LAS VEGAS — Halloween came early to the 15th Annual Parnelli Awards on Saturday, Oct. 24. Audio Innovator honoree Pat Quilter dressed as Mountain Man with an Egyptian head piece; Visionary honoree David Cunningham came to the stage with two beautiful women and proceeded to change wigs and transform himself into a rock/drag star; and finally there was Chris Lamb, in his trademark cowboy getup.
Otherwise, it was all treats and no tricks at the sold out gala award ceremony.
Perhaps channeling the spirit of Rick “Parnelli” O’Brien, Vans Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman kept the backstage humor going with a speedy progression of sly jokes, heartfelt gratitude and well-deserved recognition, barreling along like an efficiently packed, fully loaded tour truck. “Kevin Lyman was a perfect fit for his audience – his edgy comments on the current state of the industry were spot on and, like a good promoter, he brought the show home on time,” said Marshall Bissett, chairman of the Parnelli Awards.
Lyman also made observations about where the industry has been, and where it might be going. “My life is about doing more with less, and from where I sit 120 [lighting] fixtures will do as well as 160 in the hands of a creative designer.”
When introducing the first award of the night, Trucking Company of the Year, he, said: “I talk at universities a lot and get asked, ‘what’s the most essential skill I can have to be successful in this business?’ And I say it’s being able to drive at night and go six hours without peeing.” Having worked with many in the room over the years, his stories and occasional jabs made for an entertaining evening.
Most of the humbled winners stepped up to the podium, took just enough time to credit supporters and fellow nominees, and quickly exited the stage, which kept the show moving briskly. Rock-It Cargo’s David Bernstein took a moment longer to thank Chris Lamb for taking a chance with his still-fledgling company for a big Queen tour in 1981.
There were plenty of emotions on display, too. Executive producer and publisher Terry Lowe took the stage early in the show to share a clip of a young Patrick Stansfield he found in Martin Scorsese’s documentary on George Harrison. “When I saw Patrick Stansfield, my co-founder of the Parnelli Awards, I could see his passion. And this is why we are all here tonight: to honor the men and women who brought the created the industry of concert production through their, hard work and yes their passion.”
Marshall Bissett told a funny story about the recently departed founder of See Factor, Bob See, who was named a Parnelli Lifetime Honoree in 2005. He told of first meeting See an Aerosmith concert in 1976 when he was a young lighting designer for the opening act, he being teased by See as “you limeys get what you want by being so god****ed polite – let me show you how a real lighting desk works.” He then read a touching note from producer Michael Ahern on his longtime friend See before the video tribute to all those members of the tribe we’ve lost was shown.
It all culminated with Lamb receiving the lifetime achievement honor. Long time friend and associate and recipient of this award last year, Benny Collins, took the stage and said: “Chris, I feel for you. I was sitting right where you were last year. I know the last thing in the world you want to do is get in front of a live mic in front of a room full of people. I’m the same way. But they put me up here to prove to you that you can survive receiving the Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award … yes, I too am a public speaking survivor …”
Collins said a few more words about Lamb, before revealing a surprise video of congrats sent just the night before from Lionel Richie. Funny and sincere, Richie told a story of Lamb showing up at Richie’s mother’s 70th birthday party in pink shirt and cowboy hat and boots, then praised his work and dedication. Then there was another video of congrats from the very first recipient of this lifetime achievement honor, Brian Croft, who was one of Lamb’s earliest bosses. Finally the documentary on Lamb’s career was shown, and Lamb was spotted tearing up at the tribute. When it ended, Collins came out and summoned a reluctant Lamb to the stage.
“I’m not good at this,” Lamb said when he finally reached the podium. While acknowledging that he had the opportunity to take the lead in the creation of “lots of amazing stuff,” he made clear that “I didn’t do it by myself,” and also thanked both his parents, who were able to attend on his big night. Their boy may have opted for the touring life instead of a “real job,” but he seemed to have turned out okay.
