5th Dimension-Vince Gill

Today's morning was a little slow with last night's festivities but it was a great time and worth the slow, tiring day that followed.  We had a hit maker from the 70's up first, 5th Dimension.  Their big hit was Age of Aquarius.  They were low maintenance and the lead singer was cute as a button.  The highlight of her day was getting colored greens.  But boy they stunk up the backstage.  They put on a rousing performance with their sparkly shirts and pressed white pants.  Their harmonies and choreography made the show.

We actually ended up closing my office door and watching the show in the dark....ok, we took a nap for 15mins but we did wake up to watch and dance to Age of Aquarius. :)  

5th Dimension

Vince Gill rolled and took over the stage shortly after 4:00PM.  They were set and ready to roll in two hours.  Vince was hanging around backstage just talking with all of us and noshing on fruit.  They had played 8 days in a row before us so they were all extremely tired and ready to push straight to Nashville tonight.  They were flying in backup drivers because of the long drive and they got stuck in PA with cancelled flights.  They managed to hop a later flight and get in just in time.  It's great when plans all come together.  We've got runners out getting those drivers, taking others to the hotel and picking up the first drivers.  The show was great.  I've never been a huge fan of Vince's but I do know he has a great fan base.  About 9,000 of those showed up tonight.  Every song he played was a hit.  Very well done and his voice still sounds great, very smooth.  Sometimes I get to experience some thoughtful moments with the fans.  We did a meet a greet after the show and ended up bringing them inside so they could get out of the heat.  First in line was a gentleman in a wheelchair and his wife.  I walked with him guiding him into the building and caught them on the way out.  I noticed that his wife looked extremely tired.  She told me that he has Lou Gehrig's disease and this was their anniversary celebration.  It was a huge task for them to get out of the house and come to the show.  She said he will be exhausted for days from the trip but that it was worth him being able to have that dream come true.  Just knowing that we were able to make their day just a little bit more special was heartwarming.  She was extremely thankful just because I offered her a bottle of water.  I could tell she was so exhausted for caring for him and being able to see her smile and give her some comfort made my day all worth it.  Everyone is raving over how great the day went and the show was just amazing.  

Country legend Vince Gill


Last Birthday celebration for the year of 30

Office pre-party

A new drinking game

Me and my big buddy

Becky and I

For your viewing pleasure....I don't watch many commercials but this was our entertainment for today.  Every day will be HUMP DAAAY from now on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWBhP0EQ1lA

Chubby Checker-Austin Mahone

We've been twisting and shouting all day!  Chubby Checker was in the house early this morning and ready to party.  At 71, the man can still twist and put on a great show.  He was an absolute sweet man.  He even serenaded me when I was taking his guests to some special seating. They rolled in on a bus that he bought from Paula Abdul in the 80's.  We ended up getting him a special plate of ribs from the Dino BBQ because he "lives up to his name" when it comes to meals.  His show consisted of bringing up a group of ladies that danced around on the stage and then a group of men to do the twist.  As his show was ending Austin Mahone was standing on the stage watching.  He called him over and the crowd erupted!  It was all the tweens in the crowd waiting for his show.  We're talking the screaming, crying, crazy girls.  They were everywhere today.

Chubby's vintage bus

Chubby Checker with Austin Mahone and his dancers

Austin is a YouTube find.  Let's say the next Justin Bieber, or so they say.  The little girls were all over the fairgrounds today.  We had to book a separate room for his meet and greet because it usually takes place during his sound check but since we don't have a closed sound check they needed a different setup.  It took weeks to organize the room, the production, etc but it all went well.  Thank goodness, Seth my co-worker was here seeing the fair.  He took care of overseeing the event with the 160+ people while I stayed with Chubby and his signing after his show.  Austin did a short acoustic set and then took pictures.  Every time he moved anywhere there was a mob of people.  We were sending security everywhere with him.  His show was a short track show but was full of choreographed dancing, singing and screaming fans.  Austin wasn't feeling well but managed to get through the show.  Chubby's crowd was actually larger than his!  We had a State Trooper parked in front of the runner vehicle to escort him out.  The crowd swarmed the backstage fence and as they departed the crowd just ran toward the car screaming.  It was like tiny little ants swarming toward the ant hill.

