Before I tell you about this interview, let me just say that after watching Almost Famous for the first time in high school, it became my dream to tour with bands and interview musicians. While there were many bumps along the way, I officially accomplished that dream this year when I toured with Hunter Hayes as he broke the Guinness World Record for playing the most concerts in multiple cities in one day.
On Friday, May 9, Hunter kicked off his own record-setting journey at 8:17 a.m. with his first performance on Good Morning America. He was supposed to take a helicopter to Boston for his second show at Paradise Rock Club an hour later, but the weather got in the way.
“Essentially, right before we left to get on our plane we were told that the airport where our plane was nothing was leaving or coming into our airport,” he told me before the 10th show of the tour in Philadelphia. “We had to figure out another airport and another plane to get to Boston.”
Just a little hiccup in what took months of planning, Hunter and his team found another plane and got to Boston in record time. Not to say they weren’t worried. Lucky for Hunter and his team, the remaining shows ran early.
“I was astonished at how far ahead we got so quick and everybody was efficient coming in and out of the venues,” Hunter said.
Throughout each of his 10 shows, he apologized profusely to be playing a shortened set.
“We’re here for another two-and-a-half hours normally,” he said. “We appreciate you guys making this all happen because we’re spreading awareness and helping our friends at Child Hunger Ends Here today. What you guys have already done to make that happen is beautiful.”
“My goal is to make sure that every minute that we are lucky enough to spend with you tonight, we want to make sure you have all the fun,” he said on stage at the Palace Theatre in Stamford, Conn. “This is our seventh show we’ve done today. As you can tell, we’re still having all the fun there is to have. Let’s sing this next one all together, shall we?”
Meanwhile, the media team was feeling the exhaustion seven shows in, many of us opting to take a nap in the bunks before the eighth show in South Orange, being awakened just as Hunter was about to go on the stage. I tried out all of the bunks and learned that for the least interrupted sleep from bumps on the road, the top bunk is the best. Also, using the bathroom is extremely awkward. But that’s for another time.
Hunter played an extended set to a sold-out crowd at 7:30 a.m. at Philadelphia’s Trocadero. At the end of the set, he was presented with his official Guinness World Records certificate before a stream of confetti hit the stage.
So how is he going to celebrate? By sleeping. That, and eying yet another world record.
“Everyone goes to bed. Everyone gets some sleep,” he said. “I’ve had my eye on how we could break this if we wanted to.”
If he does, I hope to be along for the journey!
Read my complete recap over on Radio.com.