MUSIC
BEHIND THE SCENES
An inside look at two of Manchester’ s favorite summer music festivals
I n the heart of Southern Vermont, two vibrant festivals— the Dead of Summer Music Festival( July 11- 13) and the Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots Festival( GMBR)( August 14- 17)— have flourished into beloved regional events. In addition to the incredible music, this is thanks in large part to the dedicated efforts and expertise of Paul Carroccio, a visionary, organizer, logistical coordinator, and volunteer for both festivals. An axiomatic connector for Manchester’ s music community, Carroccio leverages his extensive background and knowledge through his work as an avid supporter of Southern Vermont’ s music scene. He channels the lessons he has learned as a seasoned touring musician and as coowner and founder of TPW Real Estate, bringing a unique blend of musical sensitivity and logistical savvy to his multifaceted role. His local engagement further extends through ownership of The Coffee Bar, a popular performance venue and coffeeshop in Bennington that frequently hosts live performances, deepening his connections within Southern Vermont’ s vibrant musical landscape.
Working alongside fellow organizers and promoters, such as Jill and John Turpin of GMBR and Joe Levy of Dead of Summer, Carroccio has been instrumental in facilitating meticulous logistical planning and fostering collaborative community relationships, ensuring mindfulness and cultural cohesion. His leadership and commitment have enabled these two festivals to grow substantially and sustainably in Manchester over recent years. In the months leading up to these highly-anticipated summer festivals, Manchester Life sat down with Carroccio, Jill Turpin of GMBR, and Joe Levy of Dead of Summer. The three of them openly spoke on the behind-the-scenes planning, logistical coordination, and collaborative efforts behind the festivals, uncovering the hard work that goes into bringing these beloved community events to life every year.
STORY BY BENJAMIN LERNER
32 manchester life | manchesterlifemagazine. com