The guys did survive the day, but, they were wiped out when they finally dragged in about 1:30 this morning.

The thing is that the people who plan these outdoor events like festivals don't have a clue what this involves for us. I mean if you had never been involved in the PA/sound system end of it how could you? We have a medium sized PA and for us to get set up it takes at least 3 hours to unload and set up the front-of-house speakers and the monitor system, the FOH mixing console, the monitor console, the effects units, compressors, etc. etc and then we have to run miles of cables to connect all of that together. Then there is stage to get set up with mic stands and microphones and more miles of cabling. If the band uses in-ear monitors that has to be set up. Then when the band shows up all the instruments have to be placed, microphones run to them, and more cables. Then it all has to be fired up, amplifiers set, tested and then 4 or 5 hours after we got there we are ready for sound check where something always happens that has to be fixed or rearranged. Then the first band goes on stage at six, plays an hour to an hour and a half, time for the next band... instruments have to be hauled off stage and new ones brought on, set up, adjusted, miked and ready to play (they usually give us 15 to 20 minutes to accomplish that).

Yesterday there were five bands. Mark and Seth got there at noon, the last band started playing at eleven. So they worked,nonstop, in 100+ degree weather for 12 hours. And, then they had to tear it all down, load it in the trailer and drive home.

We got paid $1500 and paid two hands (and people act like we are robbing them)

To say the least, my husband works hard for his money. But, he does it all because once it is set up and ready to go and he is standing behind that monster 40 channel mixing console, he creates magic. He can make a garage band sound like rock stars and give him a bunch of good musicians and he will blow your mind with how good it sounds.

And, they will be doing it again next weekend in another town at another festival.