Power Onward: S1E2 - The hidden power of live events

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Show ID [00:00:03]: 

This is Power Onwards, the podcast that unveils how power technology shapes your everyday life. 

Show ID [00:00:19]: 

Power Onward. 

Show ID [00:00:22]: 

This is Power Onward, the podcast that unveils how power technology shapes your everyday life. 

Kim [00:00:31]: 

So imagine you're scanning your ticket, walking into a large music venue. The energy is just, like, buzzing. You can feel it. It's palpable. The merch line is long, as it always is, and the lights are starting to dim down on stage. And we know that we're about to have a great time, perhaps the time of our lives. We're talking concerts and we're thinking about what makes this all possible. How does this happen? And I think a lot of this gets lost because we only know that concert when we enter the venue. 

Kim [00:00:57]: 

But something else takes place before that. Hi, I'm Kim. 

Drew [00:01:01]: 

Hi, I'm Drew. 

Kim [00:01:02]: 

Hi, Drew. Thanks so much for joining today. 

Drew [00:01:05]: 

Thanks for having me. This is fun. 

Kim [00:01:06]: 

Of course. So I understand you used to be a news anchor. 

Drew [00:01:10]: 

Yeah. 

Kim [00:01:11]: 

So what is it about Cummins that kind of piqued your interest and made you want to join the team? 

Drew [00:01:16]: 

Well, I'm originally from where Cummins is headquartered in the state of Indiana, and so I've always known it as this spectacle of an employer in our state. It's a place that we're very proud of as Hoosiers. That's what you call people from Indiana. The employment culture of Cummins is something that I've known about over the years and just how massive of an operation. And it seemed like a really exciting place to change my career course. And I can go so many places with it because Cummins does so much around the world. 

Kim [00:01:52]: 

I hear that a wide breadth of portfolios of all different kinds of technologies, and that's definitely something that we want to talk about in the show. We're kind of just flipping over these stones and it's like the more, you know. Right, right, right. And so I was. I was thinking about this concert I went to recently, and then I was like, I wonder if maybe Drew would want to talk about this with me. So. 

Drew [00:02:11]: 

I love live music. 

Kim [00:02:12]: 

I do. 

Drew [00:02:12]: 

I live at concerts. I think Cummins has opened my eyes to just how much we are a part of the daily life and operations around us and the economy around us every single day. And stuffthat I think general people take for granted, I've taken for granted. 

Kim [00:02:34]: 

Guilty. 

Drew [00:02:34]: 

We don't have to focus on those things because we're caring about what's going to be on the set list at the concert. Right. But at the same breath, how many times have you Seen a big fancy tour bus on the interstate. And you're like, ooh, I wonder who's in there? 

Kim [00:02:47]: 

100% what, you know? 

Drew [00:02:49]: 

And then I've even gone so far as when I've been on road trips to if I see what I know is gonna be a tour bus, like, well, depending on where I am, right? Maybe I'm traveling toward Nashville, Tennessee. Like, ooh, well, who's in concert this weekend? Who could that be? And I tried to look it up. Now working at Cummins, my detective eye has changed a little bit to, is that a Cummins engine in there? Because that tour buses are operated by Cummins engines. Then the semis that are hauling all of the stage equipment and sound equipment, the lights, everything. I actually. I'm a big Eric Church fan. He's a country music star. And I went to one of his concerts a few years back and the semis were lined outside of the venue. 

Drew [00:03:38]: 

And now my eye goes to. Is there a Cummins badge on the side of that? 

Kim [00:03:43]: 

It's so recognizable. And I feel like you working in that industry, you're like, ooh, I know. Like, we are working. We are behind the scenes doing the things that make that possible. 

Drew [00:03:52]: 

Exactly, yes. 

Kim [00:03:53]: 

That is so cool. And I'm thinking about like, oh, the concert. I'm excited to be there. To your point, there's so much that happens. They're hauling all this stuffin there. And to me, I'm like, do I know the lyrics to this song? Will I be able to sing along? Is my phone charged enough? And I think all those things, funny enough, that also has to do with Cummins. Cause we talk about power generation. 

Drew [00:04:11]: 

Absolutely. 

Kim [00:04:12]: 

Portable power generation to power up venues. So it is kind of like the full scope of of that tour experience, isn't it? 

Drew [00:04:19]: 

Yeah. We have colleagues who probably see all of that. They look for the huge generators and they come and see on the side of it. And that's a whole other Talking about how large Cummins is. 

