Saturday, February 11, 2012

DAY OFF IN OHIO

Day off in Ohio

A day off on tour is a very precious thing.  On tour days kind of seem to blur together, and the simple luxuries you have at home are no where to be found.  

I was talking to Andre (Our merch guy) on the bus the other day, and asked him, "Do you like touring?"

He sighed.  It was 1 a.m. He had to stay up late counting out merch quantities with the venue and giving them their cut. (At most shows, venues keep a percentage of merch sales.  The standard is usually 20%). Random fact. :)

"Yes and no," he said.  "I miss my family a lot.  I miss out on events. Ya know, birthdays, art festivals, mother's day.  But I like traveling a lot.  I like it too when I'm surrounded by good people."

I smiled. "I miss silly things."

"Like what?" he asked.

"Well, for example, on tour it sucks brushing your teeth.  It's like...you have to go into the bay of the bus to get your suitcase out, dig for your toiletry bag, get your toothbrush out of the weird container, dig for a water bottle in the ice chest, and then brush your teeth outside with your one water bottle to last ya the time.  At home, it's like...the toothbrush is hanging out on the bathroom vanity by the toothpaste by the sink!"  

He laughed.

I know I'm just being silly now, but after a few weeks of tour, the thing I miss the most is just having everything conveniently out.  You need toe clippers, well, they're right here in the bathroom drawer! No big deal!  You don't have to pull 7 other people's bags out to find your bag stuffed in the back of the bay to grab those suckers out.

I hope you don't take this as me complaining about tour.  Because, obviously, I choose tour over any of the other stuff, from the small things like toothbrush convenience, to the big things, like missing my very large family at home in Utah.  But everyday I would choose tour.  Being up on stage is something I wouldn't give up, even though sometimes I get so nervous it scares the crap out of me.  I still want to get right back up on the horse.  Sometimes people ask me, "How did you overcome your nerves/fears."  My answer to that:  I haven't.  I don't think I ever will.  But what I have got control over...is how I let the nerves and fear control me.  They're still there, lurking in the shadows, but I'll still go out on stage with a smile and a big middle finger to them.  Sure, you're still here...but so am I.  

Now, moving on to the present.  Today is a day off in Ohio.  I wake up in my bunk.  It's hot. Someone's snoring.  The humidifier is on but I can tell there's no water in it left.  It sounds funny.  The lights are all off.  I peek out.  Everyone's curtain in their bunk is closed.  No way!  Am I really the first person to wake up today?  I look at the clock on my phone. 9:45 a.m.  I am ALWAYS the last to wake. (Granted, I'm usually the last to go to sleep too.  I've been busy with Korean Rosetta stone so I can better understand my momma)!  

Wait a second...if I'm the first up...that means that I have a chance to be the first person in the hotel room...meaning, I COULD BE THE FIRST PERSON IN THE SHOWER!  That's enough to even pull me out of bed.  We have 9 people with us on the bus. 5 of them, myself included, are band. Andre- Merch dude. Rob - Tech.  Chase - Monitor tech.  Robert - Tour manager. We only get 1 hotel room. (Hey, we're on a budget here!) So...after 9 people get in one hotel room...the chances are, it doesn't look or smell that great later on.  The 9th person to get the shower is never a happy person.  Especially if all the guys shave in the bathroom.  Geez, they leave their hair EVERYWHERE!!!

I quickly put some warm clothes on, get my laundry bag (Yes, laundry is a must on every day off!) and run into the hotel.  I spot Meg on my way in.  

"Why are you up?" she asks astonished.

"I want to take a bath....am I the first one in the bathroom?" (After one person has gone...baths are a no no for me.  I just can't.....ew). 

"Yup you are."

"Excuse me," I say, as I scramble toward the elevator.

And as I'm sitting in the bath tub, a slather of honey on my face, (Home made mask!) and a little bit of lavender oil in the water, I think to myself...Awww, this is the life!  How grateful I am for this bath! 

I hear the door click open.

"Hello?" I call out.

"Just me," Meg says.  "Take your time."

