Across the Way Productions, Inc., 2002-2016

Access and use

Location of collection:
Radford University
University Archives
McConnell Library
Radford University
P.O. Box 6881
801 East Main Street
Radford, VA 24142
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Bud Bennett
Phone: (540) 831-5694
Phone: (540) 831-5701

Summary

Extent:
9.5 Linear feet, 1,090 photographs, 3 mini discs, 6 videotapes, 5 linear feet of C.D's
Creator:
Across the Way Productions, Inc.
Abstract:
Across the Way Productions Inc. was founded in 2002 by Kris Hodges and Erika Johnson. The two wished to create a world music festival in Floyd, Virginia and thus Floyd Fest began in September of 2002. This collection features materials from the events Floyd Fest, Floyd Fandango, Vintage Virginia Wine and Food Festival, Virginia Wine Festival, Capital City Carnival and Microbrew Fest, Totally Rad Roanoke Star City Concert Series and The Phoenix all created by Across the Way Productions, Inc. Materials include advertising/promotional items, graphic design elements, the organization and logistics of the events, newspaper clippings, photographs, videos, live discs and mini discs of the events.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection features materials from Across the Way, Inc. located in Floyd, Virginia. It includes 5 linear inches of advertising material such as flyers, post cards, coasters and stickers for the events of Floyd Fest, Floyd Fandango, Vintage Virginia Wine and Food Festival, Virginia Wine Festival, Capital City Carnival and Microbrew Fest, Totally Rad Roanoke Star City Concert Series and The Phoenix, which were all created by the company 1.5 linear feet of oversize advertising materials are present in this collection. 5 linear inches of graphic designs for the events are included encompassing access, parking and camping passes and bracelets, tickets and schedule of events pamphlets. Also included with graphic materials are accomplishments and accolades of the company and its events such as a proclamation from the city of Roanoke. 3 linear inches of organization of the events created by the company are present in this collection and include job descriptions of staff, logistical details, business plans and other reports of that nature, catering plans, maps of the festivals grounds, performer travel and performance organization and FAQ information. 1,090 pictures show mainly daily happenings at various Floyd Fests, but also showcase Capital City Carnival and Microbrew Fest, Vintage Virginia Wine and Food Festival and the Wine Down the Music Trail Festival and a trip to Ghana to search out talent for Floyd Fest. 1.5 linear feet of oversize photographs are also included in this collection. 2 linear inches of newspaper articles and clippings are also available in this collection and deal exclusively with Floyd Fest. These newspaper articles and clippings document the years of 2002-2015. There is approximately 1 linear foot of multimedia items in this collection that comprise of videos, mini discs and C.D.'s. Videotapes record live shows and show an interview with Kris Hodges on Virginia Tonight. Mini discs hold recordings of live performances as well. The C.D's account for 5 linear feet of the multimedia series and are of live performances done during various Floyd Fests and feature bands such as Donna the Buffalo, Trampling Turtles and African Showboys. As well as commercial C.D's produced from various Floyd Fests and other miscellaneous C.D's originally intended for private use.

Biographical / historical:

