Ian Munsick Brings Pickleball on Tour: For country music artist Ian Munsick, life on the road isn’t just about performing—it’s also about pickleball. While currently touring the U.S. on his Horses Are Faster Tour, Munsick has embraced America’s fastest-growing sport, making it a staple activity for his touring crew.
A Childhood Connection to Pickleball
Munsick’s first experience with pickleball came early in life, thanks to a teacher in his hometown of Wyoming.
“The first time I played was in elementary school actually. I grew up in Wyoming, and I think there was like a week that we played pickleball, and then I kind of forgot about it for 20 years.” – (Munsick)
However, his passion for the game reignited on tour, where his drummer introduced him to the idea of setting up courts wherever they traveled.
“I’m trying to remember the first time it was introduced to me on the road because that’s really when it started to become more of a thing in my life.” – (Munsick)
“I got a new drummer back in August of last year, and he had played pickleball with his old band that he was touring with. He was like, ‘Man, we’ve got to get a pickleball court out here. It’s a blast. It’s easy to just kind of chalk up a court in a parking lot.’ I just went on Amazon and ordered the net and the paddles, and we’ve just been playing a lot.” – (Munsick)
That was all the motivation Munsick needed. He quickly ordered a net and paddles on Amazon, and his band started playing regularly.
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Pickleball on the Road
Whether inside an arena or in a parking lot near their tour buses, Munsick and his crew make pickleball a priority.
“Whenever we play arenas, that’s the best because the floor is usually compatible, the ball bounces good, and there’s plenty of room. But, there’s also times where if it’s a beautiful day outside, we’ll just wheel it out into the parking lot by the tour buses, chalk up a court, and do it outside.” – (Munsick)
Pickleball has become a form of therapy for Munsick and his crew, providing a much-needed break from the chaos of touring.
“I’m one of those guys that needs to exercise every day. This lifestyle that we live is extremely travel-heavy. You’re just kind of waiting around all day and then you get thrown into action. You’re on an airplane or you’re on a tour bus, so there’s a lot of static.” – (Munsick)
“Being able to play pickleball with my band and my crew is just a cool way to compete with each other, so it’s a great way to experience activity within our tour camp.” – (Munsick)
Music Meets Pickleball: A Lesson from Brian O’Connell
Munsick’s love for pickleball took a serious turn after a challenge from Brian O’Connell, the head of country touring for Live Nation.
“Brian is a fierce pickleball competitor, and he’s an older guy. He caught wind that we played and he challenged us [while we were on tour with Lainey Wilson], and he really taught me how to play the proper way and not just kind of the pick-up way, so through him, we really learned a lot about pickleball.” – (Munsick)
Through O’Connell, Munsick learned that pickleball is more than just a casual game—it’s a sport requiring skill, strategy, and precision.
“It’s a very easy way to get the blood flowing. It has the convenience of ping-pong, but it has the openness of tennis, which I think is just a really cool mixture, very addicting.” – (Munsick)
Munsick’s Competitive Edge
Munsick might not be an elite player yet, but he has certainly found success within his tour group.
“I can only compare my game to who I’ve played and what I’ve experienced. We always have tournaments where we play singles and then doubles. I’ve won the singles tournament a few times, and our camp ranges from pretty good to not very good, and probably no really good players. But, I love to compete.” – (Munsick)
Despite his confidence, Munsick quickly realized there are much stronger players out there.
“I think I’m pretty athletic, so I just have always loved to play sports. But, when we started playing with Brian, I was like, ‘Ok, this guy is on a whole new level!’ – and he’s twice my age. It’s easy to see how people could just be very, very good at that sport.” – (Munsick)
Why Pickleball?
For Munsick, the most exciting part of the game is the quick reaction time required.
“I really like just the reaction, having to react to what your opponent is playing. There’s a ton of strategy involved, so being able to quickly respond or react to your opponent, I think that’s the most addicting part of the game for me.” – (Munsick)
And while he plays often, there’s one aspect of the sport he’s yet to explore.
“I definitely want to watch it with my band guys. Just to see how bad we are at it.” – (Munsick)
News in Brief: Ian Munsick Brings Pickleball on Tour
Country music artist Ian Munsick has made pickleball a regular part of his touring routine. First introduced to the sport in elementary school, he rediscovered it while on the road and now plays regularly with his band and crew. His competitive spirit was fueled by Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell, who taught him the finer points of the game.
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