This week quite a few artists shared some “real life” glimpses into touring and their creative efforts to overcome the challenges that the rock and roll lifestyle often presents. Catch up on the highlights as we move deeper into 2012 spring tours.

As always, if you'd like to keep tabs on over 1,200 Christian artists, check out our exclusive NRTwitter page to read the latest tweets from the Christian music community. And if you've discovered some great tweets of your own, feel free to pass them along by using the hashtag #nrtweets. 

REVOLUTIONS

@jamiegraceh: how do I know @therevolvetour is special to me? I'm actually ironing my jacket. see y'all soon!... (March 24)

Jamie Grace showed true dedication to her current touring outing. If you want to catch Jamie Grace (and a nicely ironed jacket), check the event listing here: http://revolvetour.com/events/

@JonnyKiros: Last show of the REDvolution Tour! Gonna miss RED, Thousand Foot Krutch, Manafest, and Nine Lashes! http://yfrog.com/ke2t6wuj(March 24)

The first leg of 2012 tours is wrapping up. The REDvolution Tour drew to a close this week, much to the regret of rock fans across the nation.

KEEP IT REAL

@Manafest: You want transparency!?, I hadn't showered in 3 days until today. no towels and used paper towel to dry off..... (March 21)

Sometimes the rock and roll lifestyle is anything but glamorous. Twitter has become a helpful window into the more gritty elements of being in a touring band.

@Croutonff5: We just walked a mile to jo-ann fabric 4 @SoulGlowActivtr and they didn't have what he was looking 4. Walking back now (March 21)

Sometimes Family Force 5 can be spotted in some unusual places (rock stars can like arts and crafts too, right?). Unfortunately, their dedication was not rewarded this time around.

@weashuman: Houston, We As Human have a problem! #RockNRollFood#DieYoung http://pic.twitter.com/81fo2TUp (March 22)

Fans often keep their band of choice well supplied with snacks, but sometimes the nutritional value is questionable. You only live once, right?

@jonforeman: Last time I flew to Maui- I hitch-hiked and slept on the beach. So stoked to be coming back! Anyone got a board I can borrow? http://instagr.am/p/Iee4Dotn9G/ (March 22)

Switchfoot headed out to the far corner of our country this week. In keeping with their name --“Switchfoot” is a surfing term that refers to changing your direction or taking a new stance--surfing always goes hand in hand with their musical endeavors.

@audreyassad: I need a shirt that lists all my preferred physical boundaries on it. I bet I'd make a lot of friends (who live in bubbles) (March 24)

There are some less-than-glamorous sides to meeting hundreds of eager fans every night. Personal space can be minimal or non-existent. Artist Audrey Assad has come up with a possible solution to the problem.

@ChrisAugust: No!!!! Jack In The Box has stopped serving cheesecake! I'm crushed. This is worse than when I found out Forrest Gump wasn't a true story! (March 23)

Sometimes when you’re on the road... tragedy strikes.

@DaveWMohr: I just drove through LA in a 58 foot bus and trailer... Never thought I would do that. (March 24)

There are all kinds of useful job skills that you learn as a touring musician. Such as navigating a massive vehicle through all kinds of traffic and weather conditions. Dave Mohr of Remedy Drive seemed to manage it quite successfully.

LIFE SKILLS

@koreycooper: Uh..residential neighborhood..50yr old man playing bagpipes outside his garage..gotta love it:) (March 21)

Sometimes adventures are found as often off the road as on. Unfortunately, Skillet’s Korey Cooper didn’t offer him a job, so no bagpipe solos are forthcoming on their next album.

@BartMillard: I have a new word! Frankenworship- the act of dissecting multiple bad worship songs to put together one decent worship song. (March 22)

Bart Millard of MercyMe’s latest coined word could be an effective but more blunt replacement for the term “medley.” Frankenworship does have a certain ring to it, though.

@mistydedwards: Texting all day long is like having 4 or 5 invisible friends that you are in a perpetual conversation with... (March 24)

With the aid of technology, we adults bring the concept of “imaginary friends” to a whole new level.

@laurenbarlow: Somehow making dinner turned into a huge dance party in the kitchen. I'm ok with this. (March 24)

The Barlow sisters know how to turn any situation into a party. This is an incredibly useful life skill to have.

@marktheshark: #thatawkwardmoment when someone messes with Texas (March 24)

Don’t do it. Seriously. It never ends well.