First of all, would like to thank Mr. Jacob and all involved for putting on a great event!!! We had a great time, as always. For those of you who have been complaining about this and that, O.K. this is still America. All I can say is that if you can find a better bang for the buck event than AROTR I'll buy you a ticket.
Mr. Jacob and crew, keep the faith, you have been doing a great job.
Peace

HAD A "FAB" TIME. PRICES FOR THE TICKETS WERE UP BUT STILL HAD A GOOD TIME. MY FRIEND APRIL HAD A GOOD TIME. THIS WAS HER FIRST. SHE REALLY ENJOYED HERSELF. WE BOTH CAN'T WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR. I LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH MY BEATLES FAMILY. LOVE TO YOU ALL. OF COURSE A FEW SPECIAL THANKS GO TO MY WONDERFUL BAND FRIENDS LIKE ANDY, STAN, JAY, HAL,ALL THE BRITBEATS, RIGBYS, JIMMY POU, DREW, AND EVERYBODY ELSE. YOU ARE ALL WONDERFUL.CAN'T WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR WHEN WE CAN DO IT ALL AGAIN. KEEP IN TOUCH AND LET ME KNOW HOW WASHINGTON GOES. I'LL BE THINKING OF YOU THAT WEEKEND. I KNOW THERE MORE THINGS TO SAY BUT RIGHT NOW DRAWING A BLANK. SO IF I MISS ANYBODY PLEASE FORGIVE ME. GARY YOU ARE THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEATLE LOVE AND PEACE. KIM

Every AROTR is different from the previous one. Maybe your favorite band from the previous year is not on the list this year. Then roam around the venue until you discover a new band that will blow you away and make you smile. I saw as many GREAT shows this year as I have every year I have attended since 2006. Yes...I get the BEST ticket because it is well worth it.

Ok so I understand the complaints....valid no doubt. I felt disappointed at the segregation, as were others. I guess if you want vip treatment you got it. Happy for those people who need the extra attention. I personally don't. We spent well over $1000.00 at this event (hotel, parking, drinks, food etc) and it's unfortunate it wasn't good enough to get a better view. We save all year for this event as well. We love Instant Karma and Steve Sizemore group. They never disappoint!! It was a let down that we couldn't see the big night shows better and get more pictures. Luckily Jay spoke up for the "working class" and let everyone in (the best pictures I got of the whole event btw). I've attended for 6 years and I'm sure I will be there again next year. I will be more prepared now that I know you can get drinks cheaper in the hotel and can hear the music great from the Archibald balcony holding your drinks(no nasty draft beer either!) So party on my fellow hippies....we all shine on!!!

Let's be clear about one thing, management not jay opened up the area, each night for the after ten thirty shows..are you kidding me..a band is not going to defy the operations of the event..highly doubtful..Spoke up for the working class..lol..

Okay it's official, minus a few rare moments, AROTR sucked this year...nuff said.

There's a theory floating around that there may be alternate Universes, very similiar to our own, existing at the same time as ours. Many current TV shows, movies & books refelct this theory and gifted minds like Stephen Hawking are open to this idea as well.

So, with that said, I believe that it's possible that some of this years AROTR attendees may have accidently gone to an alternate Universe version of AROTR, because they're not describing the same event that my wife & I just spent 4 fantastic days at.

We were surrounded by good friends, good muisc (Beatle & non-Beatle alike), with the Spirit of Peace & Love around us & in the air everyday.

To mis-quote Abraham Lincoln, just a wee bit:
"You can PLEASE all the people some of the time, and PLEASE some of the people all the time, but you cannot PLEASE all the people all the time".

And I believe that a Mr. James P. McCartney of Liverpool was once quotes as saying: "Please everybody, if we haven't done what we could have done, we tried".

With that said I would like to thank Gary Jacob for all that he does, all year long to make AROTR the "Splendid Time For All" that it is.

I don't have enough time or space to thank everybody that I'd like to, but if you came to one of our shows, spoke with us or simply gave us a thumbs up in the elevator - THANK YOU - you know who you are.

Hopefully we'll see you all next year in Louisville and possibly in a few short weeks in DC.

I leave you with one last quote:
"Life is very short, and there's no time,
for fussing & fighting my friend(s)"
- the late Dr. Winston O'Boogie

Namaste & Handle With Care

What a weekend it has been...4 days, 3 states, 5 shows (3 at AROTR), 17 hours of driving, only 12 hours of sleep, one 4 hour lobby sing along (with Stan, Walter, Steve, Rocco, Lydia, and the Yellow SubMorons), tea and parading with the Yellow SubMorons, LOTS of new friends.....
...and we loved every minute of it.

Thank you to Gary Jacob and the entire AROTR staff for making it all possible:
You were wonderful to coordinate with as we arrived from our show in Galena, then headed off to our show in Michigan City. You kept us well fed and hydrated. You really took care of the details so we could concentrate on our performances.

A shout out to our musical friends from Chicago - Instant Karma, Brit Beat, and The Yellow SubMorons as well as our friend George Martin (yes, that IS his name).

A special thank you to all our fans who came down from Chicago and northwest Indiana...especially Alex and Amy, who then suprised us by coming out to our Sunday night show in Michigan City after spending Friday and Saturday with us in Louisville. You totally ROCK!

Thank to all our new fans and friends for your support. We hope to see you again soon.
Feel free to keep in touch.

