Are you the touring type?

mollyisthepostcardkid:

Well said my Merch Dude friend! 

themerchdude:

Many people ask “How do you get into touring?” But they never ask “What type of person does it take to tour?” So here is a small list of things you should ask yourself that will determine if you are the type of person that it takes to be touring.

1) Do you love your animals? Well if you love your animals that is great. Remember unless you are the artist, you have to find someone to take care of your animals and not see them.

2) Are you a private person? If you answered yes! Well let me tell you, you will have ZERO privacy traveling in a van or bus with 12 other people.

3) Are you young and in a relationship? Great if you answered yes! Congrats, but remember if you’re on a tour that is touring for many months at a time be prepared to not see that person. You and that person need to be very secured about yourself and your relationship.

4) Do you enjoy your days off? if the answer is yes! Well let me start by saying (HAHAHAHAHA) Specially if you want to be a Tour Manager!

5) Are you the number one fan of the band? hope you answered NO. If you’re a super fan odds are that they will see it and maybe not hire you. (it may not make sense to you but it does to anyone that tours)

6) Do you enjoy your clothes clean and neat? We all do and that is great, but that doesn’t always happen on tour. Even your favorite bands have gone a few days wearing the same clothes or not showering 4 days!

7) Do you hate repeating yourself? Be honest, you answered YES. Well forget about that you have to say the same thing 1569008765 times no matter what position you’re doing on tour from TM, lighting, sound, stage manager and specially a merch person. (Do you know how many times a day I have to tell people how much a shirt is?)

8) Do you enjoy eating whatever you want whenever you want? HAHAHA that is so NOT happening! You get what you get and you will like it!

9) Do you question authority? I know you do, well might as well stay home because you dont ever question a TM. Well unless you want to be home.

10) Do you hate talking on the phone? Well if you answered yes to that one you’re totally fucked because that is all you have between you, your family, friends and love ones.

I could go on and on but I just picked 10 simple ones, so next time you want to tour think about these simple easy question.

Have in mind I’m not complaining, I’m just letting you know the things that I didn’t know when I started touring 10 years ago.

This is my opinion and only an opinion.