7.26.2011

Out on the trail (er)

It's been kind of a stressfull week.  So much so, that I really don't remember when it started.  Let's say it started when the tire on the bus blew out as we were driving from Mississippi to Arkansas.  That's only like 4 days, but it feels like at least a week and a half.  So it's about 8:00am, we all went to bed about 5:00am, and one of the rear tires blew and the debris took out the airbag by that wheel.  For those of you who have no idea what that is, it does the same job on the bus as a spring/shock absorber does on a car.  From the name "airbag" you can pretty much guess that it's kind of like a balloon.  When it popped, the bus dropped down about 4 inches instantly, and every single ripple or bump in the road caused the bus to bounce up and down and shake back and forth like a carnival ride.  Being thrown out of the top bunk isn't the most fun way to wake up in the morning.
We got the tire replaced, but there was no airbag in stock, (finally got the right one shipped to us today) so the ride is still bouncy.  Hoping it will be fixed tonight, after the show.
All the bouncing of the bus wreaked havoc on the trailer as well, throwing mic stands off the walls and scattering merchandise all over and so on, so we had to take an extra 20 minutes or so when we got to the show (30 minutes after doors opened) to get everything out of the trailer and make sure nothing was broken.  Luckily enough, everything was fine, and other than extreme heat everyday, most things have been running smoothly until this morning when a tire on the trailer blew out.  Now we've had this trailer about 2 weeks, and it's pretty much brand new, and I just can't figure out why the tire would blow the way that it did.  Since Bobo changed the last tire, (on the old trailer) it was my turn to go out and do it, and come to find out, our floor jack is a little too small for the new trailer.  It rides higher off the ground, as well as weighing a lot more.  I had to put the jack right under the rear axle and then jack it up while lying on my back with both of my hands over my head.  Definitely not an easy thing to do, and with very sweaty results.  So the trailer got changed, and I realized I left my red merch light hanging on the ceiling at the club last night, so no more red light fun.  :(

On the bright side, touring with Black Stone Cherry, Kyng and Lansdowne has been great!  The shows have been fun and everyone is really easy to get along with.  I'm a bit late for doors right now, so I gotta run inside and sell some CDs!  See y'all soon.