Photo credit: Natalie Osborne
Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
I typically tour in a rental that is a mid-size SUV. Just me, my guitar and my merch! This summer tour almost went by without a hitch until my rental broke down in the middle of nowhere Kentucky. I had to take a two hour car ride from the sticks to Louisville! All part of the adventure though!
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
You can’t eat cheaply and healthy on the road….a lot of times it’s one or the other. But I found out a hack. The grilled chicken at Cracker Barrel is actually fire. ????
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
I guess I have been lucky to not break that many strings. I change my strings…..well…..prolly definitely not enough.
Where do you rehearse?
When it’s just me on the road, my home is my rehearsal space. But if I got my band with me, we love to rehearse at Clair in Nashville! They have the most amazing people that work there, and they really take care of independent artists!
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
The first song I ever wrote? Hmmmm that might just be way too embarrassing to share. I wrote a song when I first got to Nashville though with a then Survivor player named Chase Rice called “Lil Bit Crazy,” and it is very funny to listen to now.
Describe your first gig.
My first gig was at a church in Bentonville, Arkansas where I grew up. There’s definitely pics of this. I performed original songs for the first time, and no one could tell me nothing after that! Haha.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
I guess checking IDs at a bar was my last non-musical day job. But you’d be shocked to know that happened in between my Top 40 hit and now haha.
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?
I am a gentleman and think it’s tacky to talk about money and what one makes. I’m lucky enough to be an independent artist who has been able to carve a life out for myself by doing what I love. I hope I become someone who makes enough money to spoil my parents, friends, and give back to the LGBTQIA+ community and live more than comfortably in the next 5 to 10 years.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
Hmmmmm I think I wish I would’ve known to walk away from people who want to change you or your vision. People who make you overly explain yourself. In this industry, people warn you about “yes men,” but they don’t warn you about the “no people”. Don’t sit at tables where you have to explain yourself.