Stoner's Top 6 Tips for Touring

Here it is, through years of "get-in-the-van" (and sometimes RV) experience. These seemingly small things matter when you're stuck in the middle of Texas in July and no civilization for miles.

6. Always Have Toilet Paper

5. WELLNESS. The road can wear you out quick. STAY HEALTHY. This means plenty of water, a solid (healthy) diet, and plenty of supplements (I'm talking about vitamins! jeez...). Depending on what kind of tour you've mapped out food can actually end up costing more than gas.
Dollar menus are tempting but the best way to conserve is to buy food and bring it with you. Bulk is even better. You'll have better nutrition with food you bring anyway. If you have to do fast food Subway is your best bet. It's pretty healthy and cost efficient. Not to metion delicious!
One thing about 98% of musicians overlook is hearing protection. You gotta sound good every time you're up there and you can't do that if you're deaf from the opening bands. Decent, although not very "musical", earplugs can be had anywhere. The foam kind that expand in your ear canal.

4.Appearance Agreements, no matter what level of success you have, are VERY important. Tour riders as well. Just because you're not Bon Jovi doesn't mean you can't ask for a few essentials. Even if it's just a case of bottled water at every venue you'll be taking plenty of free water on the road. Did I mention water is important?

3. Logistics. Duh. I was on a tour where we drove from Phoenix through Albuquerque to Houston, and then back to Albuquerque and over to Arkansas. All because the CEO of the label was too arrogant to admit that he needed to alter his strategy. Don't let that happen to you. He was booking us in dive bars in buttcrack towns in the middle of nowhere.

Know your market and have set goals.

ONE SHOW PER DAY. Two if you can swing it. An acoustic/radio/promo show in the morning as a warm-up and then the main show later. You are on the road, so PLAY!
Book every stop within 200 miles of each other. Trust me.

2. !STICK TO THE F*ING BUDGET! I have been on so many tours that ended far too soon because of mismanaged money.
 There are fans you'll meet on the road that will help you with meals, letting the band crash at their crib, or even letting you park the big-ass van in their driveway. These are the true fans, and the people that make this lifestyle so meaningful.

1. Make Band Family. THE most crucial factor in the success of any band is chemistry. If you can't stand being in a room with each other for 3 hours how do you expect to be thrown into a situation (tour is war, trust me) where you are giving everything and making little money, sleeping in the van, etc.

It is a labor of love. Support each other. You are family. No matter what anybody tells you there is no substitute for touring. Road dogs. Your record sales will thank you.