Ask the Experts | February 25, 2025

Peyton Cole: Tour Manager & Guitar Tech

These questions aim to delve into various aspects of acoustic guitar care and maintenance, travel tips, unique situations, and funny stories from the road. We hope to offer insights and inspiration for both beginners and experienced players alike. 

What is your official title? 

I am Reckless Kelly’s Tour Manager and Guitar Tech.

What artists have you worked with?  

I have tour managed for John Baumann, The Panhandlers, Rob Baird, Bart Crow, Steve Earle, and The Lowdown Drifters.

Can you share some insights into your daily responsibilities when working with high-profile artists and their acoustic guitars?  

Being a tour manager and guitar tech comes with extra responsibility that keeps me very busy throughout show days. My first daily responsibilities start with loading our entire backline setup and prepping the stage for sound check. I then pop open my guitar vault and let everything adjust to the temperature and humidity of our current location. Willy Braun plays a vintage acoustic and also carries three six-string electrics and a Rickenbacker 12-string electric. I first focus on setting up Willy’s amplifiers (acoustic and electric), then work on Cody Braun’s fiddle and mandolin world. Directly following sound check, I restring guitars as needed (every two shows, maximum). Willy’s acoustic and his butterscotch Fender Telecaster, “Yeller,” get played at every show. Every gig you can find me in my guitar world, restringing guitars on a makeshift workspace using various road case lids.

What are one or two essential tips you would give to beginner guitar players regarding acoustic guitar care and maintenance?  

If you’re a beginner in anything, it’s obvious to surround yourself with people who have similar interests and commonalities. Sure, I could befriend all the guitar techs. But my deep-seeded passion for music inspires me to be closer to the music on all levels.   

As a beginner guitar player, I stay attentive to how small changes in the instrument can have big impacts on playability. Engaging with a community of musicians and techs has really enhanced my understanding and guitar maintenance.

Could you elaborate on the common issues or challenges you encounter with acoustic guitars while on tour, and how you address them? 

The difference between issues faced on tour versus at home is the accessibility of your solutions. “Oh, we are playing in a cow pasture in the middle of nowhere Montana?” There sure won’t be a store within 100+ miles with DeoxIT® or mic clips. 

Over time, road use can lead to worn bridge pins, loose tuning pegs, and other issues. Since Willy only travels with one acoustic guitar, it’s crucial to provide attention and maintenance before each show. 

If there isn’t a timely or readily accessible solution, I’ve got to think quick and prepare the best substitutions to make my artists happy. I aim to not take a show for granted and learn from each lesson. 

What specific steps do you take to protect acoustic guitars from environmental factors such as humidity and temperature changes, especially during travel? 

Growing up in North Central Montana, humidity (or lack thereof) was a non-issue. Moving to Texas last October was a large adjustment.  

To maintain sound quality, I ensure all stringed instruments are securely stored in their proper cases/vaults and pay close attention to the storage temperature while avoiding exposure to direct sunlight. Restringing guitars outdoors on a black stage in 100-degree heat is not ideal, and certainly not my favorite. 

I strategically set up my guitar station to minimize weather impact. Moving forward, I plan to incorporate humidity control packs and a humidity tester to better understand and manage the effects of varying humidity levels on our instruments as we tour across varying weather conditions.

Can you share any memorable anecdotes or experiences you've had while working with touring musicians and their acoustic guitars?

This year at the Braun Brothers Reunion festival in Challis, Idaho, I was not just Reckless Kelly’s tour manager and guitar tech. I staged managed all weekend while balancing as a fill-in tech for Cody Braun and other special guests that used Willy’s guitars and our drawer of percussive instruments. It was a rush around stage making sure backup amps were rigged up to play at the last minute or setting up a seasoned musician on a wireless guitar pack for his first time. I find it really enjoyable playing an integral part to a performance while still working behind the scenes. 

How do you approach troubleshooting and resolving technical issues with acoustic guitars during live performances or recording sessions? 