"All OUR Loving"....
Jim "George", Scott Carlson "John", Scott "Paul", Jesse "Ringo"
http://www.meetthebeetles.info

Let me say first: I LOVE all you haters. I really do.

Please. please me awhile: if you want VIP seating ,which Gary gave so generouly to you working classw heros for so many years( to my irk that I paid premium prices and couldn,t get close) then pay for best tickets--this is the first year I could dance, twist and shout and check out up close all the ABSOLUTELY HOTTEST looking musicians on the planet. I swear all of you bands made me SWOON==I know I was transported back to being fourteen all over again.
HICHLIGHTS: If He Fell film blew me away--I thought it was real and yelled after the film, "HE'S ALIVE!!", and Ben gently let me down by telling me it was a script.
The REpeatables are my new hearttrobs but all of the Steve Sizemore Bandmwmbers made me dizzy, Ms. Lizzy! The rainburst reschedule of the recreation of the White Album was the best highlight--It was hot as Hades in there but --wow--it was like being in the recording studio in a low ceiling spaceship (or could that room just might have been a yellow submarine) with that live orchestra. WaShington: You better get back to where you once belonged ('cuz the planets are aligned in the same configuation as the Summer Of Love,BABY) Gary and his crew--(who by the way are the BEST) ARE GONNA ROCK YOUR WORLD!

To All Concerned; I'm sorry I did not sit in my empty seat. I was either standing in the back.or at another stage,or; shopping, talking, walking, eating, drinking, peeing, napping, showering, changing, or parading. I'm very busy. I hope that ends the mystery of the empty seat.

Had one of the best times in my life! It was a pleasure to perform at such a great festival and can't wait for DC! Thank you, Gary. Great party!

To all the complainers who say the Beatles weren't about $$$ you obviously haven't gone to see Paul in recent times, in 2005 I spent $150 face value for the cheapest seat up in the top, for a 2 hour concert, makes $30 for 12+ hours of concerts on 6 stages sound like a bargain doesn't it? The Beatles were in it to make money as is everyone. I wonder if the same people that complain here go to a concert at a concert venue and buy a lawn ticket and then complain that they weren't allowed in the front row? I doubt it. Heck I get the best ticket and I hardly ever go in the VIP section, I just buy it to support the festival. I think everyone should just appreciate having this festival, where else can you get 12 hours of concerts for such a low price, nowhere I know of.

Had a really nice time this year. Mario Da Silva is a guitar God and a hero. He found and returned my wounded vet friends wallet. Now that is the spirit of peace and love!

Have been to AROTR before and maybe it should move to different city next year, like Cleveland or Cincinnati or Pittsburgh. Didn't mind the rain, the lovers danced in the downpour and the Elliotts changed set to play When The Rain Came. Nice surprises like the violins and cellos outside the fishbar Saturday night. Paper schedule was not user friendly at all . . . print size needed to be bigger. Nice crowd though.

My wife and I have made the rather short trip from Nashville every year since AROTR moved to Loo-ah-vul and have NEVER been disappointed.All the bands that have EVER played there have been great.Each band participating are able to bring something different to the stage and still keep within the spirit of the music.As far as some bands playing a little music from other bands of that era is not only appropriate,it is refreshing and most sensible since they all were either influenced by the Beatles or had to raise their own level of performance to compete.My wife and I have been Beatles fans since we both saw them live on the ED Sullivan show way back in '64 and we support ANY band that steps on stage to perform the music John,Paul,George and Ringo created just for us.As far as seating goes:There are no bad seats in the venue.Just a few bad audience members.I have never paid for the best seating,but have always had a wonderful experience at AROTR.Someone mentioned having a "Headliner"on the main stage.This isn't about "Headliners",it's about a bunch of fine musicians giving it all no matter which stage you wander to.Gary Jacob and staff always put together a great package and my only complaints are:Heat & humidity and thunderstorms.I can also overlook those small problems because; IT'S AN OUTDOOR CONCERT FOR CHISSAKES!!!!!(I love the concept.)I hope Mr.Jacobs can keep AROTR in Louisville indefinitely!Cheers! P.S. I brought my son and his wife up this year for their first time and they LOVED it!

Just for clarification, I assume some of the bands performed the non-Beatle music because they were asked to? If they did a set of all non-Beatle music, it wasn't by accident it was by design I imagine. I just can't believe that some of these posters are so narrow minded they can't handle any variation from Beatle music but I suppose they should be clued in via the program if a band is not performing a Beatle set. That said, I'd still be there with bells on to hear classic rock being performed by these great bands. I still heard TONS of Beatle music throughout the weekend and felt it refreshing to hear other classic rock music in the mix. If you look at the title of the Festival it says "Beatles Inspired" and that's what it was. I'll give this some balance by saying if it went to 100 percent Beatles and nothing but... I wouldn't be back! I love hearing Zep, The Who etc. too much. I think there is room for both, just perhaps ensure that people understand what they are getting. Again, we had a blast this weekend. Thanks again.

BritBeat would like thank all of you who came out to see us this past week. We had a great time our 2nd year at AROTR and it was fun meeting new friends and old friends alike. The rooftop show on Thursday was a blast and the rain rescheduled Fantasy Reunion set on Sunday was a ton of fun. Thank you for making the whole week one to remember for us.

