Brad & Barry are back! Joining them today to talk Roo 19 / Moon River Festival / Exit 111 and Roo 2020 is Jeff Cuellar from AC Entertainment. Plus, Brad & Barry make some educated guesses for the 2020 lineup!
Topics: Bonnaroo, Moon River, Exit 111
Guest: Jeff Cuellar
Journey through the stories that define the artists playing Bonnaroo. Who are they? What are they? What will you see? The what? Which bands? This year? That matter? With Brad Steiner and Barry Courter. So Barry Courter, when we hit the record button, he said, we should start every show from now on with Dolly Parton. Well we are starting with my Dolly Parton. And my big prediction for 2020 is Brittany Howard getting a major slot at night on a main stage because oh my god is her solo album amazing, her solo show is phenomenal. And she's one of many artists that at least I've seen over the past six months that I absolutely think will have a major, major role in 2020. I can see that. Absolutely see that. And I know you're kind of a big fan. Just a bit. Yes. Just a touch. And it all started at that Bonnaroo show on the this tent scene. Alan Mishakes, which was one of the most amazing moments of my Bonnaroo career, is watching a band blow up right before my eyes. It's the best, isn't it? It is such a good feeling and knowing it's happening and knowing it's having in the moment. Oh man. Yeah. Feels great. I get it. You're back on Christmas card level now, aren't you? With me and Brittany. You met the fam. Yeah. I did. Met her dad. I did meet dad. Yeah. I finally got to meet dad. And it was a very weird story when I saw Arthur Ryman. She I was standing there. And now granted, I had a feeling like the record people sort of prepared her, but they weren't around. So I have to say like nobody that would have known me was around to prepare her for me being there. So I'm sitting there talking to KJ and blah, blah, blah, blah. I turn around and there's Brittany Howard. She goes, Brad, how are you? That's a feeling, man. That's a feeling. It's one of two or three things. Either she remembers you because you're so annoying or the record people said the annoying guy in there is going to be called Brad. Yeah. Or she just likes you. Maybe we'll see. So welcome back. Bonnaroo 2020 quickly approaching. I guess this is a little one-off episode that we're doing just to say hi and remind you that we're still alive. Yeah. Still doing okay. It's a funny story. I'm embarrassed to share, but this is kind of what happens to me. What do you mean? Well, I was on one of those Google invitations for a calendar. It's called Tinder. Invitation. And lo and behold, I get an acceptance from Jeff Cuellar who said, yeah, I'm happy to do the podcast on blah, blah, blah. And I looked and I thought, I don't remember inviting you to do this. But we saw him, I saw him at Moon River and he said, I'm looking forward to next Tuesday. I think you're missing a big part of the story. In that you're probably six drinks in. No, no. This was weeks before. Really? I thought it was like the night of that you made the invite to him and he's like, sure, I'll be there tomorrow. No, no. It was weeks before. But it was at the, I think I tell this story later, the bourbon that Drew Holcomb and the Moon River people had curated, especially for Moon River. I didn't know it until after I'd had about three shots that it had like 118 groups or something. Oh, nice. Well, good for you. I had a really good time. Yeah. So we have Jeff Cuellar on today from AC Entertainment and we go through a couple of things. First, we talk about Moon River, which is the boutique festival we sort of talked about last season that's here in Chattanooga. It happens right there on the river front and it is diametrically opposed to the other music festival we have in this town, which is total garbage. It's exactly the worst music festival in the country versus damn near one of the best music festivals in the country. And I really do. If you get a chance, if you live close enough to Chattanooga, check out Moon River. If you're into this type of Americana sort of music, it is so well done. So we talk a little bit of Moon River. We talk a little bit about Exit 111 Fest, which is coming up. If you're listening to this pretty close to the first of October, it's happening next weekend at the Farm in Manchester. And then we get into a little bit of Bonnaroo 2020 talk. Before we get into that, though, I want to sort of... The whole point of this was I made a list of artists that I truly thought were going to be at Bonnaroo next year. And you probably are doing the same thing right now at home, not necessarily a wish list. So don't really give us a wish list. Give us an idea of bands that you think are actually going to be there. I've got my list and I made this the first of July. I've even got it numbered. And since then, two of my bands that I absolutely were convinced were going to be there have already said no. And that's the little piece of news that I wanted to share with you. I didn't know that this was... Actually, I don't. I don't know if it's already officially out there. I don't know if somebody's actually said this, but I got an absolute confirmation that two artists specifically will not be at Bonnaroo. Yeah. And one of them you were all in on, right? All in. I mean, betting the house type of thing. Yeah, I was. I was right there with you. It was my big bet. And not only was I with you on it, but I thought one of the key people in the group might be very much involved in the Super Jam. Yeah. After we talked about that. Yeah. I could see that happening. So, so I'll just go ahead and give you what I know. And I can... First off, I know 50-50 for the Black Keys. It's 50-50 on the Black Keys. They don't have a confirmation yes, and they don't have an absolute no. It's a lean no currently. But I'm giving that a 50-50 because you just don't know when push comes to shove, the money gets handed to you if you're a yes or no. I was convinced they were going to be there, but I've actually heard some things. In fact, I can't say this, but I'm going to write it down to Barry so that he knows that my sources are good. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Okay. So this is what's actually going to happen. And that happens next year, and I don't know how that really works. I don't know how that's going to work with the Black Keys. I'll just put it that way. So it could happen. It could very well happen. All right. So this is absolutely for sure. Billie Eilish is out. Absolutely out. Breaks my heart. Yeah. And so I know she's got some tour dates in and around, like June in Europe. So you could probably have already done the guesswork on this, but I got the official out from somebody I know. I just love her. She's one that I would add on my list that I would actually travel to go see, which is a short list for me. Well, here's the thing. I've seen the show a few times. The first one I saw in Lollapaloo that was very strange. I was like, wow, this girl has got it. She pulls you in in a way that I don't remember a 17-year-old ever doing that before. And then she has this amazing arena tour that people go crazy about. Then the Music Midtown thing happened. And I don't know what the difference from a year and a half ago to this year, but boy, the crowd that was there at least. Maybe it's a Music Midtown problem, which by the way, I think is a terrible festival. I think it's just ran awfully. Awfully. Is that a word? Awfully. Hey, you're the writer. You tell me. You're the smart one in the group. It's terrible. Yeah, it's really bad. So the crowd was horrible. It was horrible for that Billie Eilish show. So I didn't even stay. I didn't even watch it. Yeah, well, that happens. I just think she's great. Everything she does from the Hot Ones episode that I've seen to just the way she treats her fans. So that's a shame. I really was hoping to see her. I do Top 40 Radio. I don't think there has been a more challenging and a better song in maybe the Top 40 format than Bad Guy. The fact that that was so difficult for radio to wrap their head around and find a place for, on top of that, the lyrical content with it, the way it was produced, it's totally different than anything in Top 40 has damn near ever heard. I mean, I equate it to maybe Smells Like Teen Spirit breaking through to Top 40 Radio. It's as impactful as I think Bad Guy was for this format. So that's the one that I absolutely know is out. And as far as an actual show, Chance the Rapper is out. Now these were two names that I had in my Top Four. That really, really, that really screws up my list. Well, I mean, I don't really do the prediction lists. I just don't spend as much time on it as you do and some other people. But I think there were several people on your list that I would agree with. I don't have your list. Okay, I'll go through it. I'll go through it. Top two names, Black Keys, Chance the Rapper. Whoopsies. Scratch, scratch. Then my third one was Zedd. I'm just putting his name there because it's got to have some sort of EDM at the top. And look, I'm not going to lie to you. I don't know much about EDM, so I just put Zedd there. That's my EDM slot. And then I think one that we all agree on is going to be there in a major way, and that's Tame Impala. It makes too much sense to come back, put them on the what stage, make it a late night show or a nine o'clock, 10 o'clock show with that light show for, let them do their two hour jam