Tips for touring the United States?

[Mark Wilson]

Hey guys,

So in 2011, I'm going to be going on a tour of the US twice.
In February, we play the east coast down to Sarasota, FL, then somehow make our way back up through the mid-US through Michigan, then back into Ontario.
Then a full on summer tour to Florida, through Texas, up Cali, and then back.

Basically, for the guys who HAVE toured the US, i know it's VERY different from Canada. We need to totally change because of the crime rate difference, and violence etc etc.

I just want to get some tips for the road, from anyone who has toured in the US?

 

[svtb15]

Bring Condoms!

 

[J. Crawford]

We need to totally change because of the crime rate difference, and violence etc etc.

Welcome to the US, Mark.

If you stop in Ohio, be sure to let me know. Ill steal all of your stuff and assault you.

Or just watch your show.

 

[catyak]

Basically, for the guys who HAVE toured the US, i know it's VERY different from Canada. We need to totally change because of the crime rate difference, and violence etc etc.

Been in the US for 40+ years. Worked in Detroit for 3. The only time that I was ever robbed was in Toronto

The majority of people that you're going to meet are just interested in good music and a good time.

That said, standard precautions. Lock stuff up. Don't leave stuff where a passerby can see it. Park your van near a light. Don't go to sleep in a rest area on the interstate.

BTW - congrats on getting the tour.

 

[I<34080]

Ask the local bands for the 411.

Wait, do they have 411 in Canada?

Ask the local bands for information on the area.

 

[Phalex]

Pretty much expect to be a no show for the Michigan shows. We're gonna party!

 

[SactoBass]

Take Pan Am Flight 101 and land at Heathrow airport. Then, two days later, perform on a popular television show.

It seemed to work pretty well for one other band.

 

[Mark Wilson]

Bring Condoms!

You were actually one of the guys I wanted to pick your brain about eventually! Regardless, 20-steps ahead of you.

Welcome to the US, Mark.

If you stop in Ohio, be sure to let me know. Ill steal all of your stuff and assault you.

Or just watch your show.

I'm PRETTY sure we're gonna hit Ohio. My good friend lives in Cincinnati, and another in Columbus.

Been in the US for 40+ years. Worked in Detroit for 3. The only time that I was ever robbed was in Toronto

The majority of people that you're going to meet are just interested in good music and a good time.

That said, standard precautions. Lock stuff up. Don't leave stuff where a passerby can see it. Park your van near a light. Don't go to sleep in a rest area on the interstate.

BTW - congrats on getting the tour.

That's good to know. I've heard SO many horror stories about the US. Standard precautions are...standard. haha

Ask the local bands for the 411.

Wait, do they have 411 in Canada?

Ask the local bands for information on the area.

yes, we have 411. haha

Pretty much expect to be a no show for the Michigan shows. We're gonna party!

Oh man. KeithBMI lives in Michigan, too. This is gonna get sloppy.

 

[BassyBill]

Looking forward to seeing the dates Mark - I may time my visit to catch you. This time we cannot fail to meet up like we did last year!

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I traveled North America on business. Yes in Detroit be on your guard at all times, however, I found that in Windsor you can stroll the parks after dinner and feel safe. Having the Mounted Police presence does make a difference.

For what it is worth, the Canadians caught on to my seminars much quicker than what happened in the 48. A three day class in the States could be covered in two days in Canada if you had a night homework session after the first day's dinner. Something to do with the schools.

Don't get cut from the herd, as long as you are with people you know - and doing what you are supposed to be doing - you will be OK.

When you go too far into areas you should not be in - you will feel it. Stop and turn around.

North East - Get on with it I'm busy.
South East - Bubba Country, little more lay back. Atlanta is big time shaker and baker territory.
South West - Urban big city - Houston, San Antonio and Dallas much like Toronto. Then there is rural, different audience - adjust.
Mid-West - What have you done for me lately. Chicago and the rust belt - factories in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana that feed Detroit - Corn fields and pig farms. Cincinnati has one of the better music universities.
West - Arizona and New Mexico - Snow Birds. Mexican influence.
North West - Montana and the Snake River country - Beautiful. Rural small towns. Like on the border between Toronto and Calgary.
California - Land of the fruits and nuts. Nothing like it.
Northern California to Washington - Not so many fruits or nuts, almost normal.

That assessment is getting dated, I retired 10 years ago.

Have fun.

 

[Lammchop93]

Any shows in Louisville, KY?

