Next Rung Radio

"Turkey Fries & Tour Life" - Featuring Chuck Pursel (The Man Behind The Curtain)

Ron Creech Episode 9

What really powers a world-class tour? In this episode, Ron sits down with veteran tour and artist manager Chuck Pursel, a behind-the-scenes force with 30+ years in live entertainment. From production tents at sunrise to settlements after midnight, Chuck has worn nearly every hat on the road: stage manager, production manager, tour manager and he’s learned the secret to longevity: keep your cool, build a family, and be a good human. He shares how a single moment watching a beaming worker at a row of porta-johns reset his entire perspective, why attitude matters as much as skill, and how teams thrive when conflict is handled offstage, not shouted across it. Chuck also opens up about the 18 months live music went dark, the humbling pivot he made to keep the lights on, and the surge of gratitude when the buses rolled again. Plus: the making of Tracy Lawrence’s Turkey Fry—from a handful of church friends to 80 fryers and thousands fed & what it takes to move 30+ trucks city to city, and the non-negotiables he looks for when hiring. If you want a masterclass in tour culture, leadership under pressure, and purpose that outlasts the spotlight, this conversation is your all-access pass.


To Learn More about Chuck Visit: Instagram @chuckpursel

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