The Chicago Chapter and the GRAMMY Foundation hosted a GRAMMY SoundChecks with recording artists the Fray on the grounds of Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 6. The Denver-based band just released their debut album, How To Save A Life, last September and have had amazing novice success. We were lucky enough to catch some of the Fray's time for a GRAMMY SoundChecks event before their headlining slot at Summerfest.
Four Milwaukee-based, young, up-and-coming bands were hand-picked to attend the session, along with five local guitar students and their teacher. To start the event off, the excited and eager musicians were treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Summerfest grounds by festival coordinators Doug Johnson, Scott Ziel and David Silbaugh. The tour included backstage areas, artist dressing rooms, production trailers, a Gibson VIP bus as well as the administration offices. The students were surprised by the lack of "glitz," and asked many questions about the booking and inner-workings of the festival. They were additionally informed about unique internship opportunities with Summerfest, including the Operation Summerchance program.
At the end of the tour, the musicians met the members of the Fray and were given the opportunity to ask them about their rise to the top of the charts. The Fray told them about their struggles to book gigs and keep a loyal audience, the importance of surrounding yourself with people you trust, and their unique approach to songwriting. After the question-and-answer session, the band stuck around to talk to the musicians one-on-one, signed autographs and took photos.
The students were then allowed to stay on the festivals grounds to watch the Fray's set, compliments of the generous staff at Summerfest.
Throughout the program, the Fray were very open, honest and fun, and spent almost an hour answering the musicians' questions. The musicians were more than thrilled to have met the band, and to learn so much from each of them. The Chapter received many positive comments from the musicians, Summerfest staff, and from the Fray and their management.
A special thank you goes out to the band's manager Jason Ienner; tour manager Mark Maher; Binky Tunney; Doug Johnson; Scott Ziel; David Silbaugh; the members of Marcella, Add Vanden, Safety First and Substitute For Hysteria; and the staff at Summerfest for all of their assistance with this program.