I just wanted to publicly thank Glenn Harveston and his lovely wife for putting so much on the line and so much effort into making this event happen, again. I have yet to meet another couple that has put so much dedication into someone's dream and that dream is only helping other's dreams come true as well. You both are inspiring. I am a fan of this genre, first and foremost and it is quite a treat to see this truly a one-of-a-kind U.S. event change the recognition for these genres of music here forever. I have seen the growth from the Powermad festivals that I frequented to something on the scale of ProgPower I & II, but this weekend was a huge leap just as the others had been from each other.
Glenn makes this festival look easy and it couldn't be further from the truth. I have been fortunate enough to work with Glenn and for every one of the hundred roads he has to go down, there have been 3 road blocks. He hurdles each one or kicks it out of the way. His family and friends have been there helping in all aspects of this festival and are truly a huge part of it's success.
Collin Grant, the store manager of the Guitar Center in Marietta GA has been a huge help in sponsoring ProgPowerUSA II & III. They loaned a large portion of equipment to the event to make sure that the bands had the best available to them! If you live in GA make a trip to his specific store to get your musical needs fulfilled and tell him that you came because of his help with ProgPower!!! He truly deserves the business for having the balls to help out, regardless of his store location not being as close to the venue as others were.
The ProgPowerUSA crew has been made up of a bunch of diehard fans and band members who wanted to help Glenn make this event a success. I want to personally thank the efforts of each and every member of the crew, as they did a more than amazing job... once again. It is very tough on them at times, because they are working on their feet 16-18 hour days throughout the entire event, barely having time to eat and at times in the environment of a pressure cooker. I'm sure there are quite a few moments that they would loved to be hanging-out with their peers/friends/fans, enjoying the show, partying with everyone at night, even networking with whomever might be there at this once a year event, but they trade it all in to make this dream a reality. That is a true level of dedication that very few get to see, but should be recognized. Members of the immediate stage crew this year included members of Silent Shadows, Prymary, Cea Serin, Magistral and some of our PM Board members, including Don Capps(MeTuLHeD) and Sean Jennings(Powerfreak-The Sounds Of Metal). These guys are all truly hardcore fans and truly metal!! \m/ \m/
An extra High Five goes out to the easy going bands that make that backstage world easier...
The Devin Townsend Band- Easily one of the most humble, genuine and funny musicians I've ever met and one hell of a musician at that. Soundcheck took them all of 15 minutes.
Threshold-Who were plagued with keyboard issues at soundcheck and basically didn't really get one, but were still cool about it... and then came out and kicked everyone's ass.
Zero Hour- For our brothers in ZH for once again just plugging in, playing and taking control of the audience without much more than a hint of a souncheck. "You Rule!" Erik, want that shot now?
How cool it is to be at an event where there are members of the bands playing are walking around as well as members of Evergrey, Iced Earth, Power Of Omens, Ion Vein, Imagika, Division and tons more (Who did I miss?). Yeah sure, that happens all the time. How about the announcement and debuting of amazing new unreleased music over the PA? How about the multiple signings with the bands that we could never otherwise meet? How about the vendor CD selections? It's just all good.
After speaking with the bands at the last 2 ProgPower USA events, it's become quite clear that none of them are use to the kind of treatment that they are given from the moment they are picked up at the airport, until they walk back to their dressing rooms from a US audience. I have yet to see a band walk away from that stage without a huge smile on their faces. This is largely due to the fact that the fans in this particular audience are the truly elite fans that love these styles of music and can appreciate it, regardless of whether or not a particular band is one of their favorites. Myself being in easily the least known band at this year's show, Reading Zero(Who?), it was very comforting to feel among fans that could 'get' what it is that we are doing. We truly appreciated the support we were given and like the others felt part of something very special. It is rare to find an audience that is open to so many different styles of music within these varied genres. At times this past weekend, the audience sounded more like 10,000 than 1300. As the word continually gets out, that is one more thing that Glenn has to offer bands that he wants for the event... a loyal, yet open-minded audience allowing them the chance to win over some new fans, while giving a great show to the fans who came just to see them. Believe it or not, the kind of audience that will be drawn to an event is a good piece of leverage for a band wanting to break into the US market.
In other words, in a world where negative things are so easy to say, all the positive feedback that has been coming in about ProgPowerUSA is only going to make the next event that much stronger.
I think that in addition to Glenn, his family and crew, all those that supported this event by buying Gold Badges, tickets, T-Shirts and traveling from afar really need to be commended for helping to make this an amazing endeavor for the 3rd time.
For those who had wanted a picture, autograph or shot of Jaeger with us, I apologize that we were not more available, but it was only because we were trying to help the event along. I hope you understand. I promise we'll get you the next time. I wish we got a chance to meet everyone. A special thanks goes out to Mike(Capt.Fastbeer... fast with the beer, a little slow with the bass.hehe),Tom and Henrik of Evergrey, Dee & Kerri Venoy(Big Daddy and Lady V), Nick Van Dyk (The master mind behind Redemption), Bear and of course Glenn(-meister)for the hospitality!!