set, which they sit on that line of being acceptable to the jam community. Whatever. They had too much success with the jam world last year to not do it again this year. Yeah, no, they're going to do it. Now let me ask you this. My next one on the list is My Morning Jacket. Now I don't have a natural jam spot, right? I don't have a widespread panic like a lot of people are guessing or a string cheese incident, which I don't think can hold the what? Damn near maybe not even the witch. But I do think a combination of My Morning Jacket and Tame Impala, do you think that makes the the fish crowd happy? Do you think it brings those fish people back like they did last year? I was thinking Warren Haynes in some capacity as well, which I mean, it could be it could be widespread and Warren or, you know, Warren used to be that he was the Chance the Rapper of Bon Roop for many, many years. And I don't I don't remember last time he was there. So he would be on my list. And I don't know what configuration My Morning Jacket, you know, I'm a huge fan, but I don't like read up every day. We had Jim James there last year. So they come back with the full band. Maybe that could make some sense. And it's been a while since they've been there. My next name is Billie Eilish. That's absolutely out. And then I've got Brittany Howard way up there. Now I went through a whole other list of bands that just make sense like, you know, 1975 Ice Nectar, Janelle Monae, even Kelsey Ballerini, if they want to keep coming back to this young country dynamic. But then way, way, way down my list, maybe 15 down is Lizzo. Now what's happened with Lizzo since we talked to you last is unlike anything that I've seen, she has become the biggest artist on the planet and she is shooting up festival lineups. The fact that she's on the ACL lineup as low as she is, is stunning at this point. But come next year, Bhanru, if she's doing the festival circuit, you can better believe she's going to be in the top three lines. Yep. She's on mine. She would be definitely a prediction for me. And then much shorter list, but I'm going to predict because of the huge success of country music, the Ken Burns documentary that we're going to see something, a Chris Christopherson, a Marty Stewart. Okay, one step better, which was on my list. I didn't mention him. I've got him number six, Zach Brown. Yeah, could be. I've been kind of quiet lately. He has been very quiet and Zach Brown does arenas and he does big, big setups like this. So he would have, and by the way, has all the friends in the world in Nashville to make some sort of like Zach Brown country super jam happen. Yeah. I just think they have to capitalize on that. I mean, that documentary, we talked about it every single day at work. We don't talk about anything every single day at the paper, but that people kept huddling. I mean, it was a complete water cooler thing. I see your point. I think you're off just a touch. I think that the country lane is definitely something, but it's a younger, more traditional country, not an older traditional country. At Bonnaroo? Yeah. Perhaps, but I mean, they've done the Legacy Acts before. I know, but give me the last one they did. Wanda Jackson. Wanda Jackson was a long time ago. Kenny Rogers was a couple of years ago. I don't know. We kind of thought Lionel was going to be in that lane because he'd just done the country album, but he came and did his wedding singer stuff. I mean, unless you're giving me Dolly, which we talk about that with Cuellar a little bit. Unless you're giving me Dolly, I don't think older country is where they're going. Perhaps not. I'm just thinking of the songwriter aspect of it that was highlighted so much. I think people were fascinated by the Christofferson. Marty Stewart was such a key element to that documentary. That's why I'm thinking of him. I don't know that I have a specific name. Oh, I do, now that I think about it. I have a feeling they're going to get... What about Robert Earl? Robert Earl... Now you could give me... I think they could go into a lane of renegade country, like outlaw country stuff. Yeah, Steve Earl. I mean, Steve Earl. Steve Earl is what I mean, not Robert Earl. Robert Earl. Robert Earl Keene is that what you... Yeah, I was thinking Robert Earl. I was thinking Steve Earl. That was Steve Earl. Steve Earl is exactly what I was thinking. I think they definitely could. Now you give me... How about this? Now here's a conspiracy theory. You put Steve Earl on a lineup and you put the Foo Fighters on a lineup. I just talked to a couple of guys, a band called the White Animals were here in town this week and a couple of them, we had lunch and they had just seen the Foo Fighters at Pilgrimage and it was terrific, as you can imagine. So yeah, that's a good one. That's one that I've been there in a long time. Long time. Long time. Yeah, that's a good one. So I do understand where you're going. So you got the country lane that they're absolutely going to, I think, have to satisfy because it just makes too much sense, especially after all of the infrastructure they've built for Nashville, right? Yes, that's exactly. Then secondly, I think that they are absolutely going to come back to this jam crowd. They saw too much success with Fish. They saw too much of their people back and they see... If I'm guessing, if I'm them, I see the hole in the market just as a dollar and cents. These are the people that we have to super serve. How do we do it? There's a conversation I had the other day. I don't know... That music base has not grown. It's the same names every year. There's not a new jam band that's come onto the scene that everybody's like, this is the next step. That's why I sort of ask, does Tame Impala, My Morning Jacket, sort of make that world happy? No, that's a great point. It's Umphrey's strong, widespread. There's the new one. And who? Yeah, exactly. That's a great point. They're going to get beat up if they put widespread panic number three or four. They're going to get beat up about doing the same old thing over again. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't as a business decision. That's how I almost think of Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks band. But Warren, my gosh, he plays with everybody. He could put together a super group of... Name it. And by the way, if you put Warren Haynes, and it's not for me, so I'm not going to judge it. But if you give that crowd a Sunday night Warren Haynes, the possibilities of who shows up, it's endless. Exactly. I mean, didn't we hear reports like Springsteen was on the farm last year? I don't remember. So if he just happens to be on the farm again, that would make total sense. Stuff like that. But the possibilities of that being a stop for all my friends and family becomes real, real real. Real real. I could see that. I don't know how rumors are that Ashley Caps is retiring is done. I wonder, do they go... Is that a goodbye Ashley kind of year? Now wait a second. Are you saying this as news, as a reporter, as reporter from the Times New Press? Well, that's why I'm wondering how... I don't know. I don't think it's a secret. Is this a rumor that you've heard or is this based on some kind of... I think in those noises when they sold to Live Nation that it was sort of the beginning, you know, that he was nearing the end of his career. He's of a certain age. He's done this for a long, long time. No, I do not have this news from him or anyone specifically. It's just a rumor that I keep hearing. Here's the crazy thing is if you... It's almost like Tom Brady. If things are so easy for you, you know, I mean, it's not like you're getting tackled every play. You can work the system a little bit. I don't know why you would ever retire. You get to do this on sort of make your own schedule, make your own life out of this, make your own world. Why not? Why not stay there forever? You say that. I'm sure there's a lot more involved in the day-to-day stuff that, you know, he's done and wants to... You know, you and I talk to him. He loves the, I don't know, oddball or the non-traditional shows. He loves to go, you know, I mean, Big Ears is his festival. He has his own things that he likes to do and his wife. I think they like to travel. So I don't know. I'm just curious. Just throwing that out there. I have nothing specific on that at all. That is going to send people's heads a-rolling thinking about the possibilities and where this goes because the second that you say Ashley has retired and is not necessarily part of the day-to-day, you start asking how much is that going to involve Live Nation taking over more of the festival and that scares people to death. Yeah. Yeah. Well, change does, number one, but they are the 800-pound gorilla. I understand that that scares everyone, but the only difference is here we have the proof of what happens when they do take over. Yeah. And we've been through this and it wasn't necessarily everybody's favorite. It had its bumps. It had its challenges. It had its bumps. And again, but what we've always tried to say over and over and over is that it doesn't really matter. We hope to God it doesn't matter the top because we're not there for, we're not necessarily there for lineups. Yeah. Yeah. Just, you know, don't mess up a good thing. Yeah. And I do want you to hopefully take from this. We're not lineup driven people. The lineup's just fun to talk about in the downtime. Right. And I want to throw this