Tour: Air Supply
Dates: Year-round, worldwide
The design: Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock are the original Air Supply, and have been touring 40 years. They have a younger band working with them now. Their repertoire is filled with hit ballads, and Graham, the songwriter, also has a solo moment in the show where the spotlight is on him as he recites his poetry. When the songs rock, I keep gobos and colors moving. I like movement in every song. Air Supply likes to see their audience; they are heavy into audience participation such as singing along and clapping, and they like to be in the spotlight, so I always make sure I have spotlights. At the show’s end they perform a new EDM song, which recently made it on the charts, so my lighting moves get faster and a bit more techno. I’m not carrying gear in the U.S. so I’m always trying out new lights, new consoles every gig. Every day is a different show. I have to be prepared for all sizes of venues, from the 300-seater (in Austin, TX) to 8,000-capacity (in Capetown, South Africa).
Backstory:
Home base: Denver, CO.
Years in the industry: 23
How long with the band: Since January 2013.
What inspired you to get into lighting?
I got into TV production in Nebraska and later went to Denver for a TV production job. I fell into the rock bar scene there while attending the the Art Institute of Colorado and met friends in the production business in the bars.
First job in the industry? Running the fogger and strobe for a local Denver band.
First gig as an LD:
At McNichols Arena I operated intros for the Nuggets and Avalanche teams. After that I freelanced at venues such as the Paramount, Ogden, Bluebird and Gothic Theatres simultaneously. Then did corporate shows for seven years with TD Ameritrade.
Tours you’ve designed or directed:
Insane Clown Posse. If you missed a lighting cue, the band would spray you with two-liter bottles of root beer. That’s where I learned to persevere.
Heroes or mentors:
My early influence is LD Mark Workman, I like his heavy metal style; LD Jeff Ravitz – I love the smooth looks, the layers, the background looks and depth of perception, and I use some of these influences for slower moments in Air Supply. I like EDM LDs such as Andy Cass, who designs Bassnectar and is now out with String Cheese Incident. I also like Metallica’s LD John Broderick for his ‘attack’ style of lighting, and Jefferson Waful, LD for Umphrey’s McGee jam band.
What do you like about what you do?
Every day is different. I have a lot of passion for live music. I feed off the crowd. I like being part of the energy, being part of the process, and making memories for the audience.
Best advice:
Follow your dreams with passion.
