Fresno Famous

Something to know about me: I'm not the greatest promoter.
There are guys who are, who go in for the big sell, who hustle to hand out fliers, blast twitter updates and send Facebook invites, guys who know hype and how to use it. I'm not those dudes. Which makes me a terrible spokesperson for the Fresno Urban Sound Experience, the all-day music festival happening 5 p.m. this Saturday.

Yeah, I've been doing the yackity-yack on radio and TV for the past week, but this late in the game, I'm done.

So, this is less of a sales pitch (you can find that elsewhere) and more a public thanks and a pat on the back. I apologize in advance if it reads like a giant group hug (or worse).

Let's list some names first, because they deserve to be in print: Blake Jones, Matt Schwartz, Mike Seay, Abe Lopez, Floyd Sanchez, Bradley Fitzhenry and Ray Arthur.

These are guys that believe in the old art of getting-it-done and when the festival is over, they'll be the ones to thank, or lynch.

You can also thank the festival's sponsors for stepping up with the cold hard stuff. That includes those who backed our kickstarter campaign. If you every want to know your worth, ask your friends to cough up some money for it and see what happens. Lucky for us, close to 50 of you ponied up anywhere from $10 to $500. It's a show of force that is appreciated.

Thanks to KYNO/K-Jewel, the Fulton St. Project, Iron Bird Cafe, Chance James Photography and Tokyo Garden A.) for letting this thing take over their spaces for the evening and B.) for being around in the first place. This is an exercise in community building and others should take note.

Thanks to all of the bands and DJs. Maybe this is just another gig. Maybe not. We're happy to have you either way.

And finally, thanks to all of you who have thrown away your notions of what downtown is and are planning to take part in something real and vibrant and happening. This is what downtown revitalization looks like.

Someone (who should also get a big thanks) asked me why Fresno Urban Sound Experience matters and I shrugged the question off some, because, who am I to ascribe meaning to something like this. It's just an event: there are lots of others. Some are run better and have lasted longer. This is (I hope) but a mark on the list of what makes Fresno better and I am humbled to be a part of it.

That said, it may well be the best $20 you spend all month. Maybe all year. It could change your life.

OK, now I'm done.