The Surprising TRUTH about Touring | Corey Congilio | Tim Pierce

Corey Congilio stopped by and played some beautiful Guitar.

In our conversation, we pull the curtain wide open on what it’s like to go on the road as a sideman!

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Tim

[aquagreens]

21 year commercial airline pilot here. I identify with so much of what you guys are saying. People look at my job and think it's a nonstop vacation. Well, it is - at first. But after some time it morphs from being something like a nonstop vacation to a, I'm-not-at-home life. I still love what I do but it's only when I'm actually in the cockpit that I'm back to being the young me from 21 years ago. Everything else just wears on you. Hotels can be nice but it's not home. I have time to myself om a layover but it just isn't like having my own time in my own home. Kudos to you, Tim, for making the decision you did at such a young age.

[ericruddphotography]

As the bass player in my band said once as we were loading out after a gig...

"The music we play for free. It's the schlepping of gear and road life that we get paid for."

[waynemiller]

I've never been "big time" but my best road gig was playing a hotel bar for a couple of weeks. We could "sneak in" to the pool after hours. But we were right across the street from a hobby store, where I bought an EZ to build R/C airplane, built it in the hotel room the first week and got with the instructor of the local R/C flying club the next week and learned how "not to crash".
The reason that was the best gig is that I'm still flying model airplanes 25 years later.

[tybrady]

If you want to make money in music, you better be an amazing song writer. Great musicians are everywhere.

[briankimmell]

I wish we had the internet and iPads when I was first learning. I can't believe the wealth of information available through these devices. Thanks for being there now for all of us. 🤗

[lancelotlink]

What Tim is describing about touring is true for anyone who has to travel for work. It feels like there is no end to your workday even when you are on the plane or back at the hotel because really you're just waiting to get back to your real life.

[jeffeager]

Really enjoyed this conversation, boys, thank you!

[RhettShull]

Amazing video guys, you both articulated so many truths about life on the road very well. Also the playing was insane, Corey you’re a MONSTER.

[DStarsDiehard]

You'll never get me off the road. Its home to me. Just got done doing a 2 week run in the Northeast literally tonight. Give me 2 days rest I'll be ready to go again.

[activemelody]

Great video Tim! I like the split screen view when chatting like this!

[BigmikeE]

Because of you Tim and Pete Thorn and PhilX I have become a very confident player and I thank all of you for sharing tips experiences and your professionalism with all of us out here.

[jakemitchell]

I was blessed enough in the '80s to make a good living playing music on the road, both in a band and as a hired gun. The most insightful thing said in this video - IMO - is that touring can be a rigorous physical challenge. I would NOT believe it had I not experienced it. I mean, play guitar at night, go to bed at 2am, wake up at 10am, have a pretty leisurely day by most standards - but get physically exhausted? Yep, absolutely. I can only think it has something to do with the nerves, adrenaline, and subtle crash that follows most shows. It will wear you down.

[mudwiser]

A tip of the hat to the editor of this video, nice transitions between the talk and the playing. Really nicely done.

[tbshaw]

OK Tim, here's one for you... Do you remember a little guitar shop in ABQ at Carlisle and Constitution, called the Music Factory? I was a partner in that short-lived venture with Steve Maase, Brian, Mikey Wright, etc. We built a guitar for you way back in the 80s, and man we thought you hung the moon (still do, actually) when you scored the Springfield gig. That was right about the time Randy Castillo was touring with Ozzy. TWO Albuquerque boys makin' it big! The only thing one needs to know about your choice is: Randy died from just what you were talking about. The road killed him, but you escaped, good on you bro. Lots of good folks are damaged by the music biz, but you took a sustainable path, carved your own niche in the digital and recording world, and are STILL AND FOREVER one of the baddest gunslingers around. Congrats on an amazing career so far, you are a legend, man. We don't get many of those in this little town in the desert! I am proud to have played a part, minuscule though it was. It was great to see a guitar I tightened a few screws on (I forget, maybe Steve let me dust it off? :)) being played on videos like Jesse's Girl. Anyway, sorry to ramble. Thanks for the memories and keep 'em coming!

[ColtonBeasleyMusic]

Tim, had no idea you worked on You'll Be In My Heart! I sang and played You'll Be In My Heart for a wedding a year back and doing it justice with all the instrumentation was an amazingly fun challenge! Excellent video. Thanks for teaching and doing what you do. I'll keep watching and try to keep up! 😜🤘

[teye-master]

Altho a sideman in a country/rock group, I played Flamenco guitar, which can easily be done by yourself. I started using my free time on tour to embark on a rigorous practice routine and became a better guitarist. In the band, I WAS the weird one out but the reward was substantial and it all really paid off when I branched out on my own.
Tim I am getting addicted to your videos, hats off to you for both your insights and your playing!

[SameDayTwice]

Such a key factor in success is staying humble and always striving to be better. In spite of Corey’s very obvious success, you can see him really stepping back and actively listening to Tim about how to step off stage and into the studio. He’s not thinking about how he looks like the coolest guy in the room, instead choosing to soak up all the knowledge and wisdom he can, wherever he is, so that he can be his best self. That’s really inspiring to see.

[arottie]

Chasing around a headliner on the road. There is NO GREAT PAY to be had! Van full of band mates.Hopefully one guy on the road with you helping out. Endless hours upon hours driving/riding each day. Stinking dirty laundry pulling up!! Pulling a trailer slap full of your gear & dirty laundry! Ha! Eating good. Haha! Simply Not possible! & a whole lot of "HURRY UP & WAIT!!! Mr Congilio & Mr Pierce are describing the the truth about touring being on the top of the touring food chain!! NOT the reality of the vast majority of touring guitar players!!! Still thank you Mr Pierce another awesome video! Love hearing you guys trading solos. <3

[davidwagner]

Hey Tim. You seem like such a nice guy--very down to earth and humble for such a talented musician.

[JasonLeonPike]

Cool video! Great conversation and the cuts between talk and playing is genius.