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Travel and the Songwriter—Part 3

© Cindy Lee Haddock

TRAVEL AND THE SONGWRITER-Part 3

Travel is one of the great perks of being a songwriter if you are lucky enough to get a chance to do it, but it can also be problematic. Here are a few more tips you might not have thought of if you get to take that trip to a gig or writing assignment, or move to a new place.

IF YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL ALONE

If you must travel alone on buses or trains, find another nice person traveling in the same direction you are. Kill a little time before your departure time getting to know some of the people around you in the waiting area-you might even find some good ideas for new song material by just being a little friendly. This way, also, you have a choice of who to talk to, rather than be stuck with the potluck of whoever ends up needing a seat, especially if you are female and halfway attractive. I've even had old lechers pawing at my legs and pretending to fall asleep on my shoulder during airline rides (where you don't get a real choice of who sits next to you), so it is better to be a little picky in who you share a seat with if you are in a position where you have a way to choose who your seatmate is. I've found sometimes the best rides are the late night ones on express routes-few riders, a seat all to yourself, and little noise so you can catch a few winks and save the cost of a hotel room for at least that one night. Travel gurus like Rick Steves are probably right in recommending a money pouch, too, to hide important documents, credit cards and larger amounts of cash in, and to prevent problems like getting pick pocketed while traveling, too, especially if you must travel alone.

You might just say that you are heading to see people you know or relatives, but be truthful-if this person lives where you are headed, and you don't know the place, they could be a font of information, and could be helpful landing you a day job if you might need one, or where a good place to stay would be, or whether or not the place has a good music newspaper so you could check out the local music scene, or good restaurants, and so forth. This person might also end up a potential new fan, and we can all use folks like that, but I have to admit I like traveling with older ladies when I ride a bus-they know so much, and are often very nice, and although probably aren't much into modern music, will probably be sure to recommend you to their younger relatives if you seem like a nice, polite person.