Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
I don’t own a proper touring vehicle so most of the time I have to rent a car. I’m a big fan of the hybrid Chrysler Pacifica minivan. Great mileage to space ratio for a smaller touring rental. I’ve never broken down luckily, though one time I went off the road in an Iowa blizzard, which was pretty scary. That was in my little Ford truck though (a terrible touring vehicle).
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
Whenever I can stop at a grocery store and grab some healthy snacks, that’s a good thing. Usually we’re in such a rush though. It’s a bit difficult.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
None, really. I try not to wail on the thing too hard.
Where do you rehearse?
Most of the time I rehearse at friends’ houses. My place isn’t really big enough to host a comfortable rehearsal. But I’m lucky to have friends who have good rehearsal spots.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
I wrote a song called the “Downtown Coffee House” when I was thirteen. I remember there was some line about “Buddha giving me flowers,” but I don’t remember much else about it really. It exists on a cassette tape somewhere. I don’t reckon it was very good.
Describe your first gig.
When I was 14 I went to this bluegrass music camp in Nashville called Nashcamp. I was in the banjo class. At the end of the camp, they had all the students play a big shindig at the Station Inn. Even though it was mostly just family members etc. in the audience, it was fun being in such a legendary spot. Felt like a real gig. So I reckon that was my first time.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
I still work part-time as an audio-visual tech and also in a warehouse. I’m not sure if I ever had a favorite occupation. I’m reminded of that quote by Mark Twain, “I do not like work even when someone else is doing it.”
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 hasn’t been easy. I’m lucky to break even most of the time. I guess I’d like to get to a place where I can start saving a little bit of money. But, I really don’t know what the next few years will look like. The music industry is pretty bleak except for those few at the very top.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
What an impossible way of life it is. I would have still chosen it though.