LAS VEGAS — Those nominated by PLSN readers to be the best and brightest in the live entertainment industry assembled Oct. 24 for the 2008 Parnelli Awards gala at the Rio Hotel & Casino. Although all deserved special recognition for their contribution to the industry, a few were given the additional distinction of having won the industry’s highest honor: a Parnelli Award. To receive it, they ascending the stage shared by luminaries including Dennis Sheehan, winner of the 2008 Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award, Michael Tait, winner of the inaugural Parnelli Visionary Award, shown here; and Alice Cooper, who served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies and was also Honorary Chairperson for the Parnelli Celebrity Classic golf tournament held Oct. 23. Here are the categories and winners:
Lighting Company of the Year
Bandit Lites — Rascal Flatts
Lighting Designer of the Year
Bryan Hartley — Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Hometown Hero Lighting Company of the Year
Precise Corporate Staging (PCS)
Set/Scenic Designer of the Year
Seth Jackson and Elizabeth O'Keefe — Toby Keith
Video Director of the Year
Mark Haney — Eric Clapton
Production Manager of the Year
Ed Wannebo — Kenny Chesney
Tour Manager of the Year
Mike Amato — Linkin Park
Staging Company of the Year
All Access Staging Productions — Rascal Flatts
Rigging Company of the Year
Atlanta Rigging
Set Construction Company of the Year
Tait Towers — Bon Jovi
Video Rental Company of the Year
Nocturne Productions — Nine Inch Nails
Pyro Company of the Year
Pyrotek — Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Coach Company of the Year
Diamond Coach
Trucking Company of the Year
Upstaging, Inc.
Freight Forewarding Company of the Year
Rock-It Cargo
Congratulations to all!