in and it's local, but I'm hoping that it works out. I would love to see Strong Like a Horse, which is a great local band that is recording an album. Our friend Nick Lettsgo is also got a new album coming out. Yeah. And you and I have both been pushing to see him play there. I would love that. Those are two good local bands. You really want to hurt his band, don't you? Nick? Yes. Why is that? Because they're in giant cartoon heads. I know, but they are so much fun. They wear these ridiculous outfits, right? And they're all dressed as monsters. And so the band is called The Gimmicks. Exactly. And so they all have a gimmick. And in the Tennessee heat in the middle of Bonnaroo, you want them to wear that outfit? Yes. Okay. Yes. They deserve it. I hope they get the chance. Because Nick Lettsgo is an amazing songwriter. He deserves to have a spot and a shot in front of an audience. It's not just Chattanooga. So let's bring in Jeff Cuellar and talk all things AC Entertainment, whether it's Moon River, Exit 111 Fest is coming up next weekend, or even Bonnaroo 2020. Jeff Cuellar on the What Podcast with Brad Steiner and Barry Court. Hey Barry, what's going on? How are you doing? Do you make it home safely and all? I made it home. I'm here. Are you still in the banana suit, Jeff? Or are you still wearing a banana suit? I actually just pulled my banana suit out of my bag as I've tried to unpack it. You know, I don't know. I'm banana suit free at the moment. Yeah. I don't know who at AC Entertainment drew, I don't know what you guys did to make some people mad, but how you three got chosen as banana suit people. You must have done something really, really bad, man. I wish I could say it was punishment, but it was actually my idea where I can have to take ownership. This is my bad that this is happening. But yeah, so last year during the site build, Drew wore a banana suit and like did some funny internet videos. And I jokingly said to Paul and Samantha Steele, who are part of his management company, and this is like, I guess like the Saturday festival, I was like, if I get banana suits, I'm getting you guys, I'm getting you guys in banana suits. And they go, there's like, there's like, there's an I pinned them each against each other. And I said, I said, Paul, if I can get Sam in a suit, you're in a suit. And she and he's and he's like, of course, she's not going to do it. I'm like, Sam, Paul's already said he's going to be in a suit if you're going to be in a suit. And she's like, well, if you've got Paul in a suit, then I'll do it. And then next thing you know, I've got Paul and I went ahead, a runner go get three banana suits. Yeah. And all three of us did it. And he was like, I got to leave and go have a kid. Yeah, really? That's the excuse. Kind of a lame one. Yeah. Yeah. So with Paul and Sam out having their kids, then Drew stepped in and then jumped in the banana suit, too. So we had what Brad and Rachel and our team in there. And then Drew came in at the last minute and jumped in the suit as well. We almost had Ellie in there, too. But they had some kid stuff they had to figure out. I don't know, just imagine the talent you could have had if not if they wasted all of their budget on banana suits. Everybody gets a banana suit. Everybody gets a banana suit. So we should probably explain to anybody that was at Moon River, September 7th and 8th, 8th of the night, the Sunday as everyone is leaving, we're getting high fives from people in banana suits. Yeah, that's great. Turns out Jeff Cuellard, Drew Hulcomb, I guess is one of them. I mean, I took I did the high five. I did the high five and I heard the voice. I was like, wait a second, was that Quayard back there? And I had like I feel like I had to put my face in that banana suit hole just to see if it was you. I had to rethink. I found out, Jeff, I saw you Sunday, Saturday. Barry had a little more fun than he anticipated. Oh, is that right? And I now know why. I, you know, Drew's got with the old Dominican, old Dominic guys, the bourbon. And I bought a couple Dominic. I bought a couple on Saturday and before I knew it was speaking in tongues. Yeah, sure. And then bought one on Sunday and guy next to me at the bar said, what's the alcohol content in these things? They said about one hundred and eighteen percent. Oh, that's all. Good. Just like the temperature. It was a little bit in there. So you saw me and I was not right. Yeah, it was tough. The next morning I talked to Barry and Barry said, did I have a good time? I say anything I shouldn't have. Yeah, it was a great time. By the way, when you look back on a festival like Moon River, you guys, the second year involved in it, what do you take away from it? It truly is. It's one of those events that is inspiring on so many levels and it starts from really, I'd say the top down and to have partners like Drew, Ellie, the whole Triple 8 management team, how invested they are in the invent. And I would say for us, it is it's inspirational for our team and only gets us jazzed even more that we have got our artist partners that feel like we need we need to deliver here to having like even the first year, Drew, you know, jump around in a banana suit pre fest and trying to have those conversations with fans. I mean, Ellie, what she was on stage Saturday night and then Monday she's having a baby last year and then come into this year and just that spirit and that energy. And I think Brandi Carlile kind of said it best from the stage. She's like, this is a hell of a festival and it really is inspirational from that standpoint that when all of those pieces come together from the artist to the city and the location, the fans, the producers behind the scenes, that that electric mix that kind of happened where it isn't it's more than just a music festival. And I think everyone felt it from top to bottom. And you're right about that Brandi Carlile line. It wasn't just that. She kept coming back to the same thing over and over and over saying how great of an experience this was for her. I mean, it's nice for you to get some some play on stage from an artist, but to keep coming back to it over and over and over. She genuinely felt it seemed as though that she loved this thing. Well, and I can say because the the person who was responsible for sort of driving them, I guess, golf carts, whatever, they didn't they drove to town in their bus and didn't get off. So she had no idea what this festival was. Until they walked out on stage. So I think that reaction was genuine. Yeah. She was like, holy crap, what is this? This is awesome. And her social media post this morning was like, Hey, Moon River, can we be best friends? Wow. Nice. I mean, that alone. I agree. I think she had she had a hell of experience. I'll tell you. And I think you saw every artist that played the play the event was like, wow, there is it's like they weren't playing a stage. It's like they were hanging out with her best friends in the backyard. That's right. That's right. I will say that that I saw more artists hanging out at the festival walking around the grounds than I did in the artist area. Honestly, it was mostly Barry hit the artist area and I couldn't walk out of there. No, but it really is a testament to what you guys have have curated here in Chattanooga. And the thing that I love so much is this is my first year. I didn't get a chance to see it last year. But man, it's amazing to have a place that you travel so often. And you spend so much time in get completely transformed and turned into something completely different and not just different, but done so well and executed so well. This is my backyard. I literally live up the hill from this. And it's happening within 100 yards of my house. And not to mention, I don't feel as though I saw many people that I knew. That was the other crazy thing. I thought I would see so many people that I see on a daily basis. But there were so many unfamiliar faces. There were so many people from out of town. I just couldn't have been more impressed with the execution of that thing. We appreciate it. It's definitely a labor of love for this one for us. It was truly a special experience. And it's one that I know the whole team now going to year two that we're all looking forward to. So you did such a great job a year ago or whenever it was. I mean, Brad and I have talked about it on this podcast so many times that that conversation with you really was sort of game changing for us because it was inside baseball. I know. I know. You don't get compliments to your face a lot. I know. No, but it was so insightful just on how to build something like this. We based our conversation with Drew Holcomb months later about we talked to him about how do you start up a festival? And so to be able to talk about how you move one with you and we can go back to Bonnaroo. If you don't mind, I want to bring it back because we haven't really talked since. One of the things that you pointed out to Brad and I a year ago that really resonated was the whole creating and curating and experience for the fans. And when we talked, we were sort of coming off of or the GA tents were kind of new. And so now we've got what year two, maybe year three of them. And we saw the numbers go up. Talk about how important that has been for Bonnaroo since 2002 to be able to make those kinds of changes and then see them work. It's fantastic. It's one of those things that's like, I think we know the ingredients that are