(Note: This is the start of a new series on my part…for kicks and in hopes of being actually valuable to new touring musicians.  All views are my own, but they’re probably right).

The lower you are on the totem pole, the earlier you get up and attend to your needs.  Why?

When you’re on the road and have somewhere to be, you have to leave at a certain time.  There is no messing around with the time-space continuum.

When you’re on the road, there is a Boss, and then there are underlings.  There’s a pecking order.  The higher you are in the pecking order, the more freedom of choice you get.  If all of you need sleep, including the Boss, the Boss sleeps the longest.  That does not mean wait until the Boss gets up and then start getting ready.  This means you ARE ready when the Boss gets up.  If there are 4 people in your entourage and you are the lowest on the totem pole, you are ready when the rest of them get up.

Obviously, these rules change for every group.  Maybe The Boss is an early riser.  Then know your departure time and be ready to go.  This means your hair should be blow dried if you’re gonna do it.  This means have your crap in your bags.  Get your laptop packed up and all your chargers unplugged from the wall (my biggest digression…I scatter electronics wherever I go).   Be hanging out by the vehicle 5 – 10 minutes before you need to be rolling.  Don’t be the one people are waiting on.

Clearly not ready to hit the road.