A few shots from some of the cities Nat’s visited so far.

Council Bluffs, IA	Council Bluffs, IA Show
Chicago, IL	Chicago, IL Show
Minneapolis, MN	Omaha, NE

You guys are probably wondering what it is I do exactly. My official title is “Production Assistant.” I set up all the dressing rooms, deal with the catering, coordinate the runner. But in general, my job is to make everyone’s life just a little bit easier, no matter what. If someone asks me to get them something, I get it. No matter how silly the request, no matter how hard it may be.

The thing is, I don’t consider myself a people person. And I’m not. But I’m learning. Anywho, back to the day-to-day.

——–

Minneapolis, MN

Get me the HELL out of Minneapolis.

next stop, Denver CO.
——–

So far we’re on our 3rd of 6 shows in a row. We’ve played Council Bluff’s IA, Chicago IL, and now we’re in Minneapolis MN.

It’s 10:19am, and I’m sitting in the production office, waiting for things to get rolling. So let me get you all up to speed.

The Iowa show went well. I had the pleasure of having both lunch and dinner with Ed (the lead singer), and he’s just a great guy to be around. Both Ed and Tyler (drummer) now refer to me as GOIK!, which I just find hilarious. For those of you who don’t know, I’ve had that nickname for many many years now, so it makes me laugh when they call me that.

I’ve actually been given a few nicknames already. The guitar tech calls me “Sticks”, because I’ve been carrying around a pair of drumsticks this entire time, and a security guard this morning, decided she was going to call me “Stars” because of the design on my shorts. It sure beats my current nickname, “Moonchild” which was given to me by 3 of the greatest best friends a girl could ever ask for.

We played “the world’s biggest block party” last night in Chicago. Really cool thing to be a part of. The weather was just plain HOT, and spending all day outside wore me out completely.

To be continued . . .

It’s currently 8:42am on July 7th. We’re parked outside Harrah’s in Council Bluff’s, IA waiting for our hotel rooms…might as well tell you all about Kansas City.

We flew into KC on Monday the 5th so we could all get settled in. Standing outside the airport, our bus rolled in and my face lit up. I felt like freakin’ ROYALTY!

We hopped on the bus, grabbed our bunks, and headed off to the hotel.

Hotel Phillips — Great hotel to stay in. Courteous staff, nice rooms, great breakfast, but I think it’s haunted. Even though nothing of the paranormal happened, I still think its haunted — We all went to Jack’s Stacks for dinner, had some delicious BBQ, and headed off to bed.

I woke up at 7:30am (not impressed) got myself ready and hopped on the bus. As tired as I was, I just kept saying to myself “Ok Nat. First day, let’s do this”

Starlight Theater, wow, very cool. Set up the production office, set up the dressing rooms, and send the runner on his way. Put up signs, check the bus stock, send the runner on his way. Work on a few things, watch a piece of the show –

BNL put on a great show. They had just watched the RUSH documentary on the bus prior to performing, and spent about 5 minutes on stage playing “80’s jukebox”. Hilarious. They also played The Big Bang Theory, (secretly my favorite BNL song), and it was AWESOME.

– eat, ice the bus, where the hell is the runner??

order food, stock the bus, stock the other bus, send the runner to pick up the food. Pack up the production office, pack up the dressing rooms, shower, hop on the bus, wait for the runner, EAT, and crash.

It doesn’t sound like alot, but it was a steady work flow day. The adrenalin kept me running all day, and it wasn’t until I was walking to the bus that I realized I was exhausted.

I climbed into bed, and woke up in Iowa.

By the way, what the hell is there to do on a day off in IOWA?!

Touring with a band.  It’s a dream that many kids have, but are never able fulfill.  But Natalie Goik’s dream is coming true this week as she sets off across the US on her first big production tour with Barenaked Ladies.  Nat will be reporting in to me as often as she can about life on the road and all of her “firsts.”   I’m looking forward to going on tour with her and I hope you come back often to see what she’s been up to.

I asked Nat to give me a little info about herself and how she got this gig.

“I’ve been a techie for the past 6 or 7 years now. It all started back in high school when I found out that you could join the sound and lighting crew, and every time there was an event or an assembly, you were allowed get out of class early to go set up. Ever since then I’ve been working gigs around Ontario.

I’ve worked 4am load ins and 40 hour weekends (not including Friday), I’ve driven to cities hours away, only to work 4 hour calls, I’ve worked 13 hours and then had to drive home 2, 3 hours, and I’ve done more than my share of volunteering.   Hell, I’ve even toured with a Magician.  But I can’t say I’ve regretted anything so far. I’ve made friends, contacts, and injured myself many many times.

For years now I’ve been trying so hard to get on a big production tour. I’ve had interviews and sent out resumes, and never gotten any response – until a few months back.  I remember it very clearly. I was in my house, walking down the stairs when my phone made it’s “you’ve got mail” ding. I stopped, picked up my phone, and opened my mail box.

from: Deb H.
subject: Tour

Now, Deb has been my guardian angel for this past year. She always puts my name in and always calls me up when she needs an extra crewman. So, I open this email, and read:

Hey Nat,

Are you free from July 5th-Aug 15th to come out on tour with the Barenaked Ladies?

Let me know
Deb

I froze. Mouth dropped. Totally speechless. This was it, the big break I’ve been waiting for.  Holy-shit. I’m going on tour.”

