The Parnelli Awards is special to many, but it’s special in different ways. Some friends weigh in on what it means to them.
John and Helen Meyer: Our Meyer Sound team has always supported the Parnellis and we have been fortunate to have been honored over the years. It’s always been a fun evening to gather with our partners and industry peers. Thanks to George Petersen and all those who have put so much effort into what has become a great industry tradition for the past 20 years!
[Helen:] I have to add that it was quite special to see John take the stage on the occasion of his being honored with the first Parnelli Audio Innovator Award in 2004. Innovation is a pillar of Meyer Sound since our founding, so this recognition in our 25th anniversary year was a significant honor for us. —John and Helen Meyer, Co-founders, CEO and EVP, Meyer Sound
Marc Lopez: The Parnelli Awards, or the “Oscars of the Live Event Industry” as we often refer to it, enables us to give recognition to those whose job is to be unseen, and acknowledge their exceptional creativity and remarkable efforts. In addition, it’s a really great opportunity to connect and socialize with friends and associates we may not have seen in a while. While the event will be sadly missed this year, I look forward to a strong return celebrating the industry and the talented people who make it come to life. —Marc Lopez, Vice President Marketing, d&b audiotechnik
Joe Lamond: It might sound sentimental to say but NAMM and our extended industry family are all connected by our love of music and our passion for the friendships and camaraderie that seem so unique to our world. The very first time I attended a Parnelli Awards event in Las Vegas I know that there was something very special going on and that I felt it would be a perfect fit at the NAMM Show.
Having the Parnelli nominees, the award winners and of course their families and extended circle of friends and peers at the NAMM Show completed a circle that we had all hoped for a very long time and we cannot wait for the moment when we will all be together again! —Joe Lamond, President & CEO, NAMM
Peter Morse: The Parnelli Awards are such an important and necessary element to our industry, as the bulk of attention and accolades usually (and understandably) goes to the artists and performers in the public eye. Rarely do those in our industry get proper recognition for the work that is done “behind the scenes”… As has only become more visible to the general public more recently, due to Covid, the live events industry has an immense depth of support from creative, industrious, and hard working people that otherwise goes unnoticed. The Parnellis afford us the opportunity to recognize and congratulate fellow members of this vast group of creative teams and individuals. I only wish this could be more visible to the general public. —Peter Morse, 2004 Parnelli Lighting Designer of the Year
Jack Kelly: The Parnelli Award Show is the one time a year where the event production industry gets to hang out with old friends, meet new friends, and honor some outstanding people and companies. It has become part of the fabric of who we are as an industry. Too many great moments to pick just one so looking forward to the next time we are all together. —Jack Kelly, CEO, Group One Ltd.
Joey Hemphill: Even though it is always a great honor for Hemphill Brothers Coach Company to be recognized with a Parnelli Award, one of my favorite moments was in Las Vegas when I was asked to present five awards with George Petersen in 2015. Being able to present other winners with their well-deserved, prestigious Parnelli was a great thrill for me. As always with Hemphill Brothers, I knew with each winner that I presented, they would be able to take that award home to their hard working staff, and this achievement would be recognized by their peers and clients! —Joey Hemphill, Co-Owner, Hemphill Brothers Coach Company
Susan Rose: I’ve always enjoyed participating in the Parnelli Awards, and several times I got to present awards. I love making people laugh and getting up on stage and sharing all that is great about our business, and I always enjoy going to the show and seeing my colleagues. What is most important about the Parnelli Awards is they recognize the backstage crew — those of us who put the show together and make artists look good.
An important part is the In Memoriam video where we pause to remember those we lost that year. For so many of us, it’s always the most emotional part of the show, and we must keep those memories alive.
You just need to make up a category that I can win! Like “Eats the most chicken wings on the road — Susan Rose! Otherwise, I look forward to the next one — it’s a great event and I hope it always keeps going. —Susan Rose, Lighting Designer/Singer-Songwriter
Brian Croft: Rick O’Brien had been a good friend and colleague, and his early death was tragic. I knew him from my long history with Tom Field Associates in the 1970s and later as production manager with Gerry Stickells’ acts — notably Queen. Rick got the moniker “Parnelli” from driving the firm’s van round Massachusetts at great speed. For those who don’t know; Parnelli Jones was a famous racing driver from the 50s and 60s. Rick was indeed a great driver, but as a passenger, you always made sure your seatbelt was engaged! —Brian Croft, Recipient of the first Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award, 2002
Kevin Lyman: When I was asked to host the Parnelli Awards [in 2015], I had to think about it for two seconds, since it would be a chance to poke good-natured fun at all my peers — those whom I admire and have had the pleasure to work with for all these years in an industry I love.
To all the crew members, I know it has been hard on many of you, but to see our industry pull together to support each other is admirable. When we do get back to work, I have a feeling that you will be respected more than ever, as it is realized that this business does not work in a vacuum and we are all each equally needed. —Kevin Lyman, Parnelli Host and Vans Warped Tour Founder
Sooner Routhier: When I was in high school and first discovered the world of entertainment lighting, I would read PLSN from cover to cover. My favorite editions were always the ones that covered the Parnelli Awards. I would study the names of the nominees and winners, dreaming that I would be amongst them someday. The Parnellis are not only a way of celebrating incredible individuals and companies in our industry. They also document our industry’s story as it continues to unfold. They allow future entertainment hopefuls to dream of one day becoming apart of the history of our industry. —Sooner Routhier, Parnelli-Award winning Lighting Designer
Yvan Miron: The Parnelli Awards is a major event for all of us professionals. We are always very busy and involved in our projects and the Parnelli Award’s is one of those rare events where a lot of us connect together for an evening. It is in fact a great moment that we share and remember long afterwards. Personally, in winning awards and getting the Visionary Award a few years ago, it is wonderful seeing and hearing others talk about the good we did for the industry and the folks out there is personally fulfilling and sharing this moment with my team who is an intricate part of Stageline is a moment I will always remember. —Yvan Miron, Parnelli Visionary Winner (2018) and Founder of Stageline
Tony Levin: The opportunity to host the Parnelli Awards in 2018 was very special for me. The workers in the live event industry are precious to us performers and we’re very aware that we couldn’t do our shows without them. And it turned out that just being there at the event was memorable. A lot of old friends to meet up with, and a chance to express, in a little way, my appreciation for their efforts. Now, in these times of less work for the whole industry, it’s again important to recognize the importance and value of all the folks who make it work. —Tony Levin, Bass Player (King Crimson/Peter Gabriel) and Parnelli Host (2018)
