This year marked a decade of working at Bonnaroo. What a triumph. And it couldn’t have been more special being there 7 months pregnant. People thought I was crazy for working it, but why in the world would I give up something so special to me as long as I was physically fit? And boy was I. First of all, the weather was the best in Bonnaroo history. I went on a run both Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. It was so funny. First of all, campers were coming into VIP while I was running by their RV’s. Their look of confusion was classic. And even better, colleagues on golf carts and in cars would drive along side of me and say, “Are you doing that on purpose? Do you need a ride?” When I told them I was exercising, they just shook their heads. Who exercises at Bonnaroo? Well when it’s 50-60 degrees and you’re trying to keep a regimented work out while pregnant…I DO!
My good buddy who works in the Ops department had a sensational idea that I took advantage of. I just ran with a back pack filled with my bathing suit, a towel, a change of clothes and I was set to jump in his pool when finished. It was such a climatic moment. Running at Bonnaroo then jumping in a pool. Really? Yup. Here was a WOO HOO moment.
Lots of new fun things pop up at the Roo each year. I love this sign and I love how we continue to confuse the hippies. For internal purposes, we call them main stage, second stage, tent 1, tent 2 and tent 3 because I don’t think we can keep it all straight either! But I loved the sign.
Ah, my recurring photo. This store is right across from my hotel in Manchester. Looks like they need a little work on the sign but glad they had enough letters to welcome us back home! Manchester really loves Bonnaroo and we appreciate their town tremendously.
Thursday hang with my boys in Orgone. I HOPE you have all seen them by now. Straight out of California, they drip with intense soul and blow me away every time I see them. Plus they are the nicest guys possible. I am not too busy on Thursday so I actually got to spend a lot of time with them. Plus I’m so pregnant that my usual “running around the Roo” was a bit tapered which was to their advantage.
If you’ve ever read one of my columns, you know I’m a sucker for sunsets. But I’m particularity enamored by Bonnaroo sunsets. They are so vibrant every night and I chase them. I will get on a golf cart and if I am in the middle of a conversation at 7:45pm, I’ll bring the person with me. “We’ve got somewhere very important to go.” For some reason, these nightly excursions make me feel whole. And the sunsets make me love Bonnaroo even more.
Ok, here we go! Sonic Stage is open for business. One of the greatest acts of the weekend was Colin Hay from Men at Work. He he play the hits, but most of his set was from his solo career. What was so impressive to me was that the front row was packed with 20 year olds singing every word to his newer songs. He’s an enchanting man and it was an absolute pleasure to meet him.
Sweet Chris Thile. He’s too adorable. I’ve known the guy for 10 years and although Nickel Creek doesn’t perform anymore, the Punch Brothers have sure hung in there and have finally made some major headway. They are good and they are getting BIG! Sometimes it takes years for bands to make it and I am really glad these guys getting the attention they deserve.
This is one of the best photos of this column. Dean Budnick and Peter Shapiro are not only two of the most influential men in the Jamband scene but have been dear friends of mine for decades. Peter and I actually grew up together in NYC and have been following each other’s careers ever since. I am honored to be in their lives and was extremely excited to have both of them at the Sonic Stage. Dean’s Wetlands shirt rocks. Can you feel the love in this shot?
Saturday morning, my feet are already killing me so straight to the masseuse in Centeroo for me.
Ah, much better. Ok ready for action. I am SOO lucky that I was able to run the Sonic Stage at Bonnaroo while super pregnant. See, I’ve been doing it for 9 years. It’s like a baby to me. I book, manage and emcee so it would have been hard to turn it over. Plus, I got to see so many friends that I rarely get to see throughout the year. And the bands I got this year were SO outstanding I would have hated to book it then miss the action. That’s just how I roll.
DAWES!!!!! The last time these guys were at Bonnaroo, I had to be begged to let them play my stage. NO ONE knew who they were. And this time, with the help of my friend from their record label, I begged them to play! They are the epitome of greatness. Their music is beautiful and hits us all in the heart. They are the real deal. Now if I could only get Taylor to smile.
I am not even sure how to start this caption. Am I crazy in love with Cody and Luther? Totally. Are they two of the coolest guys I’ve ever met? Absolutely. Did they create a unique set to be performed solely on the Sonic Stage. Yup… These two are the best, but you probably knew that.
Check out the HUGE crowd for the North Miss Duo. Mega!! They deserved it all!