necessary for kind of building that building this dinner of Bonnaroo and watching the landscape change as it is. I don't want to say it was rinse and repeat at any point in time, but I do think that there was an element of that. And we had to take a serious look in the mirror and say, what are we trying to be? Where do we want this thing to go? And what is the differentiator? Why is Bonnaroo specialized radiating positivity and bringing all these amazing people, artists and things together? And what can we do on the farm that really no one else can do? And no one else has the opportunity to put together along with a fan base that is willing to try and experiment with certain things. I mean, you know, over the years, we've definitely taken some swings and not connected. But to see the stuff like with the plazas and really take off, I think we all knew they could be successful. It's just a matter of kind of willing to take that risk and allowing to nurture it, to make it to where it's now a feature of the site. Let me add to that, because back to Moon River real quick for people who weren't there. This is the second year in Chattanooga. And in talking with Drew beforehand for the story that I wrote for the paper, the changes that they made were that I would venture to say were not on anybody's radar until they started listening and getting the feedback. For example, one of the big changes was increasing the kids area. You know, I don't know that that's something that's probably on a lot of festivals radar, but they added changing stations and put a stage up so that Ellie, who has a kid's book and a kid's record out, could actually perform, moved it over safer and over into an area that was kind of in between where the kids could play near the fountain. So I mean, all of that just came from feedback, right? Not really feedback, to be honest. I mean, it's one of those things and you kind of credit maybe some of our staff, myself, I've got two kids, but really kind of watching year one and seeing the kids that were there. I mean, it was a very family friendly affair. And I think it was one of those like, why are we doing this? And then noticing that we did, we kind of had an area that was a little bit of a dead area and it's next to the carousel, you know, right next to the fountain as well, or the splash pad. And so how can we take this and make a zone out of it? I mean, the same thing can be said for like the lookout lodge. Like we tried it last year and that thing got so hot, it was so full on capacity. We're like, well, how can we make this experience better? Okay, let's pull down the door so that air conditioning stays inside and add a bigger screen outside so the big games everyone can watch. And those people that care about some of the smaller games, they can go inside, cool off and see some sports there. But those types of things, I don't think anyone was necessarily asking for. We just saw those as opportunities to elevate the fan experience based on what we saw from the previous year. Boy, I'm sure I'm glad that Barry brought that up because it just now hit me. I have never seen that many kids at a music festival. Yeah, and haven't at all. Oh my God, there were so many kids there. Now that I think about it, they were everywhere. And never once was I upset that there was a kid around. Brad doesn't have kids if you didn't know. I don't. And normally I would be like, why is somebody bringing a kid to a music festival? But now that I think about it, it makes total sense. And here's the other thing too that is fascinating about the Moon River experience, how clean it was and nobody was smoking. I know that's crazy, but we have a going joke at camp at Bonnaroo that you can't go an hour without cigarettes and farts. And that is going to be something that just envelops you. Let's just go ahead and put it out there. Brad does not smoke. So it's very debilitating to me when I'm just covered in cigarette smoke around certain things. But I was walking through the festival that night, Sunday night, there wasn't a piece of trash on the ground. Everybody self-polices, man. I saw one person the entire festival smoking. That is unbelievable. So kids, no smoking and it's clean. Boy, you've got something pretty special if you can maintain those three things. I got to give a shout out to Chetnik Public Works. Their ability not only to keep the grounds clean, but the attitude they have while doing it is it's refreshing. I mean, those guys take pride in their work. And I mean, simply just like emptying trash cans with a smile on your face. It's one of those things that, you know, it's not the greatest thing. And who wants to empty trash? I mean, probably most of us at our own home probably, you know, delay emptying trash just because it's not fun. But the whole team from Chetnik Public Works, like their just attitude and how they attacked it, smile on their face, you know, just please thank you to fans and the fans just being respectful and grateful for the job that they're doing. Phenomenal team. Yeah, that's right. Phenomenal team. And back to Bonnaroo for a second. So I know we're bouncing around the entire way here going back and forth through so much of this. There's a few threads that tie all this together. Where are you guys on the Bonnaroo process? When you're in the middle of fall, September or so, where are you right about now? I mean, you're booking the festival is being booked, of course. And then we are, I'd say coming to the end of our evaluation of programs and how certain things went. And I think coming into 2020, we are there's a lot of stuff, there's even more self reflection of what is working and what is not and how to I mean, we're a full profit company. I won't lie in every event that we're doing, we are looking to make a profit. So it's how, where can we enhance the experience and perhaps allow for us to without without adding too much expense? Well, hang on a second. Before you go, before you go, before you go any further, what constitutes in your mind or or AC or the festival's mind is working? A lot of you could say is ancillary programs, but then it does go down to other pieces like entry. So how fast we're able to get people on the ground. Let's say that is a big one this year that going into 2020 is addressing. We don't feel like we feel like we can do better. So how do we do better? And how do we make it happen? Because we're limited, you know, with land, we're limited with entrances, you know, coming off of the interstate, we're limited in certain areas. So it's what what's causing the problem and how can we make it more efficient and safe? See, that's that's fascinating. That what I would say is not working. I mean, it's working, but it's not working, in our opinion, at the highest level. Along that is one of those things I would say, how can we make it better along those lines and not to put words into your mouth. But you talked to me anyway on site this last time. One of the programs you got read of that was working, you know, by some definitions was the role like a rock star, right? It was making making money, but you didn't think it fit the mission, if I remember correctly, when you replaced it with what do you call it? The wild in the woods? Well, in the woods, right? Yeah. Yeah, we're in the woods. We're in the woods. Yep. So I mean, that's a good example. Yeah, that's a it's a prime example. You know, look at what one program of servicing and then what a shift could do for everybody else. And you know, nothing to knock the people who can afford an experience like we're like rock star. But we felt we could deliver something on a platinum scale and allow us to open more up to our for general fans or to our normal fans and really everybody because everyone has access to wear in the woods. And knowing that that is, you know, one of the one of the things that we you know, we know you talk about trying to improve is shade and places to cool off. You know, we've been planting trees every year since since the beginning. But as we all know, trees take a lot of time to grow. But that's one of the areas that we had on site is shaded. So how can we create experience that more people can enjoy over there? It's fascinating here you describe in your terms, you know, how you guys come to the conclusion of what's working or not, because, you know, what is constitutes working for maybe the general public may not be working for you guys. And it's it's refreshing to hear that it's not just monetary based, that I'm sure there are there are plenty of things that are not working as a partnership when it comes to like how you make money and how you continue to move the festival forward. But but when you guys go to look in and look at all the problems and you rank them from top to bottom, when you when you find the top problem, is it really a problem problem or is it something that you guys are like, this could just be better? It's is anything really a problem problem that you guys are dealing with at this point in time? Probably not. OK. I mean, you know, we're definitely rolling into year 19. You know, I would say nothing at this point in time is a significant problem. Like if it's not addressed, there will be, you know, negative ramifications. So yeah, it's probably more on us. But again, case changed. People change. The environment changes. So what what may have been cool 10 years ago? It's not cool anymore. And so you can say you could say that is a problem. Who