This may get a little intense...

Hey everyone,

I’m Kim Gillenwater, KG if you will, and this is your guide to all things in-tents. Thanks for checking it out!

I’ll start off with a little about myself and then move right into what this blog is really all about…the In-tents Promo Tour! I grew up in Albany, a fantastic little town 13 miles northeast of Muncie, which is still my getaway when times get tough. I’m an 80’s kid and I love my mom. There’s not much else that really matters as far as my childhood goes, except maybe that I have ALWAYS loved music. My earliest and fondest memories are of dancing in the kitchen to cassette tapes playing in my little pink radio; my mom bopping her head and snapping her fingers while my brother and I laughed hysterically and showed her how it should be done (sorry mom). From Janis Joplin to Aerosmith and even Ronnie Milsap, I don’t remember being happier than in those moments.

Fast forward 20 years and my happiest moments still involve music. I am currently the promotions director/graphic designer for FMMusic, the exclusive booking, merchandising, and promotions company that powers Doc’s Music Hall and Doc’s on Dill. In the past year working for FM, I have been surrounded by a plethora of music, crazy people, and nearly every band stigma you have ever heard about and have loved (almost) every minute of it. At the end of the day, there are few problems in this world that can’t be worked out standing in front of the biggest speaker on the stage with your eyes closed while the kick drum knocks on your soul and the beat takes you away. If you don’t believe me, try it for yourself…just be sure to let the music in.

So, onto the In-tents Promo Tour. The rundown goes like this: I go to regional festivals (within 300 miles), sell my “music.love.” t-shirt (check it out below), camp (hence the in-tents part if you didn’t get that), and spread the word on the music I love. Add some sunshine & daisies and you’ve got the gist of my perfect summer…it really is that simple! With the help and support of the amazing people in my life, my seedling of a dream blossomed into the real thing and here we are. Seems pretty rad, right?


Here’s some of what I’ve got lined up so far:

Summer Camp: Three Sister's Park, Chillicothe, IL May 22nd-24th
Freak Reunion: Freedom Farm, Poland, IN June 5th-7th
Andersonville Midsommarfest: Chicago, IL June 13th-14th
Forecastle Festival: Louisville, KY July 10th-12th
Hoodilidoo: The 34 Ranch, Herod, IL August 14th-16th
Sleeping Bear Dunegrass Blues Fest: Empire, MI dates not released
Wuhnurth: The Waterbowl, Muncie, IN Sept. 18th-20th

As with most things in life, there will probably be changes along the way, so stay tuned!


The whole thing kicks off this weekend at Springfest 09, a coming-together of last year’s Springfest 08 and Live at the Waterbowl. Put on by the “Happy Hippie” himself, Nick Armogida, to help benefit the environment and support Wuhnurth 09, Springfest is the perfect start to good times and great music. If you have been under a rock and don’t know what’s going down, allow me to shed some light. Ekoostik Hookah headlines with an array of local and regional favorites such as Daphne Willis & Co., MC Sparkplug, Midwest Hype, Shaggy Wonda, the Twin Cats, 8 Stories High, Red Light Remedy, Fresh Hops and many more! Plus, there will be a hookah lounge, henna tattoos, fire dancers, volleyball and cornhole tournaments, and even Yart, as coordinated by the Full Circle Arts Co-op. People all over the Midwest and beyond have been gearing up for this show for months and with a forecast of two perfectly sunshiny days (fingers crossed, please), it will not disappoint. If you can’t make it out, be sure to check back for coverage of what you missed and the latest on all things in-tents.

Until then, smile lots and stay positive!
music.love.KG.

One last thing…if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about what I’m hitting up this summer, don’t hesitate to let me know. Please try to be constructive, though: if I wanted my parade to be rained on, I’d stay in Muncie.




I love my mom…just don’t tell her I posted this!

The music.love. shirt as worn by the “prettiest flower” I know…let me know if you want one of these!




Wuhnurth 08 from my favorite hill…I can’t wait for Wuhnurth 09!

Have a great day!