Rhythm Behind the Music

“Rhythm Behind the Music”

The first in a series of interviews in the Entertainment World.

Volume one: “The Driver”

So, let’s get started with one of the most important positions, and if a band is on a nationwide tour, well then “The Driver” is absolutely the most Important position.

I asked G.J., a good friend of mine and a veteran entertainer coach driver a few questions, to better understand the music world, that is an enigma to most of us concert goers.

I led off with a few interview questions, to get the ball rolling into this fascinating world of people all collaborating in a myriad of roles to bring us the music we love, that speaks to our soul.

First question: What is it like to be a driver for famous bands?

“I get free guitar lessons and knowledge of how to write songs, from some of the most creative and best musicians in the music industry.”

Second question: What is your favorite part of being on tour?

“The adventure and opportunities that present themselves along the way.” I have traveled all over the world and have been given many cool opportunities, just by being in the right place at the right time. They must like me, G.J. says with a laugh.

Third question: What is your least favorite thing about being on the tour?

“Being away from home”!

Fourth question: Who was your favorite tour with?

“Ninety five percent of all the bands I have toured with.”

Fifth question: What is the best memory you have and why?

“Meeting Arthea Franklin and getting an autograph picture for my mom.” It was one of her favorite artist and I was new to the scene, so it holds a special memory for me.

As you can see this person, “The Driver” must not only be experienced in all aspects of the coach mechanically, but the touring lifestyle and industry itself. It does not hurt to have a dynamic personality to achieve a smooth ride mile after hour.

All the while offering service excellence to any artist or crew members, in any genre. All who are calling the entertainment coach home for weeks at a time. Without the driver, no one would get to the venue on time to do their jobs. Weather it is singing, playing guitar or the production crew. Which in turn would mean No show!

Life behind the wheel, is not as glamorous, as it may seem. There are many responsibilities. The safety of each person is paramount to the driver, along with the daily upkeep and scheduled maintenance of the bus’s various operating systems. (I.e., generators, AC, internet, satellites) just to name a few. As well as the interior, bunks, kitchen area, front, and back lounges, are cleaned daily.

This is a small part of the duties the driver carries out as part of their job. The list of obligations is long and varied. Things change adding to the list, such as route changes, show dates cancelled or added, states, etc.

Being flexible is a must have quality, and still be able to maintain your job in a professional manner to accompany the needs of the band. The driver is the person who keeps everyone safe and on schedule.

Traveling from town to town, keeping to a strict schedule, the driver has the bus ready, pre-trip complete and ready to roll. So, after midnight and load in has been completed, the folks on the bus, hang out in the front lounge, chat about how the show went, share some laughs and lessons, when they finally all snuggle into their bunks, the driver does his thing.

Driving along winding roads, through deserts, passing fields of corn, or over mountains, wherever the next destination is, the driver is alert and focused. Passing the time by listening to music, with some songs taking him back to a different time and place. Seeing the darkness turning into light, with slivers of light dancing around the edges of night. Anticipating the sunrise peaking over the tops of the cities. Sometimes after a rainstorm, the sky becomes the canvas to a beautiful rainbow that is so brilliant you can almost see the brush strokes.

Once the bus stops, everyone on the bus starts to come alive. Some who get up sooner than the rest awake with a smile, as they noticed they have arrived in the next city, for the next show. It is a fresh new day for the band and crew to start, while the driver will be heading to a hotel room for so much needed rest, until the lobby call after the show, which starts his day.

There is far more to the driver than the person sitting in the nosebleed section, banging their head, to their favorite music even knows. They have no thoughts, as to how the band got to the venue, or even where they came from, or how many hours and multitudes of people it took to make this happen. The music fan is simply happy to be there with their fiends rocking out.

With each city and each artist, there are all the people behind the scenes making that musical memory happen for the fan. Sure, it is a job, but it is far more than that, it is helping make music come alive for all to share.

Each new city offers new and different opportunities for the driver. Covering a thirty-year career. One who has met many artists, shared in some great conversations, and had a few grins too. If you are also a musician, you may be asked to do sound checks, getting to show off your musical abilities. Sometimes you even become friends with a famous rocker, who calls you up during your sleep, tells you to come to the venue, stage left and have a camera ready. When you show up, your friend has carved your name in the back of his show guitar, grins big as he shows it to you while playing for thousands of fans. If that wasn’t cool enough, dude gives the guitar to his driver buddy as a keepsake.

There are and can be major benefits to being an entertainer coach driver. So, whether it is the music or the adventure of this job, the show must go on!

Better have production call for a great driver. Rock on!