Austin and his Mahones

Cab Calloway-Florida Georgia Line

I love days like this!  I had the opportunity to sleep in but was awakened to issues with drivers picking up Babyface folks to get them to the airport this morning.  Turns out the drivers were at the wrong entrance to the hotel and the group was waiting.  All sorted out but not the way I wanted to start the day.  I was an extremely easy day even though it was the biggest probably ever since I've been working this fair.

We started out Senior Day with a wonderful afternoon of big band music.  Cab Calloway was extremely popular in his day and now his grandson is carrying on the tradition.  Florida Georgia Line fans were actually in the seats starting at 6:30AM but didn't mind watching the orchestra show.  The band was entertaining!  FGL actually came over early because part of their crew wanted to watch the show.  Calloway Brooks was an extremely nice person.  He even signed his hat and gave it too me.  He said he normally throws it out in the crowd when he's ready for a new one.

Hello Kitty and Calloway's hat

FGL even got a workout in before really starting their day.  They travel with weights and just worked out in the parking lot.  We were getting ready for some weather that was scheduled to roll in.  We were putting together the plan of educating the crowds in case lighting or wind rolled in.  Fortunately, it never did because those fans weren't going any where.  They had been fighting over saving seats all day.  A little lighting wasn't going to scare them.  Florida Georgia Line is one of the hottest, most sought out country bands today.  The crowd was huge even three hours before their show even sitting through a rain storm.

Crowd three hours before the show

What was to come was unexpected.  The day went so smooth and the rain was looking to be clearing after 6PM.  ABC showed a preview of one of their new fall shows to entertain the crowd.  The band took the stage and I was settled in to my office ready to watch the show...and then the clouds opened up.  It POURED the entire show and the fans didn't go anywhere.  The two lead singers were singing in the rain and loving every minute of it.  Each and every band member put their all into the show.  The guitar player said after the show "We have to put on a good show if these awesome fans are going to stick around."  Fortunately there was no lighting and we were able to keep the show going strong until the end.  During the encore the lead singers came backstage.  They were soaked but kicked their shoes off, took their shirts off and rolled up their pants and went out for more.  It's definitely a show I hope to see and work with again soon!  We had an estimated 30,000+ for the show.  Absolutely amazing!

Babyface-Styx

Wow, what a day!  Today, just like every year I got to celebrate my birthday with my friends at the New York State Fair!  They always treat me to a special day but today was above and beyond.  Since it was the big 3-0 (I mean 2-9 cough cough :) ) they were amazing.  The day started by walking into our office with a banner on the wall saying Happy 30th Birthday.  During our 2PM show they had mimosas for a toast and an amazing raspberry, chocolate cake, and a stack of lottery tickets.  I can't retire just yet but did win $32!  We splurged for dinner at one of my favorite booths here for chicken fingers and fries.  And THEN the grandstand crew sent over another cake with a stuffed Hello Kitty.  LOL  I've never feel so loved. :)  To end the night I had a surprise facetime session with my brother and his little family.  It couldn't have been a better day and I truly appreciate each of those that made it special.  

The Chevy Court crew!

The day of shows couldn't have been a better lineup.  I've always wanted to work with or just see a concert with Babyface.  Today that came true.  Their group was great, easy to work with once they were here and the show was packed with his hits from the 90's and some from my fav, Boyz II Men.  I got to add another item to the resume, wardrobe assistant.  The labor union was supposed to send a person for the role but the call wasn't made.  They got a hold of someone but it was going to take her a while to get in.  So I decided to get a head start.  I don't iron my own clothes and I think I've used the steamer maybe three times.  I'm starting on Babyface's, pants, t-shirt and blazer.  After their are damp water marks on his pants and shirt I decide I'm doing more damage than good.  I wrangled up a shoe polish and polished his Prada shoes.  Then I just gave up and waited for the pro to get here.  The show drew a few thousand people but it was booked later than others and wasn't advertised as well.  I think had it been it would have been a really big show.  They seemed to enjoy the fair and the show.

