Backstage with Bluegrass Spartanburg
Creating a Welcoming Environment through Hospitality
Since the first Bluegrass show in 2015, Piedmont Club General Manager Peter Grzan has provided catering for the bands, serving extravagant dinners backstage before each concert. More than just fulfilling the hospitality rider, Peter has gone above and beyond earning a name for the series as one of the best in the region.
Q. How long have you been a Bluegrass fan?
A. Since 2003. A friend invited me to check out Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC, and we have attended every year since (except for 2020 due to COVID).
Q. How long have you played guitar and performed?
A. I started playing the guitar when I was 13, however performing was a different story. I suffered terrible stage fright until I was in my early 40’s.
Q. Do you have any bluegrass festival traditions?
A. At Merlefest, they have what they call “picking tents”. I love jamming with musicians of all ages and backgrounds. At the end of the four days, my fingers are pretty well calloused up.
Q. When did you first get involved with Bluegrass Spartanburg?
A. I was a part of the initiative that was started by Andrew Babb back in 2015, and it was known back then as the Chapman Cultural Center Bluegrass Series. I was essentially brought in to fulfill hospitality riders and feed the guest artists.
Q. Walk us through a typical behind-the-scenes/backstage pre-concert night for you and your team.
A. It is fun, but can be a bit hectic. It all depends on the bands and what is in the rider. We have had a number of bands that stated that they would be happy with water and coffee. Others have had extensive riders with special requests such as vegan options, specific beverages such as particular wines, flavored beverages, teas, and kombucha. We make sure that everyone has a great experience.
Q. Tell us a little about the Piedmont Club team who help prepare the hospitality for the visiting bands.
A. I am typically assisted by our Membership Director Joy Sloan and Director of Operations Terry Janney in getting things set up. We bring tablecloths, china, glassware, silverware, etc. Early on, one of the Bluegrass Committee Members (the legendary Kristin Scott Benson of the Grascals) shared with me how impressed she was by how we were taking care of the musicians. In addition, she shared that as a traveling Bluegrass musician, they are typically happy if there is running water at the venues.
Q. If not specified in their rider, how do you choose the food/drink to serve the members of the bands?
A. More often than not we go with one of the items that we, at the Piedmont Club, are renowned for, but sometimes we come up with something different specific to the band. My favorite was bringing the Krueger Brothers - who are from Switzerland - schnitzel, sauerkraut, and other items that were familiar from their homeland.
Q. Without naming names, what’s the strangest or most challenging hospitality request you’ve seen (on a rider) from one of the bands?
A. One of the riders was extremely specific with very detailed lists of what brands of foods and beverages that would be acceptable and what brands were clearly not acceptable. We did a good deal of searching to make sure that everything was exact.
Q. What, in your opinion, sets Bluegrass Spartanburg apart from most festivals/series/presenters of Bluegrass music in the rest of the country?
A. At the very beginning, we felt that there were two things we wanted to accomplish. One was that we would hire the finest Bluegrass artists to provide attendees a wonderful experience. We have definitely provided that with acts such as the Steep Canyon Rangers, Flatt Lonesome, Steeldrivers and the brilliant Rhonda Vincent. The other thing was that we would treat the musicians so well that they would spread the word about playing Spartanburg. It has worked well and we are really excited about the upcoming season, starting with the Sam Bush Band in October!!
Q. Do you have a favorite “Bluegrass Spartanburg” moment?
A. Yes and No. It’s not something that happened in Spartanburg, but it would not have happened if not for the series. Because I got to meet the Steep Canyon Rangers through Bluegrass Spartanburg, I received invitations to charity events that they played to raise money for Can’d Aid, which provides musical instruments to elementary school students in the Brevard area where they are from. At the second event, I came up with a plan to create a “fake” silent auction item which allowed the winning bid to get to play a song with the band. I made a donation that they couldn’t say no to and I got to play “The Weight” with the band. It was a memory I will cherish forever!
