Words and Photos by Jon Bahr

For one weekend each of the last four summers, Tennessee can boast an additional thriving metropolis, Bonnaroo. The Bonnaroo Music Festival, with its 80,000 plus inhabitants is a model for an efficient, full-service city, which is remarkable since the site is just a large farm for the other weeks in the year. The festival has an eclectic line-up that covers the full spectrum of musical genres. The analogy of a small city fits quite well as attendees came from various states and backgrounds to coexist, all in the name of great music. ASCAP members drew mammoth crowds during their sets and for many musicians it was the largest audience they had played to. Musicians can literally launch their careers with their Bonnaroo performance and this year was no different. For example, ASCAP member Matisyahu, the Hasidic reggae/hip-hop artist from Brooklyn, was the buzz of the 'roo and sold the most CDs of any artist at the festival. To see photos from most of the ASCAP members that played this year's festival, click here.