Festival friends it’s a treat when we get to talk to a founder of an iconic festival and on this episode of FestivalPass Stories, our Host, Pat Tully sits down with the founder of the iconic South Beach Wine & Food Festival and the New York City Wine & Food Festival, Lee Schrager.   Lee takes us back to the beginning days of SOBE WFF and tells us how it all started on the gorgeous beaches of Miami and then gives us the inspiration behind franchising that festival to NYC.   Schrager’s official title is the Chief Communications Officer & SVP Social Responsibility for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, the world’s largest distributor of wines & spirits.    But the title he is most excited about right now is as founder of the brand-new inaugural Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival (NPIWFF) taking place at the iconic Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Headlining chefs at NPIWFF include Aaron Sanchez, Andrew Zimmern, Alex Guarnaschelli, Michael White, Jose Andres, Duff Goldman and more!    Besides the chefs tastings, there are events including the Rum Runner’s Walking Tour, Sunset Dinner Cruises, wine tastings and more.    Schrager’s wine & food festivals have always been focused on culinary greatness and giving back. NPIWFF will continue that tradition partnering with the Blue Project Foundation saving sea species and their extraordinary habitats.   Hear more about these stories and some great music festival stories here on this episode of FestivalPass Stories.    To find out more about the Nassau Paradise island Wine & Food Festival:   Website: https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/wine-and-food-festival    Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/npiwff/    Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/npiwff   Fine out more about the Blue Project Foundation https://blueprojectatlantis.org/   Connect with Festival Pass! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getfestivalpass/  Twitter - https://twitter.com/getfestivalpass Website - https://festivalpass.com  

Fans of the 2000’s music, this one’s for you! Our Host, Pat Tully sits down with one of the most prolific indie pop singer-songwriters of the past two decades, Andrew McMahon.   Pat takes us on a musical journey of Andrew’s meteoric rise through his early days with the group Something Corporate, which he started in high school, to his first solo project Jack’s Mannequin to his current solo project Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness.   Andrew has been writing songs since he was 9 years old and led Something Corporate to major chart success in the early 2000’s before branching out on his own.    Along the way, Andrew used personal painful and joyful experiences in his life to fuel his music. His own personal health struggles were the influence in many of his solo numbers and motivated him to start the Dear Jack Foundation to provide programming to benefit adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer.   His new album Tilt at the Wind No More comes five years after his last release, Upside Down Flowers. The album captures McMahon at a turning point: celebrating his 40th birthday and 15 years of marriage, raising a daughter, hiring a whole new team, life!    On this album he works with Producer Tommy English (K. Flay, Carly Rae Jepsen) and Producer Jeremy Hatcher (Harry Styles, Shawn Mendes).    Listen to hear more about the music, the journey and Andrew’s own personal festival stories!    Hear more about these stories and some great music festival stories here on this episode of FestivalPass Stories.    To find out more about Andrew McMahon and his music: Andrew McMahon website: https://andrewmcmahon.com/  Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amnthewilderness/  Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewmcmahon/  Connect with Festival Pass! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getfestivalpass/  Twitter - https://twitter.com/getfestivalpass Website - https://festivalpass.com  

Festival friends, welcome back to another episode of FestivalPass Stories. On this episode our host, Pat Tully brings us a “force to be reckoned with,” which is what the media says about the Synth-Pop trio of Kayah, Emily and Leah AKA Moonkissed.   The band burst onto the scene after meeting at a party on New York’s lower east side. It was love at first sight and the band immediately clicked.   Tully talks to them about how they not only met and clicked, but how they got through the difficulty of the pandemic while not being able to perform for their loyal fan base.   The Pandemic brought about serious creativity from artists and Moonkissed was no exception. Their song “Clubbing in your bedroom” resonated with everyone and became an instant hit.   Kayah Cohen on the track: ’Clubbing In Your Bedroom,” is an invitation to get dressed up for no one and nothing and to move your body in order to heal. The song was written in an attempt for salvation and levity amidst pandemic despair.’   Now back on the live music and festival circuit, Moonkissed were named a SXSW official Artist in 2022, a big moment for the band.   To be Moonkissed is to be loved and we know you will feel ‘Moonkissed’ and inspired by this awesome band after listening to this episode.   Hear more about these stories and some great music festival stories here on this episode of FestivalPass Stories.   To find out more about Moonkissed and their music:   Moonkissed website: https://moonkissedmusic.com/   Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonkissedmusic/   Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/moonkissedmusic     Connect with Festival Pass! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/   Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getfestivalpass/   Twitter - https://twitter.com/getfestivalpass   Website - https://festivalpass.com