First Stop: Starlight Theater, Kansas City, MO

Televised Tune: On the Tube This Weekend via Hidden Track

(All times ET)

Monday, May 24

• Regis and Kelly: Bret Michaels [Syndicated - check listings]
• Prince: Purple Rain [Palladia 3PM]
• Def Leppard: Behind the Music Remastered [VH1 5PM]
• U2: At the BBC [Palladia 5PM]
• Jimmy Kimmel: Damian Marley w/Nas [ABC 12:05AM]

Tuesday, May 25

• Simon Cowell: Biography [BIO 9AM]
• Stone Temple Pilots: Live From Chicago 2010 [Palladia 10PM]
• David Letterman: The Black Keys [CBS 11:35PM]
• Jimmy Kimmel: Peter Frampton [ABC 12:05AM]
• Carson Daly: OK Go [NBC 1:35AM]

Wednesday, May 26

• Elvis Costello: Club Date [VH1 Classic 3PM]
• Hole: On the Record [Fuse 4:30PM]
• Duran Duran: Live at Wembley [VH1 Classic 4:30PM]
• Jimmy Buffett/Zac Brown Band: Crossroads [Palladia 9PM]
• David Letterman: John Prine and Yim Yames [CBS 11:35]

Thursday, May 27

• Robert Plant: Soundstage [Palladia 9AM]
• Tupac Shakur: Tupac Vs [Fuse 6PM]
• Janis Joplin: Biography [BIO 9PM]
• Film: The Harder They Come [Palladia 9PM]
• Craig Ferguson: Band of  Horses [CBS 12:35AM]

I’m a big fan of Keb’ Mo’ but I was just made aware of his Youtube channel through a Facebook post and a tweet on Twitter.  Yes, I follow him both places.  Right now, the channel has 14 videos uploaded and I am hoping for more.  The current featured video is Better Man, which Keb’ performed last weekend on the Music City:  Keep On Playin’ flood relief telethon.

His latest CD is the independently released Live & Mo, which is a compilation of new and old songs, live and studio recorded.  It’s a must have for any Keb’ Mo’ fan.

Televised Tune: On the Tube This Weekend via Hidden Track

Monday, May 17 [all times Eastern]

* Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Live 2002 [Palladia 3PM]
* Dave Letterman: Zac Brown Band [CBS 11:35PM]
* Jimmy Fallon: Public Image Ltd. [NBC 12:35AM]
* Carson Daly: 311 [NBC 1:35AM]

Tuesday, May 18

* Tavis Smiley: Trombone Shorty [PBS Check Local Listings]
* Dave Letterman: Janelle Monae [CBS 11:35PM]
* Jimmy Kimmel: Dirty Heads [ABC Midnight]
* Craig Ferguson: Jakob Dylan [CBS 12:35AM]

Wednesday, May 19

* Lou Reed: Live at Montreux [Ovation 4PM]
* Dave Letterman: Stone Temple Pilots [CBS 11:35PM]
* Jay Leno: Damian Marley w/ Nas [NBC 11:35PM]
* Jimmy Fallon: Mumford & Sons [NBC 12:35AM]

Thursday, May 20

* Dave Letterman: Band of Horses [CBS 11:35PM]
* Jimmy Kimmel: Slayer [ABC Midnight]
* Craig Ferguson: Vampire Weekend [CBS 12:35AM]
* Carson Daly: She & Him [NBC 1:35AM]

Auburn, Alabama based Spoonful James is out with their first CD in eight years, “Are You Listening”.

With Wynn Christian, on guitars and lead vocals, Quinn Borland on bass guitar, Eric Baath on piano and Hammond B-3 organ, and Patrick Lunceford on drums, the band has produced a CD with a bluesy, southern rock feel.  My first listen was very positive and I look forward to spending a bit more time with the songs on this CD.

The band are long-time friends of American Idol Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks.  Hicks co-wrote his recent single, “Seven Mile Breakdown” with Spoonful’s lead vocalist Wynn Christian.

You can listen to song samples at CDBaby.com and buy individual songs or the entire CD at CDBaby or on  iTunes.  You can also find a few songs in their entirety on the band’s myspace page.

Here are a few video samples:

Televised Tune: On the Tube This Weekend via Hidden Track

(All times ET)

Monday, January 11

• Tina Turner: Live in  Holland [Palladia Noon]
• Woodstock: Three Days of Peace and Music [Palladia 2PM]
• Film: That Thing You Do [VH1 Classic 4PM]
• Green Day: Storytellers [Palladia 10PM]
• Kiss: Extreme Close Up [VH1 Classic 1:30AM]

Tuesday, January 12

• John Lennon: Sweet Toronto [Noon VH1 Classic]
• Classic Albums: Cream, Disraeli Gears [VH1 Classic 4PM]
• Rush: Box Set [VH1 Classic 5PM]
• AC/DC: Live from Circus Krone [Palladia 8PM]
• Pink Floyd: The Wall [Palladia 11PM]

Wednesday, January 13

• O.A.R.: From Madison Square Garden [Palladia 9AM]
• Classic Albums: Nirvana, Nevermind [VH1 Classic Noon]
• ZZ Top: Live from Texas [VH1 Classic 5:30PM]
• Steve Vai: Where the Wild Things Are [Palladia 4PM]
• Spectacle w/Elvis Costello: Lyle Lovett [Sundance 10PM]

Thursday,  January 14

• Tavis Smiley: Rosanne Cash [PBS Check Local Listings]
• David Letterman: The Low Anthem [CBS 11:35PM]
• George Lopez: Snoop Dogg [TBS Midnight]
• Craig Ferguson: Vampire Weekend [CBS 12:35AM]
• Carson Daly: Pete Yorn [NBC 1:35AM]