Across the Way Productions, Inc. was founded in June 2000 by Kris Hodges in the town of Floyd, Virginia. His wife, Erika Johnson, was also opening her business, Oddfella's Cantina, simultaneously. The company was founded on the premise of bringing a world music festival to the town of Floyd, Virginia. The company sponsors events such as Floyd Fandango, Capital City Carnival and Microbrew Fest, Vintage Virginia Wine and Food Festival and much more. The company's most famous event is Floyd Fest, a music festival featuring artists from all over the globe, which takes place for 5 days each July. Oddfella's was sold in 2002 for funds to start Floyd Fest. Floyd Fandango is hosted near the fourth of July. Begun in 2009, it did not take place during the years 2012-2015, as the company needed time to make the festival more profitable. Floyd Fandango now draws crowds to the reimagined fest, which now includes outdoor sports and a farm to table dinner in addition to the staples of the festival- beer, cider, and wine tastings, workshops and performances by bands that also frequent Floyd Fest. The company expanded into Northern Virginia with its Capital Carnival and Microbrew Fest, the Vintage Virginia Wine and Food Festival and the Virginia Wine Festival in 2007. Since the Vintage Virginia Wine and Food Festival had operated close to 3 decades, partnering with the event helped the company gain notoriety and establish themselves. In 2016, Across the Way Productions Inc. launched the Totally Rad Roanoke Star City Concert Series, which featured Huey Lewis and The News, Blondie, and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys' 50th Anniversary of the album "Pet Sounds," that took place at Roanoke's Elmwood Park Amphitheater. Also in 2016, The Phoenix was started as a venue in Roanoke, Virginia. A nod to the battle of the bands format of the 80's and 90's, visitors to the Phoenix receive a token and votes for their favorite band at the end of the night. The winners of the battles go on to compete in Floyd Fests Annual On-The-Rise Artist Competition. The Phoenix battle of the bands competition was renewed for a second year and took place in 2017.

Acquisition information:
Across the Way Productions, Inc.
Arrangement:

The records are arranged in chronological order with the exception of the live discs, which are arranged alphabetically in their respective binders in six series, all of which have been further organized into subseries. The series and subseries arrangement is as follows:

Series 1: Advertising/Promotional Material

1.1 Floyd Fest, 2002-2016

1.2 Floyd Fandango, 2007-2016

1.3 Vintage Virginia Food and Wine Festival, 2007-2015

1.4 Virginia Wine Festival, 2009-2015

1.5 Totally Rad Roanoke Star City Concert Series, 2016

1.6 Capital City Carnival and Microbrew Fest, 2007

1.7 The Phoenix, 2006

Series 2: Graphic Design for Festivals

2.1 Floyd Fest, 2002-2016

2.2 Floyd Fandango, 2010-2016

2.3 Vintage Virginia Food and Wine Festival, 2006-2015

2.4 Virginia Wine Festival, 2009-2015

2.5 Totally Rad Roanoke Star City Concert Series, Undated

2.6 Capital City Carnival and Microbrew Fest, 2007

2.7 Accomplishments and Accolades, 2005-2011

Series 3: Organization of the Festival

3.1 Floyd Fest, 2002-2015

3.2 Floyd Fest Performers, 2004-2006

3.3 Floyd Fandango, Undated

3.4 Capital City Carnival and Microbrew Fest, 2007

3.5 Sponsorship Information, 2002-2004

Series 4: Newspaper Articles

4.1 Floyd Fest, 2002-2015

Series 5: Photographs and Multimedia

5.1 Assorted Photographs of Across the Way Productions Events, 2002-2014

5.2 Video Tapes, 2002-2003

5.3 Mini Discs, 2002

Series 6: Live Discs

6.1 Commercial Collectors C.D's, 2002-2012

6.2 Miscellaneous C.D's, 2001-2012

6.3 Floyd Fest- July 26-29, 2007

6.4 Vintage Virginia, 2010

6.5 Fandango, 2010

6.6 Floyd Fest 8- July 23-26, 2009

6.7 Floyd Fest 7- July 24-27, 2008

6.8 Floyd Fest 9- July 22-25, 2010

6.9 Floyd Fest X- July 28- 31, 2011

6.10 Floyd Fest 11- July 26-29, 2012

Physical description:
.

Indexed terms

Indexes:

Subject Terms

Johnson, Erika
Hodges,Kris
Across the Way Productions, Inc.
Floyd Fest
Capital City Carnival and Microbew Fest
Floyd Fandango
Oddfella's Cantina
The Phoenix--Across the Way Productions, Inc.
Totally Rad Roanoke Star City Concert Series
Vintage Virginia Food and Wine Festival
Virginia Wine Festival
Virginia, Floyd
Virginia, Roanoke
Virginia, Southwest-- Music Festival