ATLANTA – Bandit Lites once again provided the lighting package for the fourth annual 2019 Black Music Honors, where Xscape, Freddie Jackson, Arrested Development, Tamia and Yolanda Adams were honored for their contributions to African American culture and American music. LD Mark Carver lit the two-hour TV special with nearly 200 Bandit-supplied fixtures. The event took place Sept. 5 with broadcasts slated at different times in various U.S. markets from Sept. 14-Oct. 20.
More details from Bandit (www.BanditLites.com):
Held on September 5 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and produced by Central City Productions, the television special was hosted by Rickey Smiley and LeToya Luckett and featured performances by Jagged Edge, Jekalyn Carr, Tevin Campbell, Kelly Price, Naughty By Nature, Le’Andria Johnson, Tony Terry, Travis Greene, 702, Smokie Norful, Jade Novah, Dee-1, June’s Diary, Mali Music, Mumu Fresh, Major, Keke Wyatt, Jessie Woo, Leon Timbo and Avery Wilson.
Veteran lighting designer Mark Carver illuminated the two-hour affair and utilized the gear to provide a stylized, contemporary look.
Bandit Lites supplied nearly 200 fixtures for the event including High End Systems SolaFrame 3000s for stage texture and primary back lighting, Chauvet Rogue Hybrids for beam graphics, Claypaky B-EYE K20s for color toning and eye candy and Elation ACL 360i fixtures for eye candy looks around the LED screens. Two grand MA 2 Full consoles provided control.
Due to the scale of the event and the large number of varying musical performances, preparation was key in making the most of the limited amount of time in the actual performance hall, an aspect that Bandit Lites excels in.
“Having a pre-prepped lighting system is key so we can get the system in place and begin programming as soon as possible,” explained Carver. “I try to do as much pre-production as possible by listening to the music and determining the color palette beforehand. Once on site, I work in concert with the lighting programmer Kyle Lovan and the content programmer Tony Fransen to shape the style and mood of each song.”
“Working with Mark is always a pleasure and it was he who first introduced Bandit to Central City Productions many years ago,” said Bandit Lites Vice President Mike Golden. “As is the case with him, Mark knew exactly what he needed to get the job done and because we do many events in the Cobb Energy Center, our crew and Project Manager Gene Brian encountered no hiccups from load in through load out.”
“Mike Golden did an excellent job in helping to get the most out the lighting package with what the budget would allow,” finished Carver. “Project Manager Gene Brian provided great direction and support in supplying a well-prepped, built to spec system. On site, Bandit techs Ryan Johnson and Joey DiLeo did a great job in getting the system up and kept it running one hundred percent during the event.”
Audiences can watch the Black Music Honors on syndication from September 14 – October 20, and on Bounce TV October 20, 2019 at 12PM EST. Visit http://www.blackmusichonors.com/ for more information on airings.
Lighting Gaffer: George (Buddy) Lunn.
Lighting programmer: Kyle Lovan
Media Content Programmer: Tony Fransen.