We went to the show on Saturday. We arrived right at noon and secured a nice spot beneath a shade-tree, and stayed till around 7pm when the babies needed some rest and food that our little tent and diaper-bags couldn't provide. It was a good time, but it wasn't a GREAT time as expected from previous years. Where the &%*# is the Beatles Music ?!? From our vantage point on the main lawn, this show could have been renamed "Rolling Stones on the River"! (other notable non-Beatles performances included: The Knack, The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Joe Walsh and The Doors!!) A couple bands/performers played their entire sets without playing a single Beatles Tune! Sorry, but that's outrageous! After all, the Beatles released over 500 songs...surely it's not THAT hard to sing their songs and mix it up a bit! I could tell from the (consistent) lackluster response/applause from the crowd, that we were not the only ones who were sorely disappointed.
I would recommend requiring all musical groups to perform a minimum "Beatle Coverage" of 80% each set to keep this festival on track.

We'll be giving this festival ONE MORE TRY. If next year turns out to be a "Non-Beatles" fest, it will be our last.

Always amazed & very happy during & after AROTR.. This year was even better, grandson sang in "Gonna make a big star outta me", the Yellow SubMorons make you a part of the show, they ask me to be the Parade Band Leader, what fun that was, Meet The Beetles, Luv Me Deux, Trouble With Boys, Apples, Eight Days a Week, Vinyl Kings, Peter Conrad, Traveling Beatleburys, my grandson, Ryan singing Drive My Car, all were just great..!!!

Hi Gary and all, I enjoyed the festival this year very much. Every year you work hard to get some great bands where some are new and some have played before. You always strive to please and to improve with each passing year. Hope this festival continues regardless of which city it is held. Thank you very much, from one of your favorite supporters, Andy

Thanks Gary and crew for another great time! I have nothing to complain about except that I couldn't get there until Friday this year and had to leave Monday morning. We also save $$ all year for this event. It's a huge sacrifice especially during these tough times. We had unemployment hit us for 18 months...but people choose to spend money on their entertainment differently. We seldom dine out, never go out to movies, or travel much, and have had to cut many other luxuries we've been afforded for many years - I couldn't think of any other place I would rather be on Memorial Day weekend. The bands - all of them were FABulous - Castillo Kids and Newbees - you are very talented and I hope you had fun. If you don't like it, don't come...for every person who doesn't come, there is one that will - it's the "circle of life".

Hey Michael from Louisville, you got something there brother. Although I don't particularly think of the solo memeber's as The Beatles, I'm sure you're closer to right than I am about those things. But I just hate to see 100 empty seats while interested fans sit on walls with their butts burning. I love you too bro! 8 days a week!

I must say, all the haters here and on Facebook are bumming be out. My husband and are as working class as you get, we do what we can to get by but we had the best tickets because we save for it, bit by bit. It's the one vacation we take all year and we plan accordingly. If we can afford it, than anyone can, if they really wanted to, and that is not an exaggeration. If you couldn't or didn't want to spring for the reserved seats, hey at least you could be pretty close, that section wasn't all that big and you still had access to the inside shows. Abbey Road on the River is extremely accessible for all fans. The food was priced within reason as was the food inside the hotel. We also brought a bunch of our own snacks to have in the room. We didn't drink any alcohol, so I can't speak to that, but alcohol selection should hardly be the biggest reason anyone enjoys a concert. As for their not being enough Beatles music played...really? Seriously? Because I heard tons of Beatles music and the few bands who mixed it up, well, I thought that was cool. If you didn't like it I guarantee there was another band playing at the same time you could have checked out. Suggestions are fine, but the attacking of other fans for their choices is rude. I truly hope the negative comments posted here are not indicative of the overall attitudes of their posters because it would be very sad to live such an angry and bitter life. I hope everyone who attended had as much fun as I did, and if not, well then sorry, but you only have yourself to blame.

I'm sure it was great for the people like Stan and
others that can afford all the best prices and like a BP oil looking ale from time to time.
But for the rest of us working class heroes, oh, well, who cares.
If you don't mind next year, turn around once in a
while and rattle your jewelry at us.
PS The music was great

someone needs deprogramming, I think

Another great time at AROTR. Was so so glad to see that Jukebox guys were back and did they ever rock that Fountain stage!! Love you guys.

Yes, the beer was awful and the VIP seating was a racket, but all in all, another good year.

I look forward to this trip every year, it is an annual event for "the girls". Other than bad beer and the VIP seating, I have no complaints.

A racket eh ? next it will all be a front for the liverpool mob

First I would like to thank all of those who make AROTR possible. My children and I look forward to the festival every year. Its our Christmas!!
One major complaint however is the vip seating. It wasnt there last year!! We were not aware when we bought our tickets online that to be stage front, you had to have "best" tickets. I think you should go back to having the best tickets for the indoor concerts only. We like to take our blankets, and comfy camping chairs, so even if we did buy the best tickets, we wouldnt want to sit in those hot plastic seats!! Hopefully you noticed how empty the vip area was! please fix this!!
We dont mind the rise in cost. We would much rather pay a little more each year, then have this wonderful festival be canceled!
I will agree that we need more Beatles music!! But as long as you keep at least one of the stages going with Beatles music at all times, then we can just move to another area! lol Also, when the bands are over, and the next one sets up, instead of playing Beatles cover bands over the speakers, why not throw some real Beatles on??!! It is a tribute to them afterall!!
Regardless the seating, and some of the non Beatles covers, we had the best time! Seemed like one of the busiest years for you as well!
Im sorry but I have one more complaint. When the big storm hit on Sunday, we were right beside one of your vendors, "the bag lady". My husband and I were trying to grab our stuff as quik as possible, and I told my children to run to her tent to avoid the lightning. We ran there too as soon as we had all of our stuff. The Bag Lady actually PUSHED my 11 yr old daughter out of her tent. She pushed her so hard that her flip flop was caught in a puddle and broke. She twisted her ankel. The bag lady said, "I have important merchandise in here, everyone GET OUT!" I was more worried about getting them out of the storm then going off on ms bad lady! My daughter was in tears. This is a Beatles festival! They send a message to us, peace love, respect for eachother, harmony, ect... I did complain after the storm to the main vendor. But I truely hope she isnt allowed to come back. What a horrible person! She doesnt deserve to be a part of your tribute.
Other than that, we will be back next year, and every year to follow! Again, thanks so much for all your hard work and dedication to AROTR. The Beatles would be proud!!!
peace, love and rock n roll!!! The Browns

