Episodes

While Michael is currently best known as Production Manager for Reo Speedwagon and Brian Setzer, you'll learn that he does and has done SO much more. He's a very reliable, hard working professional who has earned every opportunity he's been given. Unfortunately, since March, he's had ZERO gigs like so many, and he can only hope that things begin to turn for our industry, and he can get back to what he loves, with his road families. Episode 125 is brought to you by the Marketplace.

Bud Horowitz has been designing shows since the 70s. He started in theater, and quickly decided that touring was his real calling. He worked with an eclectic list of artist that includes Devo, Captain and Tennille, Natalie Cole and Stevie Wonder, before settling in really nicely for 20+ years with Yanni, whom he was doing shows with earlier this year, prior to being halted by COVID. Yanni brought Bud to spectacular show locations including the Pyramids in Egypt. Like the rest of us, Bud is keepi...

The Activity (a design firm) and The Farm (pre-viz studio) have recently partnered with Matt Geasey with Just Networking, to offer a very unique - remote - solution to their design and pre-viz clients. Learn more about it on Episode 123, brought to you by .

Most of us are presented with challenges, and we're lucky enough to pull through it. Nicholas Strand was hit with several, and still, somehow manages to land on his feet. He's got an incredible / sad / inspirational story and a really amazing pivot as well. A great listen for all! Brought to you by Elation Professional

Another check-in from some of the brighter minds in the business, Eric Loader / Elation Professional, Ben Saltzman / ACT Lighting, John Featherstone / Lightswitch, John Wiseman / PRG and Marcel Fairbairn from GearSource. In another must hear discussion you'll hear them discuss the industry, the virus, politics and more.

Not many people have a bio that starts with: I had a gun pulled on me three times I've been shot once, stabbed twice I overdosed once I've been in three bus crashes Was in four bus fires I survived two plane crashes. one with the Goo Goo Dolls in 1999 when the band’s plane skidded off a runway in Italy Quake is a very impressive and highly respected FOH Engineer / Production Manager, with some incredible stories.

I had a few things to say, and ended up talking into my mic for around 40 minutes... covering Politics, Business, COVID and more. I am a very passionate person who is doing all I can to help us recover... ALL of us. I hope you enjoy these honest to goodness Sunday thoughts!

Cosmo is a talented lighting designer, working for AC/DC and Aerosmith currently (well...) but so many others as well. But most people know Cosmo as the Hawaiian shirt wearing, super nice guy who always has time for you. You may not know tho, Cosmo is a passionate patriot who loves this country. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that he has dedicated 2 weeks of his life to 9/11 this year, while helping to pull the Tribute In Light from certain death.

Today on Geezers Of Gear - Brad Nelms joins me to discuss something we started to help our industry be heard, and to help promote and push for addition funding by way of the RESTART Act. We had no idea how quickly and how large this movement would become. On this episode, we talk about how we did it, the growth and expectations, and maybe even what you can expect in the future. Check it out!

There have been a few successful pivots in the production industry as a result of COVID19. A couple of notable ones are Upstaging with their production of PPE and Michael Strickland through his efforts to work between the entertainment world and the Federal Gov't to help bring relief to our industry. But there's another one that is as impressive. Fellow Long Island buddies, Patrick DIerson and Andrew Gumper - who both now reside in Las Vegas, like most of us, found themselves completely out of w...

Michael's career in lighting began in the 70's following experimentation with colored lights and posters in his bedroom as a teenager. At the time, he had no idea he was in for a 40+ year career lighting some of the very top acts to ever perform. Michael has worked for Jefferson Starship, Santana, Tina Turner, Lionel Ritchie, Ozzy, and even a Beatle (Sir Paul). He's well known as a great guy with a wild sense of humor and threatened to show up for the podcast recording without pants (we were abl...

Production and Lighting Designer, Cory FitzGerald, through his firm Silent House Productions has worked very hard to put himself in a place where he's working with some of the very top touring artists. His roster includes Justin Bieber, Beyonce, Janet Jackson, Bruno Mars and many others.

He started with two older brothers leading the way into the lighting business, but at the time, had no idea it'd become many decades of enjoyment and prosper! Memorable events include Sir Paul McCartney at Coliseum and the Times Square New Years celebration for the Millennium. Episode comes to you courtesy of and

Cosmo has stayed busy during his (so far) few months of isolation. First, he managed to get himself healthier, losing almost 50 pounds, but then got some surgery to fix a long nagging problem. Add to that some VERY enticing cooking and sunset photos along with his unbelievable stories from the road and WW2, Cosmo is a hell of an interesting guy!

Finally someone who's actually done it! We've been hearing about these drive-in concerts and how the math simply could never work. These guys have figured out a way, not to get rich - but to get some of their team back working, and their gear being used a bit as well. Even on as few as 25-30 cars per show!

Learn a bunch about the Pyro business from Rocco and Bob. Rocco's family is currently in it's 5th generation operating this US Based pyrotechnics and special effects company that was founded by his great grandfather, Constantino Vitale in 1889.

The 2nd in my series of "Tales From A Pandemic". John is one of my favorite people in OR out of the business, and I wanted to check in and just see what he's keeping busy with. Episide sponsored by

I love this guy! Not many with the sense of humor that Aidas has carried, throughout his career. One of the champions of practical joking, but also, a very astute business man... it all starts with passion, work ethic and a need to get it right. From his humble beginnings lighting prog-rock band Vanessa through to becoming the #1 cross-rental / hire shop in the USA, Aidas has always carried that same passion and desire to do the right thing. Episode 108 was sponsored by

Robb got his start like so many, trying to find an answer to creating a "cooler look for his band". That led Robb to a job in his early teens, wrapping cable and cleaning the shop. Since that time, he's built a career in touring, corporate theater and creating amazing visuals. His company So Midwest, continues to grow and reach for new heights from it's base in IL. This episode was sponsored by ACT Lighting -

Michael started his career like so many others.... sheer luck. 15 years old and hanging out with friends one day dreading the idea of returning to school... and one says "hey, come to work with me". That began a long run at his first job with ACDC (the company, not the band) which turned into Obies, then, eventually, his own business - Project X. Michael has created some incredibly creative music video looks including Lenny Kravitz, Are You Gonna Go My Way and Coldplay's iconic look for their Sp...

Another weekly get together with some very smart and industry leading individuals - to discuss what's important to us all. Also, we hear from Nick Rivero, who's Medium Article, "Our Industry isn’t coming back like yours is", went viral over a 24hr period. You can see that article here:

David's resume begins in the 70s and continues to grow today! David has worked with more artists than you can fit in this description with highlights including The Rolling Stones, Van Halen, Night Ranger and Alice Cooper. He's been a Lighting Designer, Production Manager, Tour Manager, Video Director and much more through his almost 50 year career, and he isn't stopping yet! In fact, he's currently waiting for Alice Cooper and the Hollywood Vampires to get back on the road, hopefully later this ...

In the early '90's, Joel and his wife saw an opening for an opportunity to disrupt the process and price on delivering a pretty straight forward product for the entertainment industry, metal "gobos" or patterns. What started as a pretty small idea has become 3 very successful and unique businesses, all based from their hometown in Indiana. Joel continues to be driven by the need for better products in all areas, and they continue to seek out improvements in design, delivery and more.

In probably the best discussion yet, the industry gets together to discuss our current challenges, opportunities, ideas and more. This group is beyond creative and capable, and continues to blow me away with their positive input! If you want to join us for future happy hour calls, just shoot an email to and we'll be sure to include you!