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.

Stale bread.

Woah, over a month since my last post.  That’s real great for keeping my faithful readers coming back.  Thanks for your patience.

Any time I slack on the updates, I feel the need to make a highlight reel of what’s been keeping me from pumping these babies out.  Here goes…

I did my first freelance production management gig on October 1 for a Colbie Caillat show at the O’Reilly Family Event Center on Drury University’s campus here in Springfield, MO.  While easily the biggest production I’ve overseen, all aspects of the show went off without a hitch.  Of course, much of that credit goes to my crew and the folks and Southwest Audio-Visual, who provided the stage, audio and lighting rigs.

That show was a great trial run for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils 40th anniversary show coming up on November 11th.  With support from Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and SGF’s own Big Smith, the show is going to be quite the spectacle.  Tickets sold out within the first few days of going on sale, making this the first event to sell out the O’Reilly Center, a 3200(ish) seat venue (depending on configuration).

I’m at the Gillioz every day this week preparing for the Springfield Regional Opera’s production of Hot Mikado, and on that note, it seems my presence is needed in the theatre.  Be back soon.