Addressing technical issues with acoustic guitars during live performances or recording sessions demands both quick thinking and composure. From my experience, maintaining a calm demeanor is crucial – losing your cool can set off a chain reaction among your team. I focus on staying alert and working efficiently under pressure. In live performances, issues are time-sensitive. It’s essential to anticipate problems and be prepared.  

During a set, I begin to tune guitars two to three songs ahead of time if the guitar changes allow. Sometimes a song gets skipped or added on the fly, and being prepared ahead of time can prevent any embarrassing mishaps. I’m constantly tuning and writing show notes on my clipboard.  

What advice would you give to aspiring guitar techs on how to get started in the role? 

My advice to aspiring guitar techs is simple: always embrace the opportunity for growth and learning. In any field, if you think there’s no room for improvement, there isn’t. Surround yourself with talented musicians, other techs, and industry professionals – ask questions and absorb as much knowledge as you can. Be a sponge! 

My own journey began with classical piano training and immersion in music from the beginning of my existence. When I started tour managing, I took every possible chance to help with live production and guitar tuning. Start with small opportunities and be open to wearing multiple hats. Balancing roles such as tour manager and guitar tech has expanded my skill set and opened doors to new opportunities. Stay curious, take charge, and never stop learning!  

What's the most valuable lesson you've learned throughout your career as a guitar tech, and how can it benefit guitar players of all levels?  

Take notes! I am an avid note taker with my clipboard at every gig. There is so much information coming in, especially on a new gig. The folks you work with want to feel heard and seen. And shouldn’t they be!? Accomplishing all the tasks you sign yourself up for or are delegated is crucial. Day of show can be chaotic, so I do my best to set myself and my crew up for success. I try to make sure present Peyton is always looking out for future Peyton, and therefore Reckless Kelly.

What's the most unusual or unconventional venue you've had to set up for a performance, and how did you adapt to the unique circumstances? 

Every show is like a new puzzle. At a rodeo arena in San Angelo, Texas, the load-in door was right up against the back of the stage. Having to load cases over and around truss tower stands can be incredibly frustrating and physically demanding. Every venue poses different issues with audiovisual companies, stagehands, and ample power. Having a great crew and good morale among the band, we make any situation work. Here’s to another perfect show!

Can you recall a funny or lighthearted moment involving a famous musician and their acoustic guitar while on tour that still brings a smile to your face? 

Reckless Kelly has recently had the pleasure of being Steve Earle’s backing band. It has been such an incredible experience working with Steve’s camp, and closely with Steve’s guitar tech. I get to experience witnessing these two iconic acts come together. Their first performance was electrifying, and we all felt a huge sense of relief and camaraderie as we wrapped up that set.  

At Braun Brothers Reunion, Bukka Allen on his B3 organ and Cody Braun on his fiddle started the organ intro to “Copperhead Road.” They were cut off by Steve five seconds in while totally psyching the energized crowd out. If you don’t know Steve Earle, you know “Copperhead Road.” It became the comedic relief we all needed.

What's the most unexpected or unconventional request you’ve received from a musician regarding their acoustic guitar setup or maintenance? 

Willy Braun approached me side-stage during a set with Steve Earle and asked if I had charged his guitar (unbeknownst to me, he meant his guitar pickup). I was initially caught off guard and in a moment of panic, I mistakenly assured him that I had changed the batteries in his wireless pack. I thought to myself: “Who knew you had to charge acoustic guitars?!” I was completely unaware that Willy's acoustic pickup needs to be charged after 16 hours of playtime to prevent sound distortion. 

Without the proper charging equipment on hand, our Front of House/Production Manager Taylor and I had to quickly improvise. We rigged up a nine-volt battery and a quarter-inch jack as a makeshift solution. This experience proved the importance of working efficiently under pressure and leveraging available resources. Sometimes your only resource is collaboration with the front of house engineer, monitor engineer, or another guitar tech on the team.