No Place Like Home
February 6, 2019
Carter, Michael and Erik
Levi
John Fullbright 
Carter
No Place Like Home
Kathy and I have had the good fortune to attend a myriad of
amazing music festivals around the country including Coachella, New Orleans
Jazz Fest, Lollapalooza, Folks Fest, the ACL Festival, Gasparilla Music
Festival, Green River Music Festival, Rib America Festival, the Innings
Festival, Langerado Music Festival, Mag Fest, and more, so call it a big
surprise when one of the best organized and most enjoyable music festivals
turns out to be held in our own back yard, right here in Key West. The amazing
Mile 0 festival, in only its second year of existence has shot to the top on
our list of quality festival experiences.
Jaime Lin Wilson 
Setbacks which might have crippled other festivals such as
the cancelation of the headliner, The Turnpike Troubadors at the very last
minute, were handled in stride and the other acts stepped it up so well that it
barely registered a blip as far as the execution and enjoyment of the festival
were concerned. In fact it seemed that the family-like atmosphere became more a
celebration of who was here and concern for that band rather than anger over
not getting to see them.
John Fullbright
In fact it is the family-like connection between the acts,
the fans, the organizers and even the local community who is on hand to assist
that really creates the special feeling that lifts the festival over and above
the many other amazing festivals that we have attended. They don’t have the
best line-up, they certainly don’t have the faux-cool vibe that others strive
for and other festivals excel at different things like food, amenities and
such, but Mile 0 makes up for that in heart and soul.
Everyone, and I mean everyone involved seems more than just
happy to be here, but truly enthralled in the shared magical experience that is
created and their happiness translates into amazing performances, exciting
adventures and a good time had by all. Rarely have I seen so many artists
showing up at each other’s gigs to support, share the stage or just enjoy the
shows.
One of the coolest things about being able to hang out with
our friends Erik and Carter is that they took us to see their friends and favorite
musicians so we were able to get an insider’s view of some of the best artists
who were on hand for the festival. The first example of this was them taking us
and introducing us to the talent and passion of John Fullbright on the main
stage.
John Fullbright 
Fullbright, from Okemah, Oklahoma got his start as a member
of the Turnpike Toubadours before branching out on his own and finding immediate
success. His first studio recording, “From the Ground Up” scored a Grammy
nomination for best Americana album and he has not looked back. He performed a
fantastic set at the amphitheater to a large and happy crowd that included
Kathy and I, who would never have been there if not for the heads up by Erik
and Carter.
Fullbright was not the only musician that we were introduced
to through our friends, we also had the good fortune to catch sets by Levi
Parham, Zac Copeland, Mike Hosty and of course Jason Scott. All of these
artists have the seal of approval and are worth the effort to check in to. In
fact, no act that we saw was one that I would pass on, which a testament to
both the quality of music coming out of Oklahoma and Texas and the excellent
selection process of organizer Kyle Carter and his staff at the Mile 0
Festival.
But again, it wasn’t just the music that made this festival
so special, it was the people involved. We had the good fortune to meet and
hang out with a full community of artists and fans of this music, who welcomed
us with open arms, just as hopefully the community of Key West welcomed them.
Erik 
I was even able to tag along to Zac Copeland’s private
birthday celebration at D.J.’s Clam Shack- where I enjoyed an amazing lobster
roll in addition to the great company who were on hand. The final notes of the
music of Mile 0 have quieted, and our friends old and new have headed back out
on the road, but already I am marking my calendar to be back at Mile 0 again
next year. Tickets are already on sale and are sure to move fast, so do
yourself a favor and book them now.
Carter and Jason 
posted by Michael and Kathy @ 8:12 AM
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