Catch up @ the South Plains Fair!

So apparently I've been busy. =)  Busy having fun I suppose. 

Saturday we had a great time with Grand Funk Railroad.  Very nice guys and entertaining too.  I believe there's only one original member of the band still with them, the drummer, Don.  He was nice as could be and man could he play.  In their closing number "An American Band" he wore an exaggerated Uncle Sam's hat and celebrated in style.  After a quick after show meal they were out of here.  The crew couldn't believe how quickly the trailer was loaded and out the door.  Just the way we like it. =)

Sunday we had the day off.  I spent the day with my friend Jan.  She is the runner for me at the fair and always takes care of anything we need, including homemade ice cream.  YUMMY!  We had a great steak dinner at this little place called Bryan's, saw 'The Help, even visited the fair to stop by and see Mickey the monkey.  We then hit up bingo....no we didn't win anything but we sure had a good time.  I used computers for the first time.  They were so much fun and made it even easier to play.  Jan enjoyed seeing the typically craziness of Bingo and the women and their pull tabs. 

Jan and I with Mickey

Monday was such an easy day.  We were originally supposed to have Easton Corbin this night but he had to cancel due to illness.  Within 12 hours of the potential cancellation we had Sawyer Brown booked and ready to rock.  And that they did.  They still have a great show full of hits over 30 years.  I saw them in college and look forward to working with them again soon!  The crowd was smaller but mighty.  We had about 1500 which wasn't bad for only 2 days of promotion. 

Sawyer Brown

After the show we got to celebrate the Sparks' anniversary.  Couldn't have been better than spending it with the Secret 5. =)  Then a couple of us made it a night on the town by visiting a local college bar...yes we got carded and wrist banded.  You know it's a good night when you end up at Denny's at 3:30A and walk home which is right next door. =)

Secret 5 with an Absinthe toast

Tuesday's are always fun at the fair cause it's Tejano night.  Everyone is always very friendly and typically easy to work with.  It just drives me crazy because they aren't bands that I book which means I have no control of what happens.  I turn in to the building manager on this night and just make sure they have what they need and that the building doesn't burn down.  Ha!  It's always fun because the crowd brings about 100 strollers.  Like those little kids need to be a loud concert but stroller patrol is always on it.  We did have the instance of one of the band members blowing a few speakers because he disconnected a cable when he wasn't supposed to.  Never a dull moment folks. 
And tonight's production meeting night aka all the grounds acts get together to have a few beverages and eat some yummy food.  I'm going to crash that party and hopefully go out again tonight. =)

Loverboy is up tomorrow.  It'll be a rock n roll good time!

Kevin Fowler in the Star state

I'm on my third day in the good ole' city of Lubbock.  I love visiting this city because I get to see great friends and working at the fair is very different but fun!  It's a county fair that is ran by a fair manager.  The staff is very small but mighty.  They do a great job at keeping the fairgrounds in line throughout the year and the fair.  At this fair it's different because I oversee the entire building that the concerts take place in.  I'm in charge of directing security, ticket takers, etc.  If a toilet overflows guess who gets to call maintenance? =)  It's a change from the other fairs I do but I love it just the same.  Plus I get to work with one of my co-workers--Mark "Sparky" Sparks and many of his grounds acts that I'm lucky to call friends. 

We kicked off the fair with a fabulous day of weather.  It was looking like a great day!  Kevin Fowler was our star of the night.  Don't know who he is? Yeah, me neither.  I'm mean I've heard of him but haven't heard his music on the radio at home.  Texas is another ball of wax when it comes to country music.  They have their own music charts (how artist's singles are ranked and therefore popularity is based) and their own circle of acts.  Sometimes those acts break into mainstream (i.e. Pat Green, Eli Young Band, Willie Nelson, etc.).  However, the show was decent and he definitely loves to entertain the crowd.  They like to be entertained as well since about 500 of them rushed the stage when he told everyone to "come on down"!

On another note- I'm now four in on cancellations this year on the Mud and Dust tour.  We were supposed to have Easton Corbin here on Monday.  I was looking forward to it.  Apparently Easton is extremely ill and had to cancel a show with the 'big boss' today at the Oklahoma State Fair.  In turn we immediately became worried about the Lubbock date.  After another day of scurrying around trying to find a replacement, determining with the fair manager and sponsoring radio station who'd they'd like to have replace him, and receiving the official yet regretful word of cancellation from his management, we will now be having Sawyer Brown on Monday.  Now I'm really looking forward to the show. =)  I saw SB in college a couple of times and LOVED the show.  It will be a great one!  Now, NO more cancellations for the rest of the year!! 

