On the way in to the park i spy a little beachhead encampment composed of old vans and tarps set up in the middle of Riverside Dr.
Of course i am going to go talk to these guys.

"So where are you guys from?"
-"Arkansas."
"Awesome."

Don't worry folks he's not really Jesus. (I asked)
It does make a fine little spot for Bush beer, though.

People are showing up pretty early today. And the absolute best thing about having my little press pass here is not having to wait in this.

I ran in to my good buddy Luke Sexton of Memphix Records, hanging out trying to make a few $$$.

"Hey pal, what are you up to?"
-"Just showing some drunk people how to scratch."
"Oh yea, how's that going?"
-"Well, if the aren't too drunk we let them record something, but they usually are."

I love that guy.

Here's how im renaming the stages today:

The Patchouli Stage (again Budweiser is looking soft) will feature Galactic, Gov't Mule, and Blues Traveler. Yellowcard is stuck in the middle of that somewhere. I'm not exactly sure how that works, but if you make cell phone commercials maybe they change the rules for you.

The Cellular South Stage i dub, The Superbadass Hell Yea Rock Stage. 10 Years, Trapt, Shinedown and Stained. I'm going to swing by Malpais first just to see what everyone was talking about yesterday.

The Autozone Stage will feature Booker T, Chicago, and James Brown. "The Respectable Adult Stage."

And the Blues Tent will naturally remain the Blues Tent. Janiva Magness, Robert Belfour, Huber Sumlin (w/ G.E. Smith of SNL fame), Saffire and Johny Winter will appear there today.

Go see whatever you want. I personally am going to just wander around and try to find something that surprises me.

If i really have to tell you to go see James Brown, you are in need of far more help than i am willing or able to give.

I would, however, highly recommend stopping by the High Tone on your way home for the Ponderosa Stomp Pre-Party. Serious soul music will ensue. The DJ lineup is heavyweight and all proceeds benefit New Orleans and Gulf Coast musicians.

It will be very awesome. If you don't go you will be missing out.
That is all for now.