Bonnaroo Festival 2022 by Don Aters

By Don Aters Patti Griffin Photos By: C Michael Stewart

Woodstock in 1969 would evolve into one of the three greatest events of an entire generation and the tomes of Yasgur’s farm and the icons of those four days continue to echo through the ages and generations.

A requiem was on the horizon in 2002, an event that was an epiphany of Ashley Capps ( AC Entertainment ) and augmented by Ken Weinstein & staff of Big Hassle Media in New York City. Collectively, these are the doyens of contemporary music, a cacophony of vibrant sounds mixed with aging icons to neoteric bands with hopes of climbing the ladder of success via exposure from this generations answer to Woodstock.

The “Hippies”, yippies”, survivors of ‘The Counter Culture” and random attendees address the path of highways and byways in search of those of the same ilk, a mirrored image of “Rainbow Warriors” of yesteryear. What was once perceived as an urban myth is a smalltown in Tennessee ( Manchester, Tennessee ) but a few years later have adjusted and welcome the 60,000 - 80,000 forays from across the globe. Both Ashley Capps and Ken Weinstein have capitalized on the term “pervade” with the same content, happiness rather than the acrimony with less ethereal events that ravage the country. The aura of Woodstock now permeates the air and bristles through the trees in Manchester, memories with “free” concerts in Golden Gate Park by Monsieur Bill Graham and my friend Chet Helm, a tinge of the ghosts of yesteryear that now walk amidst the musicians of today and this century who bring the euphoria back to the masses thanks to AC Entertainment ( Live Nation ) and Big Hassle Media. Plant & Krauss, Stevie Nicks and The Chicks ( formerly Dixie Chicks ) will be there.

All of these are icons that have been at Bonnaroo -Jack Casady Plant & Krauss, Chet Helms and a crowd image from Woodstock in 1969