In most cases, the locals selected were the winner of the Sonic Bids Opening Bands contest. Where we did not hold the contest, the locals were either bands we have worked with in the past or were recommended by the local venue.

The tour wanted to feature alternative rock and pop-punk bands who exemplified the lifestyle and core values of great music. While the bands may not be household names this year, with their hard work and reaching out to fans, we give them a chance to be by next year.

This is the first time we've done this.

It's a good thing you and your pills weren't around a few hundred years ago or there never would have been a Vermeer or a Caravaggio. You'd have drugged "Girl with a Pearl Earring" and "The Taking of Christ" right the hell out of them.

Hope is the crystal meth of emotions. It hooks you fast and kills you hard.

Throughout my childhood, I did a form of Irish dancing that was kind of the precursor to 'Riverdance.' It was a mixture of ballet and Irish dancing that my teacher, Patricia Mulholland, had invented, essentially. It was Irish ballet, and she would create performances based around the myths and legends of Ireland.