If you weren’t among the record-breaking crowd of nearly 700 top industry pros attending the 2013 Parnelli Awards there, you really should have been. The 2013 Parnellis had it all — there were jokes about the crazy world that is live events, honors and accolades given the amazing talent who excel in their field this year, and even some quiet moments of remembrance of those who have passed.
“I knew Rick [‘Parnelli’] O’Brien well, and it’s the greatest honor to be here accepting this Parnelli Hall of Fame Award in his name,” production manager Mo Morrison said early in the magical evening that was the 13th Annual Parnelli Awards. “I loved that guy, and he is still sorely missed today.”
Morrison, who is profiled here, gave one of the many touching, funny, inspiring speeches of an evening to a sold-out crowd that also brought George Travis, Eric Pearce and Mark Engebretson to the stage to receive the Parnelli Lifetime, Visionary and Audio Innovator awards, respectfully.
Monkee Micky Dolenz was a masterful emcee, and kicked things off with humor and energy. He joked about the unwritten rules of touring life. “We can put a man on the moon,” he asked. “Why can’t we take a crap on the tour bus?”
Nearly 30 awards were given out in total, and there were memorable moments along the way, including a tribute to O’Brien, who passed from cancer in 2000, by his daughters Eve and Madeleine, who read aloud letters of remembrance that their mom, Kate, had saved and only just recently opened.
“This is the night when our magazines comes to life,” declared Parnelli executive producer and PLSN publisher Terry Lowe. “Our pages come alive by having so many of the people we write about through the year with us here tonight. Our job is to spread the word about your innovations and achievements. You never fail to give us new and interesting productions to write about and technology to make productions the best they can be. All of you here are an inspiration to the next generation that is honing their skills and learning their path in this amazing industry.”
Clive Forrester of All Access brought his long time friend and mentor, Eric Pearce, to the stage to accept the Parnelli Visionary Award for Pearce’s amazing career creating lighting products that were as road-worthy as they were exceptional. “Eric always looked for a way to make a piece of equipment better, nicer, and slicker. He wanted dimmers that were half the size yet could handle 72 channels. And he wanted it to fit in a bulletproof casing that could handle the road and the abuse that came with it.”
In accepting his honor, Pearce recounting parts of his early career, and thanked all those who worked for him and went on to have stellar careers in the concert lighting field in their own right.
The evening’s other presenters included John Brown of Brown United and Marshall Bissett of TMB; Bobby Allen of Concert Touring PRG; LD Jeff Ravitz; Carol Dodds, video director and Debi Moen, PLSN contributor; PLSN/FOH editors Justin Lang and George Petersen; and Brian Murphy, concert promoter at AEG Live, among others.
Former Parnelli honorees were also there to lend a hand, and poke fun at themselves, including 2012 Parnelli Lifetime Achievement honoree Charlie Hernandez, who came prepared with an even longer speech than the one he delivered last year, which was summarily ripped to shreds by 2009 Lifetime Achiever Jake Berry.
Besides the honorees, there were 20 awards given for live event achievement to individuals and companies, and four given out for “Indispensible Technology” — new products that have already made their way into the proverbial tool box of live event professionals.
Many were there to see George Travis receive his Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award. Writer/producer/manager Jon Landau was on hand and told hilarious stories of their long partnership together on the road with Bruce Springsteen for nearly four decades. The Boss himself sent in video tribute that kicked off the documentary on Travis’ amazing life.
Travis, known as a man of few words, made joke about his friend Rick O’Brien looking down on him laughing as he squirmed at being on stage in front of a live mic. “This award isn’t just about me,” he said, then listing those close to him who have passed away. Later, he thanked the woman, starting with his wife, who was there with their children.
Acknowledging for a long time he was known as “the rigger who married Lenore,” he pointed out with their talent and support they make it all possible, and certainly better. “This is not a boy’s club at all — I want all you guys who have that woman in your life to give her special thanks.”
Travis remarked while on stage that the last time he was at a Parnelli Awards, it was the second one in 2002, where he presented the very award he received to Mike Brown. After the show, he remarked what a wonderful evening it was, and how great it was to see so many old friends. “I want to come back next year.”
And the 2013 Parnelli Award Winners Are:
Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award
George Travis
Parnelli Hall of Fame
Mo Morrison (Inaugural Inductee)
Parnelli Visionary Award
Eric Pearce
Parnelli Audio Innovator Award
Mark Engebretson
Lighting Company of the Year
Bandit Lites
Hometown Hero Lighting Company of the Year
Brown Note Productions
Lighting Designer of the Year
Jeff Ravitz
Set/Scenic Designer of the Year
Tom Marzullo
Sound Company of the Year
Solotech
Hometown Hero Sound Company of the Year
KiAN Concert Sound Services
FOH Mixer of the Year
Jim Yakabuski
Monitor Mixer of the Year
Ted Bible
Audio System Tech of the Year
Preston Soper
Video Production Company of the Year
LMG
Video Director of the Year
Dave Davidian
Staging Company of the Year
Brown United
Rigging Company of the Year
Atlanta Rigging Systems
Set Construction Company of the Year
All Access Staging and Productions
Pyro Company of the Year
Pyrotek Special Effects
Production Manager of the Year
Dean Roney
Tour Manager of the Year
Marty Hom
Coach Company of the Year
Hemphill Brothers
Trucking Company of the Year
Upstaging Inc.
Freight Forwarding Company of the Year
Rock-It Cargo
Indispensable Technology – Lighting
Chauvet Professional – Nexus 4×4
Indispensable Technology – Audio
Meyer Sound – LEO Loudspeaker System
Indispensable Technology – Video
Oracle LED Systems – Black Widow HD9
Indispensable Technology – Staging
Gallagher Staging – Mini G Block
In Memoriam
The 2013 Parnelli Awards, which celebrated the achievements of individuals and companies involved in the live production industry, also paused in remembrance of those who passed away in the past year. We’ve posted that full list (with the addition of Troels Volver, who was regrettably not included in the Parnelli program and screen images) in the online posting HERE.
