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tour, she wasn’t allowed to go out front to the concert. She
spent the entire time backstage. Another day, in San Francisco
at a Tori Amos concert, the crew was desperately short handed.
I rolled up my sleeves and started helping. After that I started
working shows as an official paid employee.
Sometimes I get to be runner; sometimes I’m in food prep or
the dreaded dish pit. I’ve also had the cushy job of making sure
VIP guests have all the cold-cuts, nuts and chips they need,
and then viewing the show with them. I work where they need
me.
Chris has a long list of wanna-be tour caterers waiting in
the wings. It takes a special person to work a tour. It’s not a
normal life if you’re traveling on the road. You’re away from
pets, friends and family. You often wake up not knowing what
city you’re in. However, the pay is good and most of it can go in
the bank because while you’re working-- food, lodging, laundry
etc. are all inclusive. It’s called ’the power of the lament.” If
you want anything at all while you’re on the road, you tell
catering and they’ll get it for you, if you’re part of catering you
just put it on the runner’s list.
Sometimes the performers party hard. But if you’re part of
a crew that has to be up at 6 a.m. to fix breakfast, you learn