Episode 26 of Catching FIRE with RHYPH goes all-in on everything Phoenix Fest.

Raela Phoenix, co-owner of Bluegrass Barrel House, and Cody Begley, general manager of BBH, join Cody Stone and Austin McDonald from The A/C UNIT. Derek McElwee and Adam Dodson host the live conversation about building a six-band festival day, running the room, stage transitions, what fans should expect, and the community behind Phoenix Fest.

Phoenix Fest is Saturday, September 12 at Bluegrass Barrel House, 701 E Irvine St, Richmond, Kentucky. Live music runs 2:00 PM–midnight:

• Crown n Spurs — 2:00–3:00 PM

• A/C Unit — 3:30–4:30 PM

• Filthy but Fine — 5:00–6:00 PM

• Dalton Dailey Band — 6:30–7:30 PM

• 5 Below Band — 8:00–9:30 PM

• Rhythm Phoenix — 10:00 PM–midnight

Episode 26 Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1146384174566141/

Phoenix Fest event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1657303385373418/

RHYPH links: https://linktr.ee/rhyph

Chapters

0:00 Phoenix Fest lineup, charities and event details

1:49 How The A/C UNIT began

5:08 Their first gig at Walmart and the Free Bird story

7:46 Bluegrass, mountain gospel and musical influences

9:13 Playing requests and the Free Bird debate

13:25 Festival-day plans and arrival details

14:19 Phoenix Fest shirts supporting vets and pets

16:18 Previewing the six-band lineup

21:08 Weather plan and complete performance schedule

22:50 Rock Rebellion and The A/C UNIT's venue circuit

26:27 Shawn Black, five below band and supporting musicians

29:37 Choosing music versus a conventional career

31:19 Audience logistics: seating, pets and house rules

33:47 Football at BBH during Phoenix Fest

37:33 Upcoming A/C UNIT shows and band links

38:21 The A/C UNIT's fiery promo videos

40:33 September 11 pre-festival party

42:01 Phoenix Fest recap, donations and local charities

46:44 Original music, recording and releasing songs

53:18 Rapid-fire questions with Cody and Austin

1:02:14 Closing thoughts and the meaning of Phoenix Fest