Winter is creeping in, making our nights chillier here in Chicagoland. We're layering jackets over our beloved hoodies and prepping our cars for storage. This shift in weather marks the end of summer car season in Chicago. This season offers a brief chance to snap those picturesque autumn leaf-changing photos. It's also a time to appreciate our blessings, reminisce, and look forward to what's to come.
The colors of the trees in my neighborhood are reaching their peak during this time of the year. The vibrant hues of autumn have inspired me to put on our newest SDL hoodie and venture out for a captivating fall photo shoot. I decided to explore a hidden forest preserve close by for this enchanting session amidst the beauty of the season.
Just a few days left until winter's icy grip tightens its hold on the midwest. With the sun shining and temperatures reaching fifty degrees, I grabbed my camera gear and headed to this location. When I arrived, the forest preserve was deserted, leaving me alone with the foliage and my own reflections..jpg)
As I stood there, observing the graceful descent of the leaves from the trees, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. It felt like the past year had been captured in a series of snapshots, each one holding a precious memory. Reflecting on this moment, I couldn't help but think about the journey that led me here. It all began with Tuner Fest in May, an event that was once just a mere idea. Two years ago, I took a leap of faith and brought that idea to life. And now, as I embark on the third year of Tuner Fest, I can't help but feel a sense of pride and excitement. This year's production promises to be the grandest one yet. With every passing year, I have honed my skills and expanded my vision. The stage is set for an unforgettable experience, and I can't wait to unveil what I have in store.
Get ready for Tuner Fest 2022! We're gearing up to transform the ballpark into a music garden festival, with Midwest Watts leading the production for both stages. As we prepare to fill seven hours of music across two stages, I'm carefully selecting artists from past events to curate the perfect lineup for Tuner Fest 2022.
Following Tuner Fest, we made our way to Tuner Evolution. If you made it through Tuner Evo, you're a true survivor. The event took place outdoors, and Mother Nature was definitely showing off that day. The rain and wind were relentless, to the point where my canopy nearly took flight despite four people and sandbags holding it down. It felt like we were in a scene straight out of the 90's hit movie Twister. It was an incredibly wild experience, to say the least. And to top it off, the roll-in process was probably the most chaotic I've ever encountered at any car show.
The most recent major event I went to was Slammed Enuff Chicago. It took place at the lake county fairgrounds, where I actually held the first summer nights event almost four years ago. Shortly after that, slammed enuff revealed they were heading to chicagoland for an event at the same spot. Was it just a coincidence? You be the judge. Regardless, the slammed enuff event was hands down the most well-coordinated roll in experience I've ever encountered.
Following Slammed Enuff Chicago, it was now the turn for our Summer Nights Rockford Event, a collaboration with Elite Tuner that has been going strong for the past three years. This year's event was our most ambitious music production yet, featuring the Good Bus as the main stage. Unfortunately, despite the high costs involved, the returns didn't meet expectations for some of the stakeholders. As a result, Summer Nights won't be returning to Rockford Speedway in 2022, and I won't be part of Elite Tuner's Chicagoland event next year.
The situation feels like a deja vu of the parking garage party ending, but with less drama this time. We had a mature conversation about it, which is a relief. It's unfortunate that I have to start fresh, but at least we're still on good terms. Now, he's got competition instead of an ally, which is a shame when money becomes the top priority.
Challenging times reveal the true nature of individuals, providing opportunities to learn from errors and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. Embrace the possibility of making mistakes and having faith in others. The right companions will eventually appear, and when you show them kindness, they will stand by your side.
Summer Nights Memphis was an adventure like no other. I'll keep the juicy details for the full article, but let me tell you, if you're not willing to take risks, you'll never reap the rewards. Memphis was a gamble of epic proportions, and boy, was it the wildest event I've ever organized. It still blows my mind just thinking about it.