a late post fron Katie

katie had this setting on my desktop since Sunday. i am just now getting around to posting it...
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Hey ya’ll from Nashville, TN. It is now the last day of the CMA Music Festival (Sunday), and time has just seemed to fly by. Every single minute has been jam packed with hard work, good times and learning experiences. I have truly enjoyed my time here. Though it is not over yet. I have been able to run the front of house camera for some of the biggest names in country music, such as Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bently, Brooks and Dunn, Big and Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Leanne Rimes, Alan Jackson, and Reba McIntire, to name a few.

I am going to admit to all of you when I arrived last Sunday, and took the first walk around the field, I had major butterflies in my stomach, I had done gigs before, but nothing like this. I had only heard stories about CMA Music Fest. Though everyone always talked about how much hard work went into it, they always had smiles on their faces and talked about what a great time it really is. These stories got me more pumped up about being able to come. I am extremely thankful for my time here and the opportunity that was given to me by Bill. My daily routine consisted of working the River Stage during the day doing various tasks, running cameras, engineering, etc. and then at night coming over to LP field and running the FOH (front of house) camera.


When you get here and look around for the first time and see the size of the stage and the entire set up, it could seem to be a bit overwhelming. But you get so energized by what you are about to embark upon. I literally feel as though I got here yesterday, and it has already been a week. Everyone has been really nice and helpful, and GREAT to work with especially Shawn (he wanted to be in my blog). I have been having so much fun. I learned a lot about real life situations and really big shows.

I am about to go out on camera for the last time here. Then comes load out. Which is my favorite part of gigs, just because of the energy that goes into it all, no matter how tired you are after a long week of working really hard. Everyone gets a second wind and we just fly through it, most importantly, with smiles on our faces the entire time. I am really happy to be here and to have had this opportunity and I am already looking forward to next year. Nothing could keep me away from this. This is truly the experience you need. You know whether or not this is the life you want to live after all of this finishes. I already know my answer and we are not even done yet.  Take care!