What does it look like to be on a National Tour? W/Crowder and Toby Mac

I'm currently on tour tech-ing with Crowder on the "Hits Deep" tour with Toby Mac. Here's a behind the scenes look at what a typical day entails.
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What does it look like to be on a national tour? W/Crowder and Toby Mac

[@adamhaymanmusic]

These are my FAVORITE videos. Love getting to relive my touring days through them

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it

[@Prettynoise]

Michael, mind blowing to see how much work is put into putting on a tour. Most people just see the show . Hats off to the road crew as well as the management and financial teams at home base. It's a massive undertaking.

[@pinstripe_pedals]

"Napkins are not knees, but we can put our napkin on our knees..."

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

😂 Thanks!

[@rushing2travel351]

Hey Michael, make all these behind the scene vids you want to. Never boring. I appreciate seeing the reality of day to day life on the road.

[@philh27]

Excellent viewing as always. Thanks Michael.

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@its_justJohn]

You guys were a pleasure to work with in Billings, Mt. The whole day was pressed for time to get you to on the road Denver, yet you guys were cool to the end. I rigged and ran spot and had a blast the whole day. Thank you guys

[@stevievan2]

Great video! My wife and I came to the show in CLT; great to see you and Wes taking care of the band! Really nice vlog!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks!

[@wpflesh6510]

I did a bit of this for a popular local band in my town (drum tech and even got to sit in one night when there drummers real job at a popular amusement park owned by a famous country music legend took him away for a show) and I must say even on the local level I was on it’s really rewarding work and I just wish my back was in better shape so I could have pursued this line of work more seriously

[@goodc713]

Well done my man! It’s been fun working in close proximity with you and the crowder boys.

[@goodc713]

Also I want in on next video!!!! Hahahaha

[@jimi272]

Are you one of the drummers?

[@goodc713]

@@jimi272 in theory..

[@stevestratton1888]

Awesome job Michael. I’ve really been enjoying your videos. I’m sure you’re really enjoying working with Crowder. I had the opportunity to have dinner with the David Crowder Band a number of years ago when we hosted them for a college show. He is so down to earth and personable.

[@JustJoshLTRB]

dude. nothing boring about this. makes me miss the road. especially the few arena runs I got to do.

[@lovesallthingsold4501]

We went to the concert you guys did a Great Job.I have a Martin nylon the stretcher will help thanks

[@portsidedive]

Just found your channel and have probably watched 10+ videos already. Love your content! Especially these tour/tech vlogs.

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks!

[@JagStar]

Lovin’ the road vids!

[@kevinmusso2397]

Thanks … fun to watch and learn the process

[@bThomps]

I love the tour updates! I’m missing my bunk! Gotta get back on the road sometime.

[@TheFeelButton]

The life I love is making music with my friends! Good stuff Michael!!

[@miller8084]

Thanks! Love the backstage walk through!

[@davidharris3806]

Best takeaway advice of this video? “Knees are not napkins.” This will help me in my future endeavors. 😂

[@scottboatright8768]

See you guys in Austin in the 25th!

[@Sean_Plays_Guitar]

Heeeyy! There he is! Hope all is well, buddy!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks!

[@ScottMcdonaldMusic]

The breakfast buffet alone is worth it. 🤘🏻I’d love to go out as a tech . It just seems like it would be fun .

[@clumhain]

love it, thanks for the vid! To those of us who never experienced it , i can tell you it is all interesting. My questions, is the stage largely silent to the extent that without in ears the drums are dominant or is there still a fair degree of wedge/sidefill going on? Does humidity in a venue during a multi act gig really mess with the tuning of a double bass for example? If you could interview the monitor guy and sound guy and get their perspective it would be nice too. Look at me asking for a lot for free content!!!!:-)

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Depends, with Crowder it’s mostly “silent” but they do have some bass/kick in the the sidefill subs. Usually after the instruments are in the venue for the day they settle in and are stable. We have had to watch the low humidity places for the acoustics and use humidifiers.

[@ryanjohnson9121]

I love these videos on the road! Maybe if the bands will let you do some "rig rundown" type interviews? Always fun to watch.

[@HUESOSBONES]

LUV the back stage WORK. Sadly, my wife and I had to miss the Philly show. Keep “boring” us BC I find the tour life / band life / stage set up, all more than interesting.🤠🦴 - Bones, PA

[@Cantique_]

Awesome content man! You inspire me!

[@EdMcCraeMusic]

I think knees can make AMAZING napkins lol. Love the channel!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

😂 Thanks!

[@colavermusic]

Just discovered your channel today!! Love your content 😎🙂👌👍

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Welcome! (And thanks!)

[@colavermusic]

@@MichaelWWestbrook 👌👌looking forward to more

[@CheddarKungPao]

This is so fun to see and experience vicariously. I'd be interested in what kind of maintenance you're doing on instruments and how frequently they need different things. E.g. after a whole tour is the wear on parts like frets and nut and bridge saddle noticeable? Thanks dude!

[@Dave_Sawyer]

Appreciate the video! Would love a rundown on what's the orange tech box at the guitar station.

[@joshsmith7033]

3:18 don't worry guy in the hat. I get it.

