The Steel Guitar Forum

She Came Over Today andWants To go

If the gig allows, roll up black t-shirts, then wear one with a black sport coat. Simple to pack. Else, hang show shirts, only wear them for the show and remove immediately thereafter and hang back up...

Danny

Don't over pack. In fact, learn to live out of a duffel bag and a bag for your hanging clothes. Duffel bags cram into small spaces easily and are easy to take into the green rooms.
Danny is right about managing your show clothes.

I don't understand the advise to delete your Facebook account.
Can someone explain?

BABY WIPES!!!

These have been so handy for so many reasons, and you never know when your bandmates might need something a little more... gentle. Especially on a tour diet. They NEVER think to bring wipes!

I like a quick wipe down to freshen up after sitting in a van all day... Hobo shower!

x2 on setting your rig up early. I've played a couple small dives where we had to keep our gear in the van till our set time due to lack of space. If you ask the sound guy or person in charge about bringing in just the guitars so they can acclimate, they are usually cool with it.

Drinking got old real quick after the first few tours. I started drinking hot tea, specifically orange spice black tea and using my drink ticket to throw a shot of whiskey in it. Also drinking tonic water with some splashes of bitters... It LOOKS like I'm drinking a whiskey!

Sleeping is key for your body to heal itself night after night. During a 30 day east coast run I got bit by a horse fly and got a blood infection - Tularemia. Fortunately it didn't affect the tour because there is a 2 week incubation period. The VA set me straight on meds when I got back. But, because I was only getting around 3-4 hours sleep a night my immune system was WEAK! GET SLEEP!

As a former Navy photographer I'm always taking photos from the road. I keep a notebook with me so I can keep a journal and write down song ideas too. DO IT! You will not regret it down the road!

A great tool to use if you have a smartphone is instagram. I keep all our facebook fans updated with images from the road and the interaction is great for the band. Helps keep the momentum going!

Check our instagram here:


http://instagram.com/truckstopdarlin

Have fun, not a lot of people get the chance to do it. You will meet some interesting people along the way... Be safe!

You have the gear to get a great sound. If I were going on the road, I'd pack my POD XT as a spare emergency amp. It can be run into any PA system or guitar amp to get an acceptable tone if your amp craps out.

A spare volume pedal is the only other redundant piece of gear I'd recommend. Few music stores carry steel guitar volume pedals.

One thing I've noticed whenever I'm away from home: it's hard to eat right. Pay attention and don't let circumstances or other people dictate what goes into your body. Nobody else is looking out for your health. Your first responsibility is to yourself.

Michael's note about a tour diary a definite. I spent years touring when I didn't take any notes, and I remember the high points and craziness... but I started making short daily tour entries in a day-runner when I was touring overseas for the D.O.D., and now I can look back at a few sentences and flash back to a whole world of adventures I would otherwise have forgotten. I can recommend the memory aid!

Thank you Guys So Much !! Lots of Great Info !!

Regarding what b0b and Lee Baucum touched on, your bass rig is very likely a pretty great steel amp - not good, but great. You might want to hole up with your bass player and see if it'd be wise to double up there. And a POD into "the P.A." works only if the P.A. isn't too busy doing what it's supposed to... bass and steel are both kinda watt hogs.

David Mason wrote:... bass and steel are both kinda watt hogs.

I'm no touring pro, but most large venues I play mic the steel anyway. I always use a 40 watt amp. No watt hog here.

Here we Go

Thanks For all of the Help Made it Back From Tour 15 gigs in 17 days ..only 1 problem my seat Cut my Power cord from my Vol Pedal ,but other than that Excellent Time on the road !!

Always thank the Sound Crew and Stage Crew after the show! I never left a Stage that I didn't do this. It will impress them and they will never forget it either!

A: Ditto on food.

B: "Crash" cymbals are called that for a reason, especially the one aimed at your left ear if you set up to the drummer's right. Wear AT LEAST one earplug or hide his cymbals, the latter being the better choice.

Hey Pat,

Those guys look nice, but don't forget to bring your F/U money! Make sure you know how much you're getting paid for each gig in advance before you leave (at least a minimum). Then if the money gets funny and the bandleader has a sad story to tell you, you can tell him to screw somebody else cause you're out of there if you don't get what was promised. If you don't have any money, you're stuck. Just saying...

Joe

Keep five $100.00 bill's rolled up in a sock and hard to find '''for emergency''' unexpected things happen... Take your wallet to the shower and don't leave it floating on some dresser, you never know who's coming over to visit a friend, and it can get slippery out there. Take care and becareful!