tour blog 10- Outlaw Snowdown

In my brief little stint as a merch girl, I've got to do a lot of really cool things. Traveling all over, meeting really interesting new people, just living my dreams in general. I can say without a doubt, though, that the weekend of the Outlaw Snowdown Festival in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, was the absolute best thing I have ever done so far. I'll be honest, it ranks pretty high up on my list of best weekends of my life.

February 8
Outlaw Snowdown
Pagosa Springs, Colorado 

We drove through the night from Kansas to Colorado so that we could get there in time for an 11am load in/sound check. I slept for a lot of the drive, but I can't even tell you how amazing it was to wake up to the Rocky Mountains just appearing in the distance. I'm about to post a lot of pictures, but it was just too beautiful and too breathtaking not to share!

Watching the sun come up over the Rocky Mountains #blessed

In typical Fifth fashion, our housing situation was a bit of a fiasco. But if things were easy, how bored would we be?

This is the view from the first cabin four cabins I got to stay in while in Pagosa. It was beautiful and my bed was sooooo comfy (two very important things when I rate my sleep situation these days, one good thing being that it was an actual bed and not a sleeping bed pallet on a hotel floor, and two being the clean/comfy factor).

  

All the cabins had this amazing pieces of art (because you can not just call them mounted antlers). This is from the first cabin.

So this is where I take a major turn to major fan-girl status. I admit from the beginning, I was not a Shooter Jennings fan until this weekend. And that's not because I had listened to him and didn't like him. Because I hadn't. I just assumed I wouldn't like his music and never took the time to explore it. Of course I knew who he was, I mean, who really doesn't. My mama even knew who he was when I told her about potentially meeting him. So when I did actually meet him, I had a moment-- a moment that could pretty much be described as shock. Let me explain:

I'm just going about my business, all alone in the first cabin, washing some clothes (because I'd been on the road almost two weeks and times were getting tough). I had hung out at the cabin while the guys loaded in and sound checked, so I had just gotten to take an amazing hot, long shower with no rush of the next person waiting for me to get out and not run out all the warm water (one of the biggest luxuries on the road- like you seriously have no idea) and then, to add to the luxury, after my shower, I was still alone, so I got to take my time fixing my hair and makeup using the real bathroom mirror! I know, this probably sounds ridiculous, but I give up a lot of my girly-ness traveling with four guys. I don't care that much, I'm not a really high maintenance girl anyway, but I definitely don't take it for granted when I'm on the road and I have no rush, no sacrifice, just me, my hair and makeup stuff and my music turned up.

So, back to the story. I was feeling all clean and pretty after washing off two weeks of the road. I was really excited, too, because I had just confirmed that I would be selling merch that night not only for Fifth on the Floor, but also for Shooter. This was a big deal for me, because it meant more money and more experience, selling for a real-life, legitimate artist, - the festival's headlining artist that night. So I'm just strutting around in my leather leggings, watching someone Unplugged on Paladia, when the door of the cabin opens. I assume it's one of the guys, so I walk to the door, and to my great surprise, someone I do not know is standing there. Well, I actually know exactly who is is. It's freakin Shooter Jennings. And so I just kinda stare, deer in the headlights look on my face. He has a second of the same reaction before apologizing and backing out the door. I say, in my eloquent way, "It's fine! They're across the road," completely assuming that he knows exactly who "they" are. He apologizes a few more times, I try (and fail) to act cool, like I hang out in cabins with famous people all the time, and he backs out the door. This whole interaction lasts less than a minute. But in that minute, I had met Shooter Jennings.

So I recovered from my shock, packed up my stuff and moved my home down the hill (to the cabin where "they" were, actually). Fifth on the Floor was playing that night as Shooter's backing band, so I got to tag along and get some of the perks of being the "star" of the show. One of these perks was a super awesome meal at a great restaurant. The band plus Shooter and his tour manger (oh, and me too!) all loaded up and went to the Alley House Grill. I can't say that I've ever been sitting at the table waiting for my food, pretending not to be ridiculously nervous and uncomfortable because I am so out of my element, listening to crazy stories, as the waiter brings us all a special amuse-bouche of sashimi tuna on a fried wonton with some tasty sauce that I can't quite remember by name but do remember that it was so delicious. (Also, I've never used the words amuse-bouche before, and I would just like to note that I feel quite fancy. It sounds so much better than appetizer or even hors d'œuvre. Ok, done pretending to be fancy now.)
    

