Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
For the most part, I am usually in our 2015 Highlander Hybrid. It’s been magnificent. About 110,000 miles, and with regular upkeep, zero major issues. I once had a breakdown on a Sunday in Middle-of-Nowhere, Nebraska. I was with my buddy Keith Nelson (Buckcherry founder) and we got hung up there pretty good waiting on a fuel pump. Ever since that horror show, I try to always roll with cars that I have 100% faith in. The road is hard enough without worrying if the car is up to the task. I also have a Prius that’s always run perfectly. Being based in Southern California, traffic is a big part of life. Getting good mileage adds up, for sure.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
The Mrs usually sends me out with a lot of fruit/dried fruit and almonds or walnuts. I also like to have a fair amount of high-quality jerky on hand. On the road it’s easy to forget to eat. Sometimes, I just need some quick protein to pull me out of the fire. There are so many places in the US where eating clean is a real challenge. I try my best to avoid fast food (although In-N-Out will get a pass from time to time). I like to have a light breakfast of fruit and yogurt or something and often skip lunch.
After being on the road for so many years, I’m treating myself more kindly and always try to seek out a nice dinner spot. Thai food makes me the happiest. A proper bowl of Tom Kha Gai soup on a cold night in a strange town is always a good thing. I like it on the voice and the spiciness really lifts my mood. If it’s a decent place, sushi is also great and keeps me light on my feet. European hotel breakfasts rule and their coffee is always so much better than what you find here.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
I don’t break many. I like my acoustic guitars to sound a little dark, so I usually only change them before a tour. I have a few very old Gibsons that I’ve literally never changed the strings on. They just have so much spook, I dare not mess with them.
I do burn through a fair amount of electric guitar, mando and 12-string strings in the studio, but I don’t spend a ton on them. I’ve been blessed to have sponsors help take care of my string needs for a long time.
Where do you rehearse?
I’m so happy to be able to rehearse full-band at my studio. The main room has a 16-foot ceiling and a barnwood floor. It’s got truly special vibes. We’ve got a house PA, a 60’s Slingerland kit, a vibey piano, Wurli and lots of amp choices.
When my guys come here, we usually make a day of it. My last rehearsal space was a vile lockout in the valley, and one day someone broke into the building and cut our lock off. I lost 2 gorgeous old Les Pauls, 2 SG’s and my beloved old Boogie Mark II b amp. That was not a good day.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
My first song was written for my grandmother. She was like my surrogate mom. The song was called ‘Evelyn’.
“Evelyn is beautiful and true in everything she’ll do. She is never alone, warm inside the home that she has made there. And she won’t ever cry about frustration. …right before her eyes, her world is changin’. The autumn moon in the sky and the leaves are pilin’ up outside.”
She bought me my first guitar when I was 10. She was the absolute greatest and my daughter is named after her.
Describe your first gig.
I believe my first gig was a 9th or 10th grade talent show in Salisbury, MD. We did ‘Rebel Yell’. I had enlisted my (non-vocalist) best buddy to sing and I played my red Ibanez Roadstar electric guitar. I remember working my ass off to get those Steve Stevens licks together.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
My last day job was working for Irving Azoff’s management company (and his label Giant Records before that). It was music related, but not directly to my music. I was there for about 10 years in all and I did learn a lot. I worked in his office, the mailroom and ultimately became the liaison between the office and the artists. I was usually running around to their homes, shows, studio sessions or rehearsals. I had always had my own band or solo shows happening on the side. Finally, after I’d successfully opened some theater dates for Jewel, I realized I just didn’t wanna serve those artists anymore because I was ready to be one of those artists. I eventually quit and became a full-time indie in 2006 (with a new baby at home, no less).
Before that, I did a million jobs. From short order cook and data entry at a law firm, to phone surveys, loading trucks for DHL and even shaping Christmas trees with machetes in the merciless summer sun – I never liked working for anyone else, ever.
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?
To sustain in this business, we have to be pretty dang entrepreneurial. I’m happy to say my music related work and income continues to grow. I think in the last 5-10 years I’ve just become more and more laser-focused and self-reliant by constantly adding hats to my resume.
Streaming rates are far from a living wage, but I’m grateful for what some of my songs have achieved there. I still tour the states and Europe every year. In 2015, we built Buddhaland Studios where I now produce records for myself and many other artists. I license my songs and sell records and merch via my online store. I consult and do a lot of demo videos. Together, I’ve been fortunate to keep the lights on and stay true to the muse. I’m free to do what I want, and that’s always been the dream.
Going forward, I’ll keep releasing the best music I can, while always looking to scale up on all fronts. I want to headline more theaters (both solo and with my guys) and I’d like to jump back on some larger tours again. I’ll be working on a book and film in all of my downtime and I’ll probably teach or lecture more at some point. Mainly, I just want to continue to make and perform high-vibration music with people I care about, spend more time with my family and try to enjoy every sandwich, like Warren Zevon said.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
It’s all about the people you surround yourself with.