Babyface singing "Every time I close my eyes"

Styx rolled in and immediately took over our world.  They were great.  Worked extremely efficiently, made things work in the space and the amount of time.  Each and every person was so sweet.  They all wished me happy birthday; like you could miss the banner.  They even shared my second birthday cake with me and gave me a signed photo saying happy birthday.  Their show is unbelievable!  A show full of hits.  The crowd was phenomenal.  We have some tall trooper towers that look just like the towers you see in movies about prisons.  I climbed up to take a look at the crowd.  We estimated it over 21,000.  These nights are especially what makes it feel worth it.  Listening to the crowd singing along with the band sounds like a harmony of people just having a great time.

Styx prepping backstage

Tomorrow should be a huge day!  We have Florida Georgia Line, an up and coming country act that has blown up the past six months.  If you don't listen to country you've probably heard 'Cruise' w/ Nelly?  That's Florida Georgia Line with Nelly.

Zendaya-Phil Vassar

You may not recognize the first artist for the day unless you have small kids or find yourself watching the Disney Channel for no good reason.  She's the start of Shake It Up and one of those tv stars gone musical artist.  I knew we were in for a treat when their tour manager kept referring to the "kids".  Yes, all 15+ of them that perform as part of her show.  The musicians, the backup singers, the dancers were all kids.  The youngest, I believe was a 10 year old guitar player.  They have several chaperons that travel with them as well.  The little girls started lining up to get the best seats long before the start of the show.  They were also clamoring over purchasing meet and greets.  For $60 a pop they could come backstage and meet Zendaya after the show.  All day I ended up playing parking attendant more or less.  We have an extremely limited amount of real estate in the backstage area.  We had three acts today that ended up driving vans in, plus our backline suppliers vehicle and trailer, Disney Radio van, and our vehicles we use for transporting artists and crews.  We were moving vehicles all day to make sure everyone could fit at certain times and not block everyone in.  One false move and the puzzle would fall apart.  Magically it all ended up working out.

Zendaya and her dancers

Great crowd for Zendaya

Zendaya had a huge crowd and ended up doing a meet and greet for about 200 people.  As we're getting the meet and greet started Phil Vassar's band and crew rolls in.  They were so easy to work with.  Completely easy going and just ready to play.  They were in FL last night.  They had a show last night, early flights today and then rolled in for a show today.  They have to drive to a city an hour away after the show to fly out of Rochester, NY early tomorrow morning.  Needless to say they are just tired.  :)  Phil arrived a little later in the afternoon.  Those that weren't familiar with who he was didn't even realize he was the artist.  He was just chatting with our staff and one of them asked, after he had walked away, which one was Phil Vassar.  I said that the one that was just talking with us was him.  It caught them by surprise.  Just a reminder that these folks are just like us.  Right before the show I was standing on the stage with a couple of detectives.  Phil came over and started cracking up with them treating them like they were old buddies.  As he walked away I asked if they knew him.  The laughed, shook their heads and said "oh yeah, best buddies for the past three minutes".  We ended up having some technical difficulties with the sound during the show.  A horn like sound just started and overpowered the band.  Phil just stopped sat down at the front of the stage and started joking.  Trying to make the best of it until we figured out what it was.  Eventually it stopped and thankfully didn't come back.  Now we just have to figure out what it is!  His show was packed full of hits.  Not only ones that he released himself but many that he wrote for others that did really well.  A very talented artist!

Phil Vassar banging out the hits

Nothing like a party on top of a piano

Tomorrow is a big day!  Babyface in the morning and Styx at night.  I have a feeling we'll have huge crowds for both shows.  I'm looking forward to seeing Babyface's show as I've always been a huge fan.

Jana Kramer-George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic

OOOH, this was a hard day to wake up to.  It took me a few minutes to drag myself out of bed.  It turned out to be a really great day.  I got a lot of work done and caught up on some "non-fair" projects.  Today we had Jana Kramer and George Clinton w/ Parliament Funkadelic.  Just from the advances I knew it was going to be easy.

Jana is an up and coming country artist.  She's had a couple of chart hit singles.  Her team was a breeze to work with.  They got here early in the morning, slept on the bus in the driveway and didn't roll out until it was just time to load in.  Then they stuck around until later in the day once we were working on the 8PM show and I didn't even realize they were here.  They did have a small crowd but they enjoyed the show.  It was another beautiful day for an outdoor concert.