This. This life is what I must have. Well, aside from the crazy stalker fans.

 Just one more night that confirms that "real life" is not for me. — at Pagosa Springs, Colorado.


After dinner, we all went to cabin number 3 and hung out for a while before the show. And y'all, I was playing it all off like I was super cool and like this was normal life for me, but on the inside I was in absolute fan girl mode to the extreme. Hell, I'm getting so excited just talking about it now. And it is completely senseless. But I cannot help it. How many people can say that they just hung out with famous musicians, just chilling in their cabin, them offering you a beer, no big deal. Ok, a lot of people. A lot of people can say this exact thing about a lot of people much more famous. But I don't know them. And this is my one moment, and I want to remember it forever. I am such a super gay fangirl. Fail at life. Proof of this fail: the picture below. Really, Kelli? Everyone walks out of the room and you're taking selfies? Loser times a million.   

Super excited stupid fan girl face. Yall- tonight is unreal. Normal life is boring and I hate it. I must have this. I must.

Did I take and instagram this picture solely because shooter did first and I wondered if people who followed us both would notice and think I'm cool? Absolutaf*ckinglutely. Which proves I am in fact not cool. I accept this.  

Selling merch for Shooter Jennings and Fifth on the Floor tonight at the Outlaw Snowdown!

Tons of people under the tent

Whitey Morgan and the 78's

Shooter Jennings & Fifth on the Floor

I'm one proud mama Kelli merch girl tonight--Fifth on the Floor and Shooter Jennings at Outlaw Snowdown

After the show, we all went to a cool bar in Pagosa where we were treated like rockstars, simply through association. I didn't hate it. 

Free, free, free, free.

Responsible bass player drinking. Responsible as in not being wasteful.

 

Put this in your purse. Um..ok?

  "I ain't drunk, I've just been drinking" - whitey morgan and the 78's

I had to do it. Had to be that fangirl who asked for a pic. But hell, I was sitting in the backseat beside him on the way back to the cabin, and I just couldn't resist.

 I guess I was a little bit of a crazy fan girl, though I tried to hide it as much as possible. I realized that being that way was really silly, though, because he was just a really nice, really cool normal guy.

The first night of Snowdown was a great experience that I am so, so thankful for.



February 9
Outlaw Snowdown
Pagosa Springs, Colorado

If nothing else, we have a lot of fun :)

Just doing rockstar sh*t with the band in Colorado 

http://vine.co/v/bvmZAPuZErD

 The second day in Pagosa, Fifth of the Floor played their own set at Outlaw Snowdown. 

It was so cold standing by the edge of the tent where my merch table was the second night. Like I think I'm going to freeze to death cold. Life is much easier and much more comfortable at the top ;) 

I think I have frost bite on my toes. I just know when I take my shoes off they're gonna be all black and mr deeds like.

A drunk man just spilled my bourbon. And then knocked down my merch stands. That's grounds for killing, hoss.

 Outlaw Snowdown day 2 set up 

Lydia Loveless

 

Micky and the Motorcars

Oh yes. My favorite three letters.

 We had a great time out the second night after Snowdown, and I got to meet the Micky and the Motorcars guys, who were all really great (bus party! bus party! bus party!). Fun times for sure.

February 10
Pagosa Springs 

We had intended to leave Pagosa on Sunday (the 10th) but the weather had other plans. We literally could not drive through the snow to get out of the mountains. So, I was forced to eat Mexican food, drink a bottle of cheap wine, and spend another night (in cabin number 4) in Pagosa. This did not suck, one tiny bit.   

