Episode 01: Welcome to the Sandbar, a Kenny Chesney Fan Tribe, with Michelle Freeman and Connie Gellner

In Episode 1 of The B Side Podcast, hosts Stacy and Andy Best chat with Michelle Freeman and Connie Gellner, founders of the Kenny Chesney online fan tribe, Welcome to the Sandbar. You’ll hear how they started their very popular group and learn how it grew to incorporate meaningful charity work and amazing group travel. If you’re a Kenny Chesney fan, this episode is for you. 

Episode Highlights: 

• Connie and Michelle started Welcome to the Sandbar because of their love of Kenny Chesney’s music.
• They wanted a non-judgmental space to talk about all things Kenny and his music.
• The regular crowd thinks they’re crazy for going to multiple Kenny Chesney concerts each year.
• The group started in 2013 and grew rapidly.
• Welcome to the Sandbar met a need other fan groups weren’t filling. The group is more interactive.
• Connie and Michelle can get fans answers directly from Kenny’s people.
• Connie and Michelle met at work in 2010 and it was immediate friendship.
• They discuss favorite venues.
• They like the Walmart amphitheater but their favorite is The Joint in Las Vegas.
• Tortuga is probably their least favorite venue because it is so crowded and Kenny doesn’t do a full set there.
• The people in the group are true friends that help each other out.
• Lifelong friendships have been made through Welcome to the Sandbar.
• They talk about interacting with group members in person and how odd it feels that people want to have their pictures taken with them.
• They began raising money for charity through the group. 
• When they accumulate signed items, they save them to raffle for charity.
• Michelle and Connie planned a St. John escape for Kenny fans who didn’t think such a trip was possible or felt too exasperated by the planning process.
• For many people, this was the trip of a lifetime.
• These trips are about bringing people together with like interests and just enjoying the experience.
• Next year they hope to pick a new venue in a new location.
• Their advice for surviving the sandbar is to wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, and make sure you’re OK with touching other sweaty people.
• They discuss different advantages to being at the back of the sandbar vs. up against the stage.

3 Key Points:

1. Welcome to the Sandbar was created as a non-judgmental place for Kenny Chesney fans to connect to discuss all things Kenny and his music.
2. The Welcome to the Sandbar group has expanded to include meetups and even trips with like-minded people across the country. 
3. If you want to get into the sandbar at one of Kenny’s concerts, wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, and make sure you’re comfortable being in close proximity to many people.

Resources Mentioned:

• Best Life Studio website, Instagram, Facebook
• Welcome to the Sandbar website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter 
• What It Takes To Survive The Sandbar
• No Shoes Reefs