Music Beyond the Classroom: Interview with C.J. Blair

For the next installment of our Music Beyond the Classroom series, we’re interviewing master-of-all-trades, C.J. Blair. In a whirlwind career in the music industry, C.J. has worn many hats: guitarist, guitar tech, front of house sound, engineer, and, most recently served as the production manager for Khalid’s national and international tour this past year. From setting up a show at SNL, to managing a tour overseas, his work has taken him all over the globe. We asked him to share more about his work and how he got to the position he’s in today. Want to know more about C.J. and see behind the scenes photos of his life and work? You can find him on instagram: @cjblair_.

 Tell us about being a production manager for Khalid. What does your day-to-day work look like?

My day starts pretty early. I’m always the first one in the venue and the last one out. A typical day starts at 7am and ends around 1am. I start the day by walking to the venue, hanging the motors that hold up our sound system, video walls, lighting, etc. We travel with 12 trucks on tour so it takes roughly 150 people to unload, set up and pack up those trucks each day.

CJ and the rest of Khalid’s touring crew

We build a show every day to make a 5pm sound check, open the doors to 13,000 show goers everyday and we’re off stage by 11pm. These are long days for sure! (Especially when you have to do 3 shows in a row, there’s not much sleep going on.)

How did you get into your position? What led you there?

Who were your mentors in your field and what did they teach you?

My biggest mentor for live sound has been a friend named Scott Adamson (he does the front of house sound for artists like Haim, St Vincent, and Passion Pit). He has such a technical yet creative approach to mixing live music and his simple philosophies have become a huge part of my thought process when working. He actually also runs a live sound essential traning website that’s a GREAT tool for anyone looking to get into touring and mixing live sound. https://www.theproductionacademy.com/

What is the hardest part of your job?

I think being able to make decisions quickly is one of the hardest things of this job. It’s something that comes with experience just by doing it. Sometimes I might have 2 less than stellar option for a decision I have to make. And, on the spot, I might just have to go with one that sucks the least. Some have to be made that might be show stopping or altering so there’s no time to “sleep on it”. That part of the job can feel easier as you’re more confident. But it’s still hard when you’re in it and are terrified of making the wrong move.  

What is the best part of your job?

Being able to see the world is amazing, one of the best parts for sure. But without a doubt it’s the people you get to live with and meet. I’ve made some of my best friends and relationships with people I either tour with, or have met on the road. A lot of times the folks I work with are all with each other 8 months out of the year. So, you get close really fast. And I speak for most people when I say these will be some of the closest people you can have on your side on the road to travel and have these tourist or work adventures with. It’s your touring family!

behind the soundboard at SNL

Did you have any influential music teachers in your life? Tell us about them.

No, unfortunately. I never took formal lessons from any one person. I just soaked up bits of knowledge from people I had respect for  anywhere and anytime I could. I’m always watching and listening. Even to this day I do. Even if I don’t have the opportunity to ask someone questions, being able to watch and listen to a knowledgeable person is how I’ve learned a ton! 

What do you wish you had in school that would have better prepared you for what you’re doing now?

I’m no teacher so I don’t have any comprehension of how it is to teach a general population the same things to make every individual succeed. But, speaking from my experience, I wish someone warned me how many different hats I’d need to wear at any given time–being able to go above the call and make those things happen is an important skill or at the very least something to be aware of. This isn’t as much of a specialty industry when you’re first starting. If you’re in a van tour and the only crew member, you’re likely the sound engineer, backline tech, tour manager, and merch manager. So having at least the baseline of all those skills I think is essential for diversifying and setting yourself up for success and keep you working. The same applies for musicians: if you play the guitar extremely well, should you maybe know how to play slap bass as well? If you play the grand piano/keyboard, shouldn’t you know how to get on a B3 organ and shred at church as well? I think so. The more you expand your skills, you expand your brand and you expand your capability to get different types of work.

on stage at SNL

What advice would you give to someone trying to “make it” in your field?

Be humble always. Be an easy and positive person to work with. That’s how you’ll be able to get called back to a job, or get called at all. Whatever your gig might be, if you want to tour it needs to be assumed that you already can play guitar, or mix live sound, or tour manage. So get those skills however you can, but what’s going to KEEP you working is your attitude and how you interface with others. That’s just as important in this business as your technical skill. No one cares if you’re the best at what you do if they don’t want to live on a bus with you for 6 weeks because you’re a grump.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

This is one of the hardest, but most rewarding jobs in the world. It’s tough for this to be a lifelong profession for most. Some tour for 5 years, 15 years, or 25+ years! It’s not for everyone but if you’re an adventurer and love live music and traveling the world, this job is for you!