Geezers of Gear

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....

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...

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 g...

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 Vis...

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 structure...

Creech got his name from a friend, you'll learn why on the podcast. One of the guys in touring lighting who "really gets things done", Creech has enjoyed an incredible career, primarily with his current employer, Premier Global. He believes in ETREME customer service, and making sure his clients get what they need always. But also, Creech is a phenomenal underwater photographer and diving / shark...

Craig has been a fixture in the broadway, install and rock and roll lighting business since 1990 and continues today in a very successful run with Robe. However, many don't know that we almost lost Craig, who 3 years ago was diagnosed with Stage 4 Terminal cancer. Hear about his battle, his career, and a couple funny stories along the way. Episode 48 is sponsored by our newest supporter, ROE Visua...

We discuss some current events, then welcome back our highest rated episode from WAY back in Week 12 - John Wiseman. John is definitely one of the busiest, most effective, and most "storied" characters in this amazing industry. Hear him for the first time - or listen again - and you'll enjoy it as much as I did the second time around!

Most people don't know that Peter started out as a singer in the New Christie Minstrels. He recorded albums as a folk singer and then ended up with recording and TV star, Mac Davis, where he was initially a tour manager and sometimes opening act - then "bluffed" his way into a lighting position. It's a good thing, because Peter spent the next 50 years lighting some of the biggest acts we've known...

Mickey got his start selling tee-shirts on tour with AC-DC which led to an opportunity to make a move into lighting. His first lighting tour was with Sir Elton and there have been countless others since. Brought up in a household that included his father, legendary Manager, Bill Curbishley (The Who, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, etc) - Mickey was taught incredible work ethic and continues to teach tha...

The PLASA show has always been such an important date on the calendar of so many lighting, sound, staging and video manufacturers and buyers. It was always the show that started the crazy season of new product releases. While that has changed a lot since the internet, YouTube, etc - PLASA still remains a very important and significant show. We discuss a long list of new products in anticipation of...

Most people don't get to start ONE successful company, let alone 2! This pair, Tony Andrews and partner, John Newsham have been fortunate to do exactly that. Together, the two speaker fanatics founded Turbosound in the late 70s, then after selling the company roughly 10 years later, went on to start Funktion One - arguably, the greatest club speaker package ever created! They are passionate about...

Security and safety surrounding crowded public events and specifically, concerts have become a growing topic of discussion. We've seen tragedies including Manchester and Vegas that have impacted not only the people at those events, victims and their families - but have changed our industry to an extent. Eric comes from a lengthy background in Policing and has created a company, Gentian Events, to...

Jim is the founding partner in multiple companies within the live event production sector, including Sound, Lighting, Video, Large Format Staging, Mobile Staging, Entertainment Trucking, Entertainer Tour Buses, Field Covering for Sports venues, Stadium Seating and Barrier Services. While this is a diverse list of companies, Jim's unique management philosophies make it possible for SES to excel in...

Peavey was founded in the 60's based on a very simple need... "we need gear for our band". From there, Hartley went on to create a massive empire of not only guitar amplifiers, but sound equipment, great guitars, an amplifier for one of the greatest guitarists ever born (the 5150 for EVH) and along the way, even some keyboards and drums!  Hartley believes in building great product at an affordable...

Robert's relationships and tenure in the rock and roll business are unrivaled - that's for certain. But what most people don't realize is that Robert is actually one of the best "solutions" guys in the business. His motto has always been "as a fireman, I have to run INTO the fire, not away from it" and that's earned him a seat on some massive tours, shows, events, etc. We also welcome Matthias Hin...

John has been labeled as one of the most intelligent and intellectual guys in the lighting design community. While John is known for his incredible 30-year run with Metallica, many forget he toured with Aerosmith for 10 years as well as many other artists. Join us on this journey with one of the world's greatest designers discussing his career of more than 40 years working with top artists. Episod...

Having grown up in the rave world, Steve literally has Electronic Music in his blood. He has stayed very true to the format and built a very successful career as a designer for massive festivals including Ultra, EDC, Coachella and more. He's become the go-to guy for these shows, and continues to push the envelope on what's possible while remaining passionate and committed to the details.

The Geezers chat with the two founding principals of Lightswitch, a very unique and innovative lighting design firm with offices in the USA, Asia and Australia. This company has managed to rise to the top of so many disciplines including Architectural, Corporate Theater, Theater and Rock and Roll. Episode 36 is sponsored by ACT Lighting.

Glenn started in the business in 1985. Like so many others, Glenn was a mobile DJ who's need for gear spurred an industry! Glenn and AED have taken those very early concepts so much further than most due to his business sense and incredible, visionary passion. Now, AED Group includes many companies in rental, film studio, leasing and even a museum! Today's podcast is brought to you by Elation Prof...

Thank you to EVERYONE for your feedback on one of our more popular episodes, #33 with Pat Morrow who managed Journey's tours from clubs all the way to stadiums. He finally takes the time to tell us the hilarious Ainsley Dunbar story and a lot more. Sit back and enjoy! Once again, brought to you by our GOOD friends at PRG.

First - I would like to apologize for the sound. Otherwise, this is Part 1 of a GREAT story with Pat, who has many stories to tell from 10+ years with Journey, Nocturne - providing gear for the Who, Michael Jackson, and so many more - and throw in a couple of years in the early days of Dr Hook. What a great guy - looking forward to "the Ainsley Story" on part 2!