Watch out, boys. Women are slowly but surely making their way into big-time positions within the music industry. In Boulder, 27-year-old Sarah Finger is now the first woman talent buyer at the Fox Theatre since it opened in 1992. Hailing from Morrow, Ohio, Finger takes full responsibility for booking the bands that grace the stage.

After holding down numerous positions within the Fox and the industry as a whole, she's proving that women can make it happen. Read up on what it takes to move up in the music world, how local bands get their "in" at the Fox and how other ladies are rockin' the industry.

BH: Describe your hometown in four words.

SF: Small, simple, sheltered, down-home

BH: When exactly did you start at the Fox, what were you doing prior and what made you want to get involved?

SF: I started in August of 2003, the same day the IRS chained the doors at Tulagi's. I was a little freaked out at first. Before that, I was working for Don Strasburg and Chuck Morris, and became familiar with the Fox through Don. He invited me to the Holiday Party and I fell in love with the Fox. Less than a year later, I started working here and life changed for me.

BH: Getting anywhere in the music business seems to be all about starting at the bottom, proving yourself and slowly making your way up. What pain-the-a$$ tasks have paid off for you?

SF: I agree - it's all about starting at the bottom. My least favorite task was cutting handbills. We had the most awful paper cutter; you could only cut 3 pieces of paper at a time. And we go through so many handbills. Now we finally have a paper cutter than can handle 10 sheets of paper, it doesn't sound like much but it's a big improvement. I also had to do things that no one else would want to do. Like finding an opener for some off the wall band who plays music that no one else plays and that no one sounds good with and that has a really picky agent when it comes to openers. That's impossible and they would make me do that!

BH: You've had varying positions at the Fox over the time you've been there. What have been your favorite parts of each?

SF: Office manager - my favorite part was the interns. I loved the interns. I became friends with a lot of them and it was really fun to have them in the office. Assistant General Manager, honestly my favorite part of that was moving into the big office. That was really cool. And being in charge of the holiday party. As you can tell, that was not my favorite position. My favorite part of being the Talent Buyer is booking a band that I love, selling it out, and then coming to the show and seeing everyone have the time of their lives. That is really rewarding.

BH: Name your top five favorite shows there.

SF: Muse - October 2004 - best show ever

Ben Harper - March 2006

My Morning Jacket - Halloween 2005

Moby - April 2005

The Killers - Sept. 07

BH: Most bizarre/not-what-you-expected shows?

SF: Most bizarre show ever was Hurra Torpedo. They played household appliances - washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, etc.

BH: Nothing seems to ever change at the Fox in the way that most of the staff members have been there for years. What do you think makes people stay?

SF: Because The Fox is the most awesome place ever, why would anyone want to leave? And the Holiday Party. In case you haven't noticed, I love the Holiday Party and since it's November that is on my mind right now.

BH: How has it been going from the assistant talent buyer to the main talent buyer? What tasks do you have now that you didn't have before?

SF: It's been really stressful. I gave myself an ulcer the very first week. I have the same tasks, but before I didn't have all the pressure. Not everything rested on my shoulders, and now it does and that is a lot of stress on me.

BH: Now that you've moved up, it's you and only you. No assistant. Are you struggling because of that? Do you have any outside help?

SF: I'm not struggling yet. Right now, all my attention is focused on the Fox. Past talent buyers started doing more outside shows or managing bands and that is when they brought in an assistant. I am not doing anything besides the Fox right now so the need for the assistant is not there. Although it would be nice to have someone to help me with contracts and to bounce ideas off of.

BH: Talent buying positions seem to be male-dominated in the music world. Do you know of any other ladies rocking that job?

SF: The business is male dominated. But there are some really awesome women who are doing a killer job. Amy Corbin in Austin - she is largely responsible for Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza. Sherry Wasserman runs the San Fran music scene - she is awesome. Mariah Kennemer in Denver is a former Fox employee and now she is rocking some killer shows in Denver. Give us a couple more years and we will take over the business.

BH: Are there any gals in Boulder (involved in the music business) who you turn to for advice?

SF: I wish there was some very wise woman who has been in the business for years I could talk to. There are a couple of those around, but none that I would feel comfortable asking advice from. I do have some really good girlfriends who work in the business and they are a big help, they understand the politics and the way things work.

BH: For someone who knows nothing about booking bands, what's the long-story-short version of the steps that go into it?

SF: First, decide what band you want to book. Call their agent, try to work out a date and a price and book the show. I wish it were really that easy!

BH: When it comes to the Fox, are most of the bands sought out by the talent buyer, vice versa or a mix of both?

SF: Mix of both - most bands that play here play as part of their tour. So they have the routing, they know they are coming through Boulder at a certain time, so their agent will call me and ask for an offer. He probably called all the other venues in town as well, so then it comes down to which venue is the right choice for the band, money, and availability. There are times when I have an open date and there is no one coming through, so that's when I seek out bands to come in and do a show.

BH: What's the best way for a local band to prove they can play on the Fox's stage?

SF: I look for a band that sounds good and has a strong fan base. If they can bring in 200 people, I will give them a shot.

BH: What changes have been implemented since you've come to the Fox?

SF: Ask me again in a couple months. I really want to redo the green room.

BH: List your favorite top five up-and-coming Denver-Boulder bands.

SF: 3oh!3 - my favorite!
I love DJ Rootz.
Gregory Alan Isakov is awesome. And The Life There Is, of course.

BH: When you're not bookin' bands, what are you doing in Boulder?

SF: Drinking and eating.

BH: Are you still obsessed with Jessica Simpson?

SF: Yes, always will be.

BH: What do you hope to be doing in 2015?

SF: Booking Red Rocks!