Community Radio at BottleRock: A Volunteer’s Perspective III
Community Radio at BottleRock 2024
KSVY and SonomaTV are fueled by our volunteers. Our non-profit mission is to put media tools in our locals' hands and produce great audio and video in real-time out in our community. Community Media: A Volunteer's Perspective is a chance to let them tell you about their experience and give a personal story behind our claim that community Radio and TV are a vital part of a healthy region.
This blog was written by Kate Bruno. She grew up in Glen Ellen when the Dunbar Dolphins were still the Demons. She attended Altimira middle school, then Sonoma High where she played on the golf team. She loves all extreme sports, the more dangerous the better, and oves playing drums. for her local band called Dirty Westside, and has played for a few bands before that. She volunteered as a firefighter locally for years and you may have seen her from time to time over on Arnold Drive, if you like Mexican food. 😉 She is also the host of, "It's All About You" which airs weekly on Thursday at 10 AM. This is her story about volunteering to cover BottleRock 2024 with KSVY.
I never thought I would write a blog about my experience at Bottlerock today. This was the opportunity and adventure of a lifetime I will never soon forget. My friend and KSVY Program Director, Ronny Joe Grooms, led the way and made this experience happen.
Of course, I was happy for myself, but I was even more elated when I knew I could share my first-hand accounts with all of you! I’m not going to say I was in a funk, complacent, or even bored at the time, but now my eyes, soul, heart, and brain have a little reset button.
By all means, getting to and fro was part of the adventure and, at times, like a puzzle to navigate, but like always, Ronny and I solved the transit maze with victorious fists in the air! This weekend had a potent meaning for me, women’s empowerment! The message is solid and real, from St. Vincent to Cannons to Grace Mckagan.
Not only did Ronny and I get a 3-day opportunity to cover BottleRock, but we also got media passes, which enabled us to collect our thoughts, do interviews, and connect with other media personnel. Breathing in the ebb and flow of the pit photographers making their way from artist to artist in one giant room is a rush of adrenaline and purpose.
While some performers were demanding to get in contact with us, Ronny and I found much joy in interviewing various vendors and connecting personally, even with a vitamin B12 shot administered to our buttocks. BottleRock taught me that people are fantastic, people are fun, and people are BACK!
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Friday morning, the adventure begins. Not only did we get our three-day media passes, but Mike from Napa Valley Cottages graciously gave us a beautiful cottage to rest our tired feet on Friday night. I don’t think I have met a sweeter, more accommodating man. Also, shout out to Shari for helping us with a ride to the venue. By the way, there is a difference between bike and bus stops! That’s a story for another day.
Walking into the media room, I had no idea what to expect. As we entered, I felt like the new kid in school; I had never been in such a relaxed, driven environment. All you can hear is the click-clack on keyboards and quiet murmuring so as not to disturb anyone else. I questioned myself, “Am I cool enough to be here? I’m qualified to be here?” The answer is yes. We did belong there and had a blast while fulfilling our radio duties.
We got to rub elbows with people behind the scenes, media fresh out of the pit, and go over hundreds of pictures to find that one shot. Shout out to Jess from the chronicle for absolutely killing it on the culinary stage reviewing hot dogs with caviar!
The one band that stood out in not just talent and woman empowerment was St. Vincent. My mind was blown by the whirlwind of gothic cosmic energy. St. Vincent has it all if you want amazing music, a show, and a strong message behind it. It wasn’t just about the music, food, wine, spirits, art, and humanity. Bottlerock has that all.
As we got settled, laptops and notepads out, Ronny had a list of interviews for us to complete. First, on tap, we got to interview the National brand ambassador, Vance, for Hendricks Gin. Let me tell you, it was a circus. No, I’m serious! It was an actual circus! They had a three-story steampunk-themed bar filled with plate spinners, bubble blowers, guys on stilts, a man snapping a rose out of his mouth with a whip, and incredible cocktails. I’m not a gin drinker, but with that cucumber lemonade, boom, now I am!
Later Friday night, Ronny and I bounced back and forth between Stevie Knicks and Megan Thee Stallion. I’m not a big rap girl, so I wasn’t familiar with her music. In the first verse, she rapped, my mouth dropped, and I looked at Ronny; he just smiled. There were kids there! All things aside, I respect her art and kinda loved it. I felt like I got away with something wrong as a child by listening.
After a beautiful night’s sleep in our little cottage, Saturday was upon us. Getting to the venue was a breeze; we did a little park and ride and took the free shuttle to the venue, Scott-free. Getting to Bottlerock a little early and having those media passes is lovely. They allowed us to get situated, drop off our gear, and head out earlier. The first band we saw was Grace McKagan. Since it was early in the day, Ronny and I got a front-row spot. She shouted to the crowd,” How is everyone doing today?!” Ronny quickly replied,” How are YOU doing today?” She quickly and happily responded,” I’m doing great! Thank you for asking!” Can you all believe it?! I count that as an interview with a professional artist.
If I told you at that moment that the next thing Ronny and I would be doing would be getting vitamin B12 shots in our buttocks, would you believe it?! You should because Debbie hooked us up at the spa with those very shots! I felt great afterward, energized, excited, and ready for the next adventure.
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday. This was my favorite day, and you will read why. After a beautiful night’s sleep at home, I was ready for this day. I was prepared for The Beaches, I was ready for Cannons, and I was ready for Action Bronson. Ronny and I started the day with a refreshing Canadian rocker chick band, The Beaches, at the main JAM cellar stage. It’s a tremendous rush of girl energy, and seeing an incredibly talented girl drummer is always a treat!
After that spirited performance, I went to the Verizon stage for the show I had been waiting for all weekend. Cannons baby, even though the sun was out in full force, my goosebumps were jumping out of my body. I wanted to act cool and dance a little, but I fangirled out. At that moment, I wasn’t working; I wasn’t thinking and jumping up in the air as high as I could. That moment made me whole. It made me think of my time in Mexico sipping coronas and listening to Fire. Here they were, right in front of me on stage. I thought, “Wow, I’ll never get that close to them again.” Or so I thought.
It was lunchtime, and what I was having. Yup, you guessed it, a burrito. As I was about to take my first bite, I thought, who would walk into the media room. Cannons! So, get this, during the whole three days, I didn’t see one artist come through, but today was different. My hands went numb, and I kept standing up and sitting down. Pacing, not knowing if I should say hi or what. So I waited and waited for them to come back from outside. Like a rush of calm and electric air, there they were. The only thing I could get out of my mouth was,” Great set!” Good one, Kate, sheesh. After my heart stopped beating out of my chest, we got ready for the commotion they called The Offspring. Wow, I have never seen so many people in front of one stage. I haven’t listened to them since high school, but I know every word to every song. They might be getting older, but wow, they sound the same and have the same energy!
I could write more about our incredible weekend, but this sums up my highlights. This weekend taught me to roll with the punches, appreciate art, love, and enjoy my work. Put yourself in situations where you feel uncertain or not good enough, and conquer. This weekend has taught me that a big, beautiful world is ready for me to explore and enjoy. This little sum-up brought you insight and joy. Thank you, Ronny, thank you, KSVY, thank you, listeners and readers. Can’t wait to do it again next year.