with Song
River
cowgirlzenphoto@gmail.com
cowgirlzenphoto@gmail.com
And
the beat goes on...music and people. A dance as old as time. As Kevin
Lyman talks about his beginnings and his viewpoints of the world and
the effects we can have for the positive on our young people one
quickly realizes music is Lyman's vehicle to help allow the youth to
change their own part of their world into a better place. What more
can a philanthropist do than to create opportunities for our
tomorrows to become better today? I think Kevin Lyman put it best,
“Ah, if people would just give a crap.”
Song
River: Van's Warped Tour had their huge kick-off in Florida on March
22nd to showcase this year's bands. It was a great way to open the
excitement up for fans across the United States for the tour.
Kevin
Lyman: Yes, it was and I am very excited. It was a great success and
I even got a little fishing in while I was down there. It was good to
have a little RnR mixed in with the excitement of the Warped Tour at
Full Sail University.
SR:
Looking at the music industry today and its structure in this 'New
World Order' through our technology and education plus how we are
connected globally how much of this factors into your developing
various festivals and your mindset?
KL:
The thing is (paused) I think in the 'New World Order' it can be
overwhelming. Does that make sense?
SR:
Yes.
KL:
If you read today's headlines and try to understand them, it becomes
overwhelming. So in the same sense it is how I think we've
minimialized the issues on a world level in politics to their lowest
common denominator. You can't understand global, it is really hard to
understand on a global level what is going on.
Now
look at what we've done, it's really nasty, we have taken it to three
things: guns, gays and abortion. These are very emotional things. And
they became a “yeah or nay” on them. So people get really
passionate about it and that comes from the influences of the
churches in the South a lot. They were able to influence a lot of
people and that even goes back to our public school system letting
people down. (paused) I know I am getting deep into this.
SR:
That is fine Kevin, this is what I wanted from this question. Please
continue.
KL:
It goes back to when Obama was first running for president. It's
always unique the person that has the most social reasons to be there
or really wants to do the best for people probably at the lower end
of the economic scale never win. You notice that? They never have a
chance because no one can really understand the 'macro' reasons of
what is going on, so they go to the 'micro' reasons of “right to
carry a gun,” “do you believe in gay marriage,” and “do you
believe in abortion.” It doesn't take a lot of thought process to
make your decision on that one.
SR:
Would you say then everything has become extremely polarized?
KL:
Absolutely. That is why this election is going the way it is now. So,
all I look at doing with the Warped Tour is to try to show kids on a
local level how YOU can make a change. That is what we need to tackle
first. So through our blood drives, we tackled a long time ago when
they were having a hard time filling up the blood banks, we came up
with how to help this on a local level at each city we came to. With
over 1400 people signing up to help run the blood drives during the
Warped Tour that has help solve a local problem. When we do the can
food drive at Warped Tour we are able to restock a pantry at a local
level for at least the short-term.
Then
I have kids emailing me that they on their own are running food
drives at their own local school. They are understanding that we have
to take care of each other locally and then maybe we can start
pulling together those pieces on a national level.
SR:
Taking global issues, breaking them down to manageable local levels
and getting the young people involved.
KL:
It is really trying to build a strong community.
SR:
Your Ted Talk that you did back in 2015, listening to what you had to
say, you seem to have this innate ability to 'foresee' things. You
are a solution finder. Is this something you learned from your own
parents or is it something that came naturally to you?
KL:
I don't know. I don't know who my biological parents were, I was
adopted, so I cannot say genetically. However, I had great parents.
We grew up in a nice home, but I have no idea how my father was able
to raise four kids finacially. We didn't have a lot of money really.
We were four kids who were adopted, but we never went hungry, we were
all treated with respect and we were also taught to work.
I
think when I look forward right now, I see very frightening things.
When I talk about bullying and I am trying to get the kids to be
anti-bullying and then we have candidates running for office who are
bullying each other how are we going to end bullying? We have parents
who are supporting potentially the biggest bully in the world right
now, how are we going to end it?
SR:
Kids follow the examples, don't they?
