Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse!
I've been fortunate enough to have worked with members of Kelly Clarkson’s band on numerous occasions over the past few years, but never the full band and NEVER on actual Kelly music… until just a few weeks ago!
For five days this past December, I worked with the full band in rehearsals for Kelly Clarkson’s Meaning of Life Tour. This was the band’s first opportunity to work out the kinks and the arrangement of the live show as well as dial in new sounds and test out new equipment. The massive (literally and sonically) TAD TSM-1 loudspeakers in the Big Boy Studio at Sound Kitchen Studios also gave the band members a good idea of how their new songs would sound coming out of a live PA. Aside from the singles that have been played live on various TV appearances, this was also the band’s first time playing the new Meaning of Life songs in a live format.
Each section of the show was rehearsed and recorded to be studied and approved by Kelly overnight, then sent on for video and lighting to set stage triggers. A lot of the time when we get assigned this type of session, the days can turn into “sit around and wait to press record” after everything is set up and ready to go. BUT these guys are always on top of their game and when they’re in the room they’re down to business, which helps the process be efficient (and we don’t have to work all day/night).
It was awesome to work on an arrangement that thousands of people are going to get to hear live all over the country. If the Meaning of Life Tour is coming to a city near you, make sure you go see it! Your boy was a part of it!