Hey Drooblers! As usual, we’ve got a great treat for you 🙂 Today’s guest is Joshua Ayers, creator of the AyerWaves Music Festival – one of the best events for thrill seekers, nature lovers and independent musicians on this side of the equator. He’s also a radio host, a music enthusiast and a recently self-proclaimed crazy person. For those of you who have never stumbled upon our blog before, “crazy person” is a compliment and one of the best things you can be these days. Josh is here to tell us about the wild journey that organizing a large festival inevitably is. We talk about the reasons behind it, the surprises he’s got in store for us this year and somewhere between the lines we’ll try to figure out what kind of person he is. Hint: he’s awesome.

Hey Josh, good to have you! What and how did your relationship with music start?
Hey! I have been told I started loving music when I was 1 and 2 years old conducting the church choir from a back row seat. I can remember riding in my dad’s truck in the late 80’s or early 90’s listening to Guns N Roses. Screaming lines from the songs at the top of my lungs out the window. I started really listening to music in 1994 when I got my first Aerosmith and Pearl Jam albums, and I started trying to hear music at the age of twelve when I got my first electric guitar.

How does one go from hosting a radio show to organizing a huge music festival?
By being crazy. I have this super sweet gig where I listen to music from new artists around the world, talk about it, and share with the masses, but one day I said, “I can do more”. In 2015 I hosted 7 concerts in my yard, free to anyone that wanted to come. I showcased 2 or 3 artists at each concert from my radio show and paired them with a local performer. I was doing this to see if I could get anyone to show up in Scott County, Tennessee, for original new music. It went great, I was able to book artist from Montana, New York, all over Tennessee, and fill my yard with 100’s of people. Next I said, I bet I can put all these guys on the same stage over two days. I did that with about 30 days to book the show, build the stage, and get the people there. (I like to create a challenge) This year I just said “Go big or go home”. I have to always be moving forward. Complacency is not possible at AyerWaves Entertainment, so as of right now we have over 45 performers, three and a half stages, 191 acres, mountain biking trails, hiking trails, 4 nights of camping, and the all important beer!

AyerWaves Music Festival is more than just a concert, isn’t it? What makes it unique?
AyerWaves Music Festival is a complete outdoor adventure center for mountain biking, hiking, trail races, tug 0 war challenges, battle archery, beautiful east TN mountain views, and the best face to face networking platform independent musicians can attend. What makes AyerWaves unique is our ability to offer the amount of music entertainment you will get at larger festivals around the country, but we add all the outdoor activities and cut the cost to attend. We also have an old western themed style town built on top of the mountain. Have you ever been to a Saloon? Now you have the opportunity at AyerWaves Music Festival!

What should we expect this year? Let’s answer some simple questions – when, where, what? What’s the lineup?
This year is going to be amazing! At the 2nd annual AyerWaves Music Festival June 1st – 4th, 2017 you can expect to see over 50 performances spanning all genera of music. We are headlined by one of the greatest American Singer Songwriters of all time with Darrell Scott. Friday evening we will have a Western Luau in front of the Saloon with performances from Brother Man, Juke Skywalker, Andi Marie, to our headliners Home Grown Head, and many more! Each night we will have dance parties on our Mystic Forest stage. This stage is built in the woods, so come prepared to hike if you want to party all night! Our location is very unique. We are located at Possum-Trot Mountain in Winfield, Tennessee, US. The cool deal with Possum-Trot is it’s western themed town built on top of the mountain. We have an open mic stage inside the Saloon for anyone that attends. If you can play and sign, bring your acoustic guitar, bongos, bass, and share your talent. We want all musicians and songwriters to be performers at AyerWaves Music Festival.

Another question that starts with a W – Why?
“Why” is always a tricky question. I first started because I wanted to see if my radio show could bring artist to my hometown for concerts. I live in the mountains of east Tennessee, so if I want to see live music that isn’t bluegrass or gospel I have to travel. I also wanted to record live performances of new styles of music to share with the local community. The goal of 2016 was to see if I could bring 20 performers from the radio show together. I wanted to find a way to help build networking for everyone involved, and expand towns for me to travel through to play music. I also wanted to prove to myself that I can host a two day event with hundreds of people. (That was crazy to do. I do not recommend putting on a multiple day event with lots of performers, camping, hiking, and beer with out lots of help!! Now, going into 2017’s events; I have a full team to help not stress me, the property, or the performers out!) This year’s event the “Why” is to see if we can swing with big boys. The old saying, “Go Big Or Go Home” has kept us moving forward. For us to half ass this year would be a waste of everyone’s time. About 1 week after the 2016 event, I met with some good friends, that are now the AyerWaves Entertainment team, and told them what my vision is. Together we created our method to “Go Big”. Now my “Why” is to bring more attention to the performers then ever before, put more foot traffic in my local community then they are prepared to handle, prove to artist that you can survive as independent musicians because there are people that will fight with you, and to make sure everyone knows AyerWaves is here to stay.

What’s your opinion on the music industry nowadays? Are record labels and producing companies helping musicians or are they limiting their options and chances of success? How does one fight this?
My opinion on this really has no important value, but I will still give it. The industry is fine. It is just shifty, growing, and always changing. Right now we live in the day of the Talent Show. I think it is almost over. The underground bubble is awesome right now! It is about to pop, and it is going to be a lot easier to find artist that know how to speak or play substance from their heart. What I love is digging to discover new artist. I am very fortunate to live in a world where I get to do this! Labels and production companies can help the performer or hurt the performer. We are living in a just do it yourself quick and easy world now, and you can, but building a house is easier with help and guidance. Just get a good attorney, and for all artist looking to make a career with music; take a business class or two!

What’s the possibility of an independent artist succeeding through their own efforts to the level of a signed superstar?
The possibilities are endless. Is it likely, no probably not, but possible yes. Get a good product, create a plan, understand your clients, and then hit the road building your brand. AyerWaves Underground radio show will always play your tunes, and wear your swag!

Is what you’re playing for other people different from what you listen to yourself? What do you like? Who are your music heroes?
I listen to everything that comes through the radio show, so I am playing what I am listening to. I do have my go to artist and albums for moments when I need them and they need me. Some of my personal favorites are Tom Waits, Tori Amos, Neil Young, Frank Black, Darrell Scott, Pearl Jam, Home Grown Head, Stephen Phillips, Ira Wolf, and Rage Against The Machine to name a few.

What’s the best approach to building a fanbase by yourself these days?
I have no idea! Probably drooble.com It helps to have a good product. Get out and do what you love. The ones that really pour their heart into the craft can stay around forever!

Do you think a place where musicians from all parts of the world can connect, support one another and exchange ideas is truly missing? Can Drooble be that place?
It is not missing at all, because of Facebook, Instagram, etc, but no one has or is doing it right yet. I think drooble.com can be, will be, and has the right foundation in place to be what every musician in the world is ready for.

If you had to give just one tip to those of our readers who are just starting their musical journey, what would it be?
Practice, build a good team, stay positive, and let music show you the world.

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