There could be much worse places to be snowed in #stuckincolorado

Office space with my homies, snowed in and stuck in Pagosa Springs, Colorado #damnitfeelsgoodtobeagangsta #meandmyband #papow #outlaw #wine

http://vine.co/v/bvneqBTa1eM

 More touristy shots of the Pagosa Area as we tried (and failed) to leave. Isn't it the most beautiful place you've ever seen?

Everyone is Colorado is stoned. But so friendly!

Attempt at leaving Pagosa, round 2. The city loves us so much it won't let us leave.

I love snow! And Pagosa Springs, CO. I will be back here again

So sad to be leaving here

 

Pagosa is said to be the world's largest natural hot springs. And guess who forgot her swimsuit.

Cute little cabin number 4

Pagosa Bar, where we hung out both nights after Snowdown

So I'm terrified of driving in snow, and after the first attempt at leaving, I was extremely scared about leaving. I was a little scared that this might be my last meal 

We chained up the tires and finally left on Monday, canceling our show in Des Moines and driving all that day and most of the next to get to Iowa Falls on time for the Tuesday night show.

There is nothing stronger two people can share than music.

In my opinion, at least. But in my experiences, it has proven true that there is not one single thing that can more quickly bring two people together and form a more powerful bond than a deep discussion about songs that mean something to you. 

 It doesn't matter where the conversation happens-- It can be in a truck, driving down a country back road at midnight, radio turned up, windows rolled down just enough to let the cigarette smoke sneak out and night air stream in. It can be sitting around a wooden kitchen table at six in the morning, iPod plugged in and speakers cranked up loud enough to fight off a sleepless delirium, mason jars drained of their offering of the opposite of your morning coffee. The location is secondary; what matters is the dialogue and the music fueling it.   


 Sister Hazel- This Kind of Love

  

Your company matters, too. A certain amount of trust must exist for the exchange to work. It is a vulnerable position to put yourself in- to share a song that you really care about, that means so much to you, one that you have enjoyed and want someone else to enjoy as well. There is an inner chatter that you have as the song is playing - What if they don't feel the same way about the song as you do? What if they don't like it? Or, maybe even worse, they just like it and don't have the same strong, deep, visceral reaction to it that you do. Did your good taste in music fail you? Or, does your taste just suck? Maybe it's the other person. Maybe their taste is terrible. If that's the case, then it's the end of the line for me. Unplug my iPhone or take out the cd and head back to the house. It's done with. If we can't share good music, we ain't sharing anything. Sorry yo. It's just the way it has to be.
 
Ryan Bingham-- The Weary Kind 

But sometimes, everything aligns. The right people, place and song all come together at the perfect moment. Something magical happens. Your mind awakens; you come alive in the deepest parts of your soul. As the music plays in the background, either you or your companion share your story of the song- Of the background behind it and how you came to love it. And even if it's not the typical kind of music you listen to, or anything you had ever even imagined that you could enjoy, you like it. More than that, you feel it. In your head, your heart, your soul- You really, truly feel it. For those few, brief moments nothing else exists in the world aside from the two of you and the music...And you are truly alive.       

Shooter Jennings-- Belle of the Ball

  

I cherish every time I am lucky enough to have one of these conversations, usually with one of my musician friends-who-are-boys (see how careful I am not to use the words "boy" and "friend" in any close proximity to each other? That is my life. Team Forever Alone- I'm making shirts, message me if you want to join the club. We have weekly meetings at the apartment watching Hallmark Christmas movies and crying into bowls of ice cream. Just kidding. Kinda).
   

Waylon Jennings-- Outlaw Shit 

But seriously, sharing music with others is one of the most important things in my life. I know it is so silly, but I feel I have more purpose and my existence has more meaning when people tell me they hear a song for the first time on one of my posts and it means something to them. It takes me back to the quote from The Perks of Being a Wallflower that I wrote about a while back. A song is an immensely powerful thing. Finding someone you can share something so powerful with is such a big deal. These people you can feel songs with, who you can listen and share and talk and grow with, these are the people in my life that have really changed me, that I have grown the most from knowing. If you've been one of those people in my life, I thank you. I hope, in some small way, that I can be that person for you.