Travel and the Songwriter--Part 2

Well, watching the news can be a good thing. This morning, I just found out that they will be checking electronic equipment even more closely with the newest terror threat, so perhaps you might leave the boom box and pocket sequencers in the luggage or at home or just plan on a longer wait in line as your goodies get checked if you want to travel by air-some people just take the fun out of everything for all of us. True, you can still take to the skies to travel around for your music, but sometimes the slower route is just as fun, and can be a lot less of a hassle. Here are a few ideas to make it fun as well as safe.

ENDANGERED SPECIES LAWS

If you own a newer instrument, or if you are renting equipment, you don't have to worry about this, but if you own older favorites that you really can't write without, you need to keep their paperwork close at hand. If you must pass international borders, make sure you carry a copy of your dated sales receipt for your instruments if they contain rosewood, ivory inlay, or other bits of endangered species-you may be asked to not only produce these, but sign papers promising that you won't try to sell these while in the country you are visiting. It is in your best interest, too, to find out if anything you currently own contains any bits that come from species on the protected lists, as well, to avoid embarrassment at the border and perhaps slowing you up even further if you need to wait for a fax of the appropriate documents, finding other equipment to replace it with, or the delay of coming back to retrieve it after your trip. Best to just be prepared ahead of time, in this case.

DON'T TAKE THE BUS

This has been a joke among bands that sign touring contracts for years. True, if the label charters a bus for you and has all your meals and hotel stays lined up, the price tags can get ridiculous and they just love to take this out of your profits, leaving you with little to nothing at the end of weeks of hard work to show for it. If you watch your expenses, though, stay and eat at reasonably priced places and don't do stupid things like trash the places you stay at, there is something to be said for not having to worry about whose turn it is to drive or who watches the equipment.

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