That’s My Gig was very excited to have our very own image consultant, Bill Vandiver, on the red carpet at the 50th annual ACM awards last weekend. Aside from consulting for TMG clients, Bill is a celebrity master stylist and owner of The Edge Salon in Brentwood, Tn. He has worked with countless A-list artists and musicians. Bill is also the official stylist for the Tennessee Titans cheerleaders and the Miss Kentucky USA organization. We are thrilled to share Bill’s experience, styling at the biggest award show ever, according to the Guinness World Book of Records! He also shares priceless advice on how to land HIS gig, and who his favorite clients were.
By: Bri Blaire
TMG: Bill, we were so excited to hear that you would be doing the red carpet hair at the 50th Annual ACM Awards in Dallas last weekend. Tell us about your schedule for the weekend. I’m sure you were busy as ever!
BILL: It was an extremely busy schedule. I have been working at The ACM events for the past twelve years. So I have regular clients that I only see at that show. They request myself, and make up artist Lorrie Bradshaw, whom I always work with to prepare my clients for the show. This was my first time to work directly on the red carpet, although I have been down there several times with a specific artist. This time we were with two of the main red carpet hosts, Lisa Lee and Storme Warren, attending to their on-camera looks. We did touch up several other artist and band mates downstairs, but this year our focus was strictly Lisa and Storme.
We had random jobs on Friday and Saturday, but Sunday was “the day”. We started around 7am, getting hair and make up ready for our regular ACM clients, and then at noon we headed over to AT&T Stadium and were greeted by our handler. They took us to the “belly” or “hub” of the show. There, we prepared one of the host’s hair and make up, then moved upstairs to another dressing area- which happened to be a beautiful suite overlooking the stage floor. So we got a great view of final rehearsal. After getting him ready, we were hurried back downstairs to do final touch ups on 
a few other staff members. Then began the long walk to the red carpet. The AT&T venue is absolutely beautiful and HUGE, especially when you have to walk from one side to the next, carrying bags! We took our place on the red carpet, and our first duty was to shoot the opening of the show with Dustin Lynch. The red carpet was officially opened with the presence of The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders! Now… I had to have some time with them. So after their appearance, I had to corner them with 1001 questions since I have the good blessings to be apart of the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders family. The ladies were very welcoming and kind. We spoke for a while, swapping stories and getting a few pictures. From that point on, it was just “game on”, because we had one host on one end of the red carpet and one host on the other end of the red carpet. It was quite an adventure, professionally walking very quickly back and forth without being a distraction, or tripping over cables or cameras! I got a lot of pictures from behind the scenes as well. After the last artist passed down the carpet- Jana Kramer, we quickly packed up and headed back down to the hub and took a little break.
TMG: What was the hardest part about this gig?
BILL: After the show ended I had three large production bags, and the cab wait was going to be over an hour. So I had to walk two miles in very cool weather, carrying three very heavy bags. I kept thinking to myself, if all of my friends could see this glamorous side of the job… they would have another opinion, LOL! It was never really that stressful, as the ACMs did a great job at scheduling and having handlers to attend to our needs. So I think with this particular show, it was just the fact that the venue was not at the hotel.
TMG: What was the best part about the gig?
BILL: 1) Getting to reconnect with two long lost friends in Dallas, Texas! 2) Meeting no less than five amazing contacts that I feel confident I will be working with on future projects. 3) Having a bit of time to explore Dallas, Texas on Saturday. 4) The show was absolutely an amazing production! 5) Just getting to say I have seen the “guts” of AT&T stadium is a big deal for me. I’m kind of a nerd like that. Seeing the communication room was something to see. It was bigger than my house! 6) Texas Hospitality!
TMG: You don’t have to name any names, but did you experience any red carpet divas?
BILL: Not really. Most everyone that walked the red carpet seemed to truly appreciate being there, and having the opportunity to do it. The younger and newer artists were definitely the most excited. I’m sure if I were in their shoes, I would feel the same. It was an amazing red carpet experience.
TMG: Why should artists always avoid being divas with their styling team?
BILL: I would never purposely make someone not look their best. And when someone is being himself or herself, they’re just easier to work with. Divas are just uncomfortable to be around and create an atmosphere of drama and negative energy in the air. It’s common sense, if folks would just think about it. Who really likes to hang around negative people? Problem is, I think many negative people don’t realize they are being negative because sometimes it is just their nature. I personally think that sometimes, negative people just feel better about themselves… putting those around them down. Someone just needs to call them out… then go look for a new job, lol!
