TOUR: Aug. 2015-Aug. 2016 world tour
TWO MOSIERS BACKSTAGE: “My oldest son, Calvin, is a lighting tech. It was great having him on the crew. The first time he called me Mac instead of Dad, coming across the stage, it threw me. But I got used to it. He goes out with the Stones in January.”
THE DESIGN: “We use the set from Josh’s PBS special; I added four trusses of lighting and floor package. We have candelabras and chandeliers, which I use to full effect on the ‘Over the Rainbow’ encore. With these shows, we get back to basic fundamentals on how to light a show. It’s not how many lights you have, it’s how you use them. Josh is singing Broadway hits, so it’s nice playing in theatres — you can control the light, and it’s dark, as opposed to (ambient light in) arenas and amphitheaters. Josh is a really nice guy — he leaves the lighting to me. I ask him, “How does it feel to you?” and he says, “It’s hard to tell from stage, but everyone tells me it looks great.” He did come up with some ideas. Halfway through the first song, the mid-stage black flies out and reveals the orchestra. It’s a simple effect, but a nice opening, and it gets a great response from the crowd every time.”
BACK STORY
Home Base: Camden, SC.
Years in the Industry: 40
Career Spark: “Music. In junior high, I was in a band, and when I graduated in ‘74, the music out at the time was great. Everyone wanted to be in a band then.”
First Industry Gig: “I was a partner in a sound and light company at age 18, supplying gear for regional concerts. There were four of us that started out doing club bands first —including driving a truck, all the usual things you do. During that time period, many touring bands used local production.”
First Big Gig as an LD: “Natalie Cole. I was 20 years old.”
Heroes/Mentors: “Red Wheeler of Red Wheeler Sound & Lights in Atlanta. Red took me under his wing and we did everything from lighting, audio and driving a semi.”
What do you like about what you do? “It’s still exciting. I still get nervous before the first shows on the tour. On the big shows, it’s great when 15,000 people are screaming. Every night on this tour people come up to me afterward and say how great it looks and sounds. It’s nice to hear that.”
