We’re having a “River Clean Up” the Friday before, Friday – August 28th – from 3-6PM to help clean up the local environment. One of our non-profits is heading up a “Can Food Drive” the day of the festival with all the food going to the Hunger Coalition. We’re organizing the first “Environmental Forum” headed up by some of the top musicians at our festival, allowing the fans to interact and discuss real issues with some of their favorite artists and much more.
Wes: We thought the size of last year’s festival was exactly where it needed to be with a comfortable spacious atmosphere surrounding the Blue Ridge Mountains. Of course we are definitely looking to grow it and cultivate it into an annual event people goto every year. For a first year unproven festival our numbers blew us away.
This year camping will be offered. We have a total of 500 camping spots available on site allowing people to enjoy a full festival/camping experience.
HT: I recall last year you aimed for the ballpark of $100,000 in revenues with 60% going to the three green charities, how did you fare on your financial targets?
Jimmy: Our expenses in our first year were higher than expected, mainly because there were things we didn’t account for. It just shows you, even with 14+ months worth of research, the best homework is trial and error. At the end of the day we weren’t able to give much back to the non-profits; however, at several shows I booked after the festival such as one with Tim Reynolds and TR3 at a venue in Blowing Rock, NC I did raffles with all the proceeds going to the same non-profits involved with the festival. And overall, “green” and sustainable issues are so important right now that all the non-profits were excited to just be involved.
HT: Last year you guys mentioned what a bitch it was setting up the LLC. As a follow-up, how is the aftermath looking, (a.k.a., the taxes)?
Wes: It actually wasn’t that hard setting up the LLC. Write some articles of incorporation, pay a fee and badda-bing badda-boom you are a company.
Jimmy: We’ve gotten some help around Boone with the legal aftermath, basically because math isn’t our strong points.
HT: A lot of times you hear horror stories about working with the actual musicians due to them being all famous and everything, how was your experience dealing with musicians?
Wes: Our experience in dealing with the musicians was completely positive. All of them seemed to be quite impressed with our hospitality setup.
Jimmy: From our top headliners, such as Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas, down to our local acts, every band was a pleasure to work with. All of them expressed interest in coming back and we are VERY appreciative for all of our entertainers working with us, especially in our first year!
HT: How would you rate the level of fan support for the green initiative?
Wes: I think there was a real mix of people who were there to have fun at a music festival and those truly interested in the green initiative. During the festival I was mostly focusing on running it from start to finish so I probably wouldn’t know as well as some of our non-profit vendors who had booths of information regarding their green initiative. Every single fan that bought a ticket or even helped to spread the word about MOTM supported the green initiative…so a HUGE thanks to everyone for helping to do your part to assist the environment!
HT: Since we’re running this a little early this year, are there any artists you’d really like to get that we can help plug?
Wes: Artists are pretty simple people. You produce the money, a couple of tasty vegetable plates, and about three half-gallons of Jack Daniels… and they will play! There are several artists that we wish were cheaper!
Jimmy: If we can get a special appearance by North Carolina legend, James Taylor, that’d be pretty cool. Work it out…
HT: Were there any unforeseen crises or funny stories that you’ll remember laughingly when you think back on your first time?
Wes: We had the hardest time finding a RV for Jerry Douglas, because the Bristol race was that same weekend. We exhausted every resource known to man! Without any luck we constructed a separate private tent that was going to hopefully be tolerated by Jerry and his band. Then out of some act of God the day of the festival we got a call on the radio about two hours into the event from our parking coordinator – “Some guy says he is here with an RV for Jerry Douglas… should I let him in?” Thanks a million to Billy’s friend, Tom Hall, with the RV! His actions didn’t go unnoticed – he got a free ticket, access to the hospitality area and to rub shoulders with some famous artists. I know he had a lot of fun, because I saw him dancing with his Golden Retriever at some point during P-Groove’s set.
Jimmy: Only one person got arrested the entire day, and this person didn’t even get charged. The kid who got in trouble decided to take his clothes off (it was a hot day) and make a run for the “lake”. The funny thing is, there was no lake. But other than that, everything went very smoothly.
HT: Anything else in the works for Black Paw Entertainment this year?
Jimmy: Actually, since we last spoke I’ve changed the company and name; it’s now Yellow Dog Entertainmnet, LLC. And the festivals name is now a little different too, Music on the Mountaintop. Our website has a “.com” now, which is great! And yes, Wes and I (and some other members of the team) are in the process of implementing another festival in Boulder, CO and Savannah, GA. In addition, we’ve opened up the company to management and booking for artists. We represent seven bands (check them out at the Yellow Dog site) and have done consulting with two other festivals since MOTM.
HT: How was the Porta John scene?
Wes: A huge pain in the “ass” to clean up the next day! Toilet paper is supposed to go in the hole inside the Porta John, not outside on the ground. Come on guys… it can’t be that confusing. We picked up a lot of used TP around the Porta John area
HT: Do you guys have day jobs? If so, how was the balancing act there?
Jimmy: I was a full time student, as well as a waiter the entire first year during the organization process. So, yea it was hard. It was nonstop; wake up in the morning at 5 to do two hours worth of festival work, dp two hours worth of school work before my classes at 9, go to school, and then come home and focus on the business. But something like this requires that much time and I knew that when I started the company. I’ve sacrificed a lot but that’s how it’s got to be.
Wes: I actually live/work in Telluride, CO and try to help out with the festival as much as I can. It is extremely difficult balancing work out here (actually paying the bills), with work in NC! I normally have to ask/beg to get off of work for about one month before August to go back to NC to help with logistics. Jimmy Hunt, founder/president of Yellow Dog Entertainment, is still in school at App State and has somehow found an enormous amount of time to devote to MOTM on top of all of his school work! Without his dedication there would be no MOTM!
HT: Thanks again Jimmy and Wes for sharing your stories. Hopefully, we’ll see you same time, same place next year.
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