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Chris
Embree is the Tour Manager for national recording artists
LUCE,
and also has a background in filmmaking and videography (check
out Chris' videos
of LUCE). Mary Destri of Music in Schools Today interviewed
Chris about his very busy career "behind the scenes"
in the music business.
At
left, Chris (right) with Tom Luce at the 2nd Annual Music
in Schools Today Golf Tournament, Hosted by Tré Cool. |
MuST:
When you were growing up, was it your plan to become a tour manager
for a band?
Chris:
No, but my plan was to do something in music, I just wasn't sure
what would it be. I have been doing film and video production since
high school, and continue to work as a video editor in my spare
time. So no, when I was growing up, I thought I was gonna be a filmmaker...still
could be, I guess.
MuST:
How did you become interested in this work?
Chris:
I have always had in interest being "behind the scenes."
It is very gratifying when you get done with a show, and it goes
off without a hitch.
MuST:
There are countless facets to tour managing. Can you outline
some of the major responsibilities and duties?
Chris:
You can't have a successful tour if everything isn't
in place. When LUCE books a tour, I make sure all the venues and
CD shops get posters for promotion, and I contact the stage manager
to make sure the club has everything they need from us. I make sure
our website has all the info and appropriate links, and I send
out an e-mail to our fans across the country, but most importantly...scheduling.
It can be a tricky game getting a band from city to city on
time for sound-check. Yahoo Maps are my best friend.
MuST:
What do you like most about your job, and what do you like
least?
Chris:
The best part is the travel. It would seem boring visiting
all the out-of-the-way places and cities that you would normally
never visit. We have traveled so much in the US, that now I see
the smallest thing on the side of the interstate which I saw six
months earlier, and for some reason my eye caught it again. America
the beautiful... If you get a chance to travel this country, you
will know what those lyrics stand for. I would have to say the one
thing I least like about my job would be a lack of sleep, which
can really run me down.
MuST:
For any students who may be considering a career in tour
management, what qualities or characteristics would you say are
important for them to have?
Chris:
I think a management background is key. When I say management,
I mean in the business sense. Being able to lead people in the workplace
takes practice, yet some are born with true leadership skills. It's
also very important that you be detail oriented, since 100% of a
tour is just staying on schedule and planning ahead, so the band
knows where they are and where they are going.
MuST:
How did you connect with LUCE, and did you work with any
other bands prior to them?
Chris:
Oddly enough, I met Tom Luce while I was producing
a ski film called "Grounded," on which I used three
LUCE songs. Upon completion of that project, I flew to Nashville
to videotape the band on the road to create a "tour film."
The rest is history. Because of my background with other bands,
I ended up helping the band at a few of the shows, that was in 2003.
Today, my role with the band has become a lot more involved. Just
keeping up the pace is my biggest goal.
I have worked with about five bands since 1994. In the early
days, it was more of a hobby to help my friends get further in the
business. I would help produce the CD and get it out to the masses,
or at least try to. Those were the good ol' days, dipping my
feet in every aspect of the business and learning from anyone I
could.
MuST:
Tell us about the national anthem at the Kansas City game
in 2005.
Chris:
WOW, what a great time! So much to remember, but the best
was the all energy on the field. It was pretty intense once that crowd
got going. Tom and Adam were introduced, and the entire stadium chanted
"LUCE LUCE LUCE..." The performance was flawless. At the
end or the anthem, at " Home of the Brave," Chiefs fans
are known for yelling, "Home of the Chiefs"... and let me
tell you, the roar in that stadium was deafening. You can watch a
video
I shot online.
MuST:
What has been the most unexpected 'surprise' to hit you
on the road so far?
Chris:
This is an easy one. we locked the keys in the van, on the way to
our biggest show of the tour in Kansas City. I have no further comment
on this subject. :)
MuST:
The funniest road story so far?
Chris:
Every day has something... but the best story would probably be
the haunted hotel in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Apparently, the folks
at the club thought we liked haunted hotels, and it is definitely
haunted. Some weird stuff happened when we went spooking ourselves
at 3 a.m. after the show. While walking down a hall, we passed another
long hallway and noticed nothing, we walked back by the hallway
30 seconds later, and there was a baby carriage in the middle of
the hall. At this point, we decided it was time to go to bed.
MuST:
Do you think that music education is important to offer
in the schools, and why?
Chris:
Music is so important in life, I can't imagine a world without schools
giving their students a means of self expression. It also gives
kids a choice in school aside from sports or student government.
Growing up is tough, and outlets like music grow great minds for
the future. |
