WOW!!  Thanks so much!!  Thanks for the archived posts, the great suggestions etc.  Now I just have to see what I can do before the outdoor event coming up.  I never thought of tent posts either!  That is a brilliant idea.  I think I will head to the store!!  You guys are AWESOME!! 

I leave tomorrow for the weekend performances which include the outdoor shows.  I have made my new backdrop using the thicker fabric, have chain to run through the bottom so I should be set.  I am going to be against the building under a tent which will help.  I will let you know how it goes.

THANKS all of your who had ideas on making my outdoor backdrop better.  I added some pictures to my gallery to show you how it looked.

Looks great, LJ.  You sure had the kids attention.  Very nice setup.

Looks great! Wide enough to give you room to walk around, yet not so large as to be overwhelming.
Sue

I'm glad everything worked out for you.
Billy D.

I like your set up as well, simple but you have lots of storage for your items and not distracting.  it seems that you did some good planning to meet your needs. 

Do you think this new idea will work if your not against a wall and more in the open when you perform? 

Daryl H

If I were out in the open I would need the tent posts and rope and would probably go ahead and cut the slits into the fabric.  I did not need to do that this time thankfully.  My next outdoor performances are in a built outdoor stage so I will not need the backdrop because the backdrop is already there!  I don't know when I will have to test it out again. (I admit that outdoor performances are not my favorite - SO many distractions)