A photo essay of Sacramento’s biggest rock fest. Can you spot the rock stars? Hint: They don’t have guitars.
During this year’s Aftershock Festival, I hiked 16 miles over two days in Sacramento’s Discovery Park looking for the big get. I talked to cops, security guards, and vendors: What’s the story? No story. This crowd has been great. I trolled around backstage, snapped photos of the bands, and even interviewed some really wonderful guys who happen to make music for a living.
But where was the Good Men story? Turns out it was all around me, like tattooed dandelions poking through the dry grass: fathers, uncles, grandfathers, family friends. The park was filled with good men sharing their love of music with their kids, or vice versa. I snapped away, and not one proud papa refused my request for a photo. Most asked what I was doing, and when I said “I caught you being a good man” they smiled. One fellow corrected me: “No, you mean you caught us being good dads.”
Sometimes it’s hard to find the story, but it shouldn’t be. Take a look around next time you’re out and about. All those dandelions you’ve never noticed? Those are good men, quietly going about their business. If they see you looking say, “I caught you being a good man” and watch them smile.
We decided not to caption the following photos for one simple reason: Every one of these guys is a rock star, and so are you.
Good Men Project interviews with a few musician dads from the Aftershock lineup can be found here and here.
photos courtesy of the author