Hey everyone,
As I am sitting on my plane on my way back home from Atlanta, I wanted to get this post done since I still have pure ProgPower USA in my system.
I have a feeling that this may become a little bit more than just the usual thank you post. An open letter perhaps, as I want to share this with everyone.
As some of you know, I started coming to ProgPower in 2002 as a fan. I still remember the thrill of seeing Angra announced to play their very first USA show ever. I immediately bought a ticket and booked a trip to Atlanta (hell, via Greyhound, all the way from NYC). I had no idea this would become something so important in my life, something that I absolutely can't live without - and that's exactly what happened.
Attending ProgPower III that year was a pivotal moment in my life. Coming to Atlanta was a life-changing experience. I was 18 years old at the time and was finishing High School. I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do with my life other than I wanted to hopefully, in a perfect world, do something that was music-related - but who knew if that "dream" would come true. At any case, being in Atlanta that year made a huge impact on me. I decided to come back every year. I loved every minute of it. I became converted to ProgPower USA. It put my "metal hobby" over the top.
I didn't know at the time, but the festival actually kickstarted a massive chain of events that put me in the path where I'm at now... working with a passion in a professional way. I would never imagine that, over a decade later, I'd be a part of the crew of PPUSA, as a promoter of one of the nights (two, actually, starting next year).
ProgPower is still a passion and a big week of fun, but it's also extremely taxing on a physical and emotional level to all of us who work in the team that makes this happen. It is a completely different monster to come to Atlanta to work on the festival as it is from coming as a fan. I've been in both sides of the coin, and believe me when I tell you - it's not easy. It's extremely rewarding, but not easy. Some people don't really understand when they see us tired, stressed, angry, disgruntled and running around. Some people think some of us are just being indifferent about hanging out or whatever. That's not the case. It's just the hat that we wear. Please don't ever take that personally. I am speaking for myself, although I am sure a lot (if not all) of the crew members would agree with me. And while we're at it, I want to say thank you to every single member of our crew. You are amazing. When we say this is the best damn crew in the industry, we mean it. We are a family, we have each others backs and we'd never have it another way. I am honored to work with each and every one of you.
A very special thank you to the guys and girls who worked directly with me on both the Midweek Mayhem and the Evergrey acoustic shows this year. I am proud to call you friends. You know who you are and you've done a stellar job. I couldn't have done this without you.
A big hug and thanks also go out to Glenn and Jen. Glenn, if only you truly understood how much of an influence you've been in my life (professionally and personally). I appreciate all of the advice, the friendship and the trust that you've put in me. I hope that I've been able to live up to your expectations. Jen, the work you put on this behind the scenes promoting the festival on our pages is second to none. If it wasn't for you, I am not sure the festival would still be running. Amazing. Thanks for helping out promote both my show and Nathan's show as well. I know I couldn't do it without that and I'm sure Nathan feels the same way.
Nathan, Kick-Off promoter and my now partner on both Wednesday and Thursday... All I have to say to you is that I am proud and honored to work with you going forward. We're going to knock this out of the park. I know it. I can't wait until we unleash what we have planned for next year. Cheers to you!
I can't forget to mention my family (my wife and son back at home) who know how much this is important to me and who understand that I need to be away doing this otherwise life is just not the same. I love you. Thank you so much.
All of the bands involved on the festival this year, especially those I worked with directly get a big shout out as well - especially Halcyon Way, Ashes of Ares, Voyager, Evergrey, Native Construct, Anathema, Unleash the Archers, Riverside and Angra. It's been a true pleasure working with you all.
And finally, I want to thank all of the fans and the friends I made over the years at this festival. Your support is what keeps the wheel rolling. None of this would happen without you. You can be 1000% sure that we'll always work our damn hardest to give you the best damn show in the planet. You've never disappointed me and I promise I will treat you the exact same way.
Thanks to all from a co-promoter who, despite being physically and mentally exhausted, emotionally-tolled, is super proud, honored-to-do-this and extremely excited about the future.
See you guys next year. We're in this for the long run, come hell or high water.