would have challenged, I guess, another way to look at it. Who would have anticipated EDM 10 years ago? You know, going exactly going at it like you did. And I imagine at some point that may alter and something else replaces it or, you know. And when you when you OK, so how about this? When you are when you're addressing all these things, you get you're to the end of the evaluation process and you are building a lineup and you're building the roster and you're coming up with your partners, your your your your basically the funding, the operation. And you also have a brand new festival that you have to put on here and about how many days and weeks. How do all these things? How do all how do all these conversations happen at once? I think we look at it like you look at each festival as its own festival. We recognize that, you know, we create the competition for ourselves in a lot of places. But each one is evaluated differently. And then after we feel like we're putting the best possible product out there, we start to compare it against some of the other experiences, things that we're doing. But each piece is different. I mean, I look at every one of our festivals and where some may be somewhat similar when it comes to a lineup or or, you know, we may take excuse me, a piece that we're doing over here and then how do you apply it over here? So I mean, a good example of that is even the kids section. So we did Phillies and Colts at Railberg, which was really the first time we attempted to do kind of a kids section. And that is different than the kids section we did at Moon River with the treehouse. And a lot of our inspiration came from, you know, I'm not hesitant to say this, Kidapalooza, Lollapalooza. I think they do a phenomenal job at engaging, you know, the those young fans and the support that people have and or the support internally we have in terms of cultivating those fans and those families. Because as a family, if you can bring a kid 10 and under to your festival, your parents are more engaged. They want to be out there. I mean, I have two kids. And if you're telling me I get my kids in for free, then more than likely you're going to get me my wife down there because we want to continue to have those types of experience, festival experiences, share them with our children. So hopefully they're growing up to be festival attendees and want that type of experience. But so I mean, kind of circling back to that original question is, yeah, there's that evaluation period and there's a focus and the timelines that we put together. And then we do take that step back and hit the 30,000 foot view and say, how does this fall in to everything else that we're doing and making sure that we can continue to deliver and hopefully over deliver on that specific festival as well as every festival experience that we're putting out there. How involved are you personally and and AC in general in exit 111? We are partnering with C3 on that event. So we definitely have a role in there and trying to make sure we've definitely got, I think, more knowledge in the property than our partners do. But this is this is one that we're teaming up and we're trying to produce a new event. I think what excites me the most about that event is for 18 years now, it's Bonnaroo. I mean, that great stage park has been a home of Bonnaroo. We've done some smaller things like fun runs with Red Frog events. The adventure of 5K and some other smaller things out there. But we've never done another music festival. And the idea of putting on this this rock fest in Manchester, Tennessee is exciting. And the I think there are a lot of people wondering, like, how is it going to compare the Bonnaroo? Like, we don't want to compare to Bonnaroo because this is a completely different experience than Bonnaroo is. But the it's finally our opportunity to do some things that maybe you can't do at Bonnaroo. You can't do it at other events. But with this property, we can. Yeah, I think I think that's the delay person, though, it seems as though it's like watching a friend of yours who has dated the same type of woman for so long and then out of nowhere, his next girlfriend looks totally different than the last one. And you're like, well, he's got interesting tastes. It's going to be definitely a unique analogy, except where I in this case, we can. It's OK for us to carry more than one girlfriend. My dude. For those of us that have been there, because a lot of people, especially around here, because it's again, it's 60 miles from here. How is it? How is the space going to be used differently? It's going to be much smaller, right? And not as much camping. And what else? So whereas Bonnaroo is primarily a camping festival, I mean, really, it's what, like less than 10 percent don't camp. And they're you know, they're maybe in a hotel or they're they're, you know, driving in each day or they happen to be local or something along those lines. I think the majority of people who are coming to exit 111, they're not camping. You know, there will there are day tickets available for the event. So right there, there's a massive difference. And probably the biggest difference is it gets shut down every night. So Benaroo or what we've always referred to a server, which I believe is called the venue for exit 111 is that it has a closing time. And so it will shut down like a traditional city festival. And so if you're not camping and you're going back and you're able to sleep in your own bed or sleep in a bed and have that different kind of experience there. So I mean, that right there is probably the the biggest difference. And then I think programming, you know, the stuff with the paranormal circus, some of the Red Bull action stuff, you know, because you're in the height of football season, both college and NFL and for that matter, baseball, getting into that that time frame, having the mega sports bar and some of those other things that are relevant to one, that audience, but also the experience you're trying to create, it's going to be different. It's going to be very different. I think it's going to be an older crowd. I mean, guns and roses, Blair, and those guys. So I mean, off the bat, you're going to have an older crowd versus those, you know, looking to see Childish Gambino and others. Did you say that? Let me go back for a second. Maybe I missed something. Did you say there's not camping at exit 111? No, there is camping. OK, it is not. But center rule will close. It's not like Hodes or Monterey where everyone's camping. OK, the reason I ask is because and forgive me for sounding like a total, total idiot on this one, but I have to I have to, you know, punt on some of the stuff that I just don't know anything about. I just found out and this is after 38 years of life that people camp at NASCAR races. Now I didn't know this because crazy enough, I'm not a NASCAR fan. And even growing up in Richmond, Virginia, even though we had the Richmond Motor Speedway there, I didn't know that people showed up and camped. So I got to imagine there will be plenty of people camping at this thing with their RVs. Are the camps being set up the same way as as Bonnaroo's camps are set up in and around the pods that were previously built? The showers are going to be working, the bathrooms are working like that? It will be different. But yes, I mean, essentially, you know, we're trying to look to set up. I'm not going to call it like a KOA style experience, but we are evaluating it in a different way to where if you're camping, you're coming and here's your campsite or at least the area that you're going to be in and then be able to shuffle through. So it's it's one of those things that I think presents the fun challenge is knowing that there's going to be a good number of people who are going to come in each day and leave each night. And then there's also going to be a good number of people that are staying and continuing their experience in the campground. Where are you seeing as far as where tickets are coming from? Is it mostly a Nashville ticket region or is it Tennessee? How far how far is the reach going so far? I would say your strongest poll is going to be within two hours of the site. So you draw a circle two hours in every direction. And that is that is really I'd say the sweet spot. So I mean, everything from Atlanta to even, you know, even Charlotte, Nashville, of course, Birmingham, Chattanooga, Memphis, Knoxville, that that kind of range is is really. And we knew that going into it, that was going to be the biggest poll from where it's at. I think that's part of the reason why I think what makes that space so attractive is that within two hours, you're in several major markets. Tying all this together, what we talked about today and what we talked about last time you you were with us. This festival is a good example, I think, of putting everything together, right? Because you have Montero, you have a site, you have Moon River, you have Asheville, others that you've done. So maybe go over some of the things that because I know you've been talking about using great stages for several years now for other events. What was it about this event that you think makes it work and what were sort of those, you know, boxes that had to be ticked? You're just specific for exit 111. 