Thank to everyone for your support and a great time!!!
Cheers,
Chris Roy
READING ZERO
Our new website should be up in days. Please stop by...
www.READINGZERO.com
"Keeping it metal, since 1990!"
Glenn makes this festival look easy and it couldn't be further from the truth. I have been fortunate enough to work with Glenn and for every one of the hundred roads he has to go down, there have been 3 road blocks. He hurdles each one or kicks it out of the way. His family and friends have been there helping in all aspects of this festival and are truly a huge part of it's success.
Collin Grant, the store manager of the Guitar Center in Marietta GA has been a huge help in sponsoring ProgPowerUSA II & III. They loaned a large portion of equipment to the event to make sure that the bands had the best available to them! If you live in GA make a trip to his specific store to get your musical needs fulfilled and tell him that you came because of his help with ProgPower!!! He truly deserves the business for having the balls to help out, regardless of his store location not being as close to the venue as others were.
The ProgPowerUSA crew has been made up of a bunch of diehard fans and band members who wanted to help Glenn make this event a success. I want to personally thank the efforts of each and every member of the crew, as they did a more than amazing job... once again. It is very tough on them at times, because they are working on their feet 16-18 hour days throughout the entire event, barely having time to eat and at times in the environment of a pressure cooker. I'm sure there are quite a few moments that they would loved to be hanging-out with their peers/friends/fans, enjoying the show, partying with everyone at night, even networking with whomever might be there at this once a year event, but they trade it all in to make this dream a reality. That is a true level of dedication that very few get to see, but should be recognized. Members of the immediate stage crew this year included members of Silent Shadows, Prymary, Cea Serin, Magistral and some of our PM Board members, including Don Capps(MeTuLHeD) and Sean Jennings(Powerfreak-The Sounds Of Metal). These guys are all truly hardcore fans and truly metal!! \m/ \m/
An extra High Five goes out to the easy going bands that make that backstage world easier...
The Devin Townsend Band- Easily one of the most humble, genuine and funny musicians I've ever met and one hell of a musician at that. Soundcheck took them all of 15 minutes.
Threshold-Who were plagued with keyboard issues at soundcheck and basically didn't really get one, but were still cool about it... and then came out and kicked everyone's ass.
Zero Hour- For our brothers in ZH for once again just plugging in, playing and taking control of the audience without much more than a hint of a souncheck. "You Rule!" Erik, want that shot now?
How cool it is to be at an event where there are members of the bands playing are walking around as well as members of Evergrey, Iced Earth, Power Of Omens, Ion Vein, Imagika, Division and tons more (Who did I miss?). Yeah sure, that happens all the time. How about the announcement and debuting of amazing new unreleased music over the PA? How about the multiple signings with the bands that we could never otherwise meet? How about the vendor CD selections? It's just all good.
After speaking with the bands at the last 2 ProgPower USA events, it's become quite clear that none of them are use to the kind of treatment that they are given from the moment they are picked up at the airport, until they walk back to their dressing rooms from a US audience. I have yet to see a band walk away from that stage without a huge smile on their faces. This is largely due to the fact that the fans in this particular audience are the truly elite fans that love these styles of music and can appreciate it, regardless of whether or not a particular band is one of their favorites. Myself being in easily the least known band at this year's show, Reading Zero(Who?), it was very comforting to feel among fans that could 'get' what it is that we are doing. We truly appreciated the support we were given and like the others felt part of something very special. It is rare to find an audience that is open to so many different styles of music within these varied genres. At times this past weekend, the audience sounded more like 10,000 than 1300. As the word continually gets out, that is one more thing that Glenn has to offer bands that he wants for the event... a loyal, yet open-minded audience allowing them the chance to win over some new fans, while giving a great show to the fans who came just to see them. Believe it or not, the kind of audience that will be drawn to an event is a good piece of leverage for a band wanting to break into the US market.
In other words, in a world where negative things are so easy to say, all the positive feedback that has been coming in about ProgPowerUSA is only going to make the next event that much stronger.
I think that in addition to Glenn, his family and crew, all those that supported this event by buying Gold Badges, tickets, T-Shirts and traveling from afar really need to be commended for helping to make this an amazing endeavor for the 3rd time.
For those who had wanted a picture, autograph or shot of Jaeger with us, I apologize that we were not more available, but it was only because we were trying to help the event along. I hope you understand. I promise we'll get you the next time. I wish we got a chance to meet everyone. A special thanks goes out to Mike(Capt.Fastbeer... fast with the beer, a little slow with the bass.hehe),Tom and Henrik of Evergrey, Dee & Kerri Venoy(Big Daddy and Lady V), Nick Van Dyk (The master mind behind Redemption), Bear and of course Glenn(-meister)for the hospitality!!
Thank to everyone for your support and a great time!!!
Cheers,
Chris Roy
READING ZERO
Our new website should be up in days. Please stop by...
www.READINGZERO.com
"Keeping it metal, since 1990!"
