Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/338735
w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m J u l y 2 0 14 • I nsIgh t | 25 year two – can we somehow figure out a way to catch that vibe again? Because that was a pretty special thing." e first year attracted crowds that filled concert venues and a handful of big names like norah Jones, Rodney Crowell and Charlie Parr. "Cory had some really good friends who wanted to give him a little bit of a 'thank you' for having played on their albums and different things," Willems says. "We'll probably have some good-sized names here in year three. Year two, we're really focusing on some of these emerging artists. at's really what makes the festival." still, Mile 2 is bringing in members of R.E.M., Foo Fighters and Wilco, who will feature their project bands (e Baseball Project, Dead Peasants and e Autumn Defense, respectively.) Richie Ramone, one of Chisel's childhood idols, heard about the festival secondhand and agreed to come as a special guest. An all- star jam will put local musicians on the stage with national talent like Ramone, Chisel says. Kurt Kempen, who is booking and scheduling the bands for Mile of Music, says the first year he had to explain to music agents what the festival was about, but that's changed this year. "is year we had a lot more agents reaching out for those same bands to come back," Kempen says. "And also any other bands they've got on their roster that are emerging artists, and a couple of higher-level artists, too. ey've been a lot more receptive." Musicians are paid by the Mile of Music and receive a club price, which is less than a festival price, for their appearances. But they play several gigs and also have the opportunity to sell their merchandise such as CDs and t-shirts. "ey'll end up getting paid pretty well by the time the weekend's over," Kempen says. Without these acts coming to Appleton, Kempen says music enthusiasts have had to drive to Madison or Milwaukee – and that's part of why the festival was so popular. But he didn't expect the attendance to be what it was. "I was optimistic, but I didn't think it would happen how it did last year," Kempen says. "I couldn't believe the response. It was an emotional weekend, as far as that goes." e festival has grown from a first-year budget of less than $250,000 to $435,000 for year two, with about 600 performances from about 225 musicians planned. Willems expects visitors will spend between $1.5 million and $2 million, including those from outside the region. Willems says Mile 3 may see the festival size doubling again, though he expects the budget to remain about the same. Mile 3 and beyond C hisel, who graduated from Appleton north high school and now lives in nashville, says the musicians he's asked to come to Appleton oen picture the city in a quaint kind of way. [ c o n t i n u e d ] » Norah Jones (far right) was one of the special guests during the inaugural Mile of Music festival in Appleton. Here, Jones sings backup to Cory Chisel (center) and Adriel Denae (left) with the New York-based The Candles at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel (inset) on Aug. 9. M i l e o f M u s i c p h o t o g r a p h s b y g r a h a M W a s h at k a