Episodes

I've always considered this guy one of the nicest, kindest and most passionate people in the industry. Lowell started with lightshows using overhead projectors in the 60s and went on to found one of the largest and most important companies ever to enter the automated lighting space, Highend Systems. Along the way, he never lost site of his original passion for lightshows though! Highend is now a part of ETC, where the company is once again flourishing. Lowell has had an interesting journey and m...

For a year, the question has been "when do YOU get interviewed"... and while this isn't the concert industry interview you'd likely expect, it is a great interview done by a local celebrity, Anita Mitchell, who among other things was the head of the Republican Party here, was married to Apollo 14 astronaut, Edgar Mitchell and was the Chair for Jeb Bush during his 2016 Presidential campaign. Enjoy!

Dizzy began his career lighting punk bands in the 70s using the very first version of Thomas pars before joining Meteorlites and then, finally, Bandit Lites. 40+ years with only 2 jobs.... Impressive. Enjoy Dizzy's unique thoughts and approach on gear, truck packs and more.

Benny has worked closely to collaborate with designers on artists like Michael Jackson, Nickelback, Aerosmith, Shania Twain, Elton John and so many more. His work supporting top LD's as a programmer or director is legendary. Peter Morse said "Benny is one of the most in-demand programmers in our industry right now....and has worked for many years with me and others! He’s really interesting, knowledgeable and intelligent". Benny shares with us how he can work with so many great designers - withou...

Andrew has literally been lighting churches and faith based projects since his teen years. After graduating college as a theater major, Andrew took his show on the road, eventually ending up with DC Talk with 12 successful years. Since that time, Landru Design has been focused on both faith based "one off" projects and installations, many of which would fall into the Mega Church category. This episode is brought to you by Martin Professional.

If you've been to a lighting tradeshow anywhere in the world... in the past, ohhhhhh 30 years... you likely know this man! He's one of the best known sales guys in the industry and has been very closely connected to the success of the lighting control world with a long run at AC Lighting and more recently (and current), MA Lighting. Glyn shares stories from his career and gives us an update on the MA3 console, along with some VERY impressive numbers on that console as well. Episode 68 is sponsor...

Marcel gives thanks and discusses every single episode recorded in what has been an incredible 11 months of Geezers Of Gear. Showing gratitude to our guests, listeners and of course, our sponsors.

This is one of the more colorful guys in our industry and he's funny, memorable (both his sense of humor AND appearance), and a brilliant production manager. And oh yeah, he's been responsible for the production of Eurovision since 2000! Ola is now working on the "Americas" version of Eurovision, currently called American Song Contest, expected to kick off in November of 2021. Brought to you by Elation Professional.

Most founders or entrepreneurs are happy and fortunate to be in a position to found 1 successful startup. Nils is in a very elite company of people who have done it not twice, but 4 times! And at least 3 of those 4 were revolutionary and even disruptive to their respective industries. With the Whole Hog, and eventual Hog II consoles, Flying Pig virtually took over the market for touring and theatrical lighting controls and held the market for almost 10 years before selling to High End. Then, Nil...

Episode 64 - Brought to you by ACT Lighting... Steve has always been a guy who is able to come in to a challenging situation and turn it around, to the point where he gets the call back. His career has spanned more than 4 decades, and there is no sign of stopping yet. You can say "Hi" to Steve on his big run with the Doobies next year on their 50th anniversary - with Michael McDonald back in the band!

Recorded live on the LDI show floor - Chances are - you've either met, heard of, employed, or been replaced by Patrick at some point. He's not only a talented designer, but a personality to be remembered. Patrick is passionate about design, but just as passionate about running a business. Also on the podcast, we were able to kidnap Greg Jones from Martin Professional - also our sponsor.

Udo began his career in the rigid confines of Siemens before joining his brother in the club lighting business he had created - B&K. There, Udo fell in love with the lighting business and began to dream up his first innovation in GLP - the innovative Patend Light.

Blizzard was started by a couple of musicians with a very basic need for better lighting, so they started a company! Then, realizing they would need someone to create sales channels, distribution, etc - they brought in a 3rd partner, Frank Luppino.

Naming your company after (arguably) the best driver to have ever raced in F1 says something.... but Yvan shares something with Mr Senna... he has passion for perfection, horsepower and just getting it right. Ayrton have quietly become a major player in the lighting business as their company continues to grow. This podcast is brought to you by ACT Lighting.

You want to learn about lighting your live shows for TV or Video? These are a few of the people you DEFINITELY want to learn from! Jeff Ravitz, Bob Barnhart and Tiffany Keys have collectively lit virtually every major televised event between them. Do NOT miss this one!! Brought to you by Martin Professional.

Bob has been wandering LDI with his roller bag of coffee for as long as I can remember. As bob says... it gets him invited to a lot of parties... but it's also brilliant marketing on his part. Robert started his first business at 12 years old and founded Eggshell at 16. Since that time, he's worked with the who's who of live acts. This episode is brought to you by ACT Lighting.

This week marks the 24th anniversary of the Miami Beach LDI show that saw Martin break all barriers, creating a booth and show that raised the bar for everyone else. Incorporating an Emmitt Kelly style clown, trick riding BMX guys and a choir made up of Roboscans... this booth helped launch the PAL - which among other things was the very first moving light incorporating automated framing shutters. This episode was recorded live on Martin's booth at LDI 2019!

Lee has had a career that began in music, continuing on to commercial sales with GC Pro / Guitar Center, territory management with Sennheiser, national sales for AVID and now, he is head of sales for Martin Audio.

Not very many folks in our industry are more colorful and fun than Steve Warren of Avolites. If you know him... you love him, but don't try keeping up! Learn about Steve's upbringing and his rise up thru the lighting industry to take on ownership and management of the company in the early 90s. What a ride! Sponsored by Roe Visual.

Fireplay is a unique business founded in 2017 by Nick Whitehouse and partners to provide a more unique and complete design experience to their clients, and better, fuller services to designers as well. With an eclectic and top client list including James Taylor, Kylie Minogue, Justin Timberlake, Lady Antebellum, The Killers and so many more, Fireplay's system seems to be working brilliantly!

TOO MANY people are on the road without a care for what is being saved for your futures, leaving your families with nothing. You have to plan not only for your future but the future of your families. Darren shares with us some ideas for someone is ready to raise your hand and start working. Brought to you by ACT Lighting. NOTE: We are not endorsing the services of this business - only talking with their founder. Do your OWN due diligence prior to ever hiring a financial planner.

Pio Nahum was in the automated lighting business way before it was a "thing".... when moving lights were only sold to nightclubs and huge discos in Europe, especially Italy. He was at Clay Paky for the Goldenscan, the Superscan, Miniscan and then again for the launch of the Sharpie and Xtylos. But people forget that Pio also spent 5 years with Michelin and 9 with Martin Professional. He's a nice guy, a great leader and someone who the industry will miss... unless of course the lure pulls him bac...

With LDI fast approaching, we turn our sites to the show, and of course, gear! Following Electrical Engineering school - Richard started his career with Blackstone and High End Systems - going on to become an author, educator and proponent of doing things better and safer. He joins us today to discuss those things and we go down a short list of gear as well! Today's podcast is sponsored by ROE Visual.

Most entrepreneurs are "all-in" on their business, both financially and emotionally as well. Yvan was in the production and touring business and saw a problem and went about solving the problem while create a market - Mobile Staging - that didn't exist in any shape or form prior to his idea. Stageline continue to lead the mobile staging market today as they take on portable and temporary structures next. This podcast is brought to you by the fine folks at Act Lighting