Great show, great Bands. Very nice people and was treated like a king all the time. Sure prices were high but go anywhere and they are high. I loved the VIP treatment worth the extra money. I know some people may not have the extra to go around. But this is life, sorry. My only complant of the whole project is the time it takes to turn the bands around... Maybe revolving stages could help...
Till next year.

Before leaving for home, we tryed the hotel hot tub to see if it might be a time machine (like in that movie "Hot

Tub Time Machine") hoping to go back to Friday and do the whole weekend again. No such luck, so we took

some tea, closed our eyes and pretended.

It has been an amazing Abbey Road On The River, and what really made it special were the many, many people

who joined us in taking the fun to yet another level. Five years ago the Yellow SubMorons came to Abbey Road

on the River with plans to perform a standard concert...and now it is all this. We could not have done it without

you.
....and now, I present to you a thank you list that rivals the parade in its length...

Thank you to...

Everyone involved in Abbey Road On The River: Gary Jacob, Karen, Erin, the band check in workers, the sound

crew, the food area workers, the Galt House, Louisville....putting together an event such as AROTR is no small

feat. We had a small scale taste as we organized the parade, and simply stated, we are all the more in awe of

your accomplishments in creating and continuing to put on AROTR.

All the SubManiacs: Danny Donuts (also the fifth Moron), Ben, Ramona, Krystal, Amanda, Mike and family,

Steve, Lydia and family, Matt, Jeff, Bob, Lissa, Alex & Amy (the newest SubManiacs) and more ( I apologize for

forgotten names, a moron can only remember so many....do feel free to drop your name for us on

Facebook...we'll study up for 2011)....As always, you took our ideas, added your own, and created something

that was far beyond anything we could have ever imagined.

Tim Casey, "Ed Sullivan"...the trouserless look was pure brilliance. It was an absolute pleasure to have you

recreating the "Ed Sullivan bad overdub" bit from the Rutles movie.

Everyone who joined the First Official Abbey Road On the River Parade (that includes you, Gary)...If no one had

paraded, well, the parade would have been quite short, eh?

Everyone who brought along costumes, tie dyes, decorations, instruments, and other fun props for the parade.

Was that fun or what?

George Martin, for being fun and fantastic to work with (such as allowing us to leave items on stage so there

would be no delay in parading). I hope you had as much fun as we did....particularly when the party returned to

your show after the parade.

Everyone who joined in Friday night's lobby singalong: Stan Bullock, Meet The Beetles, Steve, Walter, Joe

Rocco, Danny, Lydia, Mike, Ryan, Alex, and more....

Shout outs to all our musical friends...Stan Bullock, George Martin, Jimmy Pou, Instant Karma, Meet The

Beetles, Brit Beat....You all left us wanting to see and hear more!

Cheers and Onions....Let's do it again next year!
Nicole (Stig), Jim (Ron), Gary (BWom), and Scott (Dirk)

On behalf of Tattoo Babylon: We would like to thank Gary, the entire AROTR Staff and all those that checked out our shows. We hope to see you again in DC, and if not, then hopefully next year
sincerely,
Tattoo Babylon
All Stones, All the Time ...

gary and friends,
the pranksters would like to thank you all for having us back again this year(6 in a row i believe). our fans really appreciate the work you all do in putting on this performance. some of our fans even volunteer their services in order to make sure the word gets out (allison,jodi,jill and the lot). we had such a great time and were treated so well by your staff. kuddos to erine for taking care of us and karen too!! loved the beer. cant wait til next year.

Again, I am saying I had a GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Time at Abbey Road. See everyone next year. I want to go there everyday!! Its wonderful to be there! Its certainly a THRILL!

Had a blast!!! Thanks to all the bands for bringing your A+ game despite the heat. Thanks to Gary and all the organizers for putting on a fab event year after year. I personally LOVED the reserved seating, we pay the higher ticket prices so we can have that VIP treatment. And I thought that the section was just big enough while having the rest of the crowd close. If the section seemed sparse at times, I'm sure it was only due to the heat because it wasn't really shaded there, but I stayed up front dancing right by the stage, there it was pretty shaded. Without those kinds of perks, there would be no reason to buy the best tickets, so keep it how it is! I only wish I could've been in several places at once so I could've seen EVERYTHING, but I did my best. There was not one band I saw that I didn't love. Some of my very favorites though were Instant Karma (as always), Revolver, The Beat! Radicals, Brit Beat, All You Need is Love, Luv Me Deux, Meet The Beetles and The Repeatles just to name a few. Also, the smoking situation was much better this year, I think the signs helped a lot. The Galt is such a wonderful hotel, we had the suite this year, SO WORTH IT!! The very best part is how friendly and lovely and sweet all the performers are when you say hello, such a classy and generous group of people. I have no complaints, except the heat - being pregnant and there with a toddler, the heat was a bit harsh, but with so many great things going on inside The Galt, even that didn't pose a huge issue. Peace and Love to all, I hope we make it back next year!