Aw, love this shot. I think of Jeremy as like a little brother. That makes me a big sister who is so proud. Big Gigantic is rocking the scene in major ways right now. And I can say I knew him before he was famous.
Gary Clark, Jr. If you haven’t heard of him yet, you will. But research him soon because you’re missing out. Austin-based blues musician whose blend of blues, soul and rock will leave you with a mouth gaped open. He’s incredible and he brought record-breaking crowds to the Sonic Stage. What was even cooler about him is that he played the stage an entire day before his main set and he STILL had one of the biggest crowds we have ever had.
And I had to get a photo with him, he’s so cute and so mellow and humble. Let’s hope he stays that way…
Saturday evening, The Stooges Brass Band are playing the stage. As much as I loved them, I was tired and ready for the day to end. I had JUST turned to their manager and said that it had to be their last song. The next thing I know, the lead singer is calling me up on stage. Getting any attention was the LAST thing I wanted at that point. I wanted dinner and bed. So I went up on stage and the band busts into the 50s song “Hey Baby” and they twisted the lyrics to “She’s having a baby.” All of a sudden, 20 of my colleagues come up on stage with cake, presents and flowers. The band announced it was a surprise baby shower. We danced and danced and the smile never left my face. I was floored…
So, this is a great story. I book who I want to on the stage. But I usually have a few slots left and since it’s impossible to know EVERY band that plays at the Roo. I usually ask Superfly’s advice. My buddy Chris Sampson suggested We Are Augustines, a rock band from Brooklyn. I had never heard of them. But, the moment my weathered ears witnessed their sound, I was hooked, borderline obsessed. And live, they were 10 times better. Lead singer and guitarist Billy McCarthy is so talented with such fervor and a drop dead gorgeous voice. Billy jumped into the crowd at the end of their set and completely dazzled everyone. This is one of the best parts about my job…falling in love with new music because I took a lead on a suggestion. I will continue to support their career forever. My due date is August 10 and WAA are opening for the Counting Crows on August 2 at Red Rocks. I beg my baby girl to not come early so I can go see the show.
ALO is one of the greatest jam rock bands in the scene. They are the COOLEST guys and play with all their heart and soul ALWAYS. Fresh and exciting live shows are their specialty. Their Sonic Stage slot was amazing. I consider them good friends and I love this photo.
A year ago, I lost a dear friend, I lost a prodigy, I lost a colleague. We all lost when Emily Dunn died. She was one of the fastest and greatest growing members of the music business. She moved out to San Francisco having just landed her dream job at Superfly. She on the phone with her mom telling her how much she loved her new life when she was killed by a bus while crossing the street. Saying life isn’t fair doesn’t even do this justice. Her parents and sister came to Bonnaroo to meet all of us who are part of a foundation to help give interns chances to do what Emily did for so many years. I was so busy with my stage that they came to see me. It was a tear-filled introduction filled with so much love. What a huge feat for them to show up. I have so much respect for them. RIP Emily Dunn, you are SO missed.
OK…party time. Stage is shut down, epic performances. It’s my time to watch my favorite band, Phish. I got a great spot thanks to my friend Kit and captured a great shot. What’s so cool about this photo is there’s the band I love, there’s the crowd that loves the band and loves the festival and way out in the distance you can see the Bonnaroo arch, that beautiful representation of something so magical…Bonnaroo. It was quite a feeling.
So here I am at Phish watching the show horizontal. Being pregnant at Bonnaroo was a major accomplishment. My feet killed at this point so I loved being able to lie down. But I was so satisfied. I was so proud of myself. I am so happy to live this life I love…to work at the greatest land festival in the entire United States. I love Bonnaroo with all of my heart. I cry when I think about how lucky I am to have the job I have and get to be a part of something so major year after year. And what’s especially cool is how my life has changed over the years. I’ve gotten to come to Bonnaroo as a single woman, then married, now pregnant and next year I’ll get to bring my little girl to share in this beautiful week. So grateful…so so grateful…
So this is my last column for a while. I’m going to go have a baby soon. I hope you understand. I’ll be back as soon as possible but know that I am still going to Mayan Holidaze and our new event, Strings & Sol. I’m still doing Jam Cruise. I’ll just bring my baby girl with me. Annabel will change to be a mom but baby’s gotta learn to come along and live this life I have worked so hard to create. She’ll be great. I just know it. Thanks for your continued support of my passionate columns.