Oh, I will.  I do.  I think about all the things I have to do on this special day off.  A day off is a time to go to the gym, find some healthy groceries, wash and fold laundry, reorganize the messy bus, clean sheets, write blogs to you!, think of songs to cover, wear no make up (yes!) and watch my favorite gooshy mooshy chick movies in the back alone.  Days off are nice days to have some time to yourself.

I turn on some more hot water.  And all of a sudden I get really excited.  I'm on tour!!!  I'm on tour with Blake Shelton!!!  I got to watch Miranda Lambert perform yesterday during his set.  What a performer and singer!  I feel like I've been learning so much this tour just by watching these people that I look up to so much.  I don't think Blake will ever know how much it means to me that he's taken us on tour.  If I truly expressed my feelings to him everyday, I'd just get annoying.  It would be me bursting into tears screaming, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."  But really...at the end of the day, I couldn't be more happy to dig in the bus bay, dig in the toiletry bag, and dig for the water bottle to brush my damn teeth!  

XOX

Dia

P.S.  97.5 WQBE played me song "I will" the other day on radio.  I then quickly tweeted to my followers, "Please call the number to the radio station and request the song again."  I later called up the station to say thanks for playing it.  They told me that they had never had so many consistent callers asking for a song in a long while.  They said I have great fans.  It was at that moment that I realized how awesome you guys truly are.  It almost brought tears to my eyes. I love you!


P.S. My new merch store just finally opened! "RED" vinyls are now available too!  Here is the link!

http://diaframpton.shop.bravadousa.com/Dept.aspx?cp=53475_54575

For Tour Dates: (On tour now!)

www.diaframptonmusic.net

26 comments:

  1. so happy for you!!! more success and please dont change =)

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  2. Yes you have merch up!!! Also, who's the pup? :D

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  3. Woah the merch is so cool! I'll be sure to bring some extra money and get some at the concert

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  4. Who drives the bus on your tour?

    I like to drive, but I don't know if I could do long distance day after day for 3 months. The person who can do that has my respect.

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  5. You're in my state, 2hrs from where I live. Awesome! I am definitely getting the vinyl at the show next Sunday.

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  6. This blog reminds me why I am a fan. You are just a really cool person. Even if you weren't so talented, I would be a your fan. Enjoy the day off and charge those golden pipes. Remember if you need us to call more stations, you got it! Viva Dia!

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  7. I can imagine how stressful living out of a bus can be... But I can also imagine how awesome touring would be and how it would trump any aggravations! :) Glad you're enjoying your time. Love your music!

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  8. The touring conditions remind me of my camping trips with my family when iwas younger...lots of people crammed into a tiny space where it's a chore just to brush your teeth -_- glad you're relaxing on your day off! I am SUPER excited to see you this Sunday!! I. Can. Not. Wait.
    ...and cute puppy :D

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  9. Thanks for giving us a little peak into what it's like to be on tour. The more I learn about you the more awesome you seem to be. You are: A talented musician and writer, have a wicked sense of humor and a little twisted mentally(one of my favorite things so don't take it as an insult!), you are a genuinely kindhearted person and you are beautiful! I think most of your beauty comes from the inside out. You are unique and special(I'm a realist, I know you're not perfect..just sayin')and all of us fans are here for you. :)

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  10. Interesting update! I've always wondered about those kinds of issues with going on tour... first in the bathroom. Haha.

    Good luck with practicing your Korean! Another fun way: watch Korean dramas that have been subtitled in English. There's plenty on YouTube / internet.

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  11. That's so inspiring! Sounds like you've been having a lot of fun on the road... It's always nice to lounge back. Keep enjoying the ride Dia! You're growing in so many different ways on this tour-- I can't wait to see you on the last tour date!

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  12. "Geez, they leave their hair EVERYWHERE!!!" This is unavoidable. Seriously. It drives me mad. No matter how much care I take to avoid it it still gets everywhere AND it's hard to clean up quickly. Anyways, take it easy on your boys.

    I don't know if we are allowed to make request or not, but I would really like to hear you cover, KT Tunstall's Other Side of the World http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11MFzwp6LY8

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  13. I am so excited to see you when you come to New York! It sounds like a butt-ton of work being on tour, but at least you're doing something you love!

    P.S. Isabella is my favorite track on RED; I hope you play it when you're in NY!