Gary from 8 days_ I love you man, but you are wrong about Beatles {Paul & Ringo} not charging more for preferred seating. My ticket for Ringo this year was 2x what I paid for a 5 day AROTR best tic. I saw Paul once {vegas 09} in a no reservations venue-never again! It is the nature of some to arrive late then muscle their way to the front.Crowd mania can be a very real and scary thing.

I have been coming to AROTR since its beginning and every year it’s been great. This year, not so good. I agree with some of the negative comments on this message board about the prices, the seating, the music and the beer. It's as if we are being told: “Just give us lots of your money and enjoy whatever the hell we decide to give you in return.” The main thing is the music. I’m not a musical snob, but at AROTR, one expects to hear a lot of Beatle music. I didn’t hear a lot of Beatle Music this year. I urge the event promoters: Fix this!

Hello to Abbey Road Rivertarians from Bloomington, IN.

Despite loving all things Beatles (and classic pop/rock), and living in the area, 2010 was my first ARotR – and it will not be my last.

I sensed immediately the cohesive community built up among regular festival talent and repeat attenders. It's not unlike that of other "themed" music festivals I've attended (the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society in Nashville, Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender) – but it's closer to home for me both demographically and musically. I felt welcomed, and thank you for that.

I attended as part of new sponsor Gretsch Guitar's contingent, with the specific role of bringing coverage of the event to the Gretsch enthusiasts' forum, the GDP (gretschpages.com). I'm doing my best to tell the story of the festival – as experienced by one particular guy in his own situation – and bring it to life for the worldwide Gretsch community.

My take on the festival (in words, pictures, audio, and video) can be found at Gretsch_at AROTR. Additional coverage of special events (Hal's magnificent medley, the album sets) links to the main thread, but here are the direct URLs anyway: Hals_Magnificent_Medley
and here too Album_sets

With so much going on I was overwhelmed, and haven't had time to research all the musicians or check all my facts. As you find inaccuracies or incomplete information in my reporting, please contact me so I can correct it. I look forward to being part of the ARotR community both personally and with Gretsch, and don't want to bum anyone out.

Gary Jacob, Hal, Mario, Alex Lusht, all the musicians and staff I had the chance to meet were welcoming and gracious; thank you again. I know Joe from Gretsch also had a great time, and thought it was a great event in every way. Gretsch is proud to be a part of it.

What a magnificent celebration of the music of an era, and a treat to hear it as it should be heard!

ibedangedit!! it happened again. it passed us. same feeling every year: back home in Nashvegas. How did it pass so fast?

Hello, Hello...Just got back to" our home and native land" and I'm missing everyone already. So many friends we've made over nine years. AROTR is like our second home. Thanks to the amazing techs who re-configured our White Album show from outside to in, on Sunday evening, the audience for your patience and your wonderful voices, and Gary...Wow! Every band and performer...you're all as wonderful as you are talented. It's an honour to share this festival with you ...Next stop D.C.! P.S... My toe is now a stunning shade of purple & orange! Andy Forgie, All You Need Is Love.

Not sure why everyone is so bent out of shape about the beer selection. I enjoyed it and those I was with enjoyed it. The pricing seemed in line with other events of this type too. Perhaps these people are so used to downing mass marketed swill like Bud and Coors they can't appreciate a nice micro brew? Overall, we enjoyed our weekend in Louisville very much. The highlight was when we unintentionally stumbled upon Itchycoo Park's set with the strings in the Archibald Room. Fantastic! Other highlights were Trouble With The Boys, Traveling Beatlebury's, The Castillo Kids, Repeatles, The Newbee's, Steve Sizemore, Blue Jay Way and AYNIL's classic rock set and, of course, The White Album. On the topic of the non-Beatle music, I understand that it's a Beatles festival and the majority of the music should be Beatle based. However, it kind of creeps me out when people get bent out of shape when non-Beatle music of the era is played. Do you not think that The Beatles themselves were not influenced by other artists and didn't enjoy the music of their contemporaries? Personally, while I love the Beatles... they are frankly not my favorite band and even if they were, a weekend of nothing but would grate on my nerves a bit. I appreciate the variety that the organizers have added to this event and ultimately I think the festival needs to appeal beyond just Beatle Fans to be successful. Also, I LOVE Neil Young.... the more the better! Trouble With The Boys version of Rockin' In The Free World was great. On the topic of adding a special headliner on the Saturday, I think it has merit however I will be frank in saying that watching older men "pretend" they are the young Beatles is bothersome to me so some of the suggestions I could do without. Again, we had a blast. Thanks to Gary, the bands and all of the staff for a great weekend. Will try to get to DC if at all possible.

This was my first year attending this event. I can not believe I have missed out on this wonderful experience. I only got to attend Monday so we missed alot of the top acts. We really saw some great ones today too. Revolver from Scotland were awesome. The Beat Radicals just blew us away. We really did enjoy ourselves. We can not wait till next year. We will plan to attend more days next time. I think everything was really nice. I am proud of my City and the way we welcome
and appreciate the ones who came from so far to entertain us. They all thanked everyone over and over for the generous hospitality and the warm receptions they got from the fans and crowd. Thanks for putting quite a show. We will be back again next year.....

