Photo credit: Alex Berger
Tell us about your tour vehicle.
My main vehicle is a 2013 Ford Flex. It’s something of a car/van. Long and boxy. You can fit an upright bass in the back. Perfect for a traveling trio. Decent speakers.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
I try to do the healthy thing when traveling. Get a cooler and load it up with bottled water and snacks. But every now and then, the call of the Cracker Barrel must be answered.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
Over the years, I’ve been pretty lucky with strings. I usually play with my thumb and forefinger. Playing dynamically during songs. Thankfully, I’ve never popped one on stage. I know I’m playing with fire, because I only travel with one guitar!
Where do you rehearse?
Band rehearsals take place at my house. I’ve got a little bonus room that I’ve turned into a studio space. Most of my neighbors are musicians, so we’d have to be turned up to 11 to get any noise complaints.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
The first song I ever wrote was when I was in 9th grade. It was a punk rock song about WWIII.
“Say goodbye, say goodbye / Baby baby get ready to die / the world’s gonna blow up in your face / Say goodbye to the human race.” Subtle, I know. My second song was an acoustic tune about my love of waffles.
Describe your first gig.
My first gig was in Florence, SC at a bar called The Wooden Nickel. I was underage, playing guitar in a cover band. It was a very blue dive bar. Dim lights, thick smoke. Saw my first bar fight in there. Two guys that were so drunk, one of them fell down before he could even take a swing. Some crazy redneck shit in slow motion. I’ll never forget it.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
My last job was being the house manager of The Belcourt here in Nashville. It’s a little art movie house that used to do concerts as well. Saw Kris Kristofferson there. Cleaned his dressing room after the show. Aimee Mann, The Jayhawks, Steve Earle, Gillian Welch, you name it. Still the best job I ever had.
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?
A roller coaster comes to mind. Up and down. You win some, you lose some. Wouldn’t trade it for anything though.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
Take everything out of your pockets before you go on stage. No one wants to see the outline of your wallet, phone, or pack of smokes. Look professional. Look like you’re supposed to be there.