Luke Shea, Set Carpenter and Rigging Assistant

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Stowe, Vermont

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST TOUR AND WHAT WAS YOUR JOB THEN?
This is my first tour but I first worked for James Taylor as a carpenter in Hawaii last April for 3 shows and at the barn last winter.

BEFORE YOU TOURED WITH JAMES, WHAT KIND OF WORK DID YOU DO?
Worked as a civil engineer back in Vermont.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST MEET JAMES?
In Hawaii at a rehearsal lunch

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE TOUR DAY?
The end of load out is my favorite part of the day. It reminds me of The Grinch That Stole Christmas when there are only crumbs left on the floor. All the people have gone home and all of the trucks are loaded and ready to head to the next city. It’s amazing to think of what has happened throughout the day.

DO YOU ENJOY TOURING BY BUS AND SLEEPING IN BUNKS NEXT TO YOUR CREWMATES?
We have a lot of fun on the bus; especially if we have the next day off. It took awhile but I am able to get a good night’s sleep on a moving bus now. I do have frequent “gigmares” though.

WHERE ARE YOU POSITIONED DURING THE SHOW?
I float back and forth between front of house and stage right. I usually just get to enjoy the show unless something unforeseen comes up. At intermission I am responsible for: set change over, resetting the stage (i.e. replacing empty water bottles etc).

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU ALWAYS HAVE ON TOUR?
My favorite flannel shirt.

IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT TOURING THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?
On days off I like to get out and experience whatever city or area that we are staying in. So far my favorite cities have been San Francisco, Denver, and Toronto.

_{Photo: Jon Prince}

Robert Riddle, Rigger

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Most of the time: Boise, ID, but I have lived in Tennessee, Indiana, and Macau, China, due to my profession.

WHAT IS YOUR TOUR JOB?
This tour and last tour I am the rigger. I am responsible for hanging 30,000 pounds safely above everybody’s head.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST TOUR AND WHAT WAS YOUR JOB THEN?
Assistant rigger on Amy Grant’s Christmas tour in 1997.

BEFORE YOU TOURED WITH JAMES, WHAT KIND OF WORK DID YOU DO?
I have an education in Theater Technical Arts and English, I have been involved in Rigging, Carpentry, and Stage Management for Theater and Concert for over thirty years.

WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST TOUR WITH JAMES?
2002

WHEN DID YOU FIRST MEET JAMES?
In catering, James stopped and asked me what I did, first day of (band) rehearsals, in 2002. I was the show carpenter on that tour.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE TOUR OR DAY?
There is that moment, I will look from backstage out to the crowd or just walk around in the audience aisles, watching thousands of people enjoying the show and I say to myself: I am, in my tiny contribution, helping bring this to them. I never get over that, even after 30 years. When I do, I will stop.

DO YOU ENJOY TOURING BY BUS AND SLEEPING IN BUNKS NEXT TO YOUR CREWMATES?
yes. I think the average intelligence of everybody involved is above normal, plus their experience in their specialties. It makes for wonderful conversations, banter, laughter and learning.

WHERE ARE YOU POSITIONED DURING THE SHOW?
I am usually on the bus, going over paperwork for future shows, editing photos, and trying to stay away from the bag of M&Ms that is an arm’s reach away from me. When the urge strikes me I do a walk around of the crowd and backstage. If we are at an outside venue and the weather is questionable, I am glued to my radio and several weather internet sites.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU ALWAYS HAVE ON TOUR?
Several items: tools, good shoes, and my camera, to name a few.

IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT TOURING THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?
Most people think technical road work is a glamorous profession. It’s not. It is our work, our job, and usually a passion. For most it is a 17 hour day, being focused, getting deadlines met, and knowing how to trouble-shoot problems and find solutions before that deadline. Other than the deadline of James walking on stage, we all set (multiple) personal ones that we have to meet all day long to help others meet their deadlines.

