TOUR: Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band
DESIGN: “This is my 15th year as touring lighting director/programmer for Jeff Ravitz’s design for Ringo. My most important cues: light the audience, and light Ringo! The six other musicians are all stars as well, so they are also constantly in the light of their own lekos.”
“Custom gobos project from a downstage truss on to our custom backdrop. Instead of video, we create animation and give the drop depth using the gobos and color; it gives the drop a different look for every song. Ringo’s songs get star gobos. But having several layers projected onto the drop gives it some beautiful and interesting looks, especially taking the gobos out of focus on top of one another with two different colors.”
BACKSTORY
HOME BASE: Sevierville, TN.
INDUSTRY YEARS: Since 1994 as a lighting professional.
CAREER SPARK: “In 1994 I moved to Nashville to be a big country music star, and got a day gig job running a spotlight for the Opryland concert series. Alabama’s LD Mike Swinford taught me the console; I soon ran lights for acts with no LDs and got programming gigs.”
FIRST TOURING GIG: “Louise Mandrell in 1995. I learned how to draw lighting plots, focus rigs and program multiple lighting consoles, as we did not tour with lights or a console.”
OTHER SHOWS: “I design tours, program for TV shows, and design and program for major cruise lines, theatre productions and theme parks, including Disney and Dollywood.”
FAVORITE MOMENTS: “Having my own written and produced CD of traditional country songs played during preshow, and having Ringo do a video tribute to me for my induction into the Full Sail Hall Of Fame. Going to the grand opening of the Cirque du Soleil Love show with Ringo and other VIPs — and seeing it again on this tour!”
MOST MEMORABLE: “When Paul McCartney made a surprise appearance for Ringo’s 70th birthday at Radio City Music Hall. I brought the lights back up at the end of the show to reveal Paul standing there, and the band breaking in to “Birthday.” The energy in the room was something I had never felt. Ringo jumped on stage to his drum kit. To see the two remaining Beatles mixed with the crowd energy was an incredible night I will never forget.”
YOUR MUSICAL CAREER: “My music career led me to my lighting career, which has led me full circle back to music. I produced two CDs in Nashville of my original traditional country music, which tells a story and speaks from the heart.”
HEROES/MENTORS: “Mike Swinford and Jed Downing. Jed introduced me to so many people in the industry, and recommended me to Louise Mandrell.”
MANTRA: “The world is a beautiful place if you take the time to look.”
