There are very few trends Skid has given in to over the years. The company never cared about MTV exposure (though when it did come it was great) and never cared about hair metal (which let all of us dabble in it ourselves). Craig brings in acts he thinks represent the company mindset: mind-blowing rock. Most of us are classic heavy metal or prog metal guys, but we've got our share of rap-rockers, hard rockers, and guys like that. He's gone out of his way to hire guys who are gay or totally out there because he knew that someone had to represent acts like that and be proud to do it. But this year, we gave in. In these economic times, Skid is actually thriving. We were ahead of the curve with digital downloading and the current attitude we have of letting fans pick what will get airplay is making our records just sell and sell. But tours are a bitch to put on, even with the way that Skid does it's financing (very little is owed back to the company at the end of it, if anything. Time Machine's account at the company can completely afford to cover us for a good long while.) But I digress.

We did give in to one trend for the summer and quite frankly, I can't complain about it. Festivals rock. All day shows with hard rockin guys (and girls) and the fans get muddy and dusty and we're all moshing and head banging and it is worth every last sleep-deprived moment. This is the first festival that Skid has actually produced though. Before, the company has hooked bands up with Monsters of Rock and OzzFest and festivals like that. This is the first time it's an all-Skid festival. Time Machine. Crusaders. Sinful. Hard Bliss. Forray. ModHead. Then, we're showcasing local bands that Skid has scouted out for a chance at a contract. It's huge. It's going to last most of the summer. We hit the road in two weeks.

What the hell were we thinking?

Of course, we want to leave as small a carbon footprint as possible, so making the trucks work to hold everyone's gear is a pain. Minimalist sets so we aren't lugging huge stage shows around the country (which is easy enough for Time Machine. Crusader's having issues.) Figuring out what local bands are going to work is a pain. And then coordinating with local radio stations in each area. We're partnering with the locals this time around. We will never turn down advertising on the corporate stations, but this festival we are pimping out only with the independents in each city. When it's just you and an opening act, it's so easy. When it's a festival?

Kill me now.

My oldest daughter is begging to come with us. Her mother and I will probably agree. I hate having her on the road with me, but this is what she wants to do with her life and I can either encourage her safely and to do it with respect or she can rebel. I'm not letting her rebel. Dammit. Hell, she can keep an eye on me. She always tells on me when I give the girls in the front a second glance. ;-)

But two weeks out and Jason's texting me every three minutes with a new issue with something and I think Phil might actually kill all of us before we're done. If only tours fell from the sky, instantly planned. And of course, Skid puts the pressure on the musicians to do the planning. We don't have industry guys who run everything. We're the industry guys. Well, there are a few from the company. That always helps.

If the Skid Marks festival is a hit, you bet we'll do this again. I'm looking forward to it. Right now, I just want to get through the next couple of weeks. Note to self: stock up on energy drinks and advil.

Uh-oh. Screaming twins. Who just hit who ...?