 

[cassius987]

That's good to know. I've heard SO many horror stories about the US. Standard precautions are...standard. haha

I've lived here my whole life and what I have gleaned is that, like a number of places (Mexico gets way more stigma than it deserves also), there are lots of good people and a minority of bad people everywhere, and some places just happen to have gotten a bit overrun--no offense to anyone but I would tell you to be careful in East St. Louis just as an example. And yet for every scrubby area like that there are hundreds of places full of normal folks where you may feel perfectly "at home". Of course you also need to keep your wits about you and realize that in every human environment there are "small fry" "opportunists" who will rip off your gear for another hit of crack or something, but these people are few and far between and are easily deterred by basic standard precautions.

You know it's funny--I've heard lots of "horror stories" about Canada too. And a lot of places. Once I got old enough I began to doubt those stories' credibility even though there was probably a grain of truth in all of them. The best thing you can do anywhere is just use common sense and try to be friendly and get to know some of the locals so they can point you in the right direction.

 

[Mark Wilson]

Looking forward to seeing the dates Mark - I may time my visit to catch you. This time we cannot fail to meet up like we did last year!

Damn right! Are you going to the gtg this year?

I traveled North America on business. Yes in Detroit be on your guard at all times, however, I found that in Windsor you can stroll the parks after dinner and feel safe. Having the Mounted Police presence does make a difference.

For what it is worth, the Canadians caught on to my seminars much quicker than what happened in the 48. A three day class in the States could be covered in two days in Canada if you had a night homework session after the first day's dinner. Something to do with the schools.

Don't get cut from the herd, as long as you are with people you know - and doing what you are supposed to be doing - you will be OK.

When you go too far into areas you should not be in - you will feel it. Stop and turn around.

North East - Get on with it I'm busy.
South East - Bubba Country, little more lay back.
South West - Urban big city (like Toronto) AND rural, not the same - adjust.
Mid-West - What have you done for me lately. Chicago and factories in Ohio and Indiana that feed Detroit - Corn fields and pig farms. Cincinnati has one of the better music universities.
West - Arizona and New Mexico - Mexican influence.
California - Land of the fruits and nuts.
Northern California to Washington - Not so many fruits or nuts, almost normal.

Have fun.

This is fantastic. Thank you!

Any shows in Louisville, KY?

Not sure yet. I know right now we have 27 shows that are booked 100%. I'm assuming we'll be hitting KY. We'll be spending some time in Nashville.

I've lived here my whole life and what I have gleaned is that, like a number of places (Mexico gets way more stigma than it deserves also), there are lots of good people and a minority of bad people everywhere, and some places just happen to have gotten a bit overrun--no offense to anyone but I would tell you to be careful in East St. Louis just as an example. And yet for every scrubby area like that there are hundreds of places full of normal folks where you may feel perfectly "at home". Of course you also need to keep your wits about you and realize that in every human environment there are "small fry" "opportunists" who will rip off your gear for another hit of crack or something, but these people are few and far between and are easily deterred by basic standard precautions.

You know it's funny--I've heard lots of "horror stories" about Canada too. And a lot of places. Once I got old enough I began to doubt those stories' credibility even though there was probably a grain of truth in all of them. The best thing you can do anywhere is just use common sense and try to be friendly and get to know some of the locals so they can point you in the right direction.

Great. thank you!

 

[behndy]

yeah, i grew up in Cali, near Oakland. it can get rough if you're the kind of person that doesn't pay attention where you are, but isn't that true in any part of the world? i've been to Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand, bunch of Europe. just keep aware of your surroundings and pay attention to any uh-oh gut feelings.

Northern California to Washington - Not so many fruits or nuts, almost normal.

lol...... thanks?

where in Cali you going to be Mark?

 

[phatbass]

Medical/hospital insurance.

 

[Tampabass]

& where/when in Florida?

 

[Mark Wilson]

where in Cali you going to be Mark?

Not sure where we're playing yet. Again, I haven't seen the list of places. We're thinking about recording our next album in LA though, and I intend to eventually move there to land a disney/pop gig. So, we're GOING to LA. haha

Medical/hospital insurance.

Yep. All that is covered in our AFM Memberships.

& where/when in Florida?

Not sure. We're staying at "The Spirit Ranch" in Sarasota, FL. And Apparently there's a house concert we're gonna put on there?

 

[capnsandwich]

Come, come to Columbus. We'll take good care of you. Bring a designated driver.

 

[mtshark]

Don't suck.

 

[MNAirHead]

REALLY check your venues.

IF you care about anyone showing, there are tons of clubs that will book anyone and rely on bands to bring in the following.

There's a club I go to periodically that always has some Aussie or UK band who thought it was a major hub... I've run into this in Florida, Texas, Chicago, Minneapolis etc.

Tip?
Have one of us lend or sell you an amp.. there's tons of cheap ones here.. it will cost you more to pay to have yours shipped.