Meet Austin Dudley!

Welcome to TheTourBusLife.com, it’s a pleasure to meet you.

Hello, my name is Austin Dudley, owner and founder of TourBusLife LLC.  Every time I am asked about my start in the industry I am reminded of a time when I had no clue how to get started in the industry.  I simply had no idea, no guidance, and no direction, all I had was a dream. After 15 years of working with some of the most talented musicians, on the biggest stages in the world, I want to share what I have learned with you.

Another question I am asked is, “How did you learn how to do all of this?” The answer to this question is more about mindset than education. After graduating from Full Sail University in 2007 with a degree in Recording Arts, I chose to enter the corporate AV world. When I first started, I worked with some of the biggest companies doing some of the biggest shows. Everything was great, until 2008 when the economy slowed and corporate events became smaller and smaller.  This left me feeling unfulfilled and out of place.

I woke up dreading work every day. One day as I was preparing for work, I looked at my work uniform and remembered the first day I wore that uniform. I was so excited. I thought to myself, what good would it be to find another job, if that excitement just turned into apathy after only 1 year on the job? If you can relate to any of this, then you are in the right place and taking the right steps. 

After having this revelation, I went to work every day with a renewed sense of purpose and passion. I wrote a note on my bathroom mirror with a list of things I wanted to achieve. One of those things being Live Entertainment. Now, instead of hiding away in a corner when work was slow, I began to read manuals, watch tutorials, and set up equipment to learn and grow in my knowledge. I found myself making the right connections outside of work that would take me to where I wanted to be. The Dream was becoming reality, but the hard part was only beginning.

“THE DREAM WAS BECOMING REALITY, BUT THE HARD PART WAS ONLY BEGINNING.”

After interviewing with one of the largest sound companies in the world, I was offered the job. It was time to pack my bags, and leave my friends, and the sunshine. I made the 951-mile journey from Orlando, FL to the small city of Lititz, PA. When I arrived, it was cold and snow was everywhere. Did I make the right decision I asked myself? I spent my days working in the warehouse prepping the gear for tours in the morning and attending training classes in the afternoon. After a few months of this routine, a voice came over the PA “Austin you have a call on line one” it was time. It was no longer a dream, it was a reality, I was going on my first tour in the most dramatic way. I only had 2 hours to grab my things, drive home, pack a bag, and make the 50-minute trip to Harrisburg airport to catch my flight. 

“I ONLY HAD 2 HOURS TO GRAB MY THINGS, DRIVE HOME, PACK A BAG, AND MAKE THE 50-MINUTE TRIP TO HARRISBURG AIRPORT TO CATCH A FLIGHT.”

My story is unique and yours will be too. To take the next steps in your journey, click here.