Photo credit: Zack Knudsen
Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
We have a 2005 Prevost, and it has 1.2 million miles on it. Biggest major repairs are the generator and front end. Buses always have something wrong, we average around 4K a month is maintenance bills. We hit a moose in Montana and it caved in the front of the bus, it still got us to the show and we finished the tour. Her name is Raven.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
For me it’s easier to eat healthy on the road then it is at home. Cheap turkey lettuce wraps is what I eat a lot and also tom yum soup. Pretty much our go to.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
I replace strings every show and they cost 6 dollars. So probably 800-1000 dollars a year.
Where do you rehearse?
We try to do rehearsals at sound checks. Since we are gone all the time our time at home is valuable. We try to take care of that while on the road.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
I don’t remember.
Describe your first gig.
My first gig was at a place call Zapatos in College Station. I was probably a freshman in high school, I was opening up for my cousin Ben Hall. I was planning on playing 3 original songs and I forgot the words to all of them.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
The last job I had was landscaping in Lubbock, TX. I used to mow all the city parks, which included the Lubbock Cemetery. I would always look forward to weed eating around Buddy Holly’s grave.
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?
I started playing music professionally at 22, I didn’t make a dime until I was 28 every year it gets a little better and a little easier. I hope that continues.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
None. I’ve loved learning lessons the hard way in this business. It’s made us resilient and as an independent band you are on your own. Got to be tough.