...And so it begins...

Currently outside of Columbia,SC on our way to Manchester, TN for the Bonnaroo Festival 2009. We have been waiting for this since the initial lineup was announced in February, and new artists are being added even at the last minute. Just today we received word that none other than the Mayor of Margaritaville himself, Mr. Jimmy Buffett, will make a noontime appearance on Saturday. Glad we brought our flip-flops, and will try not to step on any pop tops. We will be driving through the night to get to Manchester, where we will pick up our press credentials Thursday morning before getting in line with the rest of the throng to be directed to our campsite. The powers that be at The Roo have always looked for ways to improve the concert-going experience, and that includes handling the 90,000 folks who all seem to show up at once to get in to the event. When we attended Bonnaroo in 2004 we waited nearly nine hours from the time we got in the seemingly endless line of cars until we parked at our campsite. By 2007, the last time we went, the wait in line had diminished to under four hours, which sounds like a long time, but after that nine hour butt-numbathon of 2004, e were grateful for whatever improvements had been implemented. We'll see how it goes this year. For an event that basically becomes the fifth or sixth largest city in Tennessee for its four days, Bonnaroo is extremely well organized.
We are looking forward to seeing quite a few artists this year. There is of course The Boss, Mr. Bruce Springsteen, who is playing Saturday night with the E Street Band. Jam band fan favorite Phish play two seperate sets in the band's first appearance at Bonnaroo. Other notable acts include David Byrne, Merle Haggard, Ben Harper, Beastie Boys, Wilco, and even Triumph the Insult Comic Dog in the comedy tent. Truth be told, the bands are all notable, and half the fun of going to The Roo is getting turned on to new bands and new sounds. We'll keep you posted throughout the weekend. Right now, it's time for a pitstop in Columbia.