In episode 52 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I experienced the opening day of the 4848 Festival up on Snowshoe Mountain, connecting with some of the folks who make its unique community so memorable.
In this episode, you'll see a festival documentary that captures conversations with Aaron Kovelman, a touring lighting designer turned production team member for All Good Presents, as well as Kim "Taffy" Cunningham, a 10-year VIP Crew Volunteer known for spreading good energy and giving massages to artists and festival attendees alike.
Watch the full episode on YouTube or grab the audio podcast wherever you listen—and be sure to check out how to win free festival passes on musicfestivalspodcast.com. And, don't forget to subscribe for more festival conversations coming your way.
The episode kicks off with the excitement of day one—the mountain alive with people checking in, mountain bikers shredding the trails, and the vibe crowd (many of whom are longtime volunteers) helping set a welcoming tone for what’s become a tight-knit festival family over the years. As Aaron describes it, shifting from the dream of rock stardom to literally controlling the festival’s mood from the lighting rig gave him an unexpected, fulfilling path in music: “I realized, oh, I can kind of vibe with the music on the other side of the stage. I really learned how to flow with it and create the vibe for everyone in a different way.”
We talk about what makes the 4848 experience so distinctive. For Kim, who’s been volunteering for a decade, it’s about genuine connection: “We are not shamed for who we are, who we really are. We accept each other… It becomes a family, like the VIP crew, like for Dark Star, it’s a family. The people know us. They know we’re going to be there.” Their words highlight how, for many, the music is just the beginning—the location, the people, and even the little details, like the layout of restrooms or campgrounds, shape the atmosphere just as much as the songs.
You’ll hear stories of reinvention—like Aaron’s team turning pandemic downtime into a drive-in concert series—alongside practical tips for first-timers (bring layers, explore the lake, and don’t miss a ski lift ride over the mountain views). Both guests offer perspective on what it takes to pull off three festivals in three months, crediting the “magic” of a small, passionate team for making every year’s events better than the last.
If you’ve ever wondered what creates the vibe that keeps festival-goers coming back, this episode digs deeper. Aaron says it best: “Most patrons experience it, but they don’t necessarily think about what’s making everything work fluidly.” Whether you’re planning your first 4848 trip or you’re a festival veteran, this conversation peels back the curtain on what makes these gatherings more than the sum of their music.
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Next week, I’m super excited to share something completely different for the podcast and channel—and, it's a must-watch for anyone who loves music festivals with big energy, wild stories, and truly unique vibes.
We’re dropping our documentary on INKCARCERATION Music & Tattoo Festival. Produced annually by Danny Wimmer Presents, this festival has become a legendary event for blending world-class metal and some of the country's top Tattoo artists with the insanely creepy cell blocks of the historic Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be surrounded by 50,000+ attendees who are all into dark arts, mosh pits and crowdsurfing, you’re going to want to catch this next episode. We’ll be bringing you right into the belly of the beast, sharing backstage stories, band and attendee interviews and all kinds of crazy footage that will give you a closer look at what makes this festival unlike any other I've attended.
Make sure to subscribe and tune in for that full length festival documentary. And, as a bonus, you'll get to meet my oldest son Kaden who is the metalhead of the family and came along on the trip as my "INKmate" to enjoy his first music festival experience!
Clips from this week's festival performance of the week is was featured in the documentary, and so I want to send a special shout out to All One Productions for capturing the full set from Fireside Collective at 4848 that you can watch below. I had to leave before they played, but the set is outstanding and their style of bluegrass meshed with all kinds of other genres and crazy jams is just plain good ol' festival entertainment.
I also had the chance to interview mandolin player and lead vocalist, Jesse Iaquinto last week just before making the trip to Snowshoe, WV on the bands upcoming show at the 21st Annual Watermelon Picker's Festival that will be held September September 4-6, in Berryville, VA. Jesse is the bands primary song-writer and has a background in studying Philosophy, which made for a super interesting conversation. Look for that interview to drop on the show on Friday August 8th. But for now, enjoy this set from the fellas at Fireside Collective!
Video Credit: @AllOneProductionsMedia — Fireside Collective - Live at 4848 Festival - Snowshoe Mountain 7/18/25