[Tim Bowen]

I've done loads of conventions and hotels and lounge gigs, so elevators and kitchens are no big whoop.

Worst load ins:

Smith's Olde Bar, Atlanta, GA.

No big deal if you're doing an acoustic-electric set in the "Atlanta Room", downstairs. However, if you're working a full band scenario upstairs, that outdoor set of stairs is intimidating to say the least. Every time I lug gear up those stairs, I'm reminded of footage of bridges or porch decks collapsing. It gives me the heebie jeebies. I always feel lucky to have survived.


Tootsie's Wild Orchid Lounge, Nashville, TN.

Well, there's really no place to load in thats practical and won't piss somebody off. The musician turnover on any given day is so high that people are antagonized by default. You can pull into the back alley to load in, but there will be a little mini-tour bus up your butt in short order. You can tell folks that you're "working", and they'll ask you at which restaurant. Fair enough. Every time I play there, some 20-something sound tech insists that I'll get better tone by DI'ing my tube amp than by mic'ing it. Whatever, I'm totally fine with playing an obscure podunk north Georgia tavern and actually getting paid, and minus the 'tude, at that.