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9 Steps to the PERFECT Music Festival

32 million people attend music festivals each year.  Are you interested in hosting the PERFECT Music Festival? Is yours on their radar? Hosting the perfect music festival is not easy. Talent aside, there are monetary, zoning, and scheduling considerations. County Fair USA breaks down what makes the best festivals tick. Follow each step for an event that can't be beat! Step 1) Fund your music festival Firefly Music Festival in Delaware is nothing less than an underdog success story. Their festival raised $1 million within 24 hours of launch. Yes, 24 hours plus 5 years of planning. You've got an idea, but what's your pitch? A music festival is a pipe dream without money. A sad fact is that profit is the only reason suits would take a shot on an eager upstart. Bootstrapping will be your primary option until the festival inevitably scales up (Am I being presumptuous? Of course!). Firefly built expertise hosting smaller, niche events. Investors won't take a shot on festivals that aim too high. If you're more an 'ideas kind of guy/gal', hire someone that has been down this road. Crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe let amateurs test the waters. Hell, even experienced planners use crowdfunding to quickly build capital. The premise is simple: Pitch your festival online. People from all over the world can back your project. If there is demand, it will reach appropriate funding before a deadline. Combine crowdfunding with social media for maximum exposure. Facebook Pages are mandatory! Younger attendees prefer to keep friends in the loop on Facebook and Twitter. Proposition other event managers in your niche. Most local establishments are keen to help entrepreneurs because this opens a cross-promotional avenue. Don't be discouraged if your project fails to garner adequate backing. Even festivals boasting world-famous headliners flop. Rock band 'My Bloody Valentine' agreed to headline Hop Farm Music Festival in Kent, England. A hostile economic climate killed its momentum. There could be a number of reasons for an initial failure. Pinpoint costs down to the last toilet paper roll and be prepared to recalculate your budget several times. Don't be surprised to break even your first time 'round. Potential backers desire some semblance of structure. Work through the remaining steps on our list before making your pitch. Step 2) Insure your music festival You name it, someone's insured it. So why not music festivals? Festivals are a profit-making enterprise like any brick-and-mortar business. City/town officials will regard it as such. Suppose an errant cigarette burns [...]

By |2024-01-12T14:12:37+00:00May 9th, 2016|Festivals, Food, Music, Rock|0 Comments
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Mardi Gras History and Traditions

The history of Mardi Gras dates back to thousands of years (as early as 1699 in the US) when the Roman Catholic religion was on the peak of its power in Europe. Mardi Gras translates to “Fat Tuesday” which simply means the last days of eating richer foods as the lent season comes in and the fasting starts. This is a celebratory event that allows people to let go of inhibitions and conventions as the Shrive or confession time is drawing near. Carnival Venetian mask isolated on white background with clipping path. There are Mardi Gras celebrations all over the world. The key cities of this celebration are Rio de Janeiro, New Orleans, Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, Sinaloa in Mexico, Quebec, Barranquilla in Colombia, and Venice. There are also “Fat Tuesday” celebrations in Germany particularly in the German cities of Cologne and Mainz. Sweden, Belgium, and Netherlands also have their “versions” of the celebration and like in other places, rooted to the same traditions and religious beliefs. What are the celebrations like? What are the included traditions? The Carnival (another name for Mardi Gras in some cultures) in Rio de Janeiro is one of the biggest and well known events in the country that even foreigners flock to the city to witness this annual celebration. It is wild with lots of dancing, costumes and masks. Masks are a major attribute of Mardi Gras and so are street dancing, loud music, and consuming lots of food. In the United Kingdom the food of choice during Mardi Gras are pancakes and other fried pastries that are known to be decadent and reflect dietary excesses as the 40-day fast draws near. Other food that is associated with Mardi Gras is Semlor (Sweden). A popular food custom of the Mardi Gras is the preparation of King Cakes typically seen in many establishments in the French-influenced areas in the US like in the state of Louisiana specifically in New Orleans. The timing of Mardi Gras varies a lot but the most accepted date of the beginning of the celebrations is January 6 as reflected in the start of Carnival Season. The Carnival season ends on an Easter Sunday. Mardi Gras is the day before Ash Wednesday and is an event where moral codes are observed loosely. This is the reason why nudity and provocative costumes are all part of the celebration. Mardi Gras in the US is not a nationally observed event but in New Orleans, the [...]