Indeed.
Otherwise it is a night when the stars came out. In addition to Collins, presenters included lighting designers Peter Morse and Sooner Routhier, Production Manager Mark “Springo” Spring, QSC co-CEO John Andrews, ETC’s VP Steve Terry, Hemphill Brother’s Joey Hemphill, Maryland Sound’s and last year’s Innovator Honoree Bob Goldstein, and PLSN and FOH’s editors Nook Schoenfeld and George Petersen. Industry stars Roy Bennett, Cosmo Wilson, Laurie Quigley, Curt Jenkins, and Earl Neal were on hand to accept awards. Also Roy Lamb (no relation) and Dale “Opie” Skjerseth were in attendance.
Neal and Jenkins received the newly named Patrick Stansfield Production Manager of the Year and Patrick Stansfield Tour Manager of the Year, respectively.
From the eye-popping, pulsating opening video created by Silva Sveta to the final nightcap of the after party, it was a night to remember.
“The swift and flawless production of the Parnelli Awards was noted and appreciated by everyone I spoke to, as evidenced by a fantastic turnout at the After Party for the event,” Schoenfeld said. “The increased attention to production values at the show was definitely noticed and the producers deserve some immense kudos for their jobs well done. I gotta say that the sponsors threw a great party in the lobby outside of the ballroom as soon as the event ended. It gave everyone time to catch up with all their friends as well as pat the backs of the wide range of amazing people holding their much-deserved Parnelli Awards. This ‘sure to be’ annual party is just the icing on the cake for this salute to the leaders of our industry.”
The full list of 2015 Parnelli Awards Winners follows.
Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award
Chris Lamb. More details
Parnelli Visionary Award
David Cunningham. More details
Parnelli Audio Innovator Award
Pat Quilter. More details
Lighting Company of the Year
Bandit Lites. Dizzy Gosnell accepts the award.
Hometown Hero Lighting Company of the Year
BML-Blackbird. Pictured here, Eric Todd.
Lighting Designer of the Year
Sooner Routhier, LD for Imagine Dragons.
Lighting Director of the Year
Cosmo Wilson, lighting director for AC/DC.
Set/Scenic Designer of the Year
LeRoy Bennett, for Maroon 5.
Sound Company of the Year
Sound Image. Pictured here, Dave Shadoan
Hometown Hero Sound Company of the Year
Clearwing Productions. Accepting the award is Gregg Brunclik.
FOH Mixer of the Year
Laurie Quigley, FOH engineer for Lenny Kravitz.
Monitor Mixer of the Year
Rance Caldwell, monitor mixer for Crosby, Stills and Nash.
Audio System Tech of the Year
Jim “Fish” Miller. A colleague accepts the award for Miller, honored for his work with Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull.
Video Production Company of the Year
PRG Nocturne. Nick Jackson accepts on behalf of colleagues honored for the U2 tour.
Video Director of the Year
Mike Drew was honored for his work with Rascall Flatts.
Staging Company of the Year
Mountain Productions. Jim Evans accepts the honor.
Rigging Company of the Year
Atlanta Rigging Systems. David Piccola accepts the award.
Set Construction Company of the Year
All Access Staging & Productions. Erik Eastland accepts the award.
Pyro Company of the Year
Strictly FX. Mark Grega accepts.
Coach Company of the Year
Hemphill Brothers. Joey Hemphill, pictured here, also served as a presenter at the awards ceremony.
Trucking Company of the Year
Stage Call. Loren Haas accepts.
Freight Forwarding Company of the Year
Rock-It Cargo. David Bernstein accepts.
The Patrick Stansfield Production Manager of the Year
Earl Neal with the award, named this year in Patrick Stansfield’s honor.
The Patrick Stansfield Tour Manager of the Year
Curt Jenkins with the award, which was also named this year in Patrick Stansfield’s honor.
Indispensable Technology – Lighting
Clay Paky Mythos won the category.
