WAIM 175: Kerry Alexander of Bad Bad Hats

Kerry Alexander takes full advantage of being out on the road as a touring musician. Despite nearly fifteen years touring in her band, Bad Bad Hats, Alexander is still always on the lookout for the next grand adventure, or seeking out a meal worth remembering. Alexander and her bandmates see touring not just as an opportunity to see America, but as a chance to genuinely experience this country and all that it has to offer.

Although she was born in the Twin Cities, Kerry Alexander spent the bulk of her formative years in the south, splitting time between Alabama and Florida. By the age of 13, Alexander had begun teaching herself guitar, an endeavor which quickly led to writing her own songs. Kerry returned to the Minneapolis/St. Paul region to attend school at McAllister College.

While at McAllister, Alexander began sharing her songs on MySpace, leading to her to meet Chris Hoge, a fellow sophomore also sharing his original songs. Almost immediately, the pair began collaborating musically, and struck up a romantic relationship. Alexander and Hoge, now married, still remain the creative center of Bad Bad Hats.

During our conversation, Kerry and I covered her early forays into music and songwriting, including that first MySpace encounter with Chris. We discussed the ways to find joy and excitement while touring the roads of America, including how Bad Bad Hats make the most of their tour rider funds to sample the best cuisine that each city has to offer. We also discussed the intimate glory of house concerts, the wages of online self-promotion, and we even looked at how Alexander runs her band just like a business.

Let’s get into it.

Cheers,Matty C

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End Credits

Thanks so much to Kerry for joining me. You can find out all about Kerry and her work at https://www.badbadhats.com/ and you can snag her terrific records wherever you get your music.

The What Am I Making podcast is hosted, written, and produced by me, Matty C.

Our theme music was written and recorded by David J. Baldwin.

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