By |2019-03-24T22:55:23+00:00February 15th, 2014|Mardi Gras, Carnivals, Louisiana, New Orleans|0 Comments
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George Jones, Funeral at Grand Ole Opry House

The Grand Ole Opry will honor George Jones on May 2nd with a public funeral. CMT will televise the service Thursday (May 2) at 10 a.m. CT. Was George Jones the greatest living country singer ever? George was born on September 12, 1931, in Saratoga, Texas. His family was quite poor. He was one of eight siblings. His father was an alcoholic. Many do not know he taught himself to play guitar. George has had amazing longevity in a business famous for 'here today gone tomorrow' country singers. In 1955 he made the country charts with "Why Baby Why". He sang under the name of Thumper Jones in 1956. He had a chart hit every decade since he began recording. There wer 14 total hits from 1959 to 1983. In 1980 he recorded a song called 'He Stopped Loving Her 'Today'. George was also famous for his drinking and drug habits in the 1970s through the 1990s. As we all know it takes something serious for a drinker to stop entirely drinking and that happened to George in a car crash in 1999. How many albums did George Jones make? Good question? 140 singles and 25 collaborated albums He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1957 and wrote songs in the 1980s. If you are into country music you have to honor George Jones for his contributions. He will be very missed.

By |2019-05-24T00:28:48+00:00May 1st, 2013|George Jones, Grand Ole Opry, Nashville|1 Comment
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JJ Harrison, Rodeo Clown

JJ at one of his "better" moments. I had the privilege of interviewing rodeo clown JJ Harrison this year at the Denver National PRCA Rodeo in January. JJ has a lot of energy. He came to being a clown from being a school teacher - a thing which also requires a lot of energy. He basically is just a funny unrehearsed guy who loves to kid around. He is also a pilot. JJ does try to stick close to home however because of the gas prices and his four year old son. This is a great interview and in it JJ also gives some advice for youngsters who might want to follow in his footsteps.  

By |2019-03-23T22:53:16+00:00March 27th, 2013|JJ Harrisson, Colorado, Denver, Podcast, Podcast, Rodeo Clown|2 Comments
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Rick Adam – Junk Band and Silly Stuff

Rick Adam/A.K.A. Professor Paddy-Whack has toured everywhere, from Maine to China. for over 30 years he's been featured on stage, television, radio, and film. Junk Band and Silly Stuff: From Garth Brooks to Bruce Springsteen – Musical Adventures with Professor Paddy-Whack Its a Rick Adam, Holiday shot! He has shared venues with Garth Brooks, Livingston Taylor, and Phish... to name a few. He appeared on the PBS series “The Lonesome Pine Specials” in 1993, and a video of the program was added to the Permanent Collection of the Smithsonian Institute. Also, in 1998 and 2000 he performed for Bruce Springsteen at his home in New Jersey. The video is a Mini-documentary on Rick Adam /A.K.A. Professor Paddy-Whack One Man Junk Band. The Professor's rig on wheels is a "Rube Goldberg musical contraption with a Spike Jones style wackiness." With footage shot at the Fryeburg Fair in Maine where Rick has been a featured performer for the last 25 years, he performs a "Musical Mechanical Melody of the Most Melodic Melodies Know to Modern Man!" You have to, see it to believe it! Check out his Websire

By |2024-02-26T16:11:57+00:00December 31st, 2010|Christmas, Entertainer of the Month, Entertainment, Music, Singer|1 Comment
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Cindy Lou Harrington, Country Music & Atlanta