[@kristenluoma538]

Is there a possibility for a Rig run down experience from.at.least the 5-6 strings folks. That would be cool

[@jwieadmin]

I'm playing the same arena with Disney on ice as I watched this video

[@JETallacksen]

That orange case might make for a good video. Is it simply just a tuner and some various guitar-related odds and ends (strings, picks, etc.)?

[@mattcallaway7164]

Older video I know, but just discovered your channel yesterday. Have you done a video on what a good, compact, essentials kit for a touring guitar tech would consist of? Like if you got a call and had to fly out somewhere with just whatever would fit in a small case, what would be the bare minimum essentials to have in the case to guitar tech for someone, especially someone who doesn't have any of those supplies to start with?

[@PJAbordoSynth]

Love these types of videos! Which camera gear do you use for these?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks! I’m using a Sony 6600 with a Sigma 16mm set lenses. I also have a cheap Sony 16-50mm that I’ll put on every now and then.

[@jacobpittman1996]

Just one curiosity for you; do any particular equipment brands stand out to you as never-fail gear to use on the road? …or at least almost-never fail?

[@jimi272]

Ultracases from California is a case bend that’s widely used among touring musicians, that’s one of the brands that comes to my mind immediately… don’t know about others🤷🏻‍♂️

[@matthewpateofficial]

Cool video! Next time you’ll have to get Brian Ramey in one of your videos. He drums with Toby…..Also I have an epiphone acoustic I’d like to have a new pickup system in. Do you have any recommendations?

[@owlsonik37]

Love these Vlogs! When you’re on tour as a tech, do you ever have to jump on stage and fill in on the guitar?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

It’s usually one or the other! It could happen though

[@macsarcule]

The thumbnail looked like you were holding a bow and arrow.

[@JETallacksen]

Michael, will you be playing with Crowder at Red Rocks this September?

[@TeamUltraSlow]

We were right behind the guitar station when you guys were in Omaha NE last week. Prime seats for the old two finger punk guitarist I am, not so great for his wife…..😀 Honey look…..see that?….check that amp out….

[@rickwiggins283]

Enjoyed the video. I have to ask ... what's the story with the stuffed white fox they were carrying onto stage?

[@matthewjungling]

When did production load in begin and when did load out end each day?

[@scotdle]

love these vlog style videos! for this gig, did you have to learn any new maintenance skills or were you fairly comfortable working on your assigned instruments?

[@jimmy5381]

Kenny Rogers At 9:47!!!

[@onefourteen]

Do you get bummed out when you get the 'Tech call' as opposed to the musician call?

[@bengreer7638]

what type of stagedeck is being used on this tour? Decks you can ziptie to that also are on wheels?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

The risers on this one were plexiglass. Very heavy but they allow light to shine up through. Nothing was moving after the main stage was in place so no need to tie anything down.

[@felipealonso8409]

The Noah Guthrie band ain’t sound the same without you!!!!

[@ryanwhite5482]

Are all the guitars using those Kempers I saw onstage?

[@masonmunari7923]

no way! Im buddies with Joe Angel, crowder is great!

[@LeadingWorshipWell]

Today I learned: Knees are not napkins. 😂

[@bradleejaymz]

How about the local crew? Want to go a little more in depth with how that works on tours like this?

[@RonnieSandifer]

I kinda assumed Toby was the opener. Guess I was wrong

[@joshsmith7033]

5:58 bro you're not even helping? So, you're THAT guy....

[@simonvandijk08]

Whats the song playing at: 7:59 - 8:23 ???

[@dmock66]

Are you playing or the guitar/instrument tech on this tour?

[@robertruth3281]

I wonder about "the dumb things"!!!! How do you manage laundry??? It seems like that would be difficult when you are moving from city to city... so you can't drop it off.....

[@shineoncoffee4772]

Comment #2 Great video. These are fun!!!!

[@mezzafinook]

hello michael w westbrook

[@aadanpichardo5872]

Hey man what’s the new drummers name

[@jonhayesofficial]

bore me with the same thing over and over at least a few more times on this tour please haha

[@godawg1023]

Is Blackhawk doing this tour?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Yes!

[@godawg1023]

@@MichaelWWestbrook Great bunch of guys!!

[@nicholasjohn1001]

As in Blackhawk the country band?

[@godawg1023]

@@nicholasjohn1001 , No, Blackhawk is an audio company out of Nashville Tn that supports lots of tours.

[@gregcavanaugh6259]

Took my family to one of the 1st shows of this tour in Rio Rancho NM. Mostly enjoyed it! Will, say I found Crowder a bit disappointing, as a musician myself, it sort was just lots of noise. Hopefully they've refined their set better as the tour has progressed.

[@shineoncoffee4772]

Comment #1 Give me a call when David needs a banjo player.

[@nathanielhall3620]

Need some gloves with that NAPTHA that stuff will eat your nerve endings

[@steven_uk]

A drummer leaving half way through a tour is a massive red flag.

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Not necessarily. In this case he had been with the band for a long time and was moving to a different gig. No hard feelings on any side, just how schedules worked out.

[@steven_uk]

@@MichaelWWestbrook It's bad scheduling if you can only play half a tour. I know you need to toe the party line, but everyone knows a band member leaving half way through a tour is a bad sign.

[@oldguitars]

Creepy terrible christian music....