Welcome back festival friends! On this episode our host, Pat Tully talks with Joe Hertler to get the story behind the Michigan music scene and his band, The Rainbow Seekers.   Joe was making his own music in college, then began collaborating with his good friend Ryan Hoger and The Rainbow Seekers were born. Micah Bracken, Aaron Stinson and Ryan McMahon would complete the ensemble.   The band says they will “make a sprightly young groove doctor out of anyone” and their infectious energy delivers on that promise.   Joe takes time out from putting the finishing touches on the band’s 5th album to sit with Pat and let the fans in backstage to hear about the band’s experience at Bonnaroo, Electric Forrest, Summer Camp and more.   Joe also talks about what it was like to get discovered and signed to a major music label and the challenges that entails.   Hear more about these stories on this episode of FestivalPass Stories.   To find out more about Joe Hertler, The Rainbow Seekers and their music go to their website: https://joehertler.com/  Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joehertler/  Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/joehertler    Connect with Festival Pass!  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getfestivalpass/  Twitter - https://twitter.com/getfestivalpass  Website - https://festivalpass.com 

Welcome back festival friends! We love talking music on FPS and the more unique, the better. On this episode, our Host, Pat Tully talks with the incredibly unique sound of Dixon’s Violin, the world’s premier visionary violinist. What makes him so unique is how Dixon merges his love of technology with the love of the violin to create a sound unlike any other.   Dixon developed his own “looping system” based on the idea that if it can be done with the guitar, why not for the violin?   In one of his TED Talks (he’s done four), he uses the looping system to create a brand-new song that not only the audience has never heard, but Dixon himself has never heard either!   Dixon has played at festivals, corporate events, but mostly just for himself and the love of the music. In every performance, Dixon’s goal is to inspire people and he definitely inspired us.   Hear more about these stories and some great music festival stories here on this episode of FestivalPass Stories.   To find out more about Dixon Violin and their music:  Dixon’s Violin website: https://www.dixonsviolin.com/  Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dixonsviolin/  Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dixonsviolin   Connect with Festival Pass!  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getfestivalpass/  Twitter - https://twitter.com/getfestivalpass Website - https://festivalpass.com

Music fans, festival fans, you are in for a treat on this episode of FestivalPass Stories as our Host, Pat Tully, interviews award winning recording artist, Crystal Starr...and yes, she would like you to know that is her real name!     Crystal takes us inside the “Starrship,” her home recording studio, to share with us her life in music and how she taken her talent to the ‘stars.’     From a young age, Crystal was performing for her family and friends with ease. There’s talent, but when that talent is combined with a stage presence, you have the making of a star and that was evident at an early age with Crystal.   It was no surprise that SOURCE Magazine dubbed her “The girl with the golden voice” because we heard it ourselves.  Her influences come from many genres but the 80’s simply drip from her music.   From playing festivals like “Electric Forest” to her philanthropic work with “Little Voices,” her style and passion shine through.   We had a great time in the Starrship and we know you will too. Enjoy!   Hear more about these stories and some great music festival stories here on this episode of FestivalPass Stories.     To find out more about Crystal Starr and her music: https://www.crystalstarr.com/  Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalstarrmusic/  Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IamCrystalstarr    Connect with Festival Pass!  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getfestivalpass/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/getfestivalpass Website - https://festivalpass.com

