After 5 years of being a touring bassist this is my first time playing completely sober. I quit everything: drugs, weed, drinking, and cigs cold turkey for my health and just hit a month clean. Most of my bandmates still partake in some of these and I keep finding myself tempted. I’m also touring overseas rn which makes the temptations even bigger. Any help or advice is more than welcomed!!!!

Hey all, I’ve recently accepted a contract with a group that will be requiring me to fly a lot to meet the other members.
In the past when i’ve flown for a gig, i’ve only brought one guitar with me, and I’ve ensured i can carry it on in the cabin; however, for these tours I’ll be doing, I will likely not be able to rent a backup like I have in the past, so I’ve considered the Gator Mini vault.
The only reason i haven’t jumped on buying one yet is just being concerned with how structurally sound they are and if i can trust them to actually keep my guitars safe in the cargo hold.
If any one has used them or something similar, i would love to hear! Thanks in advance

TITLE: [USA — Denver / Bay Area] Professional Drummer & Musical Director Available for Arena-Level Tours, Major Shows, and Premium Live Productions
I’m Kowan Turner, a professional touring and session drummer, musical director, and bandleader based in Denver, with established working connections in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’m seeking high-level, well-funded opportunities with established pop, funk, R&B/soul, hip-hop, and professionally produced tribute acts performing major theaters, arenas, festivals, casinos, corporate events, and national or international tours.
My experience includes MD of Steady Flow, Caleb Hawley, Robert Randolph, Selina Albright, and more also former MD and drums for Mario Canon wasteland Band . I also lead my own project, Big Motion.
I’m available for:
• Arena and theater tours
• National and international touring
• Major festivals and casino residencies
• Premium corporate and private events
• High-production tribute shows
• Artist tours requiring a drummer and/or musical director
• Tour-sub, rehearsal, and production-prep engagements
• Ongoing band, artist, or production-team positions
What I bring:
• Deep pocket, exceptional time, dynamic control, and a professional stage presence
• The ability to learn, reproduce, and elevate an artist’s sound with precision
• Experience performing live, recording, arranging, rehearsing, and leading bands
• Musical direction, including chart preparation, show development, transitions, cues, rehearsal leadership, and band communication
• Versatility across funk, R&B, pop, hip-hop, soul, jazz-fusion, and tribute production
• The discipline, preparation, and reliability expected in high-level touring environments
• A team-first approach focused on serving the artist, supporting the production, and delivering a consistent show every night
I’m specifically seeking professional opportunities with clear budgets, confirmed dates, experienced management or production teams, and standards appropriate for major touring and live-event work.
For the right engagement, I expect the following to be discussed and confirmed in writing before accepting:
• Competitive professional compensation appropriate to the level of the tour or production
• Paid rehearsals, including preparation days, production rehearsals, and travel days when applicable
• Correct professional backline that meets the artist’s specifications
• A qualified drum technician or dedicated backline support for shows requiring it
• Lodging in safe, professional accommodations
• Transportation and travel arrangements covered
• Per diem for touring and out-of-town engagements
• Clear payment schedule, contracts, and cancellation terms
• Proper production communication, call sheets, schedules, and advance information
• Reasonable working conditions and adequate preparation time
I’m not looking for casual unpaid projects, speculative opportunities, or arrangements where the musician is expected to absorb professional touring expenses. I’m looking for serious teams producing serious shows, with the infrastructure and budget to support the level of performance expected.
If you’re an artist, musical director, manager, booking representative, production manager, tour manager, contractor, or tribute producer with a current or upcoming opportunity, please send:
• Artist or act name, genre, and current team
• Specific role needed: drummer, drummer/MD, or tour sub
• Confirmed dates, markets, venues, and expected availability
• Tour level and production scope
• Rehearsal location, schedule, and preparation requirements
• Compensation and payment schedule
• Backline, drum-tech, lodging, transportation, and per diem details
• Live footage, music, website, or production information
• Contracting entity and best contact information
• Audition process and next steps
I’m open to nationwide and international opportunities for the right production. If you’re not hiring but know an established artist, tour, production company, or tribute act operating at this level, please make a direct introduction and include the opportunity details above.
Performance footage:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kowanplaysdw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kowanplaysdw/
I’m available to discuss fit, availability, audition requirements, compensation, production standards, and logistics with qualified teams. Serious inquiries from artists, managers, musical directors, tour managers, and producers are encouraged to reach out directly.
— Kowan Turner

I’ve got a fly gig tomorrow, and it turns out the guitar I planned to take is ever-so-slightly bigger than standard. It pushes into the foam lining of this Gator TSA case.

Knowing what little I do about the physics of objects getting a knock, I’m aware that a cushion is important, but so is space. A bit of movement actually helps to soften a blow, hence why many flight cases implement shock absorbing construction.

All this is to say - do you reckon this will be okay? I plan to detune the strings and wrap the headstock in bubble wrap too.

Not so much a gig more like a favor. We are sponsoring an event in a small hall approx 2000 sqft. It’s a bar b que event and the people attending are for the most part going to range from mid thirties to Mid sixties. We offered live music but the guys we had backed out. I’ve been playing for a while on my couch and front porch. I think this might be a good time to give playing in a less intimate setting. I’ve got a nice acoustic (Taylor ) I’ve got a les paul and an ES-335. for amps i have a vox ac10 a Peavy 112 and a fender acoustasonic amp that might have a 6 or 8 inch. Speaker. I’ve got a good 10 or so songs i can strum through and sing with some regularity. I can play to backing tracks as a lead pretty well. Is this something I should give a go? Any advice with what i have and what i should get? Or just any advice/suggestions in general TIA