The RockPile Amphitheatre & Promotions, LLC/The Clear Creek Association for the Arts, Inc. (a not for profit)

[Douglas Kilburg]

Our region is listed as the second most economically depressed area of the nation. It is our hope to provide a solution to this problem.

March 2009 three of us purchased a 17.82 acre parcel of land southeast of Winslow at Clear Creek, the scenic gem of the Winslow area. We each decided to set an acre aside for the arts. What we then discovered was that we had just purchased a natural venue of amazing scope. I contacted the seller who still owned 118 acres across the road. He jumped in the mix, and the project began.

After a close examination of the RockPile Amphitheatre we discovered that we had over 10 acres of main seating, and 20 acres of auxiliary seating. Few venues boast as much seating, and a big plus was the view. It's absolutely phenomenal, especially from the stage.

We began having Saturday Night Campfire Socials, and contemplating where we would like to go with the project. Information flowed, and with it a cohesive concept began to manifest itself. The more we networked, the more the concept was revised. At one campfire Al Jackson showed up. Al was Ray Charles Music Director of twenty years. As he stood atop the rock formation on the south end of the property he exclaimed, "I've been around the world ten times with Ray, and I've never seen anything like this." Al is still offering help and advice on the project.

The RockPile Amphitheatre & Promotions, LLC was founded, and the Clear Creek Association for the Arts, Inc. (a not for profit) was developed. From there we began planning, and we do mean planning green.

None of us had any money for development, but God stepped in and every time we needed something it showed up. The Amphitheatre was solid bedrock, and in the summer time the heat index was incredible, even though we are in the high desert. We knew we needed to grass the seating area, but the amount of material it would take do this was astronomical. In places it would have to be over four feet deep. Oddly enough a place in Winslow had to move a huge pile of material, not just dirt, this stuff was soil. I spoke with a guy and two days later they started running semi loads to the property. Heavy equipment showed up, as if by magic, and started leveling the piles of soil. Someone had to dump broken up concrete and we said dump it out here. They jumped on it, and we got what we needed for building retaining walls.

 

We contacted a well driller, and arranged for a number of wells to be drilled at the same time. Everyone saved $800 apiece on the deal, and the RockPile ended up with the best drinking water in the entire area.

More heavy equipment has been promised for the rest of the work we need to do in order to plant grass in early spring 2011. By early summer we will have a lawn across ten acres of land, all of it on material that was brought in, and be ready to accommodate events.

We began laying out the stage area atop the rock formation on the south end of the property. The front will be over 87 ft. wide, and it will be over 50 ft. deep. It will be an expanse that is viewable from 360 degrees if needed. By utilizing the surrounding property it could be a viable concept, and would open up a venue capable of handling hundreds of thousands of people.

This dream will bring change to Winslow, Joseph City, Holbrook, and Navajo County. Not only will jobs be created, but the myriad world class artists and artisans of our area will have a vehicle to promote the arts. The reservation lands to the north are filled with native art of incredible beauty. Things here will change.

This is by far the most miraculous project I've ever been associated with. We hope to institute a few annual festivals, but the first is going to be an International Festival of Peace and Freedom. Our goal in this matter is to bring cultures together, and through the arts build bridges of unity. This will be a week long event highlighting concerts, artwork, and cultures unlike anything ever seen. It will be an opportunity for children of peace to gather and commune. Freedom is a child of peace, peace is a child of acceptance, acceptance is a child of love. In this life all things worthwhile spring from love. This is the message we hope to sponsor.

At the RockPile we are not concerned with wealth. We only hope to live comfortably, and to do good works. Much of what we are about is creating good will, and furthering the work we believe we are destined to do. God gave us this opportunity. We must be responsible for what we have been given.

 

There is still room for growth around us, and as the funds become available we intend to address our expansion as much as possible. I as an artist I hope for change. I embrace it with every breath. I have learned that nothing is impossible, and so, I dream.

 

We will need as much help as possible to make this a reality. Some of the proceeds from the Festival will go to the RockPile for capitol improvements. Much will go to charities in the area in order to boost programs for children, the arts, and the establishment of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center which is sorely needed here. The RockPile will continue to sponsor these projects, and guarantee their success. It will also expand it's philanthropic reach as time goes by, always directing it to the needs of the region.

 

We are currently working on websites as well as earthworks. Part of the RockPile's site includes an old gravel pit that will be re-contoured, and seeded with indigenous plants. Abatement of non-indigenous plants will be an ongoing effort due to the stands of Tamarisk trees, and the overgrowth of Camel Thorns. The Tamarisk was brought in by the railroad, and the Camel Thorns by Beale, and his Camel initiative. We are also working on a Clear Creek cleanup program to remove the trash and graffiti that now defaces the landscape.

Alan Moore has been by, and loved the site. He, the Musicians for Peace, and the Nashville Musicians and Artists for Peace, have become a great source of help and encouragement. If anyone else is coming through Winslow stop by.

For all of our projects we ask for, and will accept, any help we can get.