When his teenage daughter started a band a few years ago, transitioning to "dad-ager" was pretty natural for Chad Tuinstra.
Toasterbath's unofficial manager, Chad wanted to help his daughter Lindsey, then 14 or 15 years old, and her friends find places to showcase their talents.
"I really enjoy their music, but beyond playing in the garage and for mom and dad, they wanted other venues to play," he said. "What's the point of playing without an audience?"
Enter the End of Summer Jam.
The music event for local youth is slated for 6-10 p.m. Saturday at the Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater in Ellis-Porter Riverside Park.
Chad started the event in 2019 at the old Riverside Park amphitheater, providing a venue for young musicians to take a stage that's free from the bar-type environment where most up-and-coming performers play.
It wasn't hugely publicized, Chad said, but the 2019 event was a hit with a decent turnout of mostly friends and family.
With the pandemic halting all live music - not to mention the fact the new amphitheater was under construction - the event didn't return in 2020.
Come 2021, Chad wasn't sure what to do.
Lindsey, now a senior at Jefferson City High School, and her bandmates were going strong, playing the few places around town they could as minors and even recording one of their original indie songs, which is available on Sound Cloud.
"I debated for a while, but then I saw the new amphitheater was doing shows, and it's beautiful so I decided 'let's do it again,'" Chad said.
Though renting that beautiful amphitheater, which was part of $3.2 million in renovations to the park, came with a much higher price tag than it did in 2019.
Chad, who admitted he's not the strongest salesperson, initially hoped to find business sponsorships to help shoulder the costs, but he didn't have much luck.
"In the end, as a parent, I thought I could make it happen financially," he said. "It makes for good memories, and it may be the last time for something like this with the girls before they go to college."
So the members of Toasterbath took the lead in securing local acts - two bands and three soloists, along with a few collaborations - and Chad was in charge of logistics. A friend connected him with someone who manages the sound system for an area church, and he was willing to donate his time and the use of his professional-grade audio equipment.
End of Summer Jam 2021 was off and running.
Since he's footing the bulk of the bill, Chad is asking for donations of $5 to attend the show, which will cover the remaining costs of running the event. Any leftover money will go to the musicians as tips.
While Lindsey is off to college next year, Chad said the future of the End of Summer Jam is a little uncertain. Toasterbath intends to stay together, and if there's enough interest, Chad would consider continuing the event, though ideally with some financial backers.
"It's something (young musicians) just don't always get the opportunity to do - play live," he said, adding if he can help make that dream come true for area youth, he's on board.
For now, the proud dad (and one of Toasterbath's biggest fans) is enjoying the time his "dad-ager" role gives him with his daughter while it lasts.
For more information on Saturday's event, visit the End of Summer Jam Facebook event. Those interested in performing or being a sponsor can reach out to Chad Tuinstra at 573-694-9726.