Interview - the end of June 2010 Cindy Lou performing Cindy Lou Harrington Cindy is a recording artist with Southern Tracks Records (STR). -- famous for the Atlanta Rhythm Section. STR just released her album and an additional album by with her and her daughters. Cindy started singing at age 15. Countyfairgrounds.net caught up with her singing the national anthem at one of the Braves games. On the side Cindy is a special education teacher for disabled students. She has a great sound. Solo, Harrington has kicked off the Atlanta Braves games four times with her performance of the National Anthem and has opened for internationally acclaimed motivational speakers and authors such as Wayne Dyer and Melody Beattie. She is a resident of Stone Mountain, Georgia and also spends time in Western, New York on the family property in Cherry Creek. FAVORITE MOTTO: “Dream, Plan, Act, Believe”

By |2024-02-29T12:24:06+00:00July 9th, 2010|Cindy Lou Harrington, Country Music, Entertainer of the Month, Georgia, Music, Singer|5 Comments
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Katie Tuck – a Young Country Singer

Katie Tuck's rich and powerful voice captivates listeners and can only be described as a gift from God. At only 14 years old, Ms. Tuck has already recorded in the notorious “Sound Kitchen” of Nashville, Tennessee. Tuck's powerful ballad "I Just Wanna Be a Girl" is garnering much attention and young Tuck is already finding herself being circled by some of the industry’s most prestigious producers, songwriters, and managers. Catch her on her Website A Virginia native, Katie grew up listening to a mixture of country, pop, and rock music. Her idol is country superstar, Carrie Underwood. “She is so amazing and a great role model,” says Tuck. Being a good person and setting a good example is at the very core of who Katie Tuck is as a person and as an artist. Tuck devotes her time and talent to numerous charity fundraisers including the National Children’s Advocacy Center to help fight child abuse and neglect. “I believe that God has given me the talent, passion, and desire to do this. I believe that my music will be used to bring smiles, tears, and healing to people. I want to make a difference.” Tuck's passion for music is ingrained in her being. “Music means everything to me. It portrays the emotions and lives of people.” It’s only natural that Tuck would feel right at home in country music. “It’s just who I am. It’s music that people can relate to in everyday life.” What makes Katie stand apart from others her age in the business is the undeniable fact her passion for music is genuine, grounded, and faithful. Tuck pursued her passion by entering talent competitions and industry insiders were quick to take an interest. In a speedy trajectory, Katie made her way from her first talent show in 4th grade singing Hillary Duff’s “What Dreams Are Made Of” all the way to Nashville’s famed 'Sound Kitchen.' “Recording at the ‘Sound Kitchen’ was amazing. To record in a studio where so many professional artists record is such a huge honor. The thing I remember most about the experience is the love and support I received from everybody there.” “I Wanna Be That Girl” is a powerful ballad showcasing the strength of Tuck's voice which is far more mature than her 14 years. “It’s about being strong,” Katie says of the song. Katie sings ‘I wanna be that girl, I wanna be that strong. Don’t wanna care. Don’t wanna cry when it’s time to carry on.” In [...]

By |2024-02-26T19:01:12+00:00June 26th, 2010|Country Music, Music, Singer, Virgina|0 Comments
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Corey Koehler, Country Musician from Minnesota

Corey Koehler Let me start by saying I love country music. There is country music and then there is country music. Some of it doesn't sound so great. I like the stuff that makes me feel good. This is what Corey does. He has a great voice and composes great songs . Corey Koehler is in his  40s - a family man with three small children. He holds a traditional job. Corey didn't start performing until he was in his late 30s - He plays and performs what he calls Beer Music. Corey has only performed in Minnesota and in Wisconsin. He has a great sound. He is also a very talented composer. He would like to perform at festivals in some other states. Website [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JfUm45TKxQ Learn More about Corey The Round Up 74: Corey Koehler and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World - In the 74th edition of the Round-Up, Greg plays the new song by Corey Koehler called Change The World, from his new album that you can check out at PlanetCorey.com. Later, Andy takes a look at the trailer for Scott Pilgrim vs. ... Indie CD Release From New Acoustic Artist Corey Koehler - I am very excited to announce the release of my very first CD album “Never Too Late.” And I am equally excited to hear what you think. To hear all the songs and get your copy by clicking on the image to the right or by visiting my Music ...

By |2024-02-26T19:14:08+00:00June 17th, 2010|Country Music, Minnesota, Singer|0 Comments
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