Kim [00:04:31]: 

That's so true. 

Drew [00:04:32]: 

A whole other area of business that provides the experience for us. 

Kim [00:04:37]: 

All right. I feel like you'd be like the one with your magnifying glass looking at the tour buses. Is the emblem there? And then we've got people in power generation being like, is that that green gen set out there? 

Drew [00:04:46]: 

Exactly. 

Kim [00:04:47]: 

So it does really make you open your ey and see life in a different way. And even if we're excited about the concerts, I feel like there's always that bit, that little piece in the back of our Mind that's like, what are we doing here? Is Cummins here? Is there a presence? 

Drew [00:04:58]: 

It enhances the experience, I think, to know and then have appreciation for what it takes to put this on and to create our memories for us. 

Kim [00:05:07]: 

So tour buses are kind of one piece that we talked about. We also talked about the power technology behind the lights and the big screens and the sound effects. Do you think that we also play a role in those larger landmarks or monuments or sports venues? 

Drew [00:05:19]: 

Oh, yeah, I've heard that some really significant features in the United States, for instance, where, oh, did you know that Cummins is buried underneath that, powering it? And that's just fascinating because I think there are a lot of hidden gems of where our company has shown up. 

Kim [00:05:36]: 

Yeah. So it's like we're helping our listeners kind of mine through all that and see, like, oh, wow. Like Cummins could be behind the concert, could be behind this huge sports stadium. And, you know, we're here to cheer on our favorite teams, listen to our favorite artists. But there's so much that just goes on behind the scenes that we don't really think about. Maybe we take it for granted and then we start working at Cummins and that's all we think about. 

Drew [00:05:58]: 

What about the people who are tailgating in their pickup trucks that has, oh my gosh, powered by Cummins? You know, those are all around the outside of the venues too, especially. 

Kim [00:06:08]: 

I mean, you said you went to iu. 

Drew [00:06:10]: 

Yes, yes. 

Kim [00:06:11]: 

I feel like that was common there. I was up in Muncie at Ball State. A lot of pickup trucks there. And I tell you every time I drive past one, everyone is always like, you know, you see a Cummins hat, like that is Cummins. Like, we love Cummins. And that is a crazy feeling. I never thought the brand association with Cummins would be as strong as like, oh, you're wearing this brand or that brand. Cummins says a lot too. 

Kim [00:06:30]: 

Especially here. 

Drew [00:06:31]: 

There's a loyal following. And you can even see Cummins merchandise at some truck stops along your road trips as well. And so people want to wear it, want to display that passion for a company. And there are very specific and honorable reasons why people are loyal to the Cummins brand. It's a more than 100 year old company. Right. And so we've been around, we have this rich history in America's economy. But also the engines, they're known, the reputation is reliable, durable. 

Drew [00:07:08]: 

Cummins is going to be working. There are pickup trucks out there that have millions of miles, millions of miles in a pickup Truck. 

Kim [00:07:17]: 

And I'm looking at my car, which is, like, at 108,000 miles, and I'm, like, celebrated. 

Drew [00:07:22]: 

100,000, right? That's nothing. 

Kim [00:07:25]: 

Millions. That is an incredible feat to even try to, like, put into picture. 

Drew [00:07:30]: 

Yeah. And so people know Cummins is there for them, and they're loyal to those brands and they. They want to wear that Cummins, see, with pride. 

Kim [00:07:39]: 

Yeah. It's effortless for them. It's the peace of mind for them. They don't have to worry because they know Cummins has their back. 

Drew [00:07:44]: 

That's it. 

Kim [00:07:45]: 

That's it. Whenever I go to a concert, I always like to buy a piece of merch, whether it's a shirt or a sticker or a bag. I love wearing, like, the shirts and the coach jackets. And earlier you mentioned equipment being loaded on the truck. 

Drew [00:07:59]: 

Where do you think that merchandise was? 

Kim [00:08:01]: 

The merch, too. So Cummins really is a part of it, from every aspect of the experience. 

Drew [00:08:05]: 

Now everything arrives on a semi truck pretty much. Anyway, look around your house, your apartment, wherever you're living, and most of your goods, your furniture, your clothing from other concerts. 

Kim [00:08:22]: 

My mind is racing now because I'm just trying to think like, oh, my gosh, the furniture. You're right. I just got a couch. Where did it come on a truck? 