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  14. Hi Dia, my name is Jose from Puerto Rico, yes Puerto Rico, I'm really happy with the things you are doing. You are so talented and a inspiration, hope travel to see you performed. You really have writing skills, I love the way you express your self. Your album is by far beautiful.

    Be happy, be safe! ;)

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  15. For Dia

    Although my ten strings are all out of tune,
    And untaught fingers pluck awry the harp,
    I'll warble still, if I shan't quite out-croon
    Chopin's piano in C minor sharp;
    And pray that you'll forgive me if I warp
    Through want of art this Spenserian line;
    I know your gracious lips would never carp
    Because I fail to match the Muses Nine:
    Yet unmatched grace demands a matchless Valentine.

    But if the mighty strain brings on a seizure,
    As I your beauty's monument groaning raise,
    'T is solace knowing that in Indonesia
    A million fans will amplier hymn your praise;
    Nor could I suffer long from my malaise:
    For every pang would, like the morning dew,
    Dissolve in sunny raptures as I gaze
    Upon your lovely smile--I only rue
    That unlike "Delta" I could not be hugged by you.

    It's true I'm fairly fond of eggs and bacon,
    Washed down with Afric's heady mountain brew;
    And should my breakfast turn entirely vegan,
    I fear my frame in turn would turn see-through;
    But I would gladly burn my barbecue:
    For bean burritos to my dazzled eye
    Ne'er seemed so ravishing--I scarcely knew
    How such fare could so sweetly satisfy!
    But could I dine with you I'd know the reason why.

    Oh! Dia! How I wish my rhymey jingling
    Could better serenade those matchless eyes,
    Where beauty bold and shyness intermingling,
    Like moonlight on the waters, hypnotise
    The one who fain would sing but only sighs.
    But ere I stem my warbling's fitful flow,
    To soothe me with your sweeter lullabies,
    There is one thing I'd fondly let you know--
    Sweet Songstress of my heart--Adieu!--Saranghaiyo!

    with love,

    14-2-12

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  16. Hey Dia, a big hello from Singapore!
    It's truely refreshing to read your blog.. there's such an air of innocence and sincerity about the way you write. Totally unpretentious, and I know people can definitely sense it about you.
    Awesome album you have.. "Daniel" and "The Broken Ones" are my favourites.. Will definitely request your songs on local radio so many more Singaporeans will know bout you

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  17. Hey Dia! You need to come back to Utah. I know you're coming in March, but I can't make it because of classes. Please come again. We all know you love Utah the most. Anyway, I hope to meet you again someday. Please play Warped Tour again. :)

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  18. Hey Dia, I just met you last night in Pittsburgh and I just wanted to say that you're an absolute sweetheart. I don't think I've ever been so nervous to meet someone, but it truly was an honor to get a moment to speak with you. There were so many things I wanted to ask you, but unfortunately I had hundreds of your fans behind me so I didn't have the chance. Thanks again for everything and good luck with the rest of your tour, I can't wait to see you again!

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  19. Hi Dia, I just got to know your music from watching re-runs of the voice over the internet here in Austria (Europe) and I just wanted to let you know - I love your music!!!!! hope you come to Europe sometimes!
    cheers Nina

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  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. Good Morning Dia Frampton,

    I have experienced some difficulty in locating your direct contact information. Anyhow, my name is Carsla Peyton contacting you from the communications department of CCSD in Las Vegas, Nevada. Our department is currently working on an upcoming project concerning successful Clark County graduates, and we were greatly interested in featuring you in this endeavor. Our office is greatly inspired by your story, and we are hoping to gain further knowledge to share your road to fame with the wider community in the near future. If you are interested in collaborating with us, please feel free to contact me within the next couple of weeks.

    Thank you so much for your time, and enjoy the rest of your day. I hope to hear from you soon!

    Carsla Peyton
    cpeyton@interact.ccsd.net

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  22. You're souch a sweet heart Dia! It come out on stage and in your writing. You did a great set in Seattle!!

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  23. Thanks for sharing Dia, that human side is critical to know as it does make the music so very real, which you are a pro at! Keep doing it, and don't forget to thank Blake when the time is right.

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