-M
As I am sitting on my plane on my way back home from Atlanta, I wanted to get this post done since I still have pure ProgPower USA in my system.
I have a feeling that this may become a little bit more than just the usual thank you post. An open letter perhaps, as I want to share this with everyone.
As some of you know, I started coming to ProgPower in 2002 as a fan. I still remember the thrill of seeing Angra announced to play their very first USA show ever. I immediately bought a ticket and booked a trip to Atlanta (hell, via Greyhound, all the way from NYC). I had no idea this would become something so important in my life, something that I absolutely can't live without - and that's exactly what happened.
Attending ProgPower III that year was a pivotal moment in my life. Coming to Atlanta was a life-changing experience. I was 18 years old at the time and was finishing High School. I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do with my life other than I wanted to hopefully, in a perfect world, do something that was music-related - but who knew if that "dream" would come true. At any case, being in Atlanta that year made a huge impact on me. I decided to come back every year. I loved every minute of it. I became converted to ProgPower USA. It put my "metal hobby" over the top.
I didn't know at the time, but the festival actually kickstarted a massive chain of events that put me in the path where I'm at now... working with a passion in a professional way. I would never imagine that, over a decade later, I'd be a part of the crew of PPUSA, as a promoter of one of the nights (two, actually, starting next year).
ProgPower is still a passion and a big week of fun, but it's also extremely taxing on a physical and emotional level to all of us who work in the team that makes this happen. It is a completely different monster to come to Atlanta to work on the festival as it is from coming as a fan. I've been in both sides of the coin, and believe me when I tell you - it's not easy. It's extremely rewarding, but not easy. Some people don't really understand when they see us tired, stressed, angry, disgruntled and running around. Some people think some of us are just being indifferent about hanging out or whatever. That's not the case. It's just the hat that we wear. Please don't ever take that personally. I am speaking for myself, although I am sure a lot (if not all) of the crew members would agree with me. And while we're at it, I want to say thank you to every single member of our crew. You are amazing. When we say this is the best damn crew in the industry, we mean it. We are a family, we have each others backs and we'd never have it another way. I am honored to work with each and every one of you.
A very special thank you to the guys and girls who worked directly with me on both the Midweek Mayhem and the Evergrey acoustic shows this year. I am proud to call you friends. You know who you are and you've done a stellar job. I couldn't have done this without you.
A big hug and thanks also go out to Glenn and Jen. Glenn, if only you truly understood how much of an influence you've been in my life (professionally and personally). I appreciate all of the advice, the friendship and the trust that you've put in me. I hope that I've been able to live up to your expectations. Jen, the work you put on this behind the scenes promoting the festival on our pages is second to none. If it wasn't for you, I am not sure the festival would still be running. Amazing. Thanks for helping out promote both my show and Nathan's show as well. I know I couldn't do it without that and I'm sure Nathan feels the same way.
Nathan, Kick-Off promoter and my now partner on both Wednesday and Thursday... All I have to say to you is that I am proud and honored to work with you going forward. We're going to knock this out of the park. I know it. I can't wait until we unleash what we have planned for next year. Cheers to you!
I can't forget to mention my family (my wife and son back at home) who know how much this is important to me and who understand that I need to be away doing this otherwise life is just not the same. I love you. Thank you so much.
All of the bands involved on the festival this year, especially those I worked with directly get a big shout out as well - especially Halcyon Way, Ashes of Ares, Voyager, Evergrey, Native Construct, Anathema, Unleash the Archers, Riverside and Angra. It's been a true pleasure working with you all.
And finally, I want to thank all of the fans and the friends I made over the years at this festival. Your support is what keeps the wheel rolling. None of this would happen without you. You can be 1000% sure that we'll always work our damn hardest to give you the best damn show in the planet. You've never disappointed me and I promise I will treat you the exact same way.
Thanks to all from a co-promoter who, despite being physically and mentally exhausted, emotionally-tolled, is super proud, honored-to-do-this and extremely excited about the future.
See you guys next year. We're in this for the long run, come hell or high water.
-M
