The Interns

I also apologize for not writing in such a long time. Getting a moment for myself is unheard of in this thing called "the real world." Although I am interning at my dream job, there are many concepts that are time consuming and really make you count down to Friday. Oh wait, if I rush Friday to get here, then that means the weekly Saturday concert is just around the corner.

Arriving at 6 a.m. on Saturday, to guide the buses backstage, I am groggy and wondering what I got myself into. At 8 a.m., the stagehands (guys who put up stage lights, etc) arrive and I observe their work. Around 10 a.m.-12 p.m. the stars roll out of their beds, as I did at 5 a.m., ready to get the day started with their catered breakfast and morning local paper. Without a care in the world they sit at the table, feeling all the eyes staring at them as they enjoy their coffee. As the intern, I am one of the individuals studying their every move as I prepare their dressing room and accommodations.

As the time moves on, and it is nearly show time, I have to make sure everything is as the stars, producers, stagehands and tour managers requested. And, if it isn't, it is my job to fix it... whether that means making a quick run to Walmart, or talking to them until we come to a possible compromise.

As the show goes on, you would think that our jobs are finished, and we could sit back and enjoy. The myth is about to be broken, this is when the hard work begins. Now, it is time to discuss the money. This is difficult for me because tour managers are upset they are only receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars when they think it should be more. If they only knew my income. Anyway, we have to come to an agreement with the tour on what they should pay us, and what we should pay them. Many artists have a set fee (which cannot be disclosed) that they require to play, no matter how many tickets they sell. This is a challenge. We lose many thousands of dollars per show. After we come to a compromise, we write them a check and wait for the price breakdown of the expenses for the show to arrive. Each department submits their expenses so we can make an Excel sheet for our records.

At the end of the show, we make sure all is taken care of for the post show accommodations and we start the breakdown process. No, not of our insanity, but of the concert. Occasionally, I'll tip back a brew or two with the artist, but most of the time it is a quick "Hi, nice show, my name is Candice," and I'm on my way. After a 17 hour day I head home to collapse and get ready to return the next Monday at 9 a.m.

Some of the perks include, playing basketball with Toby Keith, drinking a beer with Shooter Jennings and getting to introduce myself to Lee Ann Womack.

Even though I complain about the long hours, low pay and stress of unhapppy people, I have learned more than I ever expected. My boss has taught me so much. He allows me so much freedom to learn from others and my own mistakes. It has been a rewarding learning experience and I will miss it so much when it is over.