Got to WORK Outside Lands, thanks to TA at Roo'11!

I've been meaning to post this followup to what happened to me after Bonnaroo this past year, and how winning this contest REALLY changed my life.

So after my Bonnaroo Total Access adventure was over, I wrote a letter the CEO of the company that puts it on... it reads:

"Hi! It's Gregory St. John, your forever grateful and awestruck StubHub contest winner and Bonnaroo Total Access guest.

First of all I want to say...Thank you. I think it's fair to say that the majority of your clients and guests do not realize how much hard work you actually put out and how much dedication and organization it takes to run something like Bonnaroo Total Access. Coming from the service industry myself, I wanted to let you know that I definitely see it.

That weekend was life changing for me, partly because I got to experience Bonnaroo (something of which I have extreme passion for) on a whole new VIP level. But mostly, because I got to experience an entire new world of music and hospitality (something that I have the utmost passion for) that I never before knew existed.

I left Bonnaroo with two main feelings. The first was the feeling that this experience in no way, shape, or form could ever be replicated in my entire life. The second feeling I have is a calling. I had alot of downtime and introspection that took place behind the scenes, and one of the biggest things on my mind was "I need to be a part of this." I watched and observed you guys work. The energy that was there, the "never-stop" attitude and buzz that was always flying, the PASSION that each of you had for your job-- to me I was looking at a group of individuals that work hard in a fast-paced, exciting, and challenging atmosphere.... and freaking love every minute of it.

I noticed you guys were probably hammering out 24 hour work days... But with that, I can safely say that at the end of the day-- I saw that you love what you do.... and that is what stood out to me the most. I guess that's why I'm writing you.

I have never had a job in the music industry, nor have I ever worked in an "life-on-the-road" job type enviorment as some of you do. I'm not letting that stop me from reaching out to CID, because I know that I am a fit with your company.

I have nine years experience in the service industry which has put me on the front lines of demanding customer service. I am relatable, friendly, warm, and energetic. I have a "whatever-it's-going-to-take" attitude, and my biggest strength is the passionthat I have for everything I undertake in life. I hope this was apparent to you folks this past weekend at Bonnaroo.

So.... any job opportunities? Attatched is my résumé. If you have anythingat all available (did somebody say personal slave to "Bonnaroo Dave"?) please don't hesitate to contact me. If nothing else, I'd love to come back as one of your shuttle runners or golf cart guys :-)

Thanks for your consideration, and most importantly... thank you for changing my life with Bonnaroo Total Access. I'll never forget you."

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two days later, I get this response:

"Hi Gregory


Thanks so much for this note. It means a lot.


Let's try this out. I love your passion and ambition here.


So you live in California now? The next thing we have out that way is Outside Lands. I've copied Reuben here who is going to be our main guy out at Outside Lands and can figure out a position for you. I'd sugget having you help with our shuttle operations. You'd be greeting our guests, making sure they get on the right bus, and making sure our buses are running efficiently. Could you get to SF on your own? We can't provide for transportation to SF, as we were planning on running this with mostly local staff (besides Reuben)

Reuben is at Electric Forest now, and will probably get back to you early next week.

Also we would need local staff to support our touring reps at Soundgarden at the Forum on 7/22, for Kings of Leon on 9/8 in Irvine

Let me know if this works for you. We'll square away details if it does

Talk soon
Dan"

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Well that was in late June that I had that correspondence. Soundgarden never happened, because I had a scheduling conflict and obviously KOL was cancelled.... BUT I was still on for Outside Lands!

I ended working with them up in SF as a shuttle coordinator, their company did the travel package hotel/shuttle over there. Thursday before the festival I got to be onsite, see Phish's soundcheck as a I walked the grounds, and it was soo awesome. The rest of the weekend, was so amazing. I worked out of the hotel the guests were staying at, and had to stay there until our last shuttle left at 7 or so. After that, I was always able to see the headliner of every night on the mainstage before I had to start loading up the shuttles with our guests heading back to the hotel.

SO to sum up in case anybody wanted to skip down and not read this whole thing.... here's my summer in a nutshell:

I won Bonnaroo Total Access package, meet the CEO there, send him an awesome thank you note, he is impressed so he hires me for Outside Lands, and I get to see Phish, Muse, and Arcade Fire for free, plus get paid for the weekend.

I sent him a followup email just to thank him and he responded with "I definitely think we should have you back for future events." Only thing is, I was just recently promoted at work which put me in a situation where I have a strict 8-5,M-F hours. If it wasn't for my current job, If I didn't have those hours I might be able to go work coachellea/coachella/stagecoach. and festivals in between.

definitely though I'm gonna try to work Bonnaroo with me and my buddy... but he will staff it so last minute, I am going to continue to plan my bonnaroo trip not thinking I'll have a job, just in case. i dont wanna look forward to something that doesn't pan out.