111. What was it? What makes this different than the other events that makes you guys think? I mean, was it it needed to be fall? It needed to be an older audience? It needed to be regional versus national? I mean, again, I'm not trying to put words in. Just based on the conversations that we've had, I'm just trying to, you know, what was it the items that... We feel like there's an opportunity there. You know, there are others producing events like this. The opportunity that we have with Great Stage Park. We thought there's something special here. And if we put it together, we feel like the audience is going to come. And being able to serve that audience, that rock audience, is, you know, that there are a lot of them are very loyal attendees to going to see a lot of these bands and being able to put these together in a different way. I just think we just thought there was an opportunity. And the fall in Tennessee is gorgeous. So the ability to kind of camp during that time frame is an opportunity. You kind of look at the age demographic that would be coming to it, too. You know, I think they're probably less apt to camp in June in Tennessee versus in October. And then the opportunity on the sports side and some of the other pieces that are kind of falling into place here. For us, I think it was just a chance to do something different. Yeah, well, see, that's I think that's the elephant in the room. It's so different. It does lend itself to ask, are you scared? I don't care. It's not the right word. I mean, I think with any first year event, there's always some trepidation like our people are people in the same page with us. You know, do they do our fans agree that this was a good idea? Are they going to buy tickets? And then the reality for any first year event, you know, I think like something like Moon River, we were very fortunate to sell out in what, eight hours the first year and like six hours this year, something like that. You know, that is that doesn't happen. That's not reality for the majority of music festivals out there. And you know, you have to build it. And I think there is because this is something so different, the opportunities there is I think people who are coming this year are going to be blown away. It's just so there is that other way. It's just so different. And it's like it doesn't like I guess it's because I guess it's because we know you guys, I guess on a personal level. But but more so I can see the brands that you guys have built. And this is so completely out of your lane. And it's both it's it's inspiring for one. It's and but damn near it's it's dangerous too, because you're doing something that's completely new. And I guess the thing that's so interesting is you had a very specific model when you went for an inspirational guide for Bonnery. You had a very North Star, right, a very clear North Star. And we've heard how it's manifested from year to year. The North Star for Moon River is pretty easy to find. What was the what was the inspiration behind 111? Where did it come from? How did it become? Was there something that that you patterned it after? Or is it just because you have a space it works? No, they're definitely the one of the main people behind it, Tim Sweetwood on the C3 team. You know, this definitely is kind of his and his baby in a sense. So a lot of what was his name? I didn't hear what you said. What was his name? Tim Sweetwood. OK, OK. Yeah. So, you know, a lot of this has come, you know, a lot of this vision for this event and how it's going to come together. You know, it's not like we just slapped it together in a matter of weeks. It's been the conversation been going on for a couple of years and trying to find the right time and the right axe to to launch it. And I think once, you know, we knew we had Guns N' Roses in in the mix, it was like, OK, this is something we can definitely start to build around. And we knew we had other players kind of lined up. And again, we still talk about Bonnaroo in terms of how you create those lanes. So if you're a Leonard Skinner fan, but for some reason, you're not a Guns N' Roses fan, there's still something for you in all three days. If you're a Def Leppard fan and not a Guns N' Roses or a Skinner fan, there's still something for you on all those three days. So that approach stays consistent. But a lot of this definitely came and pulled out of the mind of Tim in terms of where where he kind of wanted to go with it and his his fandom of of the rock scene. And then, you know, through the beautiful thing about all of both of our organizations is you're all music fans. And we all want to see different types of experiences and where we know, hey, we've always wanted to do this, but I can't do that at Bonnaroo. Like it doesn't fit. I'd love to do this at Forecastle. It's not going to work at Forecastle, but I sure as hell can do it at Exit 111. Like that's one of those that like that's something that crowd is going to really get behind. Dude, to like the Paranormal Circus. To make this work as well as it does, do you have to sort of turn over the room a little bit? For instance, you've got a certain group of people in the conversation that know what the Bonnaroo audience is going to like. I'm guessing those same people who are booking the artists for Bonnaroo, not necessarily the ones you go to to book the bands for Exit 111? Or are they the same people? Yes and no. I think you're bringing in probably more opinions and you know the people that kind of have certain opinions. I mean, we've talked before about, I'm definitely a hip hop head. I don't book bands, but when some of those acts are being considered, I get to have that conversation. What do you think? Do you think there's a draw here? Do you think it fits? And so, our booking agents know who the targets are and what they're going after. And when they need to have some of those more specific conversations like, how does this fall into the mix? Like what is it, you know, what do we think here? If we go here, what else do we need to complement that? So yeah, I think they are amazing at what they do because they know what they don't know and they're not afraid to go ask questions to the people who are really digging in deep into some of the catalogs and newer stuff that's kind of coming out there or even older stuff that's still relevant. I think the you guys being a music fan thing, it's not a small, it sounds like just something everybody would say, but it's the kind of thing that shows. I call it, you know, the difference between walking around and feeling like the answer is always going to be no versus the answer is, let's see how we can make it work, you know, or yes. And you know, you get that feeling as a patron, like, you know, when you're walking up to a gate or something, you don't feel like you're, you know, they've got the evil eye on you. You feel like, hey, how can you come on in, have a good time? And it makes a huge difference. You talk about the public works guys smiling and getting a high five from a guy in a banana is seem silly and small. And that's what it is. And you know, in a big picture, but at the end of the day, I walked out with a smile on my face. I think what Barry's saying is he wants Ashley caps and love the chaps. I think that's where he's going with this. No, it's just that kind of attitude. It's those little things that you walk away with that, you know, you take them home and when you add them all up, it was a pretty good day versus, you know, every turn was something negative or so it makes a big difference. I won't lie that doing the like the banana suit thing is just as much for me as it is for the fans. Oh, I, you know, you can ask like how am I in it? Like the love you get from that and just the people saying thank you and like, like, man, I want to hug you. It's an amazing weekend. It's like you talk about some affirmation that it really is. It totally fills your heart up. You're like, people really did appreciate what we put together here. And you know, I'm sharing my love, the fact that you came out and you're supporting this thing, which allows me to keep doing what I do for a living. But then it's also me being goofing, showing my appreciation and that side. And it's a totally give and take. And it does, it means a lot. Well, there was a part of me, there was a part of me that was afraid you were about to give me a free sample of shampoo. What is this guy about to sell me? I don't know what it is. Okay, so I've got some odds and ends that I want to, I want to go through and I know that maybe it's because we now can call each other friendly. I might be pushing, pushing it a little bit. So if I, if I go beyond my abilities and questions that I should or shouldn't be asking, you let me know. But I want to, I want to try a couple of things. First off, how in tune to, and I don't mean surveys, I don't mean reactions that you get, but how in tune to the things that people are saying that are, that are real Bonaruvians, whether it's on InfoRoo, the websites, the Twitters, et cetera. How in tune to what they're saying are you guys? Do you, do you feel like you got your hand on the pulse or the finger on the pulse of what they're saying and what they're thinking? I like to think so. What will you think if you think so, what do you think the number one thing they're saying that they either want, believe, need, feel for Bonaru would be for next year? That's a great question. No, there's no pressure here. I don't mean to like, if you get it wrong, you're going to, you're out. But I have, I have a feeling I know what it is, but I want to see what you think it