Welcome back festival friends. Today, our host, Pat Tully sits down with Food Blogger, Content  Creator, Brand Ambassador, Culinary Traveler, Recipe Developer and Social Media Consultant  Chef Dennis Littley.    Yes, the man has done it all from institutional food service for hundreds a day to small private  dinner parties, Chef Dennis has done it all.     A lifelong love of food started when Chef Dennis saw the “Galloping Gourmet” TV show. Life  takes us all in different career directions and we rarely get to do what we love. Chef Dennis was  heading down the wrong path of accounting when he finally woke up and went back to school  for a degree in food science. From there he took jobs in nursing homes and restaurants to build  his skill set and resume and soon those jobs turned into a career in his passion, food.     After turning lunch at a high school into a can’t miss ‘experience’ he turned his attention to  coaching amateur chefs and demystifying home cooking so people can make restaurant style  and restaurant quality meals.     On his website AskChefdennis.com he holds the hand of all of us out there who desire to be  able to cook for our loved ones or host a dinner party. What started from a blog became a  consulting and media food juggernaut.    Hear more about these stories on this episode of FestivalPass Stories.     To find out more about Chef Dennis and his food:  Chef Dennis website: https://www.askchefdennis.com/  Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askchefdennis/  Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskChefDennis    Connect with Festival Pass!  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getfestivalpass/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/getfestivalpass Website - https://festivalpass.com

Ivan Jackson is the unique front man of Brasstracks. In this episode, Pat Tully sits down with Ivan to discuss his life in music and how his passion drives him. Growing up in a musical family, Ivan’s Dad was offered the band leader job on one of the longest running shows on TV. He tells the story of how his father said “no” and how that led to even bigger moves for his family.  Ivan attended the famous LaGuardia High School in Manhattan, the performing arts public high school that inspired the hit 80’s drama “Fame.” From there he continued his education and quickly went into business for himself producing music in a Brooklyn loft he rented with a friend.  That hustle would continue as he continued to make a name for himself, collaborating with the likes of international K-Pop sensation BTS as well as Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus and many more. Soon a collaboration with Chance The Rapper would lead to 2 Grammy Nominations. Another with Harry Styles would lead to another.  Hear more about these stories and some great music festival stories here on this episode of FestivalPass Stories.    To find out more about Brasstracks and their music: Brasstracks website: http://brasstracks.co/ Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brasstracks/  Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/brasstracks   Connect with Festival Pass! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getfestivalpass/  Twitter - https://twitter.com/getfestivalpass   Website - https://festivalpass.com

Welcome back festival friends! When music and Summer meet in Atlanta it can mean only one  thing: Festival season!     On this episode, our host, Pat Tully, sits down with the founder of The Candler Park Music  Festival, Josh Antenucci. Josh cut his teeth in the live events business in Washington, DC, where  he began working in bars, nightclubs and live events while at George Washington University in  the heart of downtown DC.     His love of music and live event production led him to launch his own DC music festival and  would lay the foundation for his next move further south to Atlanta.    Antenucci co-founded Atlanta’s Rival Entertainment in 2004 and operates three independent  venues including the iconic Center Stage Theater.    Since its origin, Rival Entertainment has narrowed focus on the creation and production of  unique live concert experiences, which Antenucci produces, overseeing event operations,  production, concessions & safety. Notable events include the annual Candler Park Music  Festival in Atlanta’s Candler Park neighborhood.    Josh shares insight, challenges and successes along the way including producing Outkast’s  infamous 3-day reunion concert, Prince’s last live performance at Atlanta’s Fox Theater and  more.   Check out more about Josh and Candler Park Music Festival    Festival website https://candlerparkmusicfestival.com/    Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerparkmusicfestival/     Connect with Festival Pass!    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/   Instagram  https://instagram.com/festival_pass/   Twitter - https://twitter.com/pass_festival   Website - https://festivalpass.com

Festival friends, when music and Meade (what?) come together along with jousting and giant turkey legs, it can only mean one thing: Renaissance Festival and on this episode, our host, Pat Tully takes us on a mystical tour of the Scarborough Renaissance Festival, stating in early April and going right into May! This is no weekend warrior festival, folks.   A North Texas Spring tradition since 1981, the Scarborough Renaissance Festival has everything you can imagine from a time period event and much more. Crowds are delighted by world class jousting, arts and crafts and of course the food. And who can go to a Renaissance festival without having a proper chalice of Meade? Yes, the fermented honey beverage from medieval times.   Wait until you hear the stories about the Renaissance and Celtic themed weddings!   And of course, there’s the world class unique shopping village and so much more. Enjoy the episode and you don’t even have to be in costume to do so.   Here’s more about the Scarborough Renaissance Festival: Festival website https://www.srfestival.com/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theSRFestival/   Connect with Festival Pass! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/getfestivalpass/ Instagram https://instagram.com/festival_pass/ Twitter https://twitter.com/pass_festival Website https://festivalpass.com