Drew [00:08:28]: 

Heavy duty trucking. That trucking industry has powered America's economy and moved it across the country, supplying goods and everything that we need from your concert merch to your couch. And it's gotten there because of a Cummins engine. 

Kim [00:08:45]: 

And again, powering memories through and through around our everyday life at home, at work, at the stores. 

Drew [00:08:53]: 

That's it. 

Kim [00:08:54]: 

That is powerful. 

Drew [00:08:55]: 

It is powerful. Is there a reason why we call this Power Onward? 

Kim [00:09:00]: 

Because there's just a plethora of ways that we like to power the world, I guess. 

Drew [00:09:03]: 

Yeah. And power our experiences. Although I did, speaking of concerts, I was actually at a concert once where the power went out. 

Kim [00:09:13]: 

Oh, my gosh. 

Drew [00:09:13]: 

And it was a large venue and there was a storm. There were actually. I was up in the lawn of this venue, and we could see all these storm cells kind of approaching. 

Kim [00:09:24]: 

Oh, are you a meteorologist now, too? 

Drew [00:09:25]: 

No, no. I mean, I know some people, but, yeah, we're watching and this can't be good. We're on a hill and it wasn't raining yet. But as the storms got closer and closer, like, this is gonna be a problem. And all of a sudden, there was a lightning strike and the power went out. It was Tom Petty. 

Kim [00:09:45]: 

Oh, my gosh. 

Drew [00:09:46]: 

And one of my all time favorites. And the entire crowd continued singing what he had been singing. 

Kim [00:09:53]: 

Oh, my gosh. Wait, that is also giving me goosebumps. Because I love that, you know, like, the show must go on kind of. 

Drew [00:09:59]: 

Energy and the crowd energy. Right. So they kept singing and then all of a sudden the band's back on. 

Kim [00:10:05]: 

See, that's a happy ending. I have a similar experience. Same, but different. But not so great. I had a different job. I have a different role. And we are working on this tour. We've got this route planned. 

Kim [00:10:16]: 

We've got merch coming, you know, on a truck actually to this venue. Fans are waiting. And guess what? It's snowing in Texas. 

Drew [00:10:25]: 

Oh. 

Kim [00:10:26]: 

And you know what? Texas can't handle all the time, Even the slightest bit of snow. So we unfortunately had to cancel that show. And I hated knowing that there were so many people waiting. And you know how, you know how it feels when you're excited, you plan it months in advance. So unfortunately, in my scenario, the show did not go on. But again, is that something that we could help with Cummins and companies like Cummins? Absolutely. 

Drew [00:10:50]: 

If that particular city would have had. They don't need the infrastructure because that's so unprecedented. But totally, the snowplows exist and the trucks powered then by Cummins are everywhere. Just not in that particular town. 

Kim [00:11:05]: 

Not unfortunately. Well, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to share your story. Your experiences with Cummins, helping us see the concert experience. From the moment the artist steps on that tour bus to the moment all of their materials and equipments are loaded into the truck and then they're there enjoying the concert. And there's some power generation behind that, too, so it's a very wide scope, but it's also very, very interesting to see. So thank you again. 

Drew [00:11:29]: 

You bet. When you love something, you want to share it with others. And now people are going to start seeing their concert or sport venue experience in a different way. 

Kim [00:11:38]: 

You're welcome in advance, I think. 

Drew [00:11:40]: 

Question mark. 

Kim [00:11:42]: 

Thank you again, Drew. 

Drew [00:11:43]: 

Thank you. 

Kim [00:11:44]: 

All right, so what's the big idea for this episode? Next time you're lost in the music, surrounded by thousands of fans, think about this. Every light, every speaker, every screen that's running has power generation technology working hard behind the scenes, from the engines in the tour buses to the engines in the trucks carrying our merch, the generators, the trucks, the engines, everything works together to keep the show alive. Companies like Cummins, we're making sure that the music and the magic keeps humming. 

Show ID [00:12:19]: 

Power Onward. Thank you for listening to Power Onward. Your support means the world to us. If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to subscribe, rate and review on your favorite podcast platform. If you want to dig deeper on what we covered today, check out the show notes for additional links or go to Cummins.com podcast until next time, Power Onward. We're from Cummins, the company that's been innovating toward the future for more than 100 years. We're no strangers to rapid change, global shifts, and economic uncertainty. We want to be your constant during the energy transition. 

Show ID [00:13:08]: 

Whenever, wherever, forever. Power Onward.