KL:
Yes, it all really comes down to basics. And I think that is why this
year I decided to break everything down into three things: It is
about the fans, the bands, and philanthropy. Of course, we understand
what the first two are about, but philanthropy could be about
something like looking out for each other.
SR:
Right. Sometimes people think you must have money to be a
philanthropist, but you don't.
KL:
Right. And in some ways even I am fighting the music world because in
some ways it has become a train wreck. It is a train wreck unto
oblivion and they can't even see it in front of them.
SR:
When you say, “they can't” who are you referring to?
KL:
The agents. A lot of the managers don't see it. What is going to
happen soon when Live Nation owns everything? Could the agents and
managers who are trying to build for me, me, me right now going to
become obsolete?
You
don't trust a lot of people in this business. It's weird. You just
get used to working with them. Then you have the people who are
closest to each other... I am watching those who are closest to each
other eating each other right now.
There
is always going to be a music business, but I guess what I am trying
to teach the younger people is there is softer, gentler way of doing
this. That really comes down to the music. It is funny because so
many times it doesn’t come down to the music in what I have to deal
with, and sometimes I have to deal with people.
SR:
What does all of this really come down to for you Kevin?
KL:
For me? Look I make a nice living, I have never said I don't. Have I
taken advantage of the music business for my own personal gain? No. I
work really hard, I have some money in the bank, I've put my kids
through school but I have not taken advantage of the music scene. I
think what we have going on right now is everyone is trying to get
one foot up on each other.
SR:
You see it every day.
KL:
You see it across businesses everywhere. The music business is just
one thing, it is generally where we are at in the world right now.
I
have always said people can make a living in the music business. And
to me making a living was having a house, maybe a vacation once in a
while, some nice food on the table. That was the idea of Middle-Class
America. Or what it was about. But the middle class of the music
business is getting crushed right now.
Sometimes
to move forward, you have to quit hanging on to what you think your
current lifestyle should be. You know what I mean?
SR:
Yes, sometimes you do need to take three steps back to move forward.
KL:
Take three steps back to move a whole scene forward.
SR:
Why did you choose the music industry as your vehicle?
KL:
I love live music. And really I just fell into it. I didn't go to
school for it.
I
was running summer camps, that was what I was doing. Running youth
programs (laughed). I run youth programs really in the music business
if you think about it. So, really I just transferred what I was doing
to a different platform. Warped has allowed me to use that platform
for way longer than anyone imagined. It wasn't meant to be here 20
some years later (laughed). I was going to do it for a couple of
years and move on with my life.
SR:
And here you are.
In
my observations Kevin, there seem to be certain types of people you
gravitate towards. Andy Biersack seems to be one of those people you
have forged a strong bond with. What is it about your relationship
with Andy?
KL:
I think with Andy it is that he had a vision. He had a direction for
himself. And he is such a compassionate person. He also realizes not
everyone is going to like him. He has a view for who what he wants to
do and who he wants to become. I think for a young person he is
making that progress there.
We
hang out maybe a little different, you know they come to the house
for dinner, we do a lot together, we don't vacation together, well
one time he did go fishing with me. I see him as a person, a young
person who is very passionate about what they are about. And he
brings that passion to what he does. Will he continue to evolve? Yes,
he will. I think he is a great person.
Along
the way, I have worked with so many people. I've seen people who have
had a rough start to their lives. People in the crew on the road who
are good people but for one reason or another they get off track.
They are good people. Some comeback and some don't. You look at Andy
or even look at Ronnie Radke. Ronnie at first he was his own worst
enemy. I really think he has been through a lot. Some self-created,
but much of the drama around him was created by others. As he becomes
more comfortable can he now talk to kids about these things when he
is out on the road? Talk about what he went through, how to avoid
some of these pitfalls, yes he can.
You
know this day in age with social media anyone can put up anything
about Ronnie and people would believe it. The only thing that can be
substantiated about him is he went to jail and did some time.
Everything else is a rumor. We live in a society where people get
attention by lashing out at these people. Creating things that aren't
true.
SR:
Bullying behind a computer screen.