is. I think it really comes down to the Bonaruvian code. And I think if you remember from our previous conversation, that, that wasn't our code. That was from the fan. And we hear it, you know, radiate positivity definitely is the one that probably carries true and through all throughout. But you know, respect the farm, stay true to Rue, play as a team. All of those, all of those kind of mantras. I think if we stick to that and our fans are the first to tell us, Hey, that's not true to Rue. When that happens, that's when we, it's almost like we better check ourselves or erect ourselves. To me, that's where it really goes is staying true to Rue and making sure that any time that we come up with an idea or attempt to change, improve, whatever we want to, you know, whatever word you want to use for it, we run it through that filter. Are we adhering to the Bonaruvian code? As long as we can adhere to the Bonaruvian code, I think we'll maintain success. And there are certain times where, you know, we may have to push the envelope of what that means, but I think as long as we're not afraid to take that chance and then admit, Hey, we messed up. That didn't work. We're going to try something, you know, we're going to fix that and do something different. And we're always going to maintain that positive relationship with our fans and continue this festival for the next 20 years. Well, look, I think life is a world built on a credit card that either has a lot of credits earned vis-a-vis the credits that you've spent. And I think that you guys have a massive amount of credit on the credit card to try things that may or may not work. And you can come back around and be like, that's okay. They'll be fine. They've got their, they've got a North Star here. This can be okay. Okay. Here's, I'll let Barry go. Barry, what do you think the number one thing is that, that maybe the, the Twitter verse, the infaroos want to see about Bonnaroo next year or the years in the pen? The only thing I can come up with is a name, which is Dolly. Ding. Well, I actually had that conversation with Brian. In fact, it was kind of funny. I think you had just left Brad, but Ted and I were talking and he said, there's the guy, go tell him. And you know, this was after my fourth. So I, you know, I had to be a smart aleck about it, but I was like, Hey, have you thought about Dolly? Yeah. Okay. So, so I'm just going to come out and say it because look, I, I, not everybody gets the AC guys on the phone have, is anyone ever called Dolly? And I'm going to assume the question is yes. Or the answer is yes. Every year is the answer I got. Okay. And then thusly, what is the holdup? Dolly. Is it certain things? Yeah. You can't really speak to all of it, but yes. Has Dolly been approached? I'm very nailed it. I'd say there is an open invitation for Dolly to perform Bonnaroo. And I'm not on the booking team, so maybe, maybe I'm not allowed to say that. But I think if, if we could make it happen, it's something we want to make happen. But you, I mean, as you guys probably know, when you're an artist at that level, there's a variety of things that are, that are kind of staying, I don't want to say standing in the way, but you know, that, that make up how you make your decision. And you know, Dolly is going to do what Dolly wants to do because well, she's earned that right. So, you know, what, what I love to see that someday as a fan. Yeah, I would. I don't think there's, there's, there's many artists I can put in that, that top rung that haven't played the farm that I wouldn't, you know, go crazy to see live. And that's sort of, and that's sort of where I'm going. Is there, is there, if Bonnaroo wants an artist, is there a price that is too much? Oh yeah. I mean, we still have to, we, I mean, like I said, we are a for-profit company. Yeah. Okay. But, and, and I guess part of that could be, you know, does the ticket price change that year because of it? You know, that's, that's the part I don't, you know, I think there'll have to be a lot of evaluation to say, okay, if we're going to do this, then, you know, maybe this is what happens or do we look at things in a different way? I mean, I think there's a lot of other ideas you can probably throw out there in terms of artists that either, you know, some of them being reunited and things along those lines. Does that change how we potentially do something because it will be that major of a get, but that then goes to what I mentioned earlier of, of going through our Bonnaroo V&K. Does doing something like that, that changes X, Y, and Z, does that, are we staying true to Roo or are we taking a chance that we don't need to take for that? Because you know, as amazing as Dolly would be, and this is no nocturne, as amazing as almost, you know, I could think of probably, you know, at least 10, 15 artists would be to play the farm. Does that change the fact that it is Bonnaroo and, and, and we like to think of Bonnaroo being this special place. And if it becomes all about this one act or this one person, are we staying true to Roo? And the lanes that you talk about, I mean, yeah, do you, you know? It just is, okay, so, so, okay, how much does the talent budget fluctuate from year to year? I think we talk about talent. Talent's one of those things that is, is always increasing. And it's from a standpoint of it's, you know, that's how artists make money these days. And we understand. And I think there, there probably is a time where, I think probably that, that, and this is my, my opinion, that it's going to have to right itself because, you know, we still have to things, you have to have portals. You have to have waste management. You have to have all of these things for every event, you know, whether it be a festival like Bonnaroo or a festival like Moon River, all of those pieces that come together. And as we all know, business doesn't, doesn't get cheaper. You know, there's, you know, there's the cost of business seems to always be increasing. And at what point are we going to hit a price to where you can't have, you know, people aren't going to come because they can't afford it because they have to raise the ticket price. Or we have to rely upon other revenues streams to be able to support it. And not that I don't believe artists should, should make their fair cut. I think almost too much pressure has been put on touring to where it makes it a real challenge to, to kind of keep producing certain things. Which is, you know, why we've done some of the smaller, more boutique models is you can control talent another, another way. And we've also been our own worst enemies. When you're, when you're booking so many events out there, that can, you know, that can hurt too. You know, if it were, it used to be, I think was, we had less festivals out there. Your opportunity to see X person was here or, you know, maybe three other places throughout the country. And now you've got, you know, artists know that that's how they're making money. And when they're, what I mean, I just heard like Ed Sheeran just finished like a two year tour. I mean, it's like insane to think about that. That's what's kind of happening right now is that's what artists have to do to make the money. I get it. When they're playing 80 days in the U S. I want to put, I want to put, I want to put a question to rest that I've never heard the answer to that you can either confirm or deny. When, when there are from year to year line up to line up, has there ever been a year where there has been money saved that has been used for the next year or in years in the future thinking there might be an artist that you really want to go for. That's going to cost you a lot of money. Has there ever been money that has been saved from one year and then moved to the next? No. Okay. All right. Yeah. Interesting. Yeah. No, we, we look at each, each year as an individual and now we'll say that potentially there are favors that are set up to where we've done something one year or let's just say there's a cancellation and it's like, we're going to do a make it on a, on a future year of some sort. Okay. Now that can kind of happen, but each year is budgetarily its own year and you're not going to say, okay, I'm going to save $500,000 from 2018 and plug it to 2019. No, we don't do that. Okay. Thank you for saying that because I've always wanted somebody to clarify that because it's one of the more ridiculous rumors that I've heard in the past, especially in years that haven't made, I don't know, insert person happy here. Oh, they're saving all the money for you too next year. I've always hated that. So that is not how anybody runs a business whatsoever. Okay. All right. You can't predict the future. You can't do that. And this is my final one. This is my final little odds and ends that I wanted to throw out there. Do you have your set headliners done? And if not, how far away are you? I would have to defer to my booking team on that one. I know, I can't say if the ink is dry on some of them, but I know there are some serious conversations that have happened or happening and you know, we're getting there. Let me add on this because it gets to the lane thing and it's especially because of knowing some of the festivals that around here that I've watched and they all do it. Do you guys start with the top and then build the lanes or is it all different ways to do that? I mean, it'd be hard to build the lanes if you don't know who the top is. Yes and no. I