The Blueprint of Successful Teams: Lessons from a Songwriter Series

Me and Richie Furay (yes he played "For What It's Worth")

This is the first in a multi-part series about successful teams I’ve helped create—and what made them thrive. Since my business is all about helping teams become more collaborative (and actually have fun while doing it), I figured it’s only fair to pull back the curtain on some of the groups I’ve been lucky enough to work with over the years.

Today’s story takes us to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where for nearly a decade, I served as Executive Director of the award-winning Historic Chief Theater.

“Yes, And” in Action

The Chief was an intimate, 200-seat venue that felt more like a living room than a theater. People approached me constantly with ideas for acts, movies, comedians, and musicians they wanted to see. My answer? Almost always “Yes, and…” (improv fans, you know what I mean Yes, and Blog). In addition to suggesting acts, people from all corners of the community wanted to volunteer.  Why?  Because the Chief was a fun, welcoming, and community minded place to be. 

One day, a delightful local—let’s call him Arty—came to me with an idea: a Songwriter Series. He had connections from running something similar in another town, a passion for music, and a successful model we could replicate. It would have been crazy to say no.

We tested it out with four shows the first year: solo, duo, and trio acoustic acts. But this wasn’t just about music—it was about storytelling. The songwriters shared why, how, and when their songs were written. The audience got a backstage pass to the creative process.

Word spread. The next year we hosted five shows, then six, then eight. By year six, we had 15 straight sellouts. Musicians told each other, “You have to play the Chief. The venue is amazing, the audience is welcoming, and the team makes you feel at home.”

The Secret Ingredient: The Team

The success wasn’t just about the music—it was about the team. Arty and I pulled together a group of volunteers who turned the series into a well-oiled machine:

• Over 100 posters were displayed around town—but they didn’t just tape them up. They connected with shop owners, chatted with customers, and built genuine excitement because their enthusiasm was authentic.

• They welcomed guests, took tickets, and made everyone feel special.

• “Hospitality hosts” invited musicians into their homes for post-soundcheck dinners.

• Volunteers stayed after the shows to tidy up and thank attendees.

• Merch managers worked the table to help artists sell CDs and shirts.

• Arty himself often hosted performers in the guest portion of his home.

And here’s the kicker: they were all volunteers. Why did they love doing it? Because they felt appreciated and they were having FUN.  Volunteers got free tickets for themselves and their spouses, plus heartfelt thanks from the artists—sometimes even a CD or t-shirt as a token of gratitude.

When teams feel appreciated and empowered, great things happen.

The Results

The Songwriter Series grew to attract legendary acts like Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Richie Furay (of Buffalo Springfield).

The secret wasn’t star power—it was teamwork. A collaborative, energized, and appreciated team created a magnetic experience that musicians and audiences alike couldn’t get enough of. The vibe was infectious.

And that’s the first lesson of this series: build a culture of genuine appreciation, and your team will give back tenfold.

Want your team to thrive like the Chief Theater crew?

That’s what I do—I help organizations build collaborative, empowered teams that have fun while doing meaningful work. Let’s connect and talk about how to bring this to your workplace.

👉 Teaser for the next post: Did you know that I re-traced the Lewis and Clark Trail? They were the ultimate team. Look for my next post to learn about this incredible adventure.