Gratitude Series: Special Thanks to Hospitality + Ground Transportation Crews!

This will be a first of its kind blog entry, let’s call it part of a gratitude series, maybe these will pop up more and more when I get inspired by the actions of others.

Part of my role at my agency is to do the advancing for those who don’t have someone for this task. For those who aren’t familiar with this, it is the gathering of information for the artist and the promoters such as point of contacts, hotel name/confirmations, driver info, plans for dinner, explaining the balance of the show, etc. In the past, I leaned on our agents to take part in this but recently I have been taking on more advancing myself so I can have our agents get more shows on the calendar. To get to the point I wanted to take a moment and express some gratitude and thanks for a certain job function in our industry. The ground transportation crews and hospitality folks are a truly unrepresented group of fine people who don’t get enough props.

This really isn’t for the sure I’ll drive the artist guy or gal or the sure I’ll make a beer run for the rider guy or gal. This is for the ones who own these tasks. These persons are the far and few between – the amazing host(s). This is who I am truly thanking. I am happy that people also step up when needed to do an airport run so props🙂 but this isn’t for you right now…but you are still thanked!

The true ground crews know the city they are in and make the artists feel at home and protected in the foreign land that they have landed in with their knowledge and their outgoing personalities…you make a great name for the promoter you work with and for yourself, of course, maybe you’re the same person. You are a true pleasure when you provide detailed information for us to ensure a smooth show day and you are punctual and communicative without any smugness in your responses – I thank you.

Riders are put together by agencies and artists so when traveling the artist can give a top-notch performance at their set time since these riders provide the comforts of home by drinking the drinks in their own fridge or at their local pub or opening up their palate by exploring the city’s local brews and food offerings. So Hospitality crews, many thanks for your overall hospitality from our crew to yours as I am in touch with you all on a personal level many times and I know not everyone is flowers but you do your best to make them feel just that – the deep appreciation of them being who they are even if they aren’t acting to a certain expectation – cause on the end of the day we are all human and you get that.

Happy Holidays all and a very Happy New Year – and on that note make it safe new years as even on this day, your jobs just don’t stop.

Speak to you all soon in 2023!!!