Such heartbreaking news. I was lucky enough to get introduced to JAMBO a few years ago when I started working for BIG 1047. I remember being scared to death that I wouldn't be able to handle the 4 day grind. Within the first hour of being there, I knew that I was going to love every single minute I spent at that place.
Long days full of music and new friends and drinks and sunburn turned into longer nights getting lost in the campgrounds, riding in the back of pizza delivery trucks and all kinds of other things I probably would be better served not to talk about here. But the point is, people that go to JAMBO are GOOD PEOPLE. Most of the folks you meet in the campgrounds have been going there for 10, 20 and even 30+ years. It was something that they were introduced to as a kid and they haven't even thought about skipping it since. The connections you make there are different. You might only see the people for the 4 days you are there, but you remember each other and talk to each other like you've seen them every single day for the past year.
The reality of Jamboree In The Hills is that it wasn’t going to last forever in its current format. Everyone wants to bring beer and food for free and keep tickets cheap, but good acts cost BIG $$$. It sucks, but it’s how things go. Still very sad to see the tradition die. People will comment and tell me that there are plenty of other music festivals and that is certainly true. But none of them have the history and tradition that JAMBO does.
I can only hope that they are able to come up with some sort of modified setup in the future that will benefit everyone. I have my ideas on what works and what doesn't, but all I can do is keep my fingers crossed that we can spend another July weekend at the Superbowl of Country Music someday soon.
It's not goodbye, it's see you later!