It has been a dozen years now that PLSN and FOH magazines have combined their energies to shine the spotlight on the people who make shows happen at the annual Parnelli Awards. It is truly one of the most important things we do every year. It allows us to pay tribute to our industry and the people who have dedicated their careers and lives in making this an industry we can all share the privilege of being a part of.
This is still a first-generation industry, and the effect we have had on society is rather “mind-blowing” to consider. Just stop and think about it.
One must try to remember the reason why we all got into this industry. For many, we wanted to try and make our bands look, sound and run better. So what did we do? We innovated. We made things up as we went along, and soon these innovations turned into products. Now these products are showing up in every aspect of our lives — from the way we worship to how our political campaigns are portrayed. Our technology and style is in our retail spaces. It shows up at every large corporate gathering as well. We have permeated our society. Everyone wants to be a rock star, and now we know how to make them look and feel like one. So everyone should pat themselves on the back; that is what the Parnelli Awards are all about. Letting us have a night to say “atta boy” to the men, women and companies who lay it on the line, show after show.
The Back Story
For those of you who don’t know the story, our good friend Patrick Stansfield came up with the idea of naming the awards after Rick “Parnelli” O’Brien. Rick was a much beloved production manager whose penchant for driving fast earned him the nickname of Parnelli early in his career. Patrick was spot on in wanting to name the awards after Rick. Rick embodied what we have come to know as the Four H’s — Honesty, Humility, Humanity and Humor. In a business like ours, these are the attributes that will get you far in a day as well as a career. So when we look to our Lifetime Recipients, we look towards the attributes of the Four H’s that defined Rick O’Brien’s life in our yearly induction into the Parnelli Ring of Honor.
This year, our honorees all truly meet these elements. Charlie Hernandez, our Parnelli Lifetime Achieve Award honoree, has devoted a lifetime to great work on shows but also in his great humanitarian efforts though his group Just a Bunch of Roadies. This is truly a great first-responder organization that has helped such trouble spots as Haiti and Pakistan in their times of need. Joe Branham has made a lifetime of innovation in flying and rigging technology, and our Audio Innovator, Dave Shadoan, has created decades of innovation in sonic technology. All three are the personification of the Four H’s. We know Rick O’Brien would concur.
So if you have been to the Parnelli Awards in the past, you know it’s a night of celebration and congratulations, not only to our Lifetime Award winners, but to all of the companies and individuals who win and are nominated. It is a star-studded event, and you never know who is going to show up to help honor these individuals. In the past few years, Kenny Chesney came to bestow the award on longtime production manager Ed Wannebo, Brooks & Dunn were on stage to honor Randy “Baja” Fletcher, and no one will ever forget Paul Anka singing “My Way” to his longtime FOH engineer, Al Siniscal, a few years back.
There is always a lot to do during LDI weekend. However, the Parnelli Awards is always an evening worth participating in.
Eighteen on the 18th
Speaking of participating… This year we will also be having the Parnelli Celebrity Golf Tournament on October 18th at the Arroyo Golf Club, the day before LDI. So if you wish to lay claim to being the best golfer in the industry, don’t forget to make this a part of your week’s activities as well.
From all of us here at PLSN and FOH, we sincerely want to thank all of you for helping to make this possible. Our Parnelli Advisory Board members who work with us throughout the year are integral to the success of the event. We also thank all of our sponsors who gather together to make the evening possible, and you, our readers, who take the time to nominate and to vote.
Just like the shows you work on, the Parnelli Awards are one big group effort. A collaboration in art, if you will. For my co-founder, Patrick Stansfield, and myself, I tip my hat and raise a glass to all of you for helping us continue this yearly salute to the industry we love. Thank you!
Also check out PLSN editor Justin Lang’s take on the Parnellis and the Oct. 2012
issue at www.plsn.me/201210ednote.
