ION INDIE MAGAZINE July 2016, Volume 26 | Page 39

separate from the very outstanding security force that was in charge of keeping the peace of LaconiaFest. These two guys were there for a reason. It wasn’t in my job description as Media Director to question where the “deposits” were going. But my gut was telling me something was wrong (always listen to your gut!). When staff started to trickle into the Weirs Beach Drive-In (LaconiaFest’s location), questions and concerns were growing. Where were the main characters in this story? Tyler, Autumn, Mike and Big Country were “noshows” and the cash boxes were empty. A little bit of panic could be sensed, but as they say, the show must go on. By the time everyone fully realized that two of the four promoters were gone, payroll had not been met and there was absolutely no cash to make change at the bars—BRET MICHAELS was on the premises and set to play and patrons were waiting at the gates ready to party. THIS is where the true story begins. The remaining staff, myself included, decided that we were NOT going to cut and run, but stay and fight. All the little things were becoming amplified. We had no ice—and you can’t run a bar without ice! But there wasn’t any money to buy ice--and the iceman won’t deliver anymore ice because he hasn’t been paid for all the ice he already delivered. You can see where this is headed. And this is only the ice guy! I personally witnessed members of the remaining staff pooling money from their own pockets to get ice. Dedicated…stubborn…fools--call them what you will, but the remaining staff refused to close down LaconiaFest because of a couple of (alleged) bad guys. At this point, the small stage is being torn down because the bill hadn’t been paid. Where are we going to put all the local acts? To make things worse, we have no stage manager! Who’s running the main stage? Turns out that he hasn’t returned either. Another bad guy? NO. It seems that he was celebrating his birthday and decided to sleep in (and sleep it off). He did eventually return the next day. With no one left to manage the big main stage, Bret Michaels was made aware of the situation. Bret Michaels (of Poison fame) is probably one of the nicest guys in rock ‘n’ roll--period. Like the remaining staff, he wasn’t quitting either. Bret took his crew and assisted with set up, load in, and managed the stage. Hell, the Bret Michaels Band even turned their sound check into a mini concert for the lucky crowd that gathered early--and he sounded awesome! There’s a small list of heroes in this mess of a story—and Bret Michaels is on the top of that list! It was decided by the new management team that any money received at the bar was going to directly pay whatever staff is remaining. Some staff had left, most had decided to stick it out and try to get something for their efforts. Some couldn’t leave without money because they were broke. Those that stayed should be commended--for whatever reason, they stuck it out until the end. The remaining staff even started a Facebook group page to talk about their experience. Page creator MIKE JARVIS states at the top of the page: “Please share this page with all the staff you know. NO NEGATIVE POST ALLOWED EITHER! ALL POSITIVE!” According to Mike, “There are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that not many people see or hear about. One thing I will say is that I have never see an industry where workers from all over the country come together, become a family, and make the best out of any situation. It just shows that you can make friends fast, build relationships and conquer any challenge that is presented.”