KL:
Yeah, even the those bashing me on the computer screen, I tell them
to come on step out. That's why I invited them out to come and talk
to me at 7:30 am in the morning. Two of those kids who actually had
issues came out and after we spent some time together they now
understand that isn’t the way to go into your community. They have
to go out into their community and figure out how to make a change.
SR:
Are you seeing hope then among the young people?
KL:
Absolutely! But we need to start highlighting those youth.
SR:
The media doesn't want to highlight the positive.
KL:
No, they don't. Our media is about money. Good behavior doesn't make
great stories. Good behavior is not rewarded in our society. Will
there be a balance? We need to take our own small little part of the
world and make it the best we can.
There
was a girl who created a show at her school to help raise awareness
about the program called, To Write Love On Her Arms. She did a great
thing, but is she going to get the highlights? Now, we are trying to
promote those types of things when they happen. We have a kid who
emailed me who wants to run a clothing drive for the homeless shelter
on the last date stop in Portland. That is change, change for the
better.
And
I think we are seeing a new generation of kids honestly on the
internet who are trying to bring about the positive. I think they are
sick of seeing that 'trolling' generation. I stay out those things,
but I watch. And I am watching the kids just shut them down. And it's
growing. They didn’t want to step out a year or two years ago
because they were afraid, but now... now they aren't. We need to be
empowered to shut down the negativity.
SR:
In a short version sum up community and loyalty in what you have
created.
KL:
Ah, if people would just give a crap. You know I go out on the road
and see all these kids giving a crap about something that brings them
together. You watch from the little tent set up and you see it. I
was there in Florida and I had about thirty kids who want to be a
part of doing something, you see that hunger in their eyes. Those
kids need opportunity.
SR:
We need more local opportunities for our young people.
KL:
We do, we really do. You look at our country overall the current
situation and it is painful.
SR:
But we still have hope because you just shared how there are still
those out there who want change for the better and to reach out and
help others.
KL:
Absolutely.
SR:
An effective leader just doesn't lead the people. As I have watched
you, Kevin, you lead by walking and helping carry the load along with
the clan. Really when people come to Warped they feel a sense of
belonging. As you continue to use and implement these leadership
tools, have you considered writing a book on how to be successful in
this industry?
KL:
I have and I have started outlining it. Not this summer, but probably
next summer.
SR:
Every year you make adjustments and tweaks to the tour. Has there
been one approach you have tried along the way that you learned a
very valuable lesson from?
KL:
(paused) I think maybe I really want young kids to come to Warped
Tours and really get turned onto this scene and the music and what
this can mean. I think the kids who have felt different at school and
such have always felt they belonged with us.
I
think at one point we tried to be too much for everyone and that is
why we are back to the basics now. You look at our lineup and it is
very basic. We are just going very simple this year. The kids respond
to this. Also moving the sale of tickets later. Bomb them with the
line-up first. The kids should control Warped Tour. The tour isn't
for everyone, it's okay. The kids have taken control.
SR:
You have taken Warped into other countries. Are there differences
among the young people?
KL:
They all want the same thing. They all want something a little
different from the norm.
SR:
I know we have focused on Warped Tour but what are some of the other
festivals Kevin you put on?
KL:
We just had, “Taste of Chaos” which I think will be in 36 cities.
Then I had, “It's Not Dead Fest” a little punk rock show. “The
Mayhem Festival” there are at least 20-30 fests I've worked.
SR:
How do you go about choosing your demographics?
KL:
You try to create these niches. “Niche Festivals” like that punk
show it was set up for that 'old' Warped fan that only wants to see a
certain type of music. They can't go for 11 hours on a Wednesday, so
a lot of these parents brought their kids to see these punk bands
that were so important in their lives. It was a huge family turn out
of 20,000 people on a Saturday. I think that is what we need in
America. These little niche festivals work really well. People want
the experience but they can't always take two or three days off work,
or school or afford to pay for more than one day.
There
will be those who can come out for certain festivals at certain
times. With the Warped Tour, there will be those who can make it and
will have a great time, it isn't for everyone and that is okay.
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