Dancin' in the meadows

by Sharlene Irete

sirete@recordcourier.com

Douglas graduate Kyle Miller said he always wanted to be a rock concert promoter like his hero Bill Graham. He's moved closer to his goal by founding Dancin' Shoes Entertainment and producing the Music in the Meadows all-age festival in Minden on July 18.

Acts for Music in the Meadows are rock/soul/roots band Izabella, Groove Session playing rock/funk/jazz, Reno band Jelly Bread, Foothill Road Band from Genoa, and Adient Zoo and GrooveBox from South Lake Tahoe.

"I always wanted to be in the music business," said Miller. "My dad was a Deadhead and got me into music. He took me to concerts."

Miller graduated from Douglas High School in 1999, and went to Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif.

"I ran a radio show on the Saddleback College radio station," he said. "I worked backstage, did internships, was in a management company for (snowboarder) Shaun White. I managed a band, Groove Syndicate, which was my first real management gig. I put everything into booking them jobs.

"My company is 'Dancin' Shoes Entertainment' because I was the biggest fan and sometimes the only dancer."

Miller said music business in Southern California is highly competitive and over-saturated, so he returned to Gardnerville. He works as a sports book writer at the Carson Valley Inn, but still has the idea to create a permanent all-age music venue.

Miller said while looking for a place to hold an outdoor music festival, his friend Jeremy Page offered the use of his 97-acre meadow off Jacks Valley Road on Big Sky Trail in Minden.

Jobs Peak will be the backdrop when the six bands take the stage in the meadow on July 18.

"I hope this is the first of many," said Miller. "A three-day camp out is my goal. Get bigger bands and grow with it. This is a great spot. There's lots of potential."

Music in the Meadows is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 18 on Big Sky Trail, off Jacks Valley Road in Minden. Gates open at 10:30 a.m.

Bring your own picnic, but there will also sales of food, drinks and water. No outside alcohol, no glass and no pets. Portable restrooms will be on site.

Cost is $12, or $15 after July 16. Ticket purchases and maps are available at musicinthemeadows.com, or in Gardnerville at Tuscany Tan, 1456 Highway 395, and Cafe Girasole, 1483 Highway 395; Nick n' Willies Take n Bake Pizza, 751 Tillman Lane, Gardnerville Ranchos; and the UPS Store; 963 Topsy Lane, Carson City. Tickets will be available at the gate.

A portion of proceeds will be donated to Douglas County Pop Warner Football.

Vendors and volunteers are wanted. Information, kmiller@dancinshoes.net or (775) 830-7780.

Dancin' Shoes presents the Music in the Meadows all-age concert, July 18, on Big Sky Trail off Jacks Valley Road. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.

Bands are Izabella, Groove Session, Jelly Bread, Adient Zoo, Foothill Road and GrooveBox.

Cost is $12, or $15 after July 16. Age 12 and younger free.

Ticket purchases and map at musicinthemeadows.com

Tickets available in Gardnerville at Tuscany Tan, 1456 Highway 395, and Cafe Girasole, 1483 Highway 395; Nick n' Willies Take n Bake Pizza, 751 Tillman Lane, Gardnerville Ranchos; and the UPS Store; 963 Topsy Lane, Carson City.

Vendors and volunteers wanted.

Information, kmiller@dancinshoes.net or (775) 830-7780.