Not So Flyover

Happy 14th to my second Queen.

Hello Year 6.
Fortunate, grateful, and continuously inspired by the flyover mecca that is my employer and the place I call home
It’s this place and it’s people that make the difference. The creative visionaries within, the leadership, the passion, and the palpably collective buy in across the board - that I often have to pinch myself over - especially in knowing that all of these intangibles I experience daily, are so much more than what Ii could have ever hoped to experience professionally in my lifetime, anywhere for that matter.
If a profession were a love letter, this would be it.
And my love for you, knows no bounds
Make no bones about it 6, I’m coming for you.
Here’s to the shots we’ve made, and to the shots we’ve yet to take.
- KEEP SH🏀🏀TING

Some say it’s supposed to “get easier with time” after losing someone you love. But you, you were timeless - which makes those “easy” days that myself and your tribe are still searching for often, be few and far between.
That’s a testament to your sauce, kid.
Happy Birthday Kevin Russel Sanders.
The coyote calls. And the howling winds, wale.

I could write a book about you, and one day I will.
But for now, I’m just going to leave the porch light on, and the front door is unlocked.
I’ll be here until then, listening for your coyote call.

To my fellow Iowan’s, touring comrades, performers, live event space workers, and music enthusiasts -i it’s time to have your voices heard in order to build a better music ecosystem in Eastern Iowa.
The music census is open and invites all professionals, semi-professionals, and students who work full-time or part-time in the music industry in any capacity, with or without compensation to take the Music Census available at CedarRapidsMusic.com. Musicians, live performers, industry professionals, educators, venue owners, and support service providers are all invited to complete the survey. Respondents must be 18 years of age or older and living and/or working in the Cedar Rapids area.”
The Cedar Rapids Music Census is a civic-led initiative aimed at gaining a comprehensive understanding of the current strengths, opportunities, and needs of the local music community.
Learn more and link to the 10/15-min survey at www.CedarRapidsMusic.com
Please use this image, or you can go to this Link and choose another one that best represents you or your organization.

12:03

I’ve been told many times, “more often than not, people feel let down when they have the opportunity to meet their idols.”
Those people are full of s**t.

What an honor it has been having the Not So Flyover team booked to manage backstage hospitality at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in the Artist Relations Department at the second annual, All IN Music Festival over the weekend!

It’s been great seeing this festival come alive over the last two years. The growth and attention to detail on making improvements from year 1 to year 2, was palpable over the weekend, and said improvements were vast - from the fan and artist expeirences, to the stage productions, and overall festival grounds footprint - I don’t think you could have asked for a better second annual weekend than the one we just had - No “Sophomore Slump” in sight!

To all of the artists, crew, friends, and family that we had the pleasure of giving some Midwestern Hospitality to - we thank you.

To the businesses who donated to these touring professionals, and the artist hospitality experience - we thank you.

To the best AR Director in the music festival business, Dasha Davis - it’s been nothing short of one of our greatest professional honors yet, being afforded the opportunity to return back this year and work for, and alongside you and your AR team. There is, and only ever will be - 1, Dasha Davis in this industry, and we feel fortunate to be afforded these opportunities to learn, grow, and grind under your’ roof. You are the realest of deals, boss!

Lastly, all the thanks one could give are going out to my Not.So.Flyover. teammates who helped execute the backstage experience all weekend.

To the proverbial Dream Team that was called on, John Sibbitt, Justin Eiteljorge, Mike Weadick - had you told me 15 years ago while we were all sitting in Mike’s RV on tour, traveling across the US and Canada playing our own songs - that eventually we’d be spending weekends like this past weekend together, I probably would have told you then, “I’ll take that bet” and to see it in fruition, means everything. You’re forever my bandmates.

Biggest kudos going out to my better half, my wife Annie Sexton-Stewart who is a literal BEAST on weekends like these - you never cease to amaze me with your efforts, diligent organization, and uncanny ability to be the best possible teammate one could ask for.

Being able to experience these opportunities alongside my wife, while accomplishing feats together in this industry is a feeling of wealth I hadn’t known possible in marriage, let alone in life. So very proud of your grind my dear❤️

Opportunities like these cannot be delivered without surrounding myself with the right hands, people far more intelligent than myself, who are as willing as I am to grind out long days, early mornings, and late nights for the sake of the big picture, and for the sake of the NSFO brand.

Thank you to the Cedar Rapids Gazette for sharing the Not So Flyover origins story this week!

Many folks to thank for the support over the years, from friends and family, to the local businesses who donate to touring professionals, to the live venues across the Midwest, and the crews working day in and day out to produce memories for folks like us in a live setting. Thank you.

Indebted to those initial artists who answered the call many moons ago - Modest Mouse and The Get Up Kids, and Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery for providing an atmosphere for artists to get off of the bus and out of the hotel room, to experience this region we call “home”.

The best of “flyover country” is out there waiting to be explored.

Sharing Midwest hospitality, one musician at a time Not So Flyover business gets musicians off the tour bus to explore the Midwest

A belated thanks to .wollenberg for the ink a few months ago.
This one’s for - for believing in me when I was incapable of believing in myself.
Be kind to everyone you meet in this lifetime.

New Merch - #3 out today.

NOT. SO. FLYOVER. | Official Merchandise | Bonfire Check out NOT. SO. FLYOVER. on Bonfire and shop official merchandise today! Featuring limited edition custom apparel, printed with care in the USA just for you.