Photo credit Chris Brennan
Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
2009 Ford E-350 passenger van, Khaki colored, somewhere around 160k right now. The original owners used it for camping, so it’s insulated nicely. Has a little spot on the hood where the paint has blistered off. Someone added an aftermarket Screen console system that I don’t like, but it’s not the van’s fault ya know. I just prefer the factory rig with CD player and an audio input jack. It was so easy. My current van is my 3rd E-350, 6th van in my career. If I’m honest, I prefer the 2012 E-350s, maybe just because my last 2 were both from that year. But the current van is a great van, already had lots of great experiences in it, with the bands and my family. My kids love it. No major repairs so far on this one, but there’s a short list of things these vans need around 175k, so I’m on the lookout for that.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
It’s rare that you can do both at the same time on the road, just because of the travel pace, so I’d say it’s mostly about doing the best you can to find a balance… It’s tough though, and I’m not really the best at eating cheaply or healthy to be honest, maybe that’s why I don’t mind the road.
How many strings do you break in a typical year?
Probably a couple times a year I’ll break one on stage and then change the whole set on the guitar.
How much does it cost to replace them?
Depends, but I usually budget $25-40 for a decent set of strings.
Where do you rehearse?
Our rehearsal space is mostly the venues; we rehearse stuff during soundcheck. Otherwise, we’ll sometimes rent rehearsal spaces for the band in whatever city we are in, or occasionally do a rehearsal at home. With SUSTO, there’s a little more needed in terms of amplification, but with Susto Stringband, it’s all acoustic instruments so we can stand in a circle anywhere and rehearse.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
I was around 12, it’s called Corey’s Song and it had the lyrics “This is Corey’s Song” in it over and over as the chorus lol. It was actually a quite dark song though, or at least what it was about was a pretty dark thing that had happened to someone I knew.
Describe your first gig.
Birthday party for my friend’s sister, I think maybe 8th or 9th grade. Was just a duo, 2 acoustic guitars and me singing. That was my first gig if you don’t count church, school, or violin/piano recitals. My literal first gig was probably when I was 5ish, violin recital at an old folk’s home. I got totally overwhelmed and cried in front of the audience. Wasn’t the last time, I don’t really remember it but i’ve seen the video.
What was your last day job?
Well, during Covid I worked for College of Charleston Geology Department as a research assistant, with the US Forest Service, in Francis Marion National Forest outside Charleston. But before that, my last non-music job was in 2014, I was a line cook at The Royal American. Shortly after the first album came out, I was able to support myself with music full time.
What was your favorite day job?
My dad had a small grading and paving company called Osborne Construction when I was growing up. I worked for him until my mid twenties. All my uncles and brothers worked with him too, that was my favorite 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?
It’s increased, but also it ebbs and flows. I have a much better idea where to find it now, and gradually people wanna pay us more…but also, it’s a pretty damn hard industry. It’s hard to make money, and once you get some there’s lots of people to pay out, and mostly you just get by on a wing and a prayer and hope one day all debts are forgiven lol. But i love the whole thing, and I’ve fortunately been able to mostly make it work. 5-10 years from now it’ll either be worse, better or the same…Either way I don’t really care. For me it’s about the songs, and the story, and living life on my own terms. And I’m grateful for the experience I’ve had so far.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
I’m not really one to change the past, so i’ll just say the experience of learning and growing has been the greatest source of joy, and I don’t think i can choose any one lesson that stands out…other than to keep an open mind.