Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
In pre-pandemic touring when fiscal realities would allow, we leased a Prevost Tour Bus. When other realities set in, I use my 2018 Nissan Texas Titan Cummins Turbo Diesel truck. It’s got about 40,000 miles on it now and I hope I don’t jinx myself by saying that, so far, it hasn’t broken down and/or needed repairs. Tour busses have things that go wrong with them all the time. Drivers have to be magicians.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
I’m a moderately healthy eater most of the time. Modern roadside America tends to have decent restaurants – most of the time. Every now and then we break down and get fast food.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
I rarely break strings. I can’t remember the last time I broke one. When gigging I change my strings every night. I like them to be fresh and bright. I have string endorsements so there is no cash outlay here.
Where do you rehearse? Any interesting stories about the space?
I rehearse in our Fur Peace Station – our 230 seat on site venue. Sit on the stage, turn on the PA and have a good time. Nothing crazy has happened… yet.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
New Song For The Morning…. “Looked outside my window…”.
Describe your first gig.
High school sorority party in the basement of Charlotte Harbor’s house. We made about six bucks. 1958
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
Night manager of the Sunoco station on Connecticut Ave. and Nebraska in Washington, DC. 1962… loved that job.
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’ve been fortunate… things kept getting better until Covid 19 hit. Waiting for the next big thing now…
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
Nobody lives forever….