Episodes

Mr Vitale is the CEO and 4th generation owner of 133 year old Pyrotecnico. During the pandemic, Stephen engaged his team and created a roll up of Sound, Lighting, Video companies who would team up with his own Fireworks and SFX businesses to become Live Events Productions. Many victories and challenges later, LEP operates as a successful and vibrant collection of great businesses. Visit LEP at and also, please support our sponsor as well!

Mark Rudge joined the US Lighting world in 1985, and has been a permanent fixture ever since. To know Mark is to love him. He's just one of those guys. Super nice, fun to share a pint with, and a great worker! Interesting, almost all of his biggest and longest positions have been with women. He explains why! This episode has been brought to you by .

Josh has literally been in the business 4 decades, and still rolling! He co-founded Scharff Weisberg, went on to merge and become Worldstage (leaving long before their demise), founded a Consulting firm and now, a new stage of his career, which he breaks on our podcast! This episode is brought to you by

Few people ever strike gold... but imagine doing it not twice, but 3 times! That's Bob! But there's so much more to the story than most people know, and we managed to get ALL of it over a 2 hour discussion between two old friends. This episode (of course) is brought to you by

If ya know him... you've got an opinion for sure! He's not a guy who enters the room quietly, and doesn't leave you with a lasting impression. The guy has incredible stories though. He's worked for U2, played with U2, opened for U2 - and that's just the beginning! He's done SO much. A 45 year career in stage management, production management and even artist management, and he's calling it quits! Rocko has recently begun to release his videos through his Check it out - you won't be disappointed! ...

This design team of Seth Jackson, and Nathan Alves have an accomplishment that no other can lay claim to. They were literally, the FIRST to tour - post covid with their client, Toby Keith. They talk about a few challenges this prested, and a bit about other projects. It was a short, but fun chat with a pair of very accomplished, and successful designers!

Remote and Automated followspots, or tracking systems as some prefer to be called, are becoming a hotly contested, and more widely used range of products. A short few years ago, only the bravest, or most innovative users would even consider automating ALL of their spots, but today, many, even most of the larger shows have some form of spots that are not controlled by human operators in the truss. Werner is a brilliant and creative thinker... I think you'll learn a lot. I did!

Few brands have the longevity and brand recognition of Arri. The brand has dominated the N American TV and Film lighting since it's launch in the 70s. John educates us on so many things, while telling some great stories from the LDI show floor.

Not only does VOID have the coolest name among sound reinforcement manufacturers, but they also have (BY FAR) the coolest looking enclosures. And guess what... they sound good too! Rob is an interesting guy... and heck - he's brave enough to exhibit, at a lighting show, post COVID... Great talk that could have gone MUCH longer.

Chris returns to Geezers Of Gear to update us on the technical goings on at PRG - plus shares some of the COVID tech they developed, challenges faced, and even some breaking news on new PRG projects! What is the 5L? You'll find out here!

Another weeky entry in our Geezers Of Gear happy hour discussions. Week 64 included the usual discussions on covid challenges, gear shortages and tradeshows.

LDI is an incredibly important show to ANYONE in the live events, lighting or entertainment technology business. I've been going to the show since 1989, and intend to continue going as long as I remain in the industry. It's an amazing networking show, and opportunity to meet, learn and interract / network.

Lots of folks working, but we still manage to get this group together each week for spirited discussions about the current events within our industry.

Discussion centered on touring challenges, travel challenges, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and shortages of gear and personnel. Pretty much "the usual". One step forward, and 2 back! But getting closer to this illusive "normal" I hear about.

Of course, COVID is discussed. It's such an incredible roller coaster ride in our industry today. Tours start, then stop, shows cancel, people's lives are tossed around. We're definitely still deep in this challenge, although there are definitely pockets of success!

Our weekly discussions returned and have been a mixed bag of industry related discussions. Here, we get into upcoming tradeshows, how much work everyone has, and much more.

Ahhhh the joy of connecting with industry individuals each and every week. Some great conversation this week around tradeshows, work, travel and more.

For more than a year of the COVID pandemic, a group of "drop ins" carried a weekly discussion that was based on helping folks survive the mess, and sometimes (including this week) a little political as well. We decided to bring it back... and it was a BLAST! Listen here!!

I will always say that one of the most amazing things I was involved in organizing was this Red Alert Restart last year. The group who started it, and the ensuing MASSIVE number of volunteers - just incredible. Join us as we walk down memory lane with most of the follks who got this started.

When athletes are in the early stages of Free Agency, it is often called Crazy Season. Folks are signed quickly, while being persued by multiple teams for more than their ask. The current used equipment market is comparable. A few items are selling for double what they were in 2020, and there just isn't enough of so many things. The GearSource team have a unique perspective, given the company's clobal markets. You might pick up some important pointers on this one, wherever you are!

Marcel, John Featherston, Eric Loader and John Wiseman discuss current events, a few closures and other antics. Brought to you by .

On episode 144, I am alone with my thoughts... discussing whatever comes to mind. #144 is brought to you by - the leading global gear marketplace.

We discuss some very important challenges that continue to plague our new reality. Shows and tours are pushing out quickly, and others are coming behind them - but at what point to supply chain issues halt our progress? Lets talk about it!

In 2020, I became friends with a young touring video tech named Nicholas Strand. Nick's brand, "Choose Your Attitude" inspired me enough to buy his tee shirts (I highly recommend them for FEEL GOOD wear) and to spend hours upon hours discussing his strategy, business direction, and even his personal and professional challenges. Nick is a unique and inspiring individual with an incredible story to share. When COVID hit, Nick was on tour with the Dave Matthews Band, and suddenly, he was back home,...