think there are, if you look at it even these days, the middle of the, not necessarily the middle of the pack, that sounds kind of bad, but the middle has become almost as important, if not more important than some of the headliners. And the headliners always draw big attention, but you'll hear it year in and year out, the favorite part of the festival was X person and an X band was not in the top four line. They were below that. So there are definitely artists that we're looking at and have already been booked that are, they're not headliners. They're in that middle of pack. We're like, they have to play the event. We need them here. Their act is so amazing. You know, who knows in five years they may be a headliner. But no, I would say there are certain pieces that we want to put in place just because of where they may be in their cycle and where their popularity is coming after, in the year we're currently in. All right. Here's where we think they're going to be in a year. Here's my stab at your 2020 Bonnaroo lineup. You ready? I've put a lot of thought into this. I want Barry to, Barry can't see my screens too, but this was written on July 3rd. July 3rd I wrote this. So I'm good thing I wrote this down. You can see when I wrote it, July 3rd. This is my prediction of what the Bonnaroo lineup will be. And we'll get Barry's prediction here in a second. Black keys. And to be clear, you will get no hints. I understand. You're right. I have no affirmation. No groans. Give me a- No grumbles. No giggles. No winking. Right. Nothing. Okay. Black keys, Chance the Rapper, Zedd, Taiman Pala, Zac Brown, My Morning Jacket, Billie Eilish, Spoon, and Brittany Howard. That's your top two, three lines. I've got a whole list here, but there you go. That's my guess is the best guess scenario for next year. It's not bad. I don't put that kind of thought into it. I love it. Because if there's anything that the underground Bonnaroo kids love the most, it's right about now when they start figuring out what is up anybody's sleeve. We'll start seeing who's touring and who's not. Oh my God. It's the best. It's the best. It's fun. It's the best. And one of those names on that list, I absolutely was told will be there. Now, Jeff doesn't have to say anything, but I know for a fact, one of those names will be on there because they told me specifically they were coming. So if they blow it, I'm going to be really mad about this. All right. There you go. That's all I got. Yes. The artist said that? The absolute artist said it, yes. Told me. That's all I know. He's a big deal. He's a big deal. I will. Once the lineup is announced, I'll show you exactly who it is and I'll show you my note that I made on July 3rd, who it is. All right? And then you can argue with their management then. We'll see. Okay. Well, man, you're the best. I love it too. I love it so much. I love the conversation. We could do this all day. You guys are, you're the best. You guys are the best. We can't thank you enough for spending so much time. Well, thank you. Thank you for this support. And this is always a fun time. Welcome to the What Podcast, a podcast for Bonnaroovians by Bonnaroovians. We didn't do this earlier in the show. That's Barry Courter from the Chattanooga Times, you press. I'm Brad from a top 40 radio station in Chattanooga, Tennessee. But most of all, we just love Bonnaroovians and we appreciate Jeff Quay are coming on and talking a little bit about Bonnaroovians. What I loved about the conversation, not just how they've expanded the farm and the things that they're doing on it with the Exit 111 Fest. See how that goes. But what I loved was his acknowledgement that everybody in the building sort of already knows how much we're clamoring for Dolly. Yes. Yes. I was going to say, can you turn that up so they can hear it in Knoxville? Yes. They're very aware, as we said earlier, we had a chance to talk to some of those guys during the Moon River Festival and they offer every single year and it just has to be the right thing and it's going to be completely on her. I don't think it's money. I don't think needs the money. And if she, you know, anyway. You're right. And it is really on her and I hate putting it on her because then we're just all waiting for her to value us, right? So you almost feel like, am I good enough for you? Do you love me enough? Well, we do. And the point that I think I and others have been trying to make about this Dolly thing is it's, yes, it's selfish, but she embodies everything that this festival is and the reason why we love it so much. And I think that the serendipity of it all, I can't imagine there being a dry eye on the farm. Yeah. And I damn near think that it would be as big of a crowd as McCartney. I agree. She doesn't have to do nights. She doesn't have to do a big overwhelming light show. She doesn't have to do, she doesn't have to bring over a whole bunch of friends. She just needs to stand on that stage, give us, I will always love you and we will be balling like babies. Just be Dolly. Just be Dolly. No, that's a great point. I would be disappointed if it was a big, huge stage. I could have her and a piano player and a guitar player. So do you remember last year when Brandi Carlile had that entire crowd by a shoestring? I mean, she had them dangling and you could hear pin drops from front to back. Now whether or not you like the Brandi Carlile show or not, I loved it personally, but that's the kind of thing that Dolly has. She has the power over a crowd. And again, I keep coming back to this over and over and over. She embodies everything that this festival is. And if there are white whales out there that they haven't gotten to, I'm sure that there's somebody that's going to tell you stones and whoever, but the white whale is Dolly. And nobody else in the country could say that other than Bonnaroo. Coachella's not saying that. Governor's Ball sure as hell is not saying that. This is the place that she would be appreciated more than maybe anywhere else. She is Tennessee. She is this philosophy. Everything about it is her. So I hope she finds that out. If you've never been, I mean, the Tennessee Tourism Board comes down there and Nashville people come down, you're exactly right. As much as it's a national, international festival, Tennessee is front and center in that and she's, man, I can't think of anybody that represents that anymore. That and it's interesting to me. I mean, I know your taste, you know my taste. I can see the fact that we both like her a lot, but everybody likes her. It doesn't matter the age group. I mean, I think even the EDM kids would be over there to see the legend. It's a phenomenal point. It is amazing. And there's not many artists that no matter what you like, everybody can sing along to Dolly. Yeah. And there's not a person that's going to be like, oh, this show stinks. Yeah. Nobody's going to say that. No, or I didn't know she did that. You know, Jolene, that's her. Yeah. Yeah. I, I would love to see her. Me too. It's such a home run. All right. So here's what I'm, I'm hoping that you will do in the time that we have between now and whenever we decide to come back. Give us your lineup predictions. I'd love to hear what you think will actually happen. Not your wish list. Everybody's got a wish list. I don't want a wish list. I want to see what you actually think the lineup will be. So you got, you got a early, you got some early footing on us. You got a, you got one up on us a little bit because now you know that Billy and Chance are completely out and Black Keys are 50-50 at best. So there you go. Make us, make a lineup for us and tell us what you think is going to happen. Also we should give a shout out because they've been good to us. The Rubus guys. Yeah. Go listen to their podcast. Is it good? I haven't heard it yet. Yeah. I just listened to the first one and they were working out some kinks, but they are collecting, they're taking it a different angle. You know, you and I, because of what we do and just because of the way things have worked are more of an insider's kind of look at it. Yeah. We sort of dork out on the nuances. Yeah, we like that. And it's great to have somebody like Jeff Cuellar who gives us that inside baseball stuff. But the Rubus folks are collecting stories. So call them. They had our friends repeat, repeat on, on the last one. Good. By the way, I saw them open up for the Black Keys. Whew, that show. That show's. Oh, there are another one I meant to say would probably be on my prediction list maybe. You probably know more than I do, but I could see them being. Okay. But anyway, yeah, go check out the Rubus podcast. Just Google. You'll find it and they're on Twitter. Yeah, I'd love to. I haven't gotten around to listen to it, but they're such good people and I can't imagine they're doing anything less than a stellar job at telling. And I guess personifying exactly what this whole thing is. They want to collect all your stories. You're funny. You're meaningful. You know, whatever. I mean, I'm not mean to you kind of thing. That's awesome. It's cool. Yes. Check it out. Yep. Go check it out. And until we talk again, send us those predictions and we'll hopefully be back soon. Journey through the stories that define the artists playing Bionaru. Who are they? What are they? What will you see? The what? Which bands? This year? That matter? With Brad Steiner and Barry Courter.
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