See also: Jaret Reddick is the new voice of Chuck E. Cheese
Colter Hall wasn't really looking for anything when he happened upon his current gig with Fancorps. He's also helping out Jaret Reddick of Bowling for Soup and People On Vacation, who just happens to be Hall's uncle. After a stretch at Colorado State University, he now finds himself on the road quite a bit, working hard as an assistant tour manager for Reddick and handling accounting for Fancorps.
Is this what you set out to do? From the beginning, not at all. I was just a recent college graduate wanting to get back to his Texas roots and see the world in the process. My current role with Fancorps and working with Jaret and all his side projects was primarily a happy accident, albeit one I'm extremely grateful for.
I picture you and Jaret being close, but having plenty of dust-ups along the way. What's it like working with a family member? The short answer is, it's the best. Jaret is hands-down the funniest and most caring guy I know, and any musicians who've worked with him will tell you the same. The fact that he's a part of my family is really a blessing. We have tons of laughs and he is responsible for some of the most memorable experiences in my life to date.
So much traveling for you. Are you used to it nowadays? I turned 23 this past Saturday, so I still relish every bit of travel that comes my way. I consider myself lucky to have seen more of the world in just a few years than most people get to see in a lifetime. Travel is possibly one of the more rewarding aspects of working in the music industry, but in the end you realize it's no substitute for time spent at home with friends and family.
Despite being barely 23, Colter Hall appears to be an '80s guy. Why? It's probably the hair that gives me away at first. My musical journey is one that spans genres, but largely due to Jaret's influence. He gave me my first non-pop CD, Bowling For Soup's Tell Me When To Whoa, back in '99. I have a deep respect for all things rock and roll. Hair metal speaks to me for some reason, but please don't make me choose between Guns N' Roses and Mötley Crüe. Rock had a passion and raw energy back then that's hard to come by in today's scene. I often joke that I was born in the wrong decade.
Take us through the highlights of some of your years with BFS. In my opinion, one of the coolest things is going back to a city or venue after years or months and being flooded with memories of your past trips. I remember taking a ferry in a storm out of a port in England, drinking a Guinness in an Irish pub, and meeting some of my favorite artists in cities across the world. Two years ago when the Rangers took the ALCS, we'd stay up all night on our bus in the UK watching the games. It was a blast, 14 guys crammed around a laptop streaming the game in a tiny bus lounge; I was tasked as the "bartender" for much of that tour. Finally, your first Transatlantic flight is pretty mind-blowing as well, especially when you're being secretly passed tiny bottles of vodka to add to your soda.
Family aside, are you truly a BFS fan? How about some other area acts too? Obviously, my first local love was Bowling For Soup. I still listen to all eleven albums, and the guys put on the most entertaining live show I've ever seen. Similarly, I really dig what's been happening with Jaret's other band, People On Vacation, the other half of the duo completed by Ryan Hamilton of Smile Smile. A few years back, when their stuff first hit radio, I never dreamed Ryan and I would become such good friends; plus Jencey [Hirunrusme] now works for AT&T PAC, which is a Fancorps client, so it's all come full circle.
Me and my glorious mane will be making a cameo in the new Smile Smile video "Marry A Stranger," so be on the lookout for that. Other local artists I've really gotten into over the years include The Secret Handshake, A Rocket to the Moon, Red Car Wire and, more recently, Artist Vs. Poet and Analog Rebellion. Touring with Forever the Sickest Kids in the UK was a blast. Their shows were always great and those hooks stay in your head for days. I can't wait to hear what's next from them.
On top of all this, now you're piling on audio engineering too? Most of my time and energy is spent as an accounts manager for Fancorps, helping to nurture client relationships and improve our product. In addition, I moonlight as an amateur audio engineer with Jake Salem, a friend I met through Jaret. If anyone needs a technician, installation work, a DJ or PA rental, we are reachable here.
With all this traveling, and the chance to see so many other local music scenes, what does ours need more or less of? Kids over there are crazy passionate about music, and the arts in general are more supported and accepted as a career path. Even the opening bands put on a killer show, as if there were 5,000 in attendance, as opposed to 50. That's what the scene needs, true fans and passionate, grateful artists. Granted, this certainly still exists in Dallas today, but I wish it was more widespread.
I think we just need more kids coming out to shows. I'd love to see Deep Ellum thrive like it hasn't in years. I wasn't even living in Texas during the heyday, unfortunately. Also, Dallas would be a better place if everyone went and bought Jack White's latest, Blunderbuss. That album blows me away with each listen.