Tom Wagstaff, Co-Lighting Designer and Lighting Director

WHERE DO YOU LIVE WHEN NOT ON THE ROAD?
Brooklyn, NY

WHAT’S YOUR TOUR JOB?
I am the Co-Lighting Designer, and Lighting Director for the Tour

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST TOUR AND WHAT WAS YOUR JOB THEN?
My first tour was with James on the One Man Band Tour in 2006; I first joined the tour as Lighting Director and began designing for James in 2011

BEFORE YOU TOURED WITH JAMES, WHAT TYPE OF WORK DID YOU DO?
Before touring with James, I worked as a freelance Lighting Designer and programmer in NYC.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST MEET JAMES?
I first met James during production rehearsals for One Man Band when he came over one day to say hello and welcomed me to the tour. He was, and continues to be a wonderfully warm and welcoming leader for the tour.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE TOUR OR DAY?
My favorite part of the tour are the shows themselves, because I love the music, and it’s the moment in the day when my work turns into play.

DO YOU LIKE TOURING BY BUS AND SLEEPING IN BUNKS NEXT TO YOUR CREWMATES?
I love the tour bus, as it’s where you really bond with your fellow crewmates. However, as a tall person, I occasionally find myself missing the extra leg-room on my bed at home!

WHERE ARE YOU POSITIONED DURING THE SHOW?
When James and the band are playing onstage, I’m out at front-of-house, running lights and calling followspot cues.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU ALWAYS HAVE ON TOUR?
I never leave for tour without my iPad – It really helps the time go by on the really long bus rides and flights.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF TOURING?
Whenever anyone asks me what my favorite thing about touring is, I always say “Catering” – I hate to cook, and am terrible at it… But the truth is, the best part is the feeling of family that you develop with your tour-mates – each time we get back together, it’s like a family reunion, as we all catch up with each other’s lives since the last tour.

_{Photo: Robert Riddle}

Jonah Lawrence, Stage manager

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Brooklyn

WHAT IS YOUR JOB AS PART OF THE JAMES TAYLOR 2014 U. S. CONCERT TOUR?
Stage manager.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST TOUR THAT YOU WORKED ON AS A CREW MEMBER?
6 years ago. Band of Legends tour.

WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE JOINING JAMES’S TOUR?
Once upon a time I toured with the circus.

WHAT PART OF THE TOUR DAY DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST AND WHY?
Sometimes catering.

DO YOU ENJOY TRAVELING BY BUS AND SLEEPING IN A BUNK NEXT TO YOUR CREWMATES?
I enjoy it more than interacting with the TSA.

WHEN JAMES AND THE BAND ARE ONSTAGE, WHERE ARE YOU POSTED?
Usually just off stage right.

_{Photo: Robert Riddle}

Mason Braislin, Videographer/Projectionist/LED

WHERE DO YOU LIVE WHEN NOT ON THE ROAD?
I live in Boise, Idaho. I grew up in Hollywood, California.

WHAT IS YOUR JOB ON THE TOUR?
Videographer, Projectionist and LED. Our video crew works well together and we all wear multiple hats.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST TOUR?
My very first tour was with ‘Fall Out Boy’.- U.S. tour. I was a wee camera kid at the time.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JAMES TAYLOR TOUR?
My first tour with James Taylor was in 2008. I also worked on the James Taylor and Carole King ‘ Troubadour Reunion Tour’ and also a theater tour in 2011.

HOW DID YOU FIRST MEET JAMES?
Oddly enough I personally introduced myself for the first time on this tour (2014 JT and his All-Star Band) I had never felt I had an appropriate opportunity to introduce myself. I wanted to personally thank Mr. Taylor for giving us a chance to visit NASA. That was an amazing trip.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TIME OF DAY ON A SHOW DAY?
My favorite part of the workday is an hour before showtime. I get dinner, a cup of coffee and prepare for the show.

DO YOU LIKE TRAVELING AND SLEEPING ON THE TOUR BUS?
I don’t mind sleeping on the bus at all. It took awhile but now the sound of the bus rolling down the highway puts me to sleep.

WHERE ARE YOU DURING THE CONCERT?
When James and band are onstage, I am at the Front of House on the Long lens camera, shooting the show.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE WITH YOU ON TOUR?
I never leave for a tour without a rechargeable speaker and an iPod. I always set a speaker up in my hotel room.

_{Photo: Robert Riddle}

Rachel Adkins, Monitor Engineer

WHERE DO YOU LIVE WHEN NOT ON THE ROAD?
Albuquerque, New Mexico

WHAT IS YOUR JOB AS PART OF THE TOUR?
Monitor Engineer

WHAT WAS THE FIRST TOUR THAT YOU WORKED ON AS A CREW MEMBER?
My first real bus and truck tour was an international production of West Side Story in 1997.

