We were lucky to catch up with Ally Chapman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ally, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
I’ve always wanted to find a career that revolved around three things: music, traveling and taking care of people. Tour management is all three. I get to travel the world while working for music, all while taking care of the band, crew, team and the fans. It’s a bittersweet and fulfilling job.
The days are long, but they are incredibly worth it. I love getting to my hotel room or bunk and reflecting back on what all was accomplished in the last 24 hours. Even though you are exhausted, it’s difficult to sleep from all the adrenaline from the show and the excitement you feel to do it all over again the next day in a different city.
I definitely think about what it would be like to have a regular job. Knowing myself, I know that’s just not the right fit for me. I have to admit, I get bored easily. I enjoy staying busy and keeping my brain stimulated. All of the aspects of being a tour manager fulfills my purpose and I enjoy every minute of it, even the stressful and unexpected crisis – it’s all a beautiful learning and growing experience.
One of the main reasons I love my job is that every day is different. Every show is a different team, venue, city and fan base. My office is even different every day. Sometimes it’s a gorgeous loft overlooking the city and sometimes it’s a tiny, dark room up a ridiculous amount of stairs. I’m meeting people that turn into close friends from all over the world and I’m constantly experiencing different cultures. Every day is a grand new adventure and there is no room for boredom.
If you are happy with a 9-5, great! Doing the same thing everyday is not the healthiest route for me. Some people tell me that they need a job they can clock out of and I get that, but there’s something about the rush of always being on call that I thoroughly enjoy. I’m a very purpose driven person so to have a career that centers around constantly hustling has forced me into a momentum that has built so much trust in myself.
Having a dream like this, you have to sacrifice A LOT. It’s up to you to decide if it’s all worth it. Personally, it’s been very hard to sacrifice my social life, my free time, my mental health, a promised schedule and paycheck. The things I have sacrificed for this dream is a list too long to write in one interview but the work I’ve put into this job has eventually reflected back to me and has shown me a life too magical to put into words. Because of this, I believe it’s worth it to keep fighting for what you believe in.
Ally, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My parents met while my dad was playing bass on stage and my mom was in the crowd. My dad had a dream to pursue his music career in Nashville and moved my family there a few years before I came along. Music has been a huge part of my story even before I was born.
Growing up in the studio with my father, I knew I wanted to work for music but unsure on where my place was since I wasn’t a musician myself. All I knew was that I wanted to be completely immersed in music and take care of the art. Since music helped bring me into this world, I wanted to dedicate myself back to the amazing life it’s provided for me.
When I was 17, my dad brought me on tour and I was struck that you could do this whole music thing while traveling the world. I shadowed the tour manager while I was there and everything started to make sense. I found my purpose. I wanted to be a tour manager.
I remember the first thing my dad said when I told him I wanted to be a TM, “Please don’t”. My father loved his career as a musician but was well aware of the ups and the downs in this industry. Now I see he was just trying to protect me, but at the time, I was starting to think I may need to redirect my dreams…
I ended up going to college and when I moved back to Nashville, it felt like everyone had moved there to be in the music industry while I was away. So it was very difficult to get my first gig. Everyone was looking for someone with experience, not a college degree.
The year I moved back home, my father passed away. My dad was and still is my world. That pain is something I could never put into words but music (including his) really helped me through. After a few years of grieving, I decided to use that pain for good. That pain inspired me even more to follow the original dream my heart had.
Countless people told me that my dad changed their life with his music. I witnessed the beautiful legacy my father left and I wanted to be able to contribute back to that legacy, no matter the capacity. I wanted to change lives through music as well. I knew it was time to start my own story.
After a few long years bartending on music row and networking every chance I got, I finally landed a job selling merchandise for an artist. I was on tour for a few years being a merch and VIP rep then moved my way up to tour management.
I’ve received every gig I’ve had since I started tour management mainly by word of mouth. I’ll work on a tour and someone from that team refers me to another gig. Ironically, I have received all of my jobs from experience. If you have a great work ethic and are good to people, you will get more work.. and that work will lead to more work.
What do you do as a tour manager?
Being a tour manager, you are the sole responsible person for an entire operation. One big thing about tour managing is, you have to always think ahead and you have to always have multiple backup plans. Last minute issues come up relentlessly and it’s up to you to figure it out within a tight time frame… all while dozens of people are watching you closely. It is a ton of pressure but thankfully, I work best under pressure.
There is so much that goes on behind the scenes of a tour. Logistics, spreadsheets and the Delta hold music will become your best friend. Communicating with the venues prior to the show will fill up any free time you have before the tour starts. You are making sure they have absolutely everything you need before your team arrives. Discussing hospitality, production and budgets is just a percentage of what you need to figure out.
Planning the tour is 90% of your job, show day is 10%. But the show day is a full on 110% kind of day. So to put it simply, you are going to be working endlessly before, during and after your tour.
