Life & Work with Ally Chapman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ally Chapman.

Hi Ally, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Nashville, TN. Most people move to Nashville for music but I was born in Nashville because of music. My dad was a studio bass player and the studio was my babysitter growing up. I instantly fell in love with music and knew I wanted to work in that industry since I was a little girl. I didn’t want to be a musician, I wanted to take care of musicians. I saw from an early age how much heart and vulnerability these musicians put into their work and I wanted to be the person to bring good energy to them and take off any added stress they had by dealing with their logistics. I wanted to be a tour manager.

After college at UTC, I moved back to Nashville to find my “dream job.” It was much harder than I thought. In the music industry, it’s all about who you know so I did my best to meet everyone I could. I would apply for any job I saw, would join any webinar I heard about, and went on countless coffee meetings to learn more about the business. I did my homework.

It took two years (feels more like 10), but I finally got a job working as a merchandise manager for a merchandise company in Nashville. I toured with various artists and then moved up to VIP rep with another management company. Then started tour managing and as of this year, I am tour managing Brandi Carlile’s band and crew. It’s been a long, wild ride but I feel eternally grateful for where I am today.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – have it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road to get on the road. It was very difficult to get my first gig because everyone wanted someone with experience. After I finally got experience, I had trouble finding gigs solely because I was a female. I got turned down multiple times because bands “didn’t want a girl on their bus.” It really crushed me for a while but I kept pushing forward. Eventually, I got on a tour where they appreciated me because of the positive feminine energy I brought. It reminded me that God will always place you exactly where you are meant to be and to always trust the process.

Also, touring is tricky. There is no college degree or classes to learn how to be a tour manager. There is no guidebook or directions when you get hired, you simply just have to “figure it out.” It’s pretty funny when you think of how crazy it is.. you get a gig, get on a flight, get on a tour bus with strangers, and have to immediately figure out how to work with them and learn how they manufacture their tour. Every band is different, so the logistics will be different too. You really have to have a “go with the flow” personality because things will change last minute, all the time.

The best way to describe tour management is by looking at a puzzle that has a million pieces. And it’s your job to make sure all the pieces of the puzzle get in the perfect spot… all, while someone is shaking the table the puzzle, is on. It’s a lot of pressure and hard work figuring out how to do your job. It really keeps you on your toes but if you have a passion for music and helping people, it will all be worth it.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Currently, I am the band and crew manager for Brandi Carlile. I would have to write a novel to describe what I do but to sum up my job, I’m basically a travel agent and a tour mom to 18 adults – ha! I make sure they have everything they need ranging from their flights, hotels, and basic everyday stuff the day of the show. I’m in constant communication with everyone, updating them with new things on our schedule and letting them know every detail for their upcoming shows.

What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of how far I’ve come and how I didn’t give up when so many people told me to. I knew this was my purpose. My dad taught me to never say no to a gig because that gig could lead me to another one. So I never said no, I would even work shows for free, and bailed last minute on many family/friend trips so I could get my name out there. It’s a lot of hard work and dedication but the more you put into this industry, the more you will receive back from this industry.

What sets you apart?
What sets me apart from others is my positivity. When I was young everyone told me I was “too sweet” to be a tour manager. But energy is everything. How I look at it is: that the tour manager sets the tone of the tour. If I’m stressed or rude, it will reflect off me to the band, which will reflect off them to the artist, then it will reflect off the artists to the fans. Music is therapy and I strive to make sure everyone feels loved, seen, and appreciated. From the band to the fans.

Also, it’s really important to me to remain positive because as a tour manager – you are a representation of the artist or band you work for. Most people won’t meet the artist but they will meet you. So being patient, polite, and confident is crucial as a tour manager. It’s easy to get overwhelmed but keeping that cool exterior is key. That being said, taking good care of yourself when you can is so important.

Whenever I get the chance, I meditate, journal, listen to educational podcasts and talk with a therapist. Keeping yourself grounded in such a high-stress job will really benefit your work. Take care of yourself so you can take care of other people in a more loving and authentic capacity.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
It’s funny to me how people think road life is “glamorous.” I guess I can see where they get that, from movies and social media but the road life is anything but glamorous. You are mostly working 18-hour days in the humidity of outdoor shows and on your days off – you are catching up on booking flights, emails, and anything else that hits the fan.

I’ve washed my hair in gas station bathrooms, and venue sinks and have worn the same thing to work a few days in a row. Sometimes you don’t have the option to shower – the bus is rolling, and you can’t miss it. As mentioned earlier, you really have to be a go-with-the-flow kind of person. No high-maintenance people are allowed.

People think I get to see the world. I really only see the inside of hotels and venues. It’s still really fun to be in a different city every day but it’s really not what most people think. You also have to remember since you are in a different city every day, you are dealing with different types of people every day. It’s really important to have a strong set of communication skills and have thick skin.

Also, being a tour manager – you really don’t have any time off. You are always on call and have to constantly check your emails because some emails need to be answered right away. You are answering calls at 4 AM and sometimes only sleep 3 hours in between shows. Yes, it is an exhausting job but as soon as you see the fans receiving therapy and healing from a show you worked so hard to put on, it’s all worth it – I promise!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @allychaps

Image Credits
Jasser Antig @hellabaae and Jar @theworkofjar
Jason Lang
IG: @jktang
jktang.com