Where have I been?

When you have so much fun at work, it’s easy to overlook the whole “documenting what I do” thing.  Enough apologizing for my lack of posts.  How about a quick recap?

Looks like I haven’t mentioned any shows I’ve worked since December 2011.  Last year?  Damn, it’s been a busy seven months.  Here goes nothing…

1.18: Bryan Adams (The tour was carrying what was allegedly the first Midas Pro2 in the states.)

2.27: Peter Frampton (Maybe the best show I’ve ever seen.  Definitely best FOH mix of any show at the Gillioz.  FOH engineer, Vinnie, was rocking a beautiful beast of a console, a Midas XL4)

2.28: Rusko (I mixed FOH, if you can call leaving two channels wide open “mixing.”  Perhaps system tech is a more accurate job title.)

3.04: Steven Curtis Chapman (The tour was carrying a 12 box JBL VerTec 4887 rig.  Cool little boxes.)

3.11: Chevelle (Great mix on a Yamaha M7 by tour manager Chris Morrison)

3.14: Kelly Clarkson (Biggest show at Drury’s O’Reilly center to date.  Killer Clair Bros i4 rig .  Also, Clay Paky Sharpys out the wazoo.  I served as promoter rep.  Fun time.  Big shout out to TM Alan Hornall for ensuring a smooth operation.)

3.20: BB King (I had the pleasure of mixing FOH for the king.  Truly an honor.)

3.23: Lisa Lampanelli (I was laughing, sometimes cringing, at my console the entire show.)

4.07: Leo Kottke (So much sound from one man with one guitar. Great musician.  A Shure SM58, Midas pres, Countryman DI and a Taylor guitar.  I mixed the entire show with a smile.)

4.15: Blue October (My first night on an Avid SC48 running FOH for local support.  Favorite digital desk I’ve used.)

4.18: JJ Grey & Mofro (Their second time at the Gillioz Theatre, always a party.  I mixed monitors for SGF locals, Speakeasy.)

4.19: Ralphie May (Funny guy. Laid-back show.)

4.21: Ozark Mountain Daredevlis (My last date serving as promoter rep on their 40th anniversary tour.)

5.01: Hellyeah & Clutch (Vinnie Paul had a Shure Beta 98 upside down between his toms to mic stick clicks.  Sweet!)

5.04: Switchfoot (The day MCA died.  In honor, Switchfoot played a fantastic cover of “Sabotage.”  I mixed the opening act.  FOH console was a Soundcraft Vienna, my first experience with a Soundcraft desk.  Auxes from bottom to top, anyone?)

5.05/06: Big Smith (A two day farewell run for the band’s retirement.  Both sold out shows.  I engineered a multitrack recording of the show with the Gillioz’s Midas Verona and my Logic rig.)

5.15: Styx, REO Speedwagon & Ted Nugent (Another promoter rep gig for me.  Definitely had my work cut out for me.  The O’Reilly center was the smallest venue on the tour, so I had to pull out my shoehorn to squeeze this one in there.  Pulled it off, learned a lot.)

5.19: Gabriel Iglesias (Really impressed by their production.  Big impact, small footprint, easy setup.  Also, hilarious comedian.)

5.22: Incubus (Promoter rep gig at O’Reilly Center.  I’m a big fan of the simplicity of “An Evening With…” shows.)

5.29: Theory of a Deadman (First nigh on an Avid Venue Profile.  At first impression, I feel I like the SC48 better–perhaps because of differences in metering and on-desk displays.) 

6.01: Primus (Never thought I’d see these guys grace the Gillioz stage. Tour carried a huge Meyer MILO rig.)

6.08: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals (Holy cow, what a voice on that girl, not to mention the legs.  Another fun night on the local Soundcraft Vienna for me mixing the support act, Rayland Baxter. Photo by Chet Smith.)

6.15: Josh Turner (Promoter rep gig.  All around nicest touring crew I’ve worked with in a long time.  Friendly southern boys.)

7.06: Tech N9ne (Last night of their record breaking tour, 90-some shows in 100-some days.)

7.09: Death Cab for Cutie (FOH was a Midas Pro6.  Didn’t get to mix on it, but hope to get the chance soon.)

There, now I feel my lack of posting has been justified.

Back To Work

August is always an interesting month.  While it is considered by many to be summer’s last stand, I have found it to be more of a transition period into Fall.  There’s a lot of planning for what’s to come, but not really a whole lot happening in the now.  At least that’s been my August.

Of course, on August 9th, JJ Grey & Mofro, with support from Springfield’s own Speakeasy, quite literally had everyone in the Gillioz Theatre jumping out of their seats and dancing with joy.  No doubt the most jovial and, well, rowdy show I’ve seen at the historic venue.

JJ Grey & Mofro tearing up the stage.

In the few minutes of down time before the show started, I set up a couple of Shure KSM27 large-diaphragm cardioid condensers just in front of FOH up on the theatre’s balcony.  They were placed as a spaced pair, approximately 20 feet apart.  That spot in the theatre is a bit boomy, but was the unobtrusive to our patrons, and made getting signal to the console easy.  I used the preamps in the Gillioz’s Midas Verona 400 then ran direct out to the line ins on my Mackie Onyx 1640 (currently my only means of analog to digital conversion) and recorded via FireWire into Logic on my MacBook Pro.  Despite the less than perfect setup, I was able to get a pretty good recording of both bands’ sets.  With any luck they’ll let me share them with you in the near future–fingers crossed.

Since that show the theatre has been dark, but the office has been a whirlwind of booking and advancing Fall shows.  Tomorrow is a talk from PostSecret creator Frank Warren, the Banff Mountain Film Festival on Sept. 15, Tommy Emmanuel on Oct. 5, Oct. 9 is the sold-out Bryan Adams show and those are just the ones I can discuss…there’s much more in the works.  Stay tuned to the Gillioz website for show announcements and tickets or follow the @GilliozTheatre on Twitter  for up-to-the-minute news.

Other than my work at the Gillioz, I’ve been doing some freelance “tech director” work for upcoming concerts taking place on Drury University’s campus this fall.  On Oct. 1, Colbie Calliat is taking the stage at the O’Reilly Family Event Center with support from Andrew Grammer.  I find it excitingto be working a show in a different venue from the usual.  There’s no learning like doing.

And of course, there’s the job that’s treated me so well for so many years: disc jockeying.  This past weekend I had the pleasure of working a wedding in Columbia, MO.  Several friends have moved up there in the past year, so not only did I get to help make someone’s wedding one for the record books, but managed to hang out with some damn good people during my visit.

I’ll leave you with this shot of a packed floor for the last dance at John and Courtney’s reception.

Coming Soon: JJ Grey & Mofro

Ah, a little vacation goes a long way.  My buddy Craig, girlfriend Miranda and I just returned from riding 475 miles across Iowa with RAGBRAI 2011.  Nothing to do all day but ride to the next beer garden, 60-some miles down the road.  Needless to say, we’re already making big plans for next year.  Here we are with the Mississppi River at our final destination in Davenport, IA.

With the ride behind us, it’s time to return to the real world, but there’s still plenty to be excited about.  Next Tuesday, August 9th, the Gillioz Theatre is playing host to JJ Grey & Mofro.  I saw these guys for the first time earlier this summer at Wakarusa in Ozark, AR, and must say out of all the bands at the festival, they put on one of the most memorable performances.

Tickets are on sale now for only $20.  Order them online at the Gillioz website.  Opening the show are Springfield locals, Speakeasy, who will be sure to get the theatre warmed up for an unforgettable night of feel-good entertainment.