I ended up walking around the fair a little while because we had to make a site visit to plan for a large meet and greet with Austin Mahone.  He's the next Justin Beiber or so they say.  He has a large party during his sound checks but we don't have a sound check.  So we've had to find an area and do a separate setup for this party.

We started the afternoon getting George Clinton and P Funk loaded in.  It was an easy setup but with a lot of gear.  They were easy to work with, so polite and funny.  They run around like chickens but get the party going.  They ended doing a two hour show of funk.  Amazing.  George is 72years old and can still go 2hrs.  I even had a party in my room.  Our stage manager hung a huge tv on the wall in my office.  I get the feed that they show on the jumbotron screen and part of the audio.  So we can sit in my office and watch the show.  Several of the guys ended up chilling in front of the tv.  The crowd, and the staff, really seemed to enjoy it!

The fair even had several of the "Housewives" on the 3rd stage at the fair.  They were great to keep up with.  I had to schedule transportation for them today with our runners.  After the runners had waited to pick them up to bring them to the fair for 25mins they finally went in to find them.  Finding them in the bar they had to inform them that they were running late.  Sure enough traffic was ridiculous but they still made it 15mins before their show time.  Oh the fun of the biz!

Salt-N-Pepa and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Opening day of the Great New York State Fair!  I have the pleasure (yeah we'll call it that) the free stage at the fair.  Now, you might think oh free shows it must be some little local bands or up and coming bands.  No, we will have 25 bands perform on this stage in 12 days, along with the local ABC station shooting their morning show live on weekdays and a Catholic mass on Sundays.  We have two bands a day with shows at 2PM and 8PM with two different bands.  That's loading in one band, do a show, load out; loading in the second band, do a show and load out.  Each band is squeezed into about a 3 hour setup time.  Most of the bands are fine with that restriction.  There are few that have a hard time getting everything they need done in that time.  They're used to coming in at 10AM or earlier and having all day to work.  It makes working out all the logistics a fun time.

Today was going to be an easy day.  Track show for the 2PM show meant their load in was pretty much nothing.  Turns out they had equipment in their audio requirements rider that someone else should have provided.  I didn't catch it because I just forwarded the information.  The audio company didn't tell anyone about it being there.  So the band was about to show up, I had for some weird reason checked the rider and realized it might be an issue.  Sure enough the ball had been dropped.  I rushed to get a hold of the person that supplies that equipment.  He was able to send a guy to his warehouse to pick it up and deliver it to us and save the day.  Unfortunately we had issues with a couple of the turntables but the DJ was able to make it work.  Since the equipment was delivered later than it should have been and then the issues of it not working properly they didn't leave to go back to the hotel to ready until much later than expected.  So a group of them was LEAVING the hotel five minutes after they were supposed to start the show.  When they finally arrived the DJ sauntered across the yard, 25mins later.  I was afraid we were going to have a riot with the crowd.  They were chanting Salt-N-Pepa!  It was a good show.  They had about 6,500 people here for a 2PM show!  I ended up having someone in my office venting about some issues so I didn't get to watch the parts of the show I was hoping to see, Push It and Shoop. That's part of the job though.

Even though S-N-P started a half hour later they still ended and were cleared off the stage in time for the next band to begin their load in on time.  I was really excited to see the show with Grace Potter and The Nocturnals.  Their crew was amazing to work with.  Extremely easy and we ended up doing the advance with detailed emails and a couple of phone calls.  They had no problem with the load in and actually were finished in like an hour and half.  Their show was two hours long!  Packed with their original music and covers.  They have a rock, almost classic rock flair with a little folk mixed in.  Grace's voice is perfect and her stage presence is over the top.

Grace Potter entertaining Syracuse

It just baffles me that we are surrounded by State Troopers as our security here and the place smells like skunk all day...use your imagination.   We had some weather come in today, a really rough storm in the middle of the afternoon.  It blew over pretty quickly and didn't really affect us.  However, I think the crowd for Grace Potter would have been larger had it not rained.  Anyone need a rain jacket?  They are stored in my office.

This is a new sign at the main entrance desk in the backstage area.  I might just take it with me when I leave.