We'd like to thank Gary and the best Festival Crew and Management for making our stay at AROTR the best experience that a band can have! Thank You Troop 77, The Scouts and their Moms and Dads do a wonderful job handling the care and feeding of a very large and diverse group of Musicians. We want you to know how much it is appreciated.

To the the Sound Crew, Backline, Security and Stage Management folks, You Are The Best! To our fellow musicians, Thanks for being friends and colleagues! Folks, there is simply no other event like this!

Shout out to our friends in Itchycoo Park, Johnny Doughnut, Beatleburys, Gary Quinn, Apples, and Brian of the Blue Meanies (Thanks for joining us Saturday Night)! Great to see you all again hope you are in DC! Great to ride escalators and elevators with you Newbies, AYNIL, and Jukebox.

Most of all thank you to the AROTR Attendees/Friends. It was great to see you all again.

Hope to see y'all again in DC and Next Year in Louisville!

UnionJack British Invasion Band - Dave, Gary, Jim, Les, Gene, and Mike

This year was a lot of fun even though there were many restrictions and there weren't a lot of Beatles songs played.

I was definitely sad that The Beatrips weren't there this year, but I now have three new favorite bands.
The Repeatles
Norwegian Beatles
Det Betales

The section reserved for the "Best Wristbands" was totally ridiculous. Half the time there were only five or six people sitting in them and fifty people standing up behind the barriers. I did like how everyone was admitted to the shows in the Galt House. (Nice for getting out of the heat)


I'll be back though.

I had a great time this weekend will be back next year,but I like others don't understand why anybody can't set where they want.I think the Saturday and Sunday shows should feature some good bands like Savoy Truffle, Newbees,The Tearaways and Brit Beat. They should cut us some slack on some of their prices,I'd like to eat breakfest for a decent price, they won't put a microwave in you room so you have buy all your meals,that gets pretty costly,but I had a great time and I'll be back next.

Just got back home an hour ago. We attended the rooftop concert for the first time and loved it. We missed the White Album in 2008 and were glad to catch it this year even though it ended up being later due to the weather. Hal's medley was great! I can't imagine remembering all 214 songs in order of release, nevermind playing them as well. Instant Karma was wonderful again. Even in the absence of Mark Eskin, they still showed such energy and put on great shows.

I loved how The Elliotts cleverly began playing Rain during the downpour yesterday. I've seen Savoy Truffle play Abbey Road twice, so this year I caught them doing a different set. It was exciting to hear Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite, a song I've only heard live once before by Instant Karma. They both did a great job! The Yellow Submorons are a favorite of mine. I hope they continue to do the parade. The cheese throwing was a nice touch. They're such a fun group.

I can't forget Britbeat. We caught three of their shows. I would have liked to see the fantasy reunion but missed it due to the weather. I hope they can do it again.

Thanks to all the other great bands we saw. I could go on and on, but I'm already taking up a lot of space. Keep AROTR in Louisville (or move closer to me).

I thought the festival was just okay. our group was really looking forward to coming but there were some disappointments. First of all the schedule that was passed out with armbands was awful. It was so hard to follow, there has to be a better way. And of course the beer was overpriced and bad. The mixed drinks were outrageously priced as well. Some of the band choices were questionable also. I am not sure if I would come back. You have a great idea here, just need to get it to "come together" better.

Sang to the music of the song "Signs"

And the guard said "You've got to have a red wrist band to get inside
So I jumped upon on the the Abbey Road fence and
yelled
"Hey, what gives you the right to keep out all the Beatle fans and to keep all the music in"
If John were alive, he'd tell you to your face
"Man, your some kind of sinner"

Get the spirit back, Gary before it's too late.
By the way that Magic Hat crap tasted like it was brewed in a hat.
Get rid of those iron fences and that crappy ale and raise your prices so everyone can go every
where. I'll pay for a little more for that.

This is the 5th year I have attended AROTR and I have to say I will not be coming back. I thought last year was a fluke when it sounded like the Saturday night headliner group had not rehearsed together, but this year was worse.

For the time we were there, less than 50% of the music we heard was Beatles music. Beatles music is why we go, not to hear someone do Neil Young (who I don't necessarily care for that much anyway).

The increase in ticket prices was one thing, but then not being able to get up by the stage because these were even MORE expensive I thought added insult to injury. I understand that this is a costly enterprise to put on, but it looks like you guys were really trying to milk it this year.

The only bright spot was that you finally figured out how to set up the stages so the music from the different venues didn't interfere with one another.

Sorry to be so negative, but this was really something we used to look forward to, and now it's just another moneymaker for someone like you.

Hi Gang!! Alex, Bassist for The Newbees, here....
I want to thank all the Troop 77 folks that kept us well fed and cared for, the A/V crew guys for all their incredible hard work, and the friends and fans and folks I met for their great company! What a wonderful community! Also, LOVE the Galt House! Thanks Everyone, see you in DC!!!
Peace...

Once again, I heard many great performances and met lots of wonderful people. I very much enjoyed having more options this year for only paying general admission. My family and I saw performances with more than adequate seats at all of the stages. Seeing some high quality shows inside was a nice change for us. I also very much appreciate the well-run childen's activities by the River Stage. Overall, this was a great family event. Like others who have commented, I have attended every festival since 2005; however, I have nothing to complain about.

