Photo credit: Harvey Robinson
Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
Goldie is a Chevy Express 1500 passenger van with about 370,000 miles on her. In the early days we had the back couple rows out and filled the space with gear, everyone was all packed in the front of half of the van and long drives were pretty challenging. Very thankful for our trailer, which affords four rows in the back, we typically rotate drivers and navigators daily so everyone gets a chance to rest.
A few years back we were somewhere out west and I was behind the wheel doing about 70 when one of the tires on the trailer exploded. I decelerated as steadily as possible and got us safely off the highway onto the shoulder. We uncoupled the trailer and split up, some staying behind with the gear and the others headed up to the next exit to find a tire shop. It was a strange side adventure that set us back a few hours but we got back on our way and even made the show that night.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
Yeti sent us a cooler that has been a game changer. It fits between the two front seats and everyone has space for fresh veggies, hummus, soda waters, salsa, etc. I bring almonds, walnuts, sunflower kernels, and fresh produce on every tour, usually red bell peppers, avocado, carrots, blueberries, tomatoes. It’s often better to stop at grocery stores on tour than depend on gas station fare, but sometimes the routing/logistics don’t work out for that. It really is a matter of doing my best and if there are absolutely no good options, skipping a meal ain’t gonna kill me.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
In a normal year I’d say I break between 8 and 15. They’re not expensive.
Where do you rehearse?
The Disarmers rehearse and hold auditions at Eric Peterson’s house here in central North Carolina. We’ve had the cops called on us a couple times for making too much racket after 10 so we end practices early enough to not disturb the neighbors now. Eric is such a gentle soul, there was one summer a bunch of hornets were building their nest in the top left corner of his front door and he wouldn’t let anyone move or disturb it, he just wanted to watch them do their thing. Loading in under that nest was something else haha!
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
Absolutely no idea, I was 8 or 9 years old. Considering my upbringing, I had very little experience outside my immediate home and family, was very sheltered. I imagine my early songwriting days were about family and my family’s faith.
Describe your first gig.
My first gig was on the porch of the Chatham Marketplace in Chatham County, NC. It was everything you’d expect a solo show on the porch of a food co-op to be.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
My last and favorite day job was bartending at the Cave in Chapel Hill, NC.
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?
Most touring musicians have been out of work for the past 2+ years due to the pandemic, I can’t imagine anyone making a living from touring is in a great financial place at the moment. Hoping things get closer to normal in the coming years for sure.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
Playing an instrument, singing, and performing, are athletic activities, all hard on the body in different ways. I’d have taken much better care of my body and my vocal chords in those earlier years. And hydrated better!