Truckhenge Music Festival II (2008)

All I can say...
...is the 2nd Truckhenge Music Festival was one hell of a great party!!!

Special thanks to Bob Cutler of the Klusterfux, Jen and Adam Angellini from Wakamojo, and Bob Curry from Side Effects, for helping us get things done.

9 bands: Wakamojo - Schumann's Resonance - Klusterfux - SideEffects - Mirror Image - Hammerjunk - Obone - Lazer Panther - The Hemorrhoids. Remember those bands, I'm sure you'll be seeing a LOT more about them over the next year! In fact, several of them are competing in the Battle of the Bands at the Boobie Trap bar tomorrow night (Saturday Sept. 27).

This 2nd concert was MUCH better than the first concert last year! For one, there was NO band drama to deal with; these bands work together very well! Second, since we kept more control over the event this year (instead of letting someone else take over and BS), we knew much more about what was going on, than we did last year.

I've heard anywhere from 300 to 400 people came out this year. 350 was my estimate, so we'll go with that for now. We actually lost count after 156 people signed the list - it was starting to form a line so we decided to just let people sign the list on their own.

The sound was great! Truckhenge forms such a great natural amphitheater that the sound doesn't have to be blasted up too loud - it sounds great all the way through the audience area and isn't distorted or blowing your head off.

And some of the bands played great remake songs that were also remade to include "Truckhenge" in them. That's a cool theme that I'm sure we're going to work with next year!

Oh, there will definitely be a "Truckhenge Music Festival III (2009)"! We'll have a meeting in October for anyone interested in working with us to make next year's party even better. We're already planning to spread it over a whole weekend (instead of just one night), so look for a Friday to Sunday event. If we get some sponsors and some volunteers, we may also set up a second stage.

The possibilities are here, we just need people to step up!

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com

Lessman's Farm website: www.LessmanFarm.com
Truckhenge: www.Truckhenge.com

Ready for 2008 Truckhenge Music Festival?

I've been so busy helping coordinate this year's concert at Truckhenge, I haven't been able to concentrate enough to update this blog! Tune in to the Jim Cates Show on CJOnline this Tuesday (Sept. 16), when I'll be on air to talk about this year's concert! (Click here to download the archived show)

Truckhenge Music Festival
Saturday September 20, 2008
NO Admission fees, free camping, and BYOB!
(Gates open at 12:00 noon, music starts at 6:00 PM)
Website: www.LessmanFarm.com/events.html

9 confirmed bands!
Wakamojo - Schumann's Resonance - Klusterfux - SideEffects - Hammerjunk - Obone - Lazer Panther - The Hemmorhoids - St. Nick

We're proud to help support the local music scene. Come out to the Lessman Farm and PARTY with some of Topeka's best local bands. Hope to see you there!

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.thomaslessman.com

Lessman's Farm website: www.LessmanFarm.com
Truckhenge Concert page: www.LessmanFarm.com/Events.html

2008 Country Stampede

This was the first Country Stampede I've ever been to. I never thought I'd say this, but that concert was the most fun I've had in years! One way or another, I will FIND a way to go back next year!

I met Chris Simmons from The Simmons Brothers band; you can hear their music for free on The Simmons Brothers' MySpace page. Someday we hope to see them play at Truckhenge!

I also got to see live performances by Rascall Flatts and Taylor Swift. And there were tons of things to do besides listen to music - I highly recommend the Toyota Tundra exhibit, THAT is a vehicle with excellent offroad performance!

This year I only got to attend Saturday's events. Next year I hope to get a better package, for all 4 days and with camping. If you can go, I highly recommend it, and you should plan ahead by at least 3 months! EVERY hotel room, bed & breakfast, and other sleeping places were taken between Manhattan and Topeka! I'd estimate at least 4'500 people were in the main area on Saturday around 7 pm. It was crowded but not too badly. And there were TONS of activities and things to sign up for.

Anyway, I really had a good time, and I want to thank Shannon for taking me. While there I took notes, so now I have more ideas for the next concert we host at Truckhenge!

Thomas Lessman
Web: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/

Lessman Farm, Catfish Pond, & Truckhenge:
www.thomaslessman.com/LessmanFarm/

World History Maps by Thomas Lessman:
http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/
=================

Is Topeka Really So Bad?

(Kudos to CJonline's Ric Anderson, who is challenging readers to submit stories about what is GOOD about Topeka. His article is here: (http://blogs.cjonline.com/index.php?entry=7134)

Some people complain about Topeka a LOT, saying there's nothing to do around here, or that Topeka is SO boring, or is just such a terrible place to live. But what gets me about those people who just complain about Topeka is that they have a glossy blank stare when you ask them HOW to make it better.

There are actually quite a few of good things about Topeka. And Shawnee County too! All you have do do is just look around...

Lake Shawnee has so much going on that it's one of the best features of the area. A big lake for boating, camp grounds, a great walking trail, golf, paddle boats, ball diamonds, playgrounds, and plenty more.

Speaking of walking trails, not only is the one at Lake Shawnee a great one, but so is the new Shunga Trail, which goes through most of Topeka. Another cool (unofficial) trail is the levee system along the river. Walk from Oakland to Tecumseh!

Truckhenge, just east of Billard Airport, is a cool grassroots art park that also has the best-stocked Catfish pond in the state. See the website at www.thomaslessman.com/LessmanFarm/

Those are only a FEW of the good things about Topeka. Seriously, just look around and you'll see so many things you hadn't thought of...

Respectfully,

Thomas Lessman
Website: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
--------------------