Toasting the Best of the Live Event Industry
The Peabody Hotel in Orlando, Fla., was the site of the 2007 Parnelli Awards, but inside the ceremony ballroom it looked like Hawaii. Large portions of the crowd arrived decked out in their finest Hawaiian shirts, a sartorial tribute to the fashion sense of this year’s Lifetime Achievement winner, Gerry Stickells. The hundreds in attendance constituted a Who’s Who of players in the live event industry, and whether they were wearing flower prints or not, they all rose to their feet in honor of Lifetime Achievement award-winner Gerry Stickells and Audio Innovator award-winner Bob Heil.
In addition to honoring Stickells, PLSN publisher Terry Lowe, editor Richard Cadena and industry notables, including Bruce Rodgers, Vickie Claiborne, Michael Ahern and others gave out awards for Lighting Designer of the Year, Tour Manager of the Year, Production Manager of the Year and many others. Additionally, veteran tour manager and chairman of the Parnelli board Patrick Stansfield presented Joe Aldridge of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), with a check in continued support of a Parnelli scholarship at UNLV for students studying entertainment design and engineering.
But the evening’s highlight was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement award given to a visibly moved Stickells. In his introduction, Stickells’ long-time friend and fellow Parnelli Lifetime Achievement winner Brian Croft retold the story of one of his first dealings with Stickells: “It was a one-off gig in London for Queen to coincide with Elizabeth — the “other” Queen’s — Jubilee in 1977. It was planned at short notice, and I was called to see Gerry to bid on a very complex lighting structure. The price was agreed to in a single meeting. As I was leaving he said, ‘You’ll be needing some front money,’ and pulled out a checkbook. The band obviously trusted him implicitly — there was no referring to accountants. A single signatory for a sizable sum of money. I walked out of the door thinking, ‘Now THAT’S what I call a Tour Manager!’ ”
The audience let Stickells know that Croft wasn’t alone in his appreciation, and even the stars paid their respects, with members of Velvet Revolver, Queen and Jimi Hendrix’s band offering their kudos via video. (Unfortunately, Mitch Mitchell’s video did not make it across the pond in time. To see it and the full presentation video, go to www.plsn.com). It was also a night to honor the pioneers of our industry and to shine the spotlight on the people who work outside the light, yet contribute much to the industry’s success and to its future. Thanks to the help of everyone in attendance, the readers who voted and everyone in the industry, we can continue to celebrate those who makes the show happen.
And the Awards Went to . . .
Lifetime Achievement Award: Gerry Stickells
Audio Innovator Award: Bob Heil
Lighting Designer of the Year 2007: Patrick Woodroffe
Set/Scenic Designer of the Year 2007: Seth Jackson, with Elizabeth O’Keefe
Lighting Company of the Year 2007: Upstaging
Staging Company of the Year 2007: Mountain Productions
Set Construction Company of the Year 2007: Tait Towers
Video Rental Company of the Year 2007: Nocturne
Rigging Company of the Year 2007: Atlanta Rigging
Hometown Hero Lighting Company of the Year 2007: Theatrical Lighting Systems
Pyro Company of the Year 2007: Strictly FX
FOH Mixer of the Year 2007: Tom Young
Video Director of the Year 2007: Kevin Daniels
Monitor Mixer of the Year 2007: Stuart Delk
Sound Company of the Year 2007: Sound Image
Hometown Hero Sound Company of the Year 2007: Carlson Audio
Production Manager of the Year 2007: Chris Adamson
Tour Manager of the Year 2007: Fitzjoy Hellin
Coach Company of the Year 2007: Four Seasons Leasing
Trucking Company of the Year 2007: Road Show
Freight Forwarding Company of the Year 2007: Rock-It Cargo
The 2007 Parnellis were made possible by Timeless Communications and its sponsors. Charter Sponsors: All Access Staging and Production, Apollo Design, Brown United and Martin Professional. Gold Sponsors: Nocturne Productions, Pixel Range, Precise Corporate Staging & Dedicated Staging, Rock-It-Cargo, Sound Image and Syncrolite. Silver Sponsors: Littlelite and TMB. Production Sponsors: Aerial Rigging, ASI Productions, All Staging Unlimited, Paradise Sound & Lights, Production Resource Group and Technilux.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
We would like to take this opportunity to recognize the generous sponsors who made the Seventh Annual Parnelli Awards such a special event. We couldn’t have done it without you!
