Tell us about your tour vehicle.
My first touring vehicle was a 2002 Chrysler Sebring. I played 250 solo shows that year… it was awful. Slept many nights in that car. The cops woke me in the middle of the night at least a dozen times. Most notable was in Eastern Montana… they cuffed me and everything. I guess in my dazed state I asked the cop to leave me alone (I surely used more “electric” language) and he didn’t think that was appropriate. I blame that baby blue car.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
I don’t! If I’m going to spend money on the road, it will certainly be on a great dinner. I’d rather stay in a cheap hotel than skimp on food.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
(Knock on wood) I don’t break strings… I don’t bring a spare guitar. It would be pretty catastrophic if I broke one mid show. Now you’ve got me worried.
Where do you rehearse?
My rehearsal space is an old one-tractor shed on my farm. I’ve converted it to a studio with insulation and a wood stove. It’s small but beautiful. Vaulted ceilings, quite a few windows, it’s bright and lively. It is ordained with elk and deer shed antlers I pick up in the spring. Last spring a skunk snuck in there… that was rough. I had to be pretty clever (cleverness doesn’t come naturally to me) and I ended up sneaking in a live trap and removing the skunk without an olfactory incident. Lucky break. Gotta thank the local farmers for their advice on that one.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
In 6th grade, about a month after I got my first electric guitar (a Fender Strat), I started a band with my buddy Lewis. Our first song was called “Runaway Child.” The only lyrics I remember were the chorus where we just sang “I’m a runaway child” over and over. It was political, man. We stood for something (please hear the sarcasm.)
Describe your first gig.
My first gig was performing that song for the entire 6th grade class. We were terrible but at least we were loud.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
When I’m not on the road, I farm. I love it. My in-laws have a mixed farm-–cattle and grain. I love to be outside, especially on horseback. When I get to work and ride, it’s a dream job. *Almost* as good as being a musician.
How has your music-related income changed over the past 5-10 years? What do you expect it to look like 5-10 years from now?
Some years I make money playing music, others I barely break even. I wish I could say my worth has grown. Some years it sure seems like it’s growing… others I find myself asking some tough questions. I’d love to find a way to budget or forecast my income. Seems impossible. In the next 5-10 years, I hope I can get there.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
Ooof. How about two answers to this question? The bad news: I don’t want to sound harsh… but I wish I would have known how few people in the industry have any loyalty. In my experience, so many folks have bailed when I needed them most. The good news: Despite the lack of loyalty from so many… I’ve also been so blessed to have met my best friends through music. My band and the extended community of the band are like family. We take care of each other. I think the relationships that happen through music are able to weather inevitable storms unlike any other. I’m grateful for it all.