Mikey J. from Colorado was the winner of the Propeller experience to "Win a Trip To Meet Of The Trees at Red Rocks + Tickets to a Moonglade Tour Show of Choice" that took place in November 2024. Below are some of Mikey's highlights from the experience.
Let me start by saying, grateful is an understatement. This weekend was quite possibly the best weekend of my life, and there are SO many people to thank for that, Propeller included !
As you know, music sustainability is an intersection of two of my most passionate fields. And at a time in my life where I am both finally so clear on this, and so actively pursuing it as a career, it felt like winning this contest was the stars aligning. And the way the evenings transpired only further affirmed this. From the VIP experience, to the meet and greet, all topped off with the most insane merch care package Ive ever seen, the entire Ofthetrees team as well as Propellor absolutely hit the ball out of the park with this sweepstakes.
Of all the VIP experiences, I'd wager that the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater is one of if not the very best one to win. As a long time fan, I know intimately how stressful it can be to park and get a good spot in the seating area without showing up super early. So when the Red Rocks box office handed us VIP wristbands with our free tickets, I nearly cried.
Being able to hang out in the VIP section was not only extremely convenient in the sense that I didn't have to worry about people getting in my personal space (which is so often an issue at RRX) but it was just so darn cool that just about every famous DJ in Denver were sitting around me. I even ended up bumping into some friends of mine who had VIP as well so it was super fun to be able to dance all night with all my friends and the best view of the show in the house.
Then, on night two I set out with two hand made custom designed and printed hoodies for Tyler (Ofthetrees) and his Fiancé, Abby. I had planned it all out so when they called me to come meet up with his management during the openers on Sunday, I pulled up with not just some piece of merch for him to sign like some crazy fanboy, but an actual genuine token of my appreciation. I wanted him to know not only how much this opportunity meant to me, but how awesome it was that he was doing this fundraiser for environmental causes.
It was truly a heartwarming experience. And it seemed like Tyler was super stoked about the hoodies, because shortly after he suggested we go up to his cabin that they created on stage for him to play from (in the middle of the concert happening!!!). What an insanely cool honor, as if I could have ever guessed the back-stage M&G would end up ON stage?!? So he took us up and we got to hang out in the cabin and I really got a lot of time to fully tell Tyler everything I had wanted to say. Even after we came down from the cabin, he suggested we walk out to the side of the stage and watch his buddy play his opening set.
Just getting to hang out so casually for what was almost an hour was like a dream come true. We were able to talk about my career in music sustainability, how I just started working with Z2 entertainment, all the ways he could use his platform to promote social change, and even really tender subjects like his late best friend, one of my other favorite music producers, Charlesthefirst, and how Tyler had brought out his therapist on stage the night before is a really good example to set as a man in a society that stigmatizes reaching out for help. He was truly one of the most down to earth, kind, funny dudes and hanging out with him felt so comfortable, so natural.
Bonus points for when after we said goodbye and I returned to my seat, I was able to see him run out on stage to support his homie who was still playing, all while wearing the hoodie I just made him. Seeing him on stage wearing it, blown up on the jumbo TV screens and all, I seriously could not stop crying out of pure joy.
When I finally made it home that night, I still had this giant merch care package to go through. It really was like Christmas, going one by one and trying on every sweatshirt, shirt, sweatpants and hats, marveling at the quality and comfort of all his merch. There was so much I was able to share some things with my friends too, and I know that really made their nights too :) I got the posters framed and hung up today, and its the first event poster I've ever gotten despite frequenting shows, so that feels super cool.
Truly, this was the most amazing experience of my life, and it feels like it set some serious things in motion for me and Tyler to do some work together regarding music sustainability initiatives. I am SO grateful, I will never be able to thank you all enough. I have had plans to make a sizable donation to an environmental group so when y'all gave me the opportunity to do so AND get this experience, it felt like destiny calling. Thank you for making dreams come true.
- Mikey J.
