The Jo Dee Messina Show...

What a weekend in Ellsworth, WI

Friday: June 27, 2008
My day starts at 2:00pm
Gather final items needed for show and tickets with Tommy - DONE
Verify stage construction and audio set-up is on-time – DONE (in record time I may say)
Lower stage roof and wait for Jo Dee's stage items to arrive Saturday morning- DONE
Finalize Saturday staff & crew responsibilities – DONE
Verify for final time power supply is secure and ready for Saturday- DONE
Listen to Ellsworth Boy Scouts complain about the Popcorn machine…. Oh yeah.. If we let them use the old time popcorn machine and warms no show Sat.. - DONE
Listen to Ellsworth planners tell the Boy Scouts they will get there money back for the vendor spot.. PRICELESS!!!
Finally leave grounds for the day 12:00am

Saturday: June 28, 2008
Day starts at 5:00 am after getting about 3 hours of sleep
Return to grounds for the day 7:30- DONE
Verify stage is still standing and crew arrives at 8:00am to prepare and wait for Jo Dee Messina and crew - DONE
Jo Dee Messina arrives at 9:15- DONE
Breakfast catering arrives at 9:30 which is 30 minutes late- DONE
Messina crew sits down for Breakfast 9:35 – DONE
Ship two band members in limo to local gold course for 18 holes at 9:30- DONE
Ship bus driver to local hotel in limo for a day of sleep 9:30 - DONE
Messina semi truck doors open for unloading 9:55 – DONE
Start setting up 400 chairs for VIP seating at 10:45 – DONE
Catering arrives with lunch for crews 11:45 – DONE
Thunderstorm rolls into area with heavy rain, winds, and funnel clouds… ohh and LOTS of rain 11:45 – NOT PLANNED but everything gets covered in time. No damages.
Messina management concerned with stage stability 12:30 - DONE
Meeting planned and takes place to correct issues 12:45- DONE
New stage stability finished as stage is finished being set- for the show 3:00 - DONE
Sound check takes place with Jo Dee on stage 4:00 - DONE
Final stage prep takes place and final check of equipment is completed 4:30 – DONE
Volunteer and security meeting takes place giving final instructions 4:30 - DONE
Opening act arrives for set-up and line check 4:45 – DONE
Set-up complete for opening act 5:30 – DONE
Security staff meets with Messina's road manager 5:30 – DONE
Security staff in place 5:55- DONE

The moment of truth hits as the gates open at 6:00 - DONE
Catering arrives with dinner 6:00 – DONE
Tommy & I hit stage at 6:00 to intro opening act and use t-shirt cannon… Ohh yeah and I get mobbed by people as I give away four backstage passes - DONE
Opening act hits stage at 6 to 6:45 – DONE
Opening act returns to stage 7 to 7:45 – DONE
Stage hands mop stage and final prep takes place for Jo Dee Messina to hit the stage 7:45 to 8:15 – DONE
Jo Dee's Meet and Greet – 8:00 to 8:30 – DONE
Tommy & I hit stage to intro and interact with crowd, then into Jo Dee Messina 8:55 – DONE
Jo Dee Messina finally hits the stage at 9:00 – DONE
Run to front of the stage on the ground to handle security for the show 9:00 - DONE
Jo Dee Messina leaves the stage and loads bus at 10:40 – DONE
Local crew who are all volunteers return to take down Jo Dee's equipment and front of house 10:50 – DONE
Jo Dee Messina's crew finishes loading semi and leaves the stage at 11:50 – DONE
Arrange final local crew who can still walk to help take down remaining stage and audio at 11:50 – DONE
Escort Jo Dee Messina's bus to main road at 12:15 AM – DONE
Finalize remaining staff and close-out remaining issues then leave grounds for bed at 2:00 AM – DONE!!!

Sunday: June 29, 2008
NOTHING BUT SLEEP!!!!

OK… That's the most I remember…. But what a great weekend.. I learned a lot and can't wait to do it again next June in Ellsworth, WI at the Cheese Curds Festival!!!