WHAT JOB DID YOU PERFORM ON THAT FIRST TOUR?
Front of House Sound Engineer.

WHAT YEAR WAS YOUR FIRST JAMES TAYLOR TOUR?
2003 October Road.

WHEN DID YOU MEET JAMES FOR THE FIRST TIME?
I first met James in Dallas Texas during production rehearsals for the October Road tour. We talked mostly about tattoos.

WHAT PART OF THE TOUR DAY DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST AND WHY?
I enjoy the laughter. Life is too short to not like your gig. We spend so much time away from home and our families that we create our own road family and for me the best part of having a family is being able to laugh together and have each others backs.

DO YOU ENJOY TRAVELING BY BUS AND SLEEPING IN A BUNK NEXT TO YOUR CREWMATES?
I do. I have spent more of my life now on a bus than off.

WHEN JAMES AND THE BAND ARE ONSTAGE AT CONCERT TIME WHERE ARE YOU POSTED AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
During the show I am stage left mixing monitors for James and the band.

WHAT IS ONE ITEM YOU NEVER LEAVE FOR TOUR WITHOUT?
Patches

IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT TOURING LIFE ON THE ROAD THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?
There are so many stories to tell but so many confidentiality agreements that I have signed. Sorry.

YOUR FAVORITE PASTTIMES?
Being a professional tourist.

ONE ITEM YOU ALWAYS TAKE WITH YOU ON TOUR?
The Saint Christopher medallion given to me by a long lost friend. It has been with me everywhere in the world since 1992.

_{Photo: Robert Riddle}

Patches T Bear, Patch Bear

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Stage Left and sometimes Albuquerque.

WHAT IS YOUR JOB AS PART OF THE U.S. CONCERT TOUR?
Patch bear. I protect the patch bay from harm, mostly from sun spots and gremlins.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST TOUR THAT YOU WORKED ON AS A CREW MEMBER? WHAT JOB DID YOU PERFORM ON THAT FIRST TOUR?
Fleetwood Mac Unleashed 2009. Patch Bear.

WHAT YEAR WAS YOUR FIRST JAMES TAYLOR TOUR?
2011

WHEN DID YOU MEET JAMES FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WHAT WERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES?
I met James backstage in 2011 while taking crew photos. Jimmy Carter just happened to stop by as well.

WHAT PART OF THE TOUR DAY DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST AND WHY?
Patching is fun but I love, love, love to play load out.

DO YOU ENJOY TRAVELING BY BUS AND SLEEPING IN A BUNK NEXT TO YOUR CREWMATES?
I mostly travel with the gear either by truck, sea container, or air freight. On some occasions I do travel by bus and go on field trips. On those occasions I do enjoy the company of my other crew mates.

WHEN JAMES AND THE BAND ARE ONSTAGE AT CONCERT TIME WHERE ARE YOU POSTED AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I am stage left protecting the patch bay, standing ready to do battle with sun spots and gremlins.

WHAT IS ONE ITEM YOU NEVER LEAVE FOR TOUR WITHOUT?
Rachel Adkins. Monitor Mixer extraordinaire. She is positioned at her monitor mix board stage left at all times.

IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT TOURING LIFE ON THE ROAD THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?
So far the best touring experience has been the field trip to NASA.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PASTTIMES—ON TOUR OR OTHERWISE?
Favorite pasttimes include road trips, meeting strangers, and having as much fun as a little bear can. Museums are up there as well.

ONE ITEM YOU ALWAYS TAKE WITH YOU ON TOUR?
My name tag.

_{Photo: Rachel Adkins}

Scott Hoffman, Drum/Percussion Technician

WHERE DO YOU LIVE WHEN NOT ON THE ROAD?
Cumming, Georgia (Suburb of Atlanta)

WHAT IS YOUR TOUR JOB?
Drum/Percussion Technician for Steve Gadd and Luis Conte on US legs of tour
Drum Technician for Steve Gadd and Keyboard Technician for Larry Goldings on European leg of tour

WHAT WAS THE FIRST TOUR THAT YOU WORKED ON AS A CREW MEMBER?
Drum and keyboard technician for .38 Special (1991)

WHAT YEAR WAS YOUR FIRST JAMES TAYLOR TOUR?
2003

WHEN DID YOU MEET JAMES FOR THE FIRST TIME?
I met James in the catering room during the first day of 2003 tour rehearsals. James and his wife Kim came to the table were I was sitting and asked if they could join me. They welcomed me to the tour and we talked over lunch.

