You had to be there.
You had to be there to see a hilariously self-deprecating Dennis DeYoung emcee. You had to be there for touching, moving documentaries on the three Parnelli honorees, Richard Belliveau, Stan Miller and Jake Berry. You had to be there for the surprise winners and their usually unconventional acceptance speeches.
And you really had to be there for a one-time-only viewing of an amazingly funny video prepared for Jake Berry that starred the likes of Peter Mench, Metallica, Bono and The Edge and Mick Jagger, because it was shown on the condition that only those in attendance see it and it never be shown again.
"I felt like I was surrounded by royalty and literally inhaled every moment," commented sound engineer Mikey Caterina after the event. "It was almost Biblical!"
"We increased production value, we increased star power, and most of all we achieved what we set out to do: honor those live event professionals who spend the other days of the year behind the scenes," said Terry Lowe, executive producer of the Parnelli Awards and publisher of PLSN and FOH magazines. "It was by far our best show ever, and my team was pleased to have created such a memorable evening."
The show included some good-natured roasting. First, there was Dennis DeYoung, whose target was…himself. On his career with Styx, he recalled his pushing the band toward concept albums like Kilroy Was Here and beyond, "which had the unintended effect…of getting me fired from the band." Later he pitched the "need" for those in the room to hire his son, lighting designer Matt DeYoung, "so I can finally retire."
In receiving the Parnelli Visionary Award, a visibly moved Richard Belliveau thanked the Parnelli Board and his co-workers through the years before launching into a funny "shout out" session where he gave sincere kudos to all the people who helped advance technology in the industry.
Parnelli Audio Innovator honoree Stan Miller received a standing ovation after the showing of a special Neil Diamond video which began with Diamond on his couch saying "Stanley…remember me?" before going on and congratulating Miller for being honored for his stellar career.
Brian Celler, currently with U2, showed up with a special video featuring many of the music stars he had worked with over the years, including current clients Bono and The Edge sipping tea on the Devonshire coast. They all shared tales about what it's like to "open" for Jake Berry's load-out. At one point Mick Jagger looked into the camera and said: "I also want to congratulate Jake on his success with projects like Walking with Dinosaurs…but enough about the Stones." The piece was created on the condition that it only be shown at the Parnellis.
"Rick ‘Parnelli' O'Brien is the namesake of the Parnelli Awards and Marc Brickman was his good friend," said PLSN Editor Richard Cadena. "It's fittingly appropriate that Brickman won Lighting Designer of the Year for his work with Keith Urban. And it was so much fun working with Dennis and Matt DeYoung. The show would not have been the same without them."
And the Winners Are…
Lifetime Achievement Award 2009: Jake Berry
Visionary Award 2009: Richard Belliveau
Audio Innovator of the Year 2009: Stan Miller
Lighting Company of the Year 2009: PRG
Hometown Hero Lighting Company of the Year 2009: Theatrical Media Services, Inc. (TMS)
Lighting Designer of the Year 2009: Marc Brickman
Set/Scenic Designer of the Year 2009: Mark Fisher
Video Rental Company of the Year 2009: XL Video
Video Director of the Year 2009: Stefaan "Smasher" Desmedt
Staging Company of the Year 2009: Brown United
Rigging Company of the Year 2009 (Tie): Atlanta Rigging Systems and Five Points Rigging
Set Construction Company of the Year 2009: Tait Towers
Pyro Company of the Year 2009: Strictly FX
Production Manager of the Year 2009: Bobby Thrasher
Tour Manager of the Year 2009: Robert Allen
Coach Company of the Year 2009: Hemphill Brothers Coach Company
Trucking Company of the Year 2009: Upstaging, Inc.
Freight Forwarding Company of the Year 2009: Rock-It Cargo
Sound Company of the Year 2009: Clair
Hometown Hero Sound Company of the Year 2009: Onstage Systems
FOH Mixer of the Year 2009: Big Mick Hughes
Monitor Mixer of the Year 2009: Paul Owen
System Tech of the Year 2009: Scott Hale
2009 Indispensable Technology "IT" Award Winners
Lighting: Martin Professional – MAC III
Video: Barco/High End Systems – ShowPix
Staging: Tyler Truss Systems – Tyler GT
Audio: DiGiCo – SD7
