In the summer of 2010 I got a call that Kris Allen was in need of a front of house mixer mid-tour. This was the first time I had ever had to jump in during a tour and take over so it was a bit intimidating. I flew to Harrisburg, PA as that first show for me was opening for Daughtry in Hershey, PA. As soon as I got in, I went to the hotel and met with the crew to feel out the situation. Everyone was very pleasant so I looked forward to this tour. We played the show with Daughtry and continued the tour opening for Barednaked Ladies for a few shows, then Maroon 5 for some more show and finishing up with Keith Urban. All of the crews and bands were really warm and welcoming with us considering the short stints we had with each of them. Maroon 5 seemed like a family reunion for a few reasons because our drummer grew up with their guitar player and our tour managers fiance who was out with us selling merchandise grew up with the rest of the guys in the band. This was also when I met Jim Ebdon and shared his Digico SD7 for these shows which was a pleasure and a great experience. I learned a lot in even just a few shows.
Next we flew to Europe to oblige a request to perform for the armed services for the USO. We played four shows. One in the Netherlands, and 3 in Germany all at US Army Garrisons for the military personnel and their families. They were very grateful to receive us and get a small taste of home.
Not long after that we went out on a run with Lifehouse. Their crew and the band were wonderful, helpful and really easy going. We darted all over the US six weeks starting in Connecticut and finishing in Portland. I met a lot of friends I still keep in touch with to this day and have even mixed monitors for Lifehouse since.
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