One of my best friend's mom works for a record company and my friend goes to concerts and shows all the time. Back in the day, when I was in third grade (2004), she surprised me and brought me to a concert to see my favorite artist at the time, Avril Lavigne. On our way to the concert I was told we were going to be meeting Avril and I was very excited. I couldn't believe this was actually going to happen! We did meet one band before meeting Avril, and that band was Simple Plan. These were the first two artists/bands I had ever met.

 

Over the next couple of years my friend brought me to a few more concerts, High School Musical (with the real actors) and The Black Eyed Peas (2006) with The Pussycat Dolls opening up for them. The Black Eyed Peas concert was another suprise from her too, our parents and my friend surprised me when we went out to eat before the concert I knew nothing about!

 

Now being in middle school, I was exposed to a handful of concerts when most kids our age had never been to one. I was always up for a concert! In December 2007 of seventh grade, my friend invited me to a Fall Out Boy concert, and Cute Is What We Aim For, Plain White T's, and Gym Class Hereos joined them on tour, but my friend was unable to go because she got sick. My mom brought me, along with my brother, and we had a great time! I think this concert and the type of music it was, is what got me into all the music I listen to today. Then in March of 2008, my friend brought me to see the Jonas Brothers, but before the concert we attented the meet and greet. I was, yet again, very excited to be meeting another band. At this point I realized concerts was a thing I was very into and all I wanted was to go to more. In the summer before eighth grade (2008) I met Gavin Degraw, and we were with him for an hour, just talking and hanging out. In December (2008) I attented Kiss 108's Jingle Ball and met some artists there. I saw Fall Out Boy again in April 2009 as well as The Jonas Brothers again that July. I was now very much hooked on going to concerts. I loved getting to meet the artists and band members. 

 

Once high school started in 2009, I looked up artists and bands that I loved, to see if they were playing anywhere near me. When I found a concert I wanted to go to, I felt like I needed to go. I was lucky enough to go to most all the concerts I wanted to. My parents knew this was something I loved and enjoyed so they wanted me to have fun. 

 

I was going to a lot of concerts and another friend of mine told me about some local bands who I had never heard of. I started to attend these local shows frequently and got to know a bunch of the members of the bands personally. This was something that really hit me, I loved getting to know the band members personally and helping to promote them. 

 

In of February of my sophomore year (2011) my dad gave me a suggestion. He knew I loved to attend local shows, go to concerts, and get to know the members of local bands. This was something I was doing almost every other weekened. With my dad's guidance I started my own buisness. I would promote bands/artists through interviews to give fans inside access. My dad is a buisness man and started his own music buisness at 17. He no longer works in this field. With his experience and my hard work, I knew I could start something for myself.

 

I hired a company to create our logo. I made a list of questions to ask during the interviews. I started emailing away to try to set up interviews for any of the concerts or shows I was attending. I was lucky to get the interviews I did. Two of my first big acts were Runner Runner and Cady Groves. I was very happy to start this buisness of mine. From this point on things were looking bright.

 

To this day I am very lucky to have my whole family and all my friends helping out and supporting me in every way possible. I am able to interview national acts, small acts, and local ones as well. My family, friends, and I are always brewing up ideas to make my business fun and enjoyable for my audience. 

There will be many things to come, so stay tuned!

 

 

 

Alli Yennaco

Owner and Creator of Alli-Oh