Played with The Jukebox from Puerto Rico. Had a great time.** Folks if you can help me I lost my Ipod touch at the Ballroom on may 30th. If anyone knows somethig be kind and please let me know. b3fernan@yahoo.com Thanks Fernando Alvarez

first off, want to give a giant thanks to Mr. Gary Jacobs for putting up with us over the years... second, thank you to all of the bands and fellow musicians who always put on a great show and give it all they have every time they play. and mostly a big big BIG thank you to all of the fans for following us for the past 6 years. we are nothing without you! also want to thank the sound guys, food vendors and the Galt House for an outstanding job! they need some props too! and most of all, thank you Mark Eskin for being the man. if i could be half the musician you were, i'd be set! thanks to everyone.... here, there and everywhere!

Alex D. Evans - bassist for Instant Karma

MHO on this years AROTR {my 9th} The locations of the stages were the best yet- esp. reserved seating. Most reserved seaters are out-of-towners and the price of a best ticket is only a fraction of what the travel and hotel costs are. I am a short middle-aged female and being in the back of a SRO crowd is not an option for me. Sunday night the hotel hallway was so crowded I couldn't get thru to the Archibald. I don't know who to blame for that-Act of God?? Anyhow, I gave up and came home early this morning....

Have just returned from our annual weekend in Lousiville and after some reflection (and a two hour nap)have the following suggestions for the organizers:

Tickets: Go to a more consistent pricing method which allow all to sit wherever they want. I agree with the earlier comment about empty seats up front. Allow discounts for early and multi-day purchases and why not put a ticket outlet in the lobby so that people can buy tickets as they arrive. Sunday morning, we arrive at the ticket area around 11:00am and stood in line for a half-hour while someone searched for the money bag. Next year I will buy my tickets on line and not have to endure the heat.

Bands: Why not bring in a headliner for Saturday night on the Lawn. It seems like every year All You Need is Love, Abbey Road Live, Hal Bruce or some combination thereof, play the feature event. That headliner group would only play the one time. Someone like 1964-The Tribute, Rain, The Fab Four, Fab Faux, etc.

Archbald Room: Nothing against Jimmy Pou and Nervous Melvin, but it would have been nice to see additional acts in the air-conditioned room during the heat of the day. Savoy Truffle was absolutley awesome in there.

Lastly, it sure seems strange to spend all that time at a Beatles festival and never once hear "I Wanna Hold your Hand".

My brother (from Atlanta) and I met in Louisville and attended our first AROTR. We had a great time with no disappointments what so ever. The bands, acts and speakers were great, as were the crowds and food!!

Sorry to say I agree with Sam. We used to go every day, last year went twice, this year Friday night only. The first year was great, but it seems like every year the quality has gone down, whether it be from "reserved" seating areas, great acts not coming any more, vendors selling the same old crap, etc. The first year there were great speakers (Louise Harrison), the concerts for George, Paul, and George in the Kentucky Center, great vendors selling collectables (not just the same old hats and t-shirts). I guess it seems like it's just getting stale.

Bring Blue Jay Way back to AROTR for 2011!!!!

Just spent the best three days of the year at AROTR! Look forward to this all year long. BritBeat was fabulous, we planned our days around their scheduled appearances. Hope they return next year! It wouldn't be the same without them. Also really enjoyed Revolver and The Elliotts. One thing I do not understand about the festival is the denial of seating near the stage to persons who cannot afford the highest priced "Best tickets". This is NOT in the spirit of the Beatles who hated class discrimination of any kind. Isn't that what this festival is about? Celebrating the spirit and music of the Beatles?

Well, well, well! It certainly was a thrill.

Thank you to everyone one at AROTR, Gary, Brooke, Troop 77, the awesome security staff, the sound crew, the good people of the Loolval and the Galt House, the outstanding musicians and the best fans in rock and roll. You are the reason all of us living in NEWBEE land had one the the best weekends of our lives. Your kindness and positive energy is truly inspirational! Can't wait to shine on in D.C.

Love, love, love,
The Newbees

This was my second year and I really enjoyed the day in Louisville. My husband and I were a little disappointed in the seating arrangements at he fountain and lawn venues. Last year, we did not have to bring our own seats so we sat on the grass or hot walls. Though most of the bands sang great Beatle music, there seemed to be more that played alternative music this year than last year. I hope you return to regular seating next year. It looked really bad from the bands' perspectives to be playing to empty seats in the front.

Had a GREAT time at AROTR. Really enjoyed Revolver, The Newbees, 8 Days a Week, Drew Harrison...too many to mention. Would definitely like to make the trip to DC at the end of the summer!

After paying $30 apiece to get in, then being met with exhorbitant prices (even for a festival, they were high), we were then begged to purchase raffle tickets for a guitar give away. My husband tried to do so, but when he gave the girl $10, she announced that she had no pen for him to fill out the tickets. He kept his $10. The decision to only offer a microbrew was a huge mistake. The beer was awful. However, if you were going to use a microbrewery, you should've has use a local vendor, say, the BBC. The only saving grace were the Newbees. I think it's time this festival moved on.