Lips and Barefoot Bluejeans

We wrapped up the 2011 Great New York State Fair with two great days!

Sunday we had a very diverse day on the stage.  We started the morning with a Catholic Mass, then a burger cookoff, a Food Network chef demo with The Neeley's and the a rock band named...Hinder!

The Neeley's were extremely personable and friendly.  They were meeting and greeting everyone.  They caught word that there was a lady that had been there since 7AM with the slight chance she might meet them.  They had me bring her back to their dressing room to meet them.  That was incredible.  It just made that woman's year.  They definitely were a little edgy on the live performance.  Jenna happened to drop a few explicitives.  Her husband explained later that there's a reason their show is taped...for editing. =)  Their recipes were amazing and I look foward to using them at the new house. 

Hinder was such a great act to work with.  You wouldn't think that a rock band would be so organized and nice. =)  They put on a great show and had about 15,000 people to enjoy it.  I had a great conversation with the tour manager after the show and it explained why they were as great as they were.  He doesn't believe in being needy and divas.  He impressed on his guys that they should be glad to have a job.  I found it very inspirational!  I hope to work with them again in the future. 
Funny story** I was quizzing a few of the Court staff afterwards on what the capital of Kentucky is.  After several guesses and 15mins the lead singer for Hinder walks by.  The security guard asks him..."hey what's the capital of Kentucky?"  He replies quickly..."Frankfort".  When I applauded him for his correct answer he says "hey I did graudate high school!"  We found it quite commical that he knew but no one else did.

On to the LAST day!!  Everyone was definitely ready for this, probably just as much as me.  I love both bands that we had booked for today.  One because I knew it'd be an easy day, but I love both of their shows.  Starship with Mickey Thomas was one of the first shows I worked on the fair circuit.  I mainly love it just because they sing a song about me. =)  They were very easy to work with (except for the picky eaters that can only eat whole wheat bread, no cheese or lettuce, no sesame seeds).  Mickey is so very friendly.  He even called me on the way from the airport to say hello and to ask for a liquor run.  LOL  NEVER had that happen.  We usually close the curtains to their dressing rooms to give them privacy.  They opened them and said they didn't want to feel secluded.  Of course we couldn't get away with another gorgeous day and were impacted by yet again another hurricane (this one from the south).  It has rained all day.  I'm happy with rain as long as their no wind and lightning.  Prayers were definitely answered on that one.  Mickey still put on an awesome show and we had a great crowd considering the weather.  The setlist was hit after hit!

Mickey Thomas on stage

Jake Owen always puts on an awesome show!  His crew is such a pleasure to work with and he is honestly one of the best performers.  With the rain continuing into the night I would have assumed the crowd would stay at home.  Boy, was I wrong.  They were here and having a great time.  Jake walked on the stage barefoot in support of his current single "Barefoot Bluejean Night".  He entertained the 7,000+ crowd by working the uncovered, downstage extention in the rain!  He's now jetting off to New York for GMA in the morning.  He'll be announcing the CMA nominees with The Band Perry--be sure to check this guy out.  When he makes it big I want to be on the road with them. =)

I also got to walk around the fair today.  I ended up finding a wall painting for the new family room.  We got to see all the sights including the sand sculpture.  It was a great tribute to the 911 tragedy. 

I cannot even explain how excited I am to get home tomorrow.  Wheels down at 12:50 and I'll be hitting the ground running on the new house.  Closing is 9:30A tomorrow morning.  By this time in two weeks I'll be moved in.  So watch for the blog updates on that before the next saga of the Mud and Dust Tour continues in Lubbock, TX at the South Plains Fair!

Charlie Wilson 'drops the bomb' and The Script 'breakeven'

While we're rejoicing that we only have two more days we are reflecting on two very good days! 

David Nail, new country act was with us Friday afternoon.  Very easy group to work with and a good show.  A little more laid back for my tastes but he did entertain the small crowd he drew.  We had a gorgeous day with sun and a light breeze.  Mother Nature was just teasing us. 

I got to stop by over at the Grandstand and see my Lady A buddies.  Always a pleasure to see great acts that we work with from show to show.  Clay had a great day over on the other side of wonderland with them. 

