host committee chairman. "We want them to have a good time. We want them to never forget this." For several thousand members of the media, in town to cover the Super Bowl, it seemed to be working. Mickey Palmer, a freelance photographer from San Francisco who has covered every Super Bowl and attended every media party, was impressed. "This is the best. This is awesome. This is excellent."

"You guys always do a good job," he shouted above the din of partyers. "You did it 30 years ago and you're doing it again tonight." Close to 3,000 filled every square inch of the indoor spaces and spilled over into the chilly night air. Former Houston Oiler Ray Childress towered above the throngs. "This party sets the tone for the week," he said. "I think the good news is that (the Super Bowl) will come back in 2010 or so." Party guests crawled over the Aquarium with the enthusiasm of kids at a carnival.

While Yvonne Washington belted away jazz indoors and Cool Water pumped country on the plaza, guests did it all. They rode the shark train, glimpsed the skyline from atop the ferris wheel, took time for a few indiscreet kisses and mingled around the costumed mermaids. And they ate and drank with abandon.

The stuffed mushrooms went like hotcakes. The pasta bar was a hit. Lines to the shrimp and cold seafood buffet snaked through the main dining room. It was eat, drink and be merry all night long -- or at least until the outdoor fireworks signaled a close to the evening. "It's like electricity in the air," said Shawn Taylor, owner of Taco Bell franchises, of Sugar Land. "You can feel the excitement in town."

For the 3,000 media and guests at Tuesday night's Super Bowl XXXVIII Host Media Party at the Downtown Aquarium, the party menu included one ton of shrimp, 250 pounds of jumbo lump crabmeat, 3,000 pounds of crawfish, 2,000 pounds of quail, 100 pounds of short ribs, 300 pounds of filet mignon, 150 pounds of house-made pasta and, for a sweet treat, 5,000 Texas pralines.

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