I've come to every AROTR since 2005 and have performed on stages at the event since 2008. The people I have met from all over the world at this event are some of the finest I have ever met. From Ky to NY, Cali to Ireland, those people have made the show. This year will be my last year at the fest and I'm proud to see by comments below I went out with a bang. I perform with Eight Days A Week and the party atmosphere created by the audience in the Archibald room during our show was over-whelming. I hope in the future those who promote this type of event learn that segragating the audience per class i.e. $$$ is not in the spirit of The Beatles "Working Class Hero's". Please note as well, the favoritism doesn't stop at the patron's. Sadly, it is a tool used against we performer's as well. We love you Beatle fans wherever we are are. Remember, on stage or off, we are one of YOU! We just wear the occasional wig - Gary/Paul

I'm not at AROTR,but I just want to say that I'm so proud of The Jukebox,The beatles tribute band from Puerto Rico,that I know are giving a super-awesome performance at this moment!!!Rock and Roll guys!!!! We love you tons!!!

Sounds like all are having a blast, I am living through others twitters, Facebook posts, CJ on line photos and the Guestbook. I miss not being there with all, but am already counting the days to next year!
Peace, Love and Joy to all!

SubMorons - The parade was some of the best fun I have had in a long time.

My wife and I followed a crowd into the Archibald room Saturday and stayed to watch a group called Eight Days A Week. That was the #1 best Beatles performance we saw the entire day and we saw many.
They really rocked that crowd and there must have been 800 people in there. We couldn't sit down.

I have been a Beatle fan since I was a kid when I first saw them on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964. I have been to the Abbey Road festival every year and this year will be my last. They who are in charge have changed it every year.This year they again have eliminated seating for everyone at the main stage and the fountain stage unless you give in to corporate greed and pay for the best tickets.The only stages I heard any Beatle music on Saturday were the river and pool stages.Incedently,the pool and river stages are the only stages where patrons with less than the best tickets could find a place to sit and enjoy the music with out having to pack a damn chair around with you every where and the only place you could get a decent beer to drink was at the pool stage. I don't know where they got the beer vendor for this year, I wouldn't give that stuff to a dying man to save his life and I wasn't the only one complaining about that one.In a nutshell ,I won't be back, Mr.Jacobs and Mr. Outgoing Mayor Abramson, good riddance, can take their festival and shove it. They have ruined something that used to be a good time.
Sam Giordano, Louisville, Ky

I had an awesome time at Abbey Road yesterday and last night. I do not know if they will be doing it anymore in Louisville or if they will do it in DC, but try to catch the Sgt. Pepper Re-Creation show. They were great!!! See everyone next year!!!

I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together...............I am the walrus!!!

Have been at the Festival all weekend and am really enjoying every show - the quality of the bands is amazing. But I have to say the surprise HIT of the weekend has been the Beat Radicals. They are AMAZING musicians and showmen. Everyone I was with LOVED them!! Get them back again!!

I am about to leave for Abbey Road!!! I am ssoooooooooooooooooooooo excited!!! See ya.

Man, this is incredible! This is hands down the best festival I've ever visited. Not to mention we just had an incredible lunch just a block away at the Bristol. They also have a build your own Bloody Mary Bar. What a great idea, i've never seen anything like it before. More Beatles for me all weekend!!!!!

Wow!!! The Newbees show tonight was amazing. I encourage everyone to catch them sometime this weekend. You will not be disappointed.

We had such a great day today. Thanks to all the folks who came to see us in the Daisy Room. We've got a show tomorrow at 7pm at the Pool Stage. Unfortunately, the schedule that they're handing out shows us at the River stage, so if any of you are planning to see us tomorrow...we'll be in the 'pool!

Peace,
Pattie
8^)

Thought you Beatle fans would enjoy reading this letter I cut out of the paper a few years ago. It has been on my refrigerator ever since then.

DEAR ABBY: I am 52 years old and have absolutely adored the Beatles ever
since they came over in 1964. At the time, I was growing up in a home filled
with domestic violence and alcoholism. When I heard their music, I felt I had a voice for the feelings I had to keep inside - - a safe voice through music. At the same time, I could sense that each of the men in the group was as sincere as their lyrics. To this day, I listen to Beatles music and care about the surviving members.
I know I'm not alone, as thousands love them all over the world. Even today's teenagers are catching on. I've been to Liverpool twice and have felt the essence of their songs through seeing places where their lives began.
Am I obsessed with the Beatles, or did they arrive at a time in my life when I needed to believe in something? - - VIRGINIA IN WARNER ROBINS, GA.
DEAR VIRGINIA: I'd call you less obsessed than devoted , and with good cause. The Beatles arrived at a time in many people's lives when they needed to believe in something. Their music spoke for a generation and brought sunshine to people of every age when their days were cloudy and their hearts were heavy. It continues to do so today. Things are "getting better all the time"!

I don't get it. Not one person wanted or was able to drive down to Louisville to spend a few days at the most awesome Beatle Fest.So I'm coming down for a day on my own. Once a Beatlemaniac, always a Beatlemaniac. Just can't miss a chance to re-experience the energy, excitement, and evolution of music from the 60's. Abbey Road or bust!

Hi, my name is Olivia and I love The Beatles!!!! I even have all the albums!!! I cannot wait to come together with everyone including my friend Collins @ Abbey Road on Sat. See ya!

Roof-top was Great today ! I missed Hal but, BritBeat was Awesome!
Drew Harrison, Great as always ! Looking forward to another great AROTR! Hey Cathy, nice hangin with ya a bit today ! Joe