Eddie “Bones” Connell, Lighting Designer and Director for Toby Keith for 27 years, is coming to terms with the country artist’s passing in February this year. “We were all incredibly fortunate to work for Toby,” the LD reflects. “He exemplified kindness by ensuring that all of us received a yearly salary and comprehensive healthcare coverage, regardless of our workload. We were all aware of his health issues, but he performed three incredible Las Vegas performances. After his last show on Dec. 14, 2023, we were informed that he planned to do around 20 shows this year. His sudden passing shocked and devastated us all.”
This is the first time since joining Keith’s team in 1996 that Connell has had to seek out another gig—and it’s been a difficult journey, he adds. With 40 years of industry experience, Connell acknowledges the challenges. “I’ve landed a new tour as a Lighting Technician rather than my usual role as a Lighting Director, but I’m happy to be working,” he says, adding that you’ll find him with LD Brent Clark on the Robert Plant & Alison Krauss run. “But once it ends (Sept. 1), I’ll be back to square one,” he notes.
Meanwhile, he’s open to all options. He developed an interest in operating a front-of-house camera after last year’s tour with The All-American Rejects. He will also consider corporate gigs, assisting tour or production managers, roles as a sales or client rep, or social media manager—as he already runs a business specializing in website, app design, and social media. “I’m an open book,” he says, embracing new challenges. Reach out at ewclighting@gmail.com
Randy Travis’ More Life Tour
A stroke in 2013 left him with limited speech. But with a new record to promote—created using AI—Randy Travis has hit the highway with The More Life Tour with his original band. Visual Director Michael Shucher is using house lighting and video systems, while controlling video content of Travis’ career highlights from a laptop at the FOH. “I am out of hands,” he jokes. James Dupré, whose voice was used in the new song, performs Travis’ top hits with the long-running touring band, which includes Michael’s brother, Herb Shucher, on drums. The country legend won’t be performing, however. “He and his wife, Mary, sit downstage right. I keep them lit for the entire show,” Shucher adds. The tour started May 23 and runs throughout the year.
Stunt Show in Vietnam
Chris Werner of Chris Werner Design checked in from Vietnam, just a few days away from opening a big, nighttime stunt show, The Rise of The Ocean Princess, at Vinpearl Harbour on Hon Tre Island in Nha Trang. He describes the show as: “Jet skis, fly boards, e-foils, high-divers, dancers, pyro, projection, and of course, lighting on the open waters of Nha Trang Bay.” Werner wears the Lighting Designer hat on this one, while Associate Designer Alex Stevens is programming. “Our system primarily handles lighting. But we trigger water effects, flame effects, and some scenic automation. The show is intended to be a permanent attraction. Crossing my fingers for a long run! This is my first time in Vietnam. Very pretty. But the humidity is brutal!”
Heart/Squeeze
Carl Burnett shares that The Heart tour is going well and moves into Europe for a festival run with some of their own headline shows along the way. “We start July with a six-headline arena show in the UK with Squeeze as special guests. Martin Brennan, the LD for Squeeze, is out operating on Judas Priest so he is handing it over to Mark Jones-Roberts.” Burnett also gives high praise to Max Conwell for his contributions. “Max looked after all the drawings, renders, and presentation and was a great sounding board for design aspects and general encouragement,” Burnett notes. “Not exactly co-designer, but he helped a lot!”
New Cues
- Alex Picard is excited about programming and operating lights for Maggie Rogers on her new Don’t Forget Me tour. “My friend, and fellow LD, Lenny Sasso is co-programming lighting with me,” he adds.
- Craig Gaff is “doing a bunch of dates” with the synth electro-pop band Berlin. (Remember “Take My Breath Away” from the film Top Gun?)
- Ignacio Rosenberg of Lightswitch just sent out his show design for the Il Divo’s XX Tour, named for their 20th anniversary album. Ivan Espada is Touring Director
- Joël Huxtable is out with DEVO in May, then Ziggy Marley starting July through summer. He’s taken on the roles of designer, programmer, and lighting director for both tours.
- Mark “Junior” Jacobson reports in from Tool’s European tour running May 25-June 27. “It’s mostly their own shows with a few festivals mixed in,” he notes. “We’re making a few minor modifications—mostly just extra cable packages and whatnot—so that pieces of it can be taken in to the four festivals.”
- Nathaniel Beckett heads back out May 28-June 30 with Modest Mouse for the second leg of a co-headline U.S. tour with the Pixies. “I took a long break since November, doing home stuff like house remodeling and failing to keep plants alive,” he jokes. The only change in the rig may be the hazers and floor sidelights.
- Nico Riot checks in prior to a European tour with U.S. hardcore punk musical collective, The Armed. “They asked me for tons of strobes and smoke,” he says. “Should be a wild run!”
- Robert W. Peterson has “great comedy shoots” on deck with stand-up comics Pat McGann, Bert Kreischer, and Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, adding he’s excited for this year’s CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium, too. “CMA Fest becomes an ABC special later in the summer,” he notes.
LDs Open for Gigs
- Rachel Mullen has time June 1-21 for gigs as lighting designer, programmer, director, or board op. After that, at the end of June she goes out with Australian indie folk band Hollow Coves as their Lighting Director/Programmer/Board Operator for the U.S. tour. Contact her through www.radiantfocusdesign.com
- Scott “Scooter” Warner of Karate Pinky Visual Design LLC wrapped up lighting director duties for The Doobie Brothers and is open in July for gigs. Contact him at warnerorama@gmail.com or via www.karatepinky.com
Share your news with Debi Moen at dmoen@plsn.com