Since there is no degree or class to learn how to be a tour manager, you have to learn on the fly. As they say, “you are thrown in the fire,” and my goodness, you are. If that isn’t challenging enough, each tour and team are vastly different. So when you get a new gig, you have to adjust to the way they operate their tour. Which will be a whole new job from your last gig.
How you adapt is by day to day experience. It’s both nerve wracking yet exhilarating going into the world of the unknown. It keeps you on your toes and you learn so many new ways of working more efficiently.
You hold the majority of responsibility for people’s schedules, money, nutrition, lodging, travel and their overall mental health. Staying focused, professional, centered and approachable is key. You tend to be the emotional parameter of the tour. It’s up to you to stay grounded so the artist and team can perform at their highest caliber for fans. It’s all an energy exchange and you steer the ship.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My dad’s warning signs about the industry become more and more justified every year I’m in this type of work. The thing about the music industry is, there are no contracts. You are a free agent. So your future is placed in the hands of the artist or management.
Sometimes you lose a gig solely because they found a friend they want to work with or in my case a few times, because I wasn’t a man. I’ve learned that these rejections can’t be taken personally, you just have to trust you will land where you are meant to be.. and you will IF you have the right intentions. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a huge letdown…
So my story of resilience? I have many, but for now… I’ll focus on the slow and misleading seasons of the music industry.
A lot of people only see the success side of your career, they don’t witness the crazy amount of will power and patience you need to get there. People tell me all the time how lucky I am to have the job I do, which I agree but it wasn’t luck that got me where I’m at. It’s a constant battle of fighting for what you believe in and asking yourself if it’s worth the rejection and the constant unknown. It may sound fun to some people that I sometimes have months of no work but for me, it’s emotionally draining.
After a tour is over, you have no clue when your next paycheck is coming if you don’t already have another tour lined up. That being said, while you are on the road, you have to look for more work if you want to keep surviving. Your social life will become smaller the more determined and focused you get. Instead of going out with your friends while you’re back from tour, you are at home working on your resume and networking with others. It’s a constant grind.
You can ask anyone in this industry, we all get emails or phone calls telling us that a tour wants us, we get our hopes up and then never hear from them again. It is soul crushing. When you get that phone call, it’s a tour that may last an entire year or more, so you picture yourself adjusting to that life. Then it gets ripped from you. It’s both frustrating yet exciting not knowing where you will be placed.
For example, just last week I had a manager reach out to me to tour manage his artist. An artist I would have loved to work for. He said I was the perfect fit and to call him when I landed so he could introduce me to the team. I had to get on a flight for another gig and when I called him back, the position was already filled by someone else because they “needed to get the ball rolling.”
It’s sad to say, but this is normal in this industry because there are no contracts. That’s why us freelancers are always checking our phones and we aren’t trying to be rude, but we have to be alert because if you miss a call or wait too long, you could potentially lose a tour that lasts a year. Timing and efficiency is everything.
I’ve learned that it’s crucial to find a purpose outside your career. During the slow months, you have a choice: you can either let the silence break you or let it build you. I do my best to trust the process and to stay true to myself. It’s crucial for me to “do the work” during these slow seasons. Journaling, reading, breathwork and selfcare morphs into my purpose during that time. That way I’m the best version of myself and fully prepared when the next tour comes around.
It takes a very ambitious, determined and resilient spirit to navigate working in an industry like this. Yes, I have thought about giving up and doing the traditional route but my purpose screams at me every time I think in that direction. I know I was put on this earth to make a difference in the music world, no matter the capacity and that spark encourages me. Something very simple I ask myself all the time is “How bad do you want it? How bad do you want to help people through music?” That basic question keeps me pushing on.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Although this industry can be very difficult, it is equally as rewarding. Music is the truest form of therapy and no matter how stressful my days are, everything is worth it when you hear or witness how the music has impacted someone. I care a lot about people and strive to make humans feel seen, loved and supported. I believe music can do that for anyone. It can relate to something you are going through and can help you feel not so alone in this crazy world.
The fans getting fed this medicine is at the top of my list but I have to say I really love taking care of a band. Since I was raised in the studio, I’ve seen first hand how much heart and vulnerability these artists pour into their art. Many people forget that these musicians are real people with real feelings.
Knowing that I can take off any added stress from them really fills my cup because it helps more than just them. If the artist/band is in a safe place mentally, physically and emotionally, they will perform at their highest vibration – which in return, will be the most authentic, healing experience for the fans.
Not to mention, taking care of a band feels like I’m feeding my inner child. Being surrounded by music my entire life, working on the road feels like home. Taking care of musicians feels like I’m taking care of my dad and keeps me close to him. It has been the most rewarding career in many more ways than one.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.allychapman.com/
- Instagram: @allychaps
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allison.chapman.370
- Other: email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Jaquelyn Cruz @cruzgraphicdesign Jason Tang @jktang Jar @theworkofjar