Okay, that headline was a trick. It's not really VIP Access in the sense that you might think, but it is a way to get an insider perspective on Musikfest this year. Volunteer!

It sounds lame but I had a friend who served beer last year and she got all kinds of little perks and had a blast. You don't have to commit for that long and it's nice to help out and say you work at Musikfest.

You can register online at musikfest.org. But why?

The best reason: "Volunteers may use the indoor restrooms at the Luckenbach Mill during breaks." And we all know how gross it is to go porta-pot at the Fest. The next best thing is that you get $5 in food/drink tickets for every shift you work. Plus, free transportation, a pin, name badge and  T-shirt. Sa-Weet! Well... it's not shabby anyway. So do something good (for yourself and others) and sign up.

After all... someone has to pour the beer.

- Judianne

The Stars Of Bethlehem competition is back. It's time to bust out your best American Idol wanna-be performance and try to win a spot at the semi-finals in June. Last year's competition was pretty dramatic so it should be worthwhile to see who steps up this time around.
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For the bands, this year there is more than one winning slot. Eight bands will win a big deal this time - basically anyone who makes it to the finals automatically wins. Sounds pretty anticlimactic but at least it makes room for more good local acts at Musikfest.
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Expect to see all the insider info on these competitions as they unfold right here on MergeDigital.

- Judianne

Unless you are on some VIP list (of which there are a few) than your first chance to buy tickets to Musikest concerts is Monday, April 17.

Just know what you're getting into, here are a few facts you don't want to miss.

Last year, the Steve Miller Band concert was awesome but it only lasted a few songs because of the rain storm. The Musikfest ticket policy states: "Inclement weather is not cause for a refund unless a performance is actually cancelled. A performance that has begun, but is shortened due to severe weather conditions, is not cause for a full or partial refund." That sucks for all of us who forked out the cash to see a band. But I guess that's just the breaks.

While we're on the subject of 'DA RULES'... there's also a little note in there that states: "Entry into a concert venue with weapons, illegal drugs, food, alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages is prohibited." Well, duh on the drugs and weapons, but don't be put off by the no food and drinks warning. I think they just mean "outside" food and drinks. If you buy it at the Fest they'll surely let you bring it inside the concert area.

I'm not sure that the lineup, as it is right now, will have any SOLD OUT stickers on them right away, but you never know. So pick what you want and get on it early if you're really itching to take in Styx and Kansas.

- Judianne

It's being called Musikfest Radio and it's a flash mp3 player (or something like that) on the musikfest.org site featuring clips from arists on the lineup.

It's a nice way to sort through who is playing where and see if they're worth hearing. You even get a nice little photo of the band to look at while you listen and optional bio info on the side.

But, it sort of kills that unknown element of showing up to Musikfest and stumbling across a great band. It should be interesting this year to go into concerts with a pre-conceived notion of what I'm going to hear and see. My guess is that the "radio" won't do some of them justice and some will get more hype than they deserve. So don't rely on it to plan your days out at the Fest. Trust me - winging it can be a lot more fun sometimes.

- Judianne