TMG: Who were some of the most pleasant artists you worked with?
BILL: Dustin Lynch was a true pleasure on the red carpet. He was relaxed, easy to talk to and funny to be around. Brantley Gilbert was just Brantley. He is such a good guy to have a few words with. My friends from Florida Georgia Line were just as funny and fun to be around as usual. Garth and Trisha no doubt received the biggest red carpet welcome. I mean, the red carpet fans were chanting, “GARTH, GARTH, GARTH”. When they arrived it went crazy. I thought Old Dominion did very good interviews. I have been around them a couple of times now, and they seem very down to earth, just good guys. Kellie Picker was very talkative and very funny on the carpet. Alan Jackson and Steven Tyler also caused a bit or a ruckus when they arrived. I have been around Steven Tyler a few times, and he is absolutely who I want to be when I go up. I admire him so much. He is just… Steven Tyler!!! I really don’t have any “gossip” to share. Well… I do, but I just can’t put that in print, LOL! But seriously, it was an overall great experience
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TMG: Did you have any disaster recovery moments?
BILL: The only disaster recovery moment was when Lisa Lee’s ear bud cables kept falling off because the tape wouldn’t hold it to the back of her shirt. So, I did what any great stylist would do… I grabbed a few black bobby pins and just pinned that thing in place, and it didn’t move again. Who says duct tape fixes everything: obviously, not a hair stylist. Although I do always travel with duct tape!
TMG: This event was the most attended, live award show of all time, according to the Guinness World Book of Records, with 80,000 attending. How did this gig differ from past ACMs and other award shows you have worked?
BILL: Funny you should mention that. We were waiting for our car to come pick us up to carry us to the AT&T center, but it had gotten held up a bit. So finally myself, my make up artist, and two other fellas, grabbed a cab and headed over. One of them turned out to be a representative from Guinness World Book of Records. Man o’ man, did he have some stories. I was picking his brain like crazy. I bet he had a headache the rest of the night. He shared about how records are created and broken. As to how the show was different, I personally think this show was truly a better show for those who watched on TV. The production and massiveness of this project was just something that I cannot describe. If you were fortunate enough to be backstage, on the field, and see how all of it came together… it was just an amazing feat. Like I said before, it was a bit more difficult being as the hotels were not near the venue. Also, I didn’t get to see nearly as many friends, as I normally do. One thing about the ACM awards, it always seems like a big country music family reunion. I personally didn’t get that feeling this time, but I also truly do feel that the overall production of the show was a bigger experience… and the biggest according to Guinness World Book of Records, for the fans and TV viewers. Let me say that the rep. from GWB of Records said this record would be based on the number of tickets actually scanned… and he would verify that at the end of the evening. It did not include production, or crew that were in the building.
TMG: What advice do you have to those interested in landing an award show styling gig someday? How should they go about pursuing this dream?
BILL: Network, Network, Network. And just be as prepared everyday as you can for your job, whatever it is: to do it just as well as you would if you were working at the biggest show in the world! If you work at the smallest show ever… with the same attitude, desire, passion and creativity that you would at the biggest one, and network with all those around you… then one day you will land that dream gig! I started twelve years ago, by footing my bill, booking all my own stuff, and just showing up… just in case someone needed something at the last minute. And twelve years later, I just worked one of the biggest gigs ever. Persistence pays off!!
TMG: Would you like to mention anything else about your experience?
BILL: I am in the midst of working on something very, very, big… that is coming to Nashville and could possibly be a game changer. I cannot wait to share more information about this project as it becomes available to be released. I am honored to be involved in this new top secret project… and how, you ask, did I get this opportunity? NETWORKING with people on THATS MY GIG! I can never thank TMG enough for allowing me to be apart of your family and I highly encourage anyone wanting to better themselves, to use TMG as a tool in your tool chest! As for the 2015 ACM awards, all I can say is WOW! What an experience. I am already planning 2016′s trip today!
Read Bill’s advice on choosing the right style for you, here…
Book Bill for your image consultation: Info@TheEdgeSalon.com
Call The Edge Salon: 615-377-4656
Follow Bill: @TheEdgeSalon
www.TheEdgeSalon.com
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