WHAT PART OF THE TOUR DAY DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST AND WHY?
After soundcheck because everything has been set up, checked and is ready for show time.

DO YOU ENJOY TRAVELING BY BUS AND SLEEPING IN A BUNK?
There is something about the engine noise and movement that makes me sleep better on the bus than any other place.

WHEN JAMES AND THE BAND ARE ONSTAGE AT CONCERT TIME WHERE ARE YOU POSTED AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I sit just behind Steve Gadd during the show and keep an eye on him and Luis Conte just in case something breaks or comes loose during the show. I also communicate their ear monitor requests thru intercom to Rachel the ear monitor engineer.

WHAT IS ONE ITEM YOU NEVER LEAVE FOR TOUR WITHOUT?
A drum key (which is used to adjust the pitch of a drum).

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
It is a great honor to be starting my 12th year with James Taylor and all the awesome people in his band and crew.

_{Photo: Robert Riddle}

GERALD McREYNOLDS, VIDEO DIRECTOR

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
South Pasadena, FL

WHAT IS YOUR JOB ON TOUR?
Video Director

WHAT WAS THE FIRST TOUR THAT YOU WORKED ON AS A CREW MEMBER?
Paula Abdul – Assistant Director, video wall programmer

WHAT YEAR WAS YOUR FIRST JAMES TAYLOR TOUR?
This is my first JT tour.

WHEN DID YOU MEET JAMES FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WHAT WERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES?
I first met James onstage when I was brought up there by the stage manager and introduced to him.

WHAT PART OF THE TOUR DAY DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST AND WHY?
I enjoy doing the show most.

DO YOU ENJOY TRAVELING BY BUS AND SLEEPING IN A BUNK NEXT TO YOUR CREWMATES?
I have no problem sleeping on a bus. But there is nothing better than a good bed. But, its not bad at all.

WHEN JAMES AND THE BAND ARE ONSTAGE AT CONCERT TIME WHERE ARE YOU POSTED AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I am usually backstage somewhere, calling cameras and directing for the show.

WHAT IS ONE ITEM YOU NEVER LEAVE FOR TOUR WITHOUT?
My computer

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR FREE TIME?
One of my favorite pastimes is venturing out and finding good food to eat. I enjoy taking my time, because when I am eating dinner before a show backstage in catering I am always in such a rush.

Chris Fulton, Sound Crew

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I live on the end of my country road in Franklin, N Carolina in my mind and Atlanta, Ga.

WHAT’S YOUR JOB ON THE 2014 SUMMER TOUR?
My job is on the sound crew. I work for the company now known as Clair Global (formerly Clair Brother’s Audio). I hang speakers for the p.a. system and set up and wire the microphones on stage.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PROFESSIONAL TOUR?
My first real tour (other than riding/ driving in vans with local bands) was R.E.M. starting in 1983 through 1985 mixing monitors and at first driving a truck in ’83.

WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST TOUR WITH JAMES?
My first tour with James was “Heck on Wheels 2012.”

WHEN DID YOU FIRST MEET JAMES?
James and I met briefly at one of Sting’s Rainforest benefits at Carnegie Hall in 2008. That year also featured many of the artists’ offspring, including Ben and Sally Taylor. I was an assistant to the monitor mixer.

WHAT PART OF YOUR DAY DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
Days off going to baseball games, like tonight’s in Phoenix!!!!

DO YOU ENJOY TRAVELING BY BUS AND SLEEPING IN A BUNK NEXT TO YOUR CREWMATES?
That varies from tour to tour as you can well imagine, luckily we all get along famously. Hopefully that remains so through August and beyond…..

WHERE ARE YOU DURING THE CONCERT?
I am stage left near Rachel the monitor mixer for most of the show.

WHAT’S THE ONE ITEM YOU NEVER LEAVE FOR A TOUR WITHOUT?
Passport. Everything else is easily replaced.

ANY FUN STUFF YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?
Two of the more recent memorable non-tour events I worked on were the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the Pope’s Mass at Yankee Stadium in 2008. I also enjoy quality time at home with my wife of one year Marnie and our family. It’s harder to leave home than it used to be…

_{Photo: Robert Riddle}