Meet the man who's become a Bonnaroo legend, one signature at a time. Caleb Arias, creator of the Bonnaroo Yearbook, joins us for the third time to break down how his passion project exploded this year. What started as pitching strangers to sign a notebook is now three-hour lines, sold-out printed editions, and fans hand-crafting custom trinkets just for him.
Grab your own copy of the Bonnaroo Yearbook at bonnarooyearbook.com and use code THEWHATPODCAST for 50% off!
We get into the wristband smuggling caper, the moment Caleb revealed Bryan might have the most beautiful signature in the entire book (calligraphy pen and all), and what it's really like becoming a recognizable figure at a large music festival: including the sacrifices, the boundaries he's had to set, and why he stayed sober the entire weekend just to protect the project. Plus: a sneak peek at a possible Bonnaroo children's book starring his bearded dragon, Trogdor.
Listen to this week's episode with Caleb here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news!
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(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:32) Caleb, the Bonnaroo Yearbook Guy Returns
(00:02:14) The Wristband Heist & Getting to the Farm
(00:12:24) How the Yearbook Project Began
(00:15:47) Bryan's Calligraphy Pen & Inside the Book
(00:24:14) Becoming "Bonnaroo Famous"
(00:33:18) From Passion Project to Real Money
(00:36:09) Trogdor, the Children's Book & Music Highlights
(00:42:04) Chasing Sunrise Sets & Planning for Next Year
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Bonnaroo Yearbook: Capturing Festival Memories
@bonnarooyearbook on Instagram
How Bonnaroo Gives Back: Live from Planet Roo 2026
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