06/08/2026
We are just 5 days away from what I consider to be the biggest project I have ever worked on. It feels like I say that to myself every year, but this time, it comes with more importance and meaning than ever before.
While I love my team and have been promoting the heck out of Ian, Brad, our sponsors, our bands, and the city, I wanted to take a moment to share what’s personally going through my head.
As a full-time musician and entertainment coordinator, I’ve felt a gap in my resume for years. That gap was for original music.
I have always wanted to find a way to level the playing field—to show cover bands and their audiences exactly what they’re missing, and more importantly, make it sustainable from a business perspective. That equation has never been easy to solve. But this festival might be an answer. We have 6 incredible original bands (3 of which came from the Battle of the Bands - Wisconsin), the support of an entire city, backing from legendary names like Gibson, Chad Smith, and Les Paul, and a shared desire to actually move the needle.
If I'm being honest, support for original music is not where it needs to be—especially from within our own community of musicians.
Now is the time for us to reinvent the music scene in Southeast Wisconsin. It’s time to collaborate, put the egos aside, and look at what we can collectively do to change our landscape from struggling to thriving.
We have an amazing lineup of volunteers ready to make this happen on Saturday. All I ask of you is to please attend this free festival. Show up, support, show your appreciation, and enjoy an incredible day of original music. If we can do that, we can accomplish anything.
I won’t ever stop trying as long as there is an opportunity to build something special. I truly hope you are with us in this.
See you Saturday.
MJG