Photo credit: Jamie Escola
Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
For the past five years we’ve traveled around the country in a 2013 GMC Savana. It’s been incredibly reliable and a great vehicle for us. It never once broke down! We did have a flat tire one time leaving AmericanaFest, but that’s about it.
That said, we recently sold it to another band and moved to a 2020 Ford Transit 350. We just needed a little more space for the busy years ahead.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
We’re a bunch of foodies. We’re always looking for the best local fare while we’re in different towns and cities. We try to be frugal and healthy, but it becomes more difficult when you’ve got a favorite local delicacy staring you in the eye.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
I use Elixir acoustic strings, and I love them because they rarely break play great, and sound fresh longer. I don’t think I’ve actually broken any strings in the last year! Strings aren’t cheap anymore! But what is, I guess?
Where do you rehearse?
We’ve floated around to a few different rehearsal spaces over the last few years. Everywhere from my back deck in the summer to a friend’s recording studio to a local venue on days they happen to be closed. We’re definitely in need of our own dedicated spot though. It’s on the to-do list!
Describe your first gig.
The Shootouts first gig was at a place in Cleveland, OH that is no longer in business. It was called The Euclid Tavern, and at that point was being ran by another area restaurant, The Happy Dog. Folks were there watching us debut this new band while scarfing down hot dogs. At that point, we were solely doing cover songs of artists we loved like Eddy Arnold, BR5-49, Johnny Cash, Marty Stuart, Red Simpson and others. We had a good crowd there that night, but it wasn’t packed. It didn’t matter. We played like sailors on shore leave. I knew right then and there that we were on to something.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
Outside of the Shootouts, my background is in radio, marketing, and graphic design. I handle all the creative for The Shootouts, and I recently did the artwork for Jim Lauderdale’s new album Game Changer. I also run a 24/7 streaming radio station called The Americana Roundup. It’s commercial-free and is free for folks to listen. It’s a total passion project – I love sharing music with other like-minded musically curious people.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
Keep your head down and do the work that others won’t. Practice actually does make perfect. Don’t be afraid of hearing the word “no.” Make friends everywhere you go. While incredibly important, money isn’t everything — Don’t let it rule every decision you make. Sometimes you have to take risks in order to see rewards. Explore other styles of music that might not immediately interest you – there’s something to be learned from each and every one of them.
I could go on forever… A lot of these may sound like cliches, but they’re so, so true. Often times, they are cliches for a reason.