Guest Author - Megan Romer

Guest Editor, Megan Romer is the Editor for Board Games at BellaOnline. Megan has a wealth of experience in the music industry. She shares her tips for how musicians can make life on the road less stressful.

At the Shows
Make sure all of your instrument cases and gear are clearly marked with your name, phone number and your band's name. A band bumper sticker stuck on the side of your amp or your banjo case will help you keep it separate from the venue's gear and other bands' gear.

Keeping Track of Equipment
Have a designated person in the band (or a tour manager) be the "gear counter", to make sure all of the pieces of the drum set, all of the stage monitors, all of the mic stands, etc. all make their way back on the bus after a show. Forgetting even a small piece of gear can be a huge problem, you may find yourself having a very hard time replacing it.

Look After Yourself
Traveling from city to city and climate to climate is a great way to catch a large variety of exciting illnesses, from head colds to stomach flus. Musicians don't generally have the liberty of calling in sick, so keep yourself as healthy as possible. Avoid fast food and junk food. Even a cheap meal at a local diner or chain family restaurant will do the trick.

Drink tons of water and take vitamin C. Get exercise if you can, even if it's just 10 minutes on a treadmill in a hotel fitness center or a power walk around the perimeter of a rest station. Try to keep your alcohol intake to a minimum -a bummer, I know, but an 8-hour car ride on a hangover is just about the most
miserable thing ever.

Clothes
Keep in mind that if you're traveling to different climates, you'll need different clothes. If you live in the South and you're headed North, always bring a coat, no matter what season! You'd be amazed at how cold Philadelphia or Seattle can be in the middle of the night in the summer.

Stay in Touch
Remember that the "real world" is still happening. Try to grab a newspaper at least every couple of days, and check out a news channel in your hotel room. Stay in contact with your loved ones back at home (remember to bring a calling card for calls out of hotel rooms).

Keep Entertained
Bring yourself entertainment. Use the hours and hours of driving or flying time (not to mention waiting around at clubs and festivals) to read, listen to music, sketch, etc. Keeping your mind active and entertained will make you a much better bandmate.

Read more traveling tips for musicians by our Guest Editor, Megan Romer.


Guest Editor Bio - Megan Romer has worked in the music business for many years and spent many, many days on the road with various bands. She now works as a freelance writer and writes the Board Games Site at BellaOnline. She can occasionally still be seen on tour with The Red Stick Ramblers, her significant other's band.