Spotlight on ... Graham Cochrane
by Dirk Faes


A short biography
Some of you may say who? But most die hard Texas fans will have seen Graham standing at the side of the stage during a concert, accompanying Sharleen on her way out of the venue after a concert, keeping the fans at a distance, ...

Graham Cochrane, 41 years old, lives in Glasgow, Scotland. He's been Texas' Tour Manager since 1994 untill the recent Greatest Hits tour.

Besides working as Tour Manager for Texas, Graham also was Production Manager for The Prodigy, The Manic Street Preachers, The Charlatans and T in the Park 1999 and 2000.


The Interview
Tid: How and when did you become Texas' Tour manager?
Graham: One of the band managers (Mr Rab Andrew, lovely man) called me in January 1994, the tour manager they had for the tour at the end of 1993 (beginning of Ricks Road) had left to do other things. I had tour managed a lot of bands before this but not anyone with such a big following as Texas, I took up where the last tour manager had left off, we toured Europe in March and April 1994 and on from there. I have been the "Tour manager" since then.

Tid: Can you describe to us what exactly a tour manager has to do?
Graham: I oversee all aspects of the tour. Once the date have been booked and agreed by band, agent and management, I begin to book hotels, buses, trucks, lighting, PA equipment etc. I book all band and crew hotels with the help of a travel agent. I work out with the band how and when they would like to travel to and from all of the shows, which hotels they would like to stay in etc. With the help of the Production manager, (Derek Mcvay and John Armstrong) we decide which supply companies we would like to use, we get a design for the lighting and stage set from the lighting designer once it has been agreed with the band and management. We then ensure that anything that needs to be made for the stage set is done on time for the start of the tour. We book all the crew and catering. I work out how much everything is going to cost and advise the managers.

Tid: What's the difference between a production manager and a tour manager then?
Graham: The Production manager travels with the crew (which can be up to 50 people), is there at the beginning of the load in (6.00am every day) and ensures that all the equipment is ready and working for 4.00pm each day when the soundcheck is due to begin. I travel with the band at all times, check that hotels rooms are ready, check that the band are paid correctly every night and supervise any press and interviews that may be taking place during the day.

Tid: What is the most important task of your job?
Graham: To make sure that all of the band are relaxed, and rested in between shows and arrive at the venue in time for soundcheck each day.


Tid: How many people work for Texas when they are touring?
Graham: Altogether on the last Texas tour we had about 8 sound people, 10 lighting, Production manager, stage manager, 3 band backline persons, 12 drivers, 4 caterers, 8 video people, 4 set carpenters , in addition to this we ask for 36 crew locally who load and unload all the 7 atriculated trucks which take the equipment to every venue. And me.

Tid: While on tour, who's actually the boss, you or Sharleen?
Graham: I carry out the wishes of the band, They have all been touring for years, they have all the good ideas about the way the show should look and sound and I try and make it all happen as best as I can.

Tid: How would you describe Texas?
Graham: Very talented songwriters and musicians and nice people into the bargain.

Tid: Which are your own favorite Texas songs?
Graham: Inner smile, I dont want a lover, Postcard, Say what you want (I think that the live version they did on the tour is awesome)

Tid: When you are on tour with the band, what is your day planning? Do you arrive with the band or does your day start even earlier?
Graham: I always travel with the band, my day usually starts at about 9.00am, I check that I know exactly what is planned for that day, interviews, soundcheck times, travel arrangements. I check that everything is running smoothly at the venue, if we are travelling that day to the show in the next town I make sure that the bus is at the hotel 15 minutes prior to leaving, I make sure that we have all of the band when we leave the hotel, I make sure that the next hotel is aware of what time we are arriving and we all get to the venue before 4.00pm.

Tid: Do you have anything to say when it comes to the concert itself, musicwise then I mean?
Graham: As I stated earlier the band have all of the good ideas, the only input that I have is to advise on practicalities and logistics of things that may or may not be possible.

Tid: Can you actually still enjoy a concert yourself?
Graham: Absolutely, I watch as much as I can from the side of the stage most nights. There are things that I have to do during the show, however when I get the chance I do like to watch my favourite songs.

Tid: Is Texas your favorite band or do you prefer other kinds of music?
Graham: Texas are one of my favourite bands but I do like lots of other music.

Tid: How long does it take to plan a tour like the Greatest Hits tour?
Graham: Altogether about 6 months, my part of the proceedings will take about 3 months. The band agent and management have to plan and agree the size of the shows, the routing prior to me starting to book everything else.

Tid: What's the weirdest thing that ever happened when you were on tour with Texas?
Graham: We were all on tour in America for a tour that was meant to last 10 weeks opening for John Mellencamp in huge venues all over America, we were about 6 weeks into the tour and everyone was missing home and very tired. There was 3 days off for an American Labour day Holiday, On the morning of the next show at about 9 o'clock the Tour Manager for John Mellencamp telephoned me to say that John (Mellencamp) was not well at all and had been taken to hospital and that the rest of the tour was off. We all caught a plane home in the afternoon and were home 1st thing in the morning the next day. Because this was before mobile phones were popular I did not have enough time to call and tell my wife who was very surprised to see me on the doorstep at 7 o'clock in the morning as she was not expecting to see me for another month. John Mellencamp made a full recovery thankfully.

Tid: And what's the funniest thing?
Graham: I bent over to pick up something in a very small hotel bathroom and burnt my bum on the heated towel rail, I still have a big mark over both cheeks, not funny at the time but a funny story.

Tid: So you went to the States with Texas, how was it like there? Fans, press, ....?
Graham: I have been to the States with Texas about 7 or 8 times , they have been on a lot of the really good TV shows and done a lot of touring. TV shows like Conan O'Brien , Jay Leno are all very popular out there, all of the live shows were great. The US is a very interesting place to tour, but tours do tend to be long and hard with long drives after each show to the next town.

Tid: Is there a big difference between countries where you accompanied Texas, like the reaction of fans? What are the fans like?
Graham: The reaction of the fans everywhere is great, in France, Spain and Belgium the fans are really excited, the shows at the Forest National are always brilliant.

Tid: Did you ever have to protect Sharleen or any other band member from crazy fans?
Graham: All of the fans are very friendly and she doesnt really need any protection, however sometimes things get a bit hectic outside gigs and radio stations when she comes out. I usually get my feet stepped on and elbowed out of the way if I dont watch what I am doing.


Graham: Just as a footnote I would like to say that I always look forward to any tours that I do with Texas, I tour with lots of other bands when Texas are "off the road", however they are always my favourites and a pleasure to work for and with.

Tid: Again, thanks a lot for everything, for the interview, for taking care of Texas all these years for us :^) and we wish you all the best of luck in your career and personal life.

2001 - texasindemand.com

Questions by Bea, Kathy, Klaas, Lou & Dirk
Photos by Linda, Maggie & Bea





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