Indispensable Technology – Audio
JBL’s VTX V25-II got top honors. Brendan Grimes accepts on JBL/Harman’s behalf.
Indispensable Technology – Video
PixelFLEX FLEXCurtain HD won this year. Jeremy Byrd accepted the award.
Indispensable Technology – Staging
Stageline SAM 575 won. Yvan Miron accepted the honor.
Congratulations to all the winners and thanks once again to the 2015 Parnelli Awards Sponsors and Presenters!
The 2015 Parnelli Awards Presenters
John Andrews was a high school kid when he started showing up to hammer speaker cabinets together in Pat Quilter’s shop in the 1970s along side his older brother, Barry. He would get a finance degree from USC in 1977, and work for the struggling company full time. Both Andrews became partners and would see QSC grow into an international company serving concert touring, houses of worship and movie theaters.
Benny Collins, production/tour manager for Michael Jackson, Journey, David Bowie, Rolling Stones, Madonna and U2, among others, received the Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Bob Goldstein was a kid playing bass in local Baltimore bands before he started Maryland Sound in 1966. From an early gig at Madison Square Garden, he immediately developed a reputation for taking on the truly big gigs (he regularly handles New York City’s Time’s Square New Year’s Celebration, and allowed over two million to hear President Obama’s historic swearing in ceremony in 2009). He received the Parnelli Audio Innovator Award in 2014.
Joey Hemphill and his brother Trent grew up playing, singing, and traveling together with their family in the gospel music group, The Hemphills. In 1980s they bought a couple of tour buses from their father and formed Hemphill Brothers in 1980 when they were in their early 20s. Today they have a fleet of more than 90 coaches.
Peter Morse started out as a singer/songwriter who cut his first folk album when he was 16. After spending time in L.A. recording and working as a session singer, he convinced Mac Davis he could run his lights for him even though he had barely changed a light bulb at that point. Today he is an Emmy- and Parnelli-winning lighting designer who for nearly 40 years been one of the most dominant and influential creative designers in the live event industry. He’s collaborated with Michael Jackson, Madonna, Barbara Streisand, Prince, Usher, Bette Midler, Shania Twain, Jennifer Lopez, and many others.
George Petersen has been editor of FRONT of HOUSE since 2012. Prior to that he served as editor for Mix magazine for nearly 30 years. He’s also an author, lecturer, musician (drums and guitar among other instruments), audio installer and of course, FOH engineer. A true historian of the audio industry, buy him a drink and he’ll dazzle you about under-appreciated pioneers.
Sooner Routhier hails from Vermont and is a production designer and co-owner of SRae Productions. She’s worked as a lighting designer and director for modern dance, theatre, and concert touring. Currently working with Imagine Dragons, she’s also worked with Rage Against the Machine, The All American Rejects, Motley Crue, KISS, Jay Z, and Bon Jovi, among others. She holds a BFA in Technical Theater from Emerson College.
Nook Schoenfeld is the editor of PLSN magazine. Prior to that position he was the monthly contributor to the LD-at-Large column. Still an active Production Designer/LD, clients include Kid Rock, Ben Harper, Lionel Richie, Talking Heads and Imagine Dragons, among many others. His given first name is Richard, and how he got his nickname apparently requires a bit of time and a couple of drinks.
Mark “Springo” Spring is an award-winning tour and production manager who graduated with a degree in technical theater before getting a job at Showlites in Los Angeles. He moved on from lighting into stage managing and eventually was Production manager for the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, Alicia Keys and Paul McCartney, among others. Based in Phoenix, he’s a proud member of the Phoenix Mafia.
Steve Terry began his live event career with the Dance Theater of Harlem touring as their production electrician. He was along side David Cunningham installing the first computerized lighting-control system on Broadway for A Chorus Line. He would become a consultant of ETC for many years until he became vice president of professional services in 2001. He is a founding member of the Entertainment Services and Technology Association, now PLASA.