Charlie Wilson's crew came in early to start preparing his wardrobe.  I guess I didn't understand what the show entailed until I saw it.  Holy cow!  What a production.  They had probably 20 costume changes.  From marching band getups, to battery lit suits, to angel wings...it was very entertaining. 

A fraction of Charlie and dancers wardrobe backstage



Charlie Wilson show

He entertained an estimated crowd of 7,000 with his fabulous show.  He was a very big star as well ( ;) ) we had to evacuate the backstage area as he was walking to and from his dressing room. 



Today (Saturday- Day 10) we got to work with what I would say are two of the greatest bands in the biz.  Hot Chelle Rae and The Script are amazing!  It turned out that they are actually on tour together.  We didn't know that when we booked the show.  It made it very easy.  Just like a "normal" concert but with a 5 hour intermission.  Both are very mainstream pop but with a little edge.  Hot Chelle Rae drew a little younger crowd but The Script brought in the older teenagers.  So, thankfully, the screams weren't quite as high pitched!  I get to work with HCR again in Lubbock in a couple of weeks and am definitely looking forward to it.  I loved The Script.  Band and crew are all from Ireland.  Typically when they have accents they're a pain in the ass to work with.  However, these guys were amazingly professional and polite.  Such a great day and the show was awesome too.  There were about 10,000 for their show and it was very elaborate with a great lighting setup. 

The Script crowd

I had the pleasure of going over the the Grandstand and seeing my buddies with Sugarland.  These guys have had a tough couple of weeks since the accident at the Indiana State Fair.  It was a very surreal moment driving over and seeing the trucks backed up to the stage just like in IN.  I talked with a few of the crew guys and they are still just a mess.  The fact that these guys are still on the road, not cancelling shows and keeping their fans happy are incredible.  They should all be in therapy and I wouldn't be surprised if they packed a psychiatrist on the bus.  I can't imagine what they've been through and are going through now. 

Remember my cool photo with Mickey the baboon from the Lubbock Fair last year?  We got to visit with his little brother (LOL) today.  It was a great time.  He's almost like a spider monkey.  He would loose his footing and would grab on with his tail...as monkies are supposed to.  So cute!  For those of you that know my love of monkeys know how fun this was for me!

We're hoping the weather holds out for these last two days!

Baking, Mars & BTR

We've had a busy couple of days here at Chevy Court!  Wednesday we were over the halfway hump.  You can tell because everyone is getting very tired...and grouchy :)  For the most part everyone is still playing friendly.  Wednesday we had a HUGE crowd all day long.  Buddy Valastro "The Cake Boss" came in on private jet and did a cake demonstration along with a book signing and meet and greet.  He was such a nice guy!  He brought some of his family including nephew and cousin that sold merchandise for 8 hours straight.  The stage demonstration wasn't as huge as I thought would have been.  He brought up several groups of people to decorate cupcakes.  Alec Baldwin and Jerry Springer were also on site doing meet and greets.

Cake Boss and Alec Baldwin lines

Buddy started at the back of the house before his show started

Buddy, Little Sophia and I

Bruno Mars was up next.  What a production, on stage and behind the scenes.  The crew was pretty good to work with.  Some were needy and the dressing room girl couldn't figure out what she needed.  She ended up sending the runners to the same place three times...including making returns.  CRAZY 

We had a HUGE crowd.  They definitely set a record crowd with 35,000 people!  It was packed side to side.  Bruno is a teeny tiny guy!  His fans decided to stick around until about midnight.  He and the band in turn decided to tease them.  That was fun trying to keep all the little kiddies contained.  The show was so so and was really short.  However, I guess he doesn't have a ton of material to cover much more than an hour. 

Thursday morning led in to a great day with Steel Magnolia and Big Time Rush.  Given SM was staying at the same hotel as me I just brought them in with me.  The lead singers Josh and Meg were coming in for an early interview with Bridgestreet.  The show is shot from the Chevy Court stage every weekday morning.  They are a great bunch to work with.  Very organized, pleasant and talented.  They had a good crowd even though half of them were just there early to save seats for BTR.  Big Time Rush is a band of Nickoloden tv stars so it was a ton of screaming little girls.  They were very pleasant but again had a hired idiot on staff that made things amusing.  They also decided to tease the crowd.  Except this time we had about 200 little girls waiting around and screaming for them to come out and sign.  Instead they climbed on top of the bus and waved. 

Steel Magnolia