Recorded at the Seven Peaks Festival in Buena Vista, Colorado, Chris Shifletts newest episode of Walking the Floor finds the songwriter backstage, talking with acts like Kendell Marvel and festival co-founder Dierks Bentley. Shiflett performed his own set at the festival, too, joining a bill whose 29 artists included Nineties country hitmakers (Travis Tritt, Diamond Rio), modern mainstays (Luke Bryan, Maren Morris), and bluegrass heavyweights (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steep Canyon Rangers).
Clocking in at 23 minutes, Shifletts behind-the-scenes peek at Seven Peaks marks one of the shortest episodes of Walking the Floor. Even so, Shiflett intentionally casts a wide net, talking with everyone from headliners to opening acts. The result is a quick look at a destination festival thats earned a reputation not only for its diverse bills, but for its dedication to artist hospitality.
Heres me as a roving reporter, out in the mountains outside Seven Peaks Festival, says Shiflett.
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The artist-only amenities at Seven Peaks Festival are top notch.
Massages. B12 shots. Marijuana edibles. An oxygen bar. A barber. Those were among the backstage offerings at Seven Peaks. Dierks Bentley, who launched the festival with help from Live Nations Brian OConnell, is to thank for many of those amenities. The details, man, he tells Shiflett, emphasizing the importance of the small things. You want a great fan experience, obviously, but part of what makes a great fan experience is when the bands are happy, because then they walk onstage and they bring all that love out there.
Another important detail when it comes to throwing a memorable festival: find a memorable location.
Were out here looking at the flowers, members of the Australian country duo Seaforth tell Shiflett during a mini-interview before their own set. The festivals gorgeous scenery wasnt lost on any of the Seven Peaks artists, and thats just the way Bentley wanted it. During the fests inaugural year, headliner Miranda Lambert even cancelled her private flight back home and stayed another night, looking to spend more time in the mountains.
I love the mountains, Bentley says. Im always looking for an excuse to come to Colorado. We just needed to find the right location that felt like Colorado, because when youre in Denver, it feels like youre in the big city. Its a little work to get here, as you knowbut once you get here, theres not a band thats been here that hasnt said to me, Man, I wish we were staying longer.'
When it comes to festival organizers, you dont get much more hands-on than Bentley.
Ive been to every show, Bentley says to Shiflett during their short interview. I sit side stage and watch every band. I havent missed a band yet. Later in the pairs conversation, Bentley likens the process of planning a music festival to the challenge of making a new record. Youve gotta make an album for yourself, he says. You cant make an album for people, because then it sounds like youre pandering, and its gonna have no heart to it.
Of course, it helps to have a partner like OConnell in your corner.
As Live Nations President of Country Touring, Brian OConnell spends most of his year on the road, working with the genres headliners and up-and-comers. He helped Bentley develop Seven Peaks Festival, too. Hes done Watershed in the Gorge, Washington; LakeShake in Chicago; Faster Horses in Michigan, says Bentley, rattling off a string of OConnells past festivals. Working together, the two have built a festival thats meant to exist on the same tier as American institutions like Bonnaroo. All the festivals I started playing, you got a box lunch, Bentley adds, comparing those entry-level amenities with those offered backstage at Seven Peaks. So were trying to get country music to the same level of respect as Coachella or somethingbut this is better than Coachella.