There’s been several times this Summer that I have felt OLD… I’d say 103! I’ve been doing quite a bit of jet skiing and my body just isn’t keeping up! I wish I was in pain because I got great exercise, but I think it’s because I was thrown off the jet ski, slammed into the handle bars and then landed flat on the water.

Both of my thighs feel bruised all the way down to my knee caps… my back aches, my arms kill from gripping the gas or the body in front of me… my bottom hurts from slamming in to the seats after jumping the waves… and well I just plain hurt all over!

I am having a hard time walking up stairs and even just walking anywhere! Going to the restroom is the worse! I never realized toilets were so low!

Mom says I need to exercise more and Bob Mueller says I’m a wuss! I told him to give it a try, but apparently he did just two weeks ago and had no problem!
Help!

As my friend Micah and I were walking along the hot fields of dancing hippies at Bonnaroo, we came across the “Silent Disco.” There were about fifteen people getting their groove-on on the dance floor, but no music!

We asked the man in charge, “What drugs are these people on?” He explained that they were all listening to the live DJ through headphones! Intriguing…yes, but was I going to go in there and dance around? No!

Our curiosity got the best of us, so we took a listen on the headphones, but dared not enter the ring of clubbers. Surprisingly, the tunes were pretty good and it didn’t take long for us to start shaking our heads in rhythm.

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Apparently, there are clubs in NY considering to take on the silent disco phenomenon! I just don’t understand the idea behind it.
Do you think it is so you can have full concentration while you dance?
A way to keep people from talking to you perhaps?
Would you go to a club and where big headphones? Any thoughts on the idea?

This was my third time to head out to Manchester for Bonnaroo. In the previous years I have had no desire to go, but tickets have always landed in my hands. I have always loved music, so what the heck!

I was spoiled by my ‘roo experience in 2004. I don’t think that year will ever be matched! I headed out to Manchester with my two girlfriends and no passes in hand. A friend of mine was running sound for the headliner and guaranteed he could toss me at least two passes. We arrived and were able to score one all access pass and one artist pass. It didn’t take us long to scoop up a photo pass for my third pal! We had no idea the value of the pass that hung from my neck!

We were granted free food and drinks all weekend in an air conditioned tent. There were massage tables, meditation sand boxes and even free Timberlands offered to us! Believe it or not, my pass was better than Dave Mathews’ ticket! I could sit on the stage during any performance and hitch a ride on a golf cart to any show we fancied. Additionally, my pal had a hotel just down the street that we were able to crash in (with full shower facilities and a swimming pool)! We could leave the grounds any time and pull my girlfriends jeep right up to the main stage when we returned. It was a great experience, but so far from the reality of a *true* Bonnaroo experience.

My first day this year consisted of a thirty minute wait for my media pass and then I had to return to the waiting line for a parking pass. I was able to score a ride on a golf cart to one of the stages, but they dropped me off and left me stranded. Come to find out, I was at the wrong stage with 15 minutes to spare until my press conference. I had to fight the 80-thousand plus hippie dancing crowd with my camera, tripod and brief case in hand. The trek across the field was long and frustrating!

Fortunately, the press conference was running behind so I was able to still get my story. However, I was left wondering what happened to the VIP treatment? The days when I was there to just have a good time, I could get anywhere I wanted with no worries! This year, it just wasn’t the same.

I’ll have more pics and stories coming soon!

I had intended on writing much more about my CMA week, but I am more inspired to write about Bonnaroo now. Before I do move on I want to just mention a few more of my CMA highlights.

Thursday, I sat down with one of the nights headliners Hank Williams Jr. He is such a funny kat! Hank really had no interest in talking about the festival and wanted to talk about his search for artifacts with his metal detector. Apparently, he recently found a nice belt buckle and was able to win over his daughter, Holly’s love for the hobby as well.

The CMA festival really kicked off with a great night of music with Brooks and Dunn, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Hank. It was a very diverse line-up and quite frankly much bigger acts than I expected the festival to draw.

Saturday night I interviewed Billy Ray Cyrus. Uhhh…who? Yup, the mullet man! I honestly haven’t seen this guy since he shook his hips and hair at fan fair years ago with the legendary “Achy Breaky Heart” song! He looks like another man! He joked about a song coming out on his new CD, “I Want my Mullet Back!” Billy actually seemed quite heart broken that he doesn’t still have his flowing locks!
(UPDATE: Of course the day I publish this Billy Ray is on Good Morning America and The Regis and Kelly show ! He must be moving back up in the world! )

Thunderstorms took over the party on Sunday. Everyone was forced to take cover outside of the LP field. It was wet and hectic! Earlier that night someone took the time to puke on our monitor cover! What a mess!

Lynyrd Skynyrd on stage

Trace Adkins fans!

There were definitely some interesting outfits worn to the festival!

So… I had a rough start to my CMA festival week, but the night ended as one of the best! After finishing my work duties, I headed over to the Ryman Auditorium for Marty Stuarts late night jam. The line-up was to interesting to pass up!

Hillbilly, blues, rock, punk band Th’ Legendary Shack*Shakers were on the bill. Have you seen these guys? Here is some advice if you are scared of a little spit and sweat, don’t stand near the front of the stage! I traveled with the band all over the country for about 2 years. I have watched the guys grow from playing for twenty people, to selling out shows with Robert Plant! One thing was for sure I had to see them make their leap to the legendary stage at the Ryman Auditorium and that’s just what I did!

It was my first time to have a true “all access” pass to the Mother Church of Country Music. What a chilling experience, walking around on stage, while Travis Tritt and Marty sang their tunes! It wasn’t long before the Shack*Shakers came out. I admit I was nervous for the boys! It’s hard to predict how an older crowd looking to hear a classic pop-country band is going to handle a group where the lead singer hangs from ceiling fans while playing his harp!

Marty introduced the guys as one of his favorite local bands, which meant a lot to the anxious audience. After a little warming up, the crowd was sold! The guys were more tame than usual, but still put on an exciting show! A few folks even gave them a standing ovation!

This would be my favorite night of the week!

Yes, I know what you are thinking…”We know it’s your first blog entry” and for that you are correct! However, it was also my first time to the event formerly known as “Fan Fair!” It was a hot and hectic week! It all started Wednesday…I was downtown in the coolest clothes I could find, but sill sweating that make-up right off! There was a slight breeze, which was nice except my hair was all in my eyes. I was ready to ramble about downtown festivities and the big parade on the news, when my phone rings. It was the station and they needed an anchor to fill in for the 4, 5, and 6 O’clock newscast! Typically I would jump at this opportunity and would be honored to sit by the legendary Bob Mueller, but it’s 3 O’clock and I don’t even have a suit! Rough!

Needless to say I rushed home threw one on, and did the best I could. I didn’t have time to read my scripts and I was quite overwhelmed by my quick change of environment. Bob was a great coach and helped cheer up my frustrations! The whole experience was just a slight reminder, this is how the news business is! At any second my story or day could change and that’s what I liked about this business in the first place.

This was just the beginning of a VERY long week!
I’ll get to the rest of my “Fan Fair” week soon…stay tuned!