4Wall Entertainment provided the gear to Lighting Designer Tom Kenny for the 2023 CMT Music Awards, held at the Moody Center in Austin, TX, this April. The event delivered a breathtaking visual experience, reflecting the dynamic spirit of country music and setting new standards in live event production. Kenny has been lighting the CMT awards for several years and has witnessed the growth and diversification of the event. “The awards show itself is the edgiest I work on in America. They’re not afraid to combine genres of musical artists or to speak the truth,” said Kenny.
The lighting design process began with initial scouts and chats, followed by a collaborative effort involving Production Designer Ann Brahic, Art Director Aaron Black, Lighting Director Michelle “Pickles” Griesmer, Line Producer Jim Craig, Executive Producers Margaret Comeaux and John Hamlin, Director Lauren Quinn, and their respective teams. The goal was to create a 21st-century stylized technological event inside the most modern arena in Texas.
Kenny worked closely with his team, including Programmers Fuji Cortina and Felix Peralta, and Rigger Michael Cassidy, to create a smooth and visually stunning show. “It takes months of effort to get everything to meet the budget and desired aspirations,” said Kenny.
Kenny’s lighting design incorporated a wide range of fixtures from 4Wall, including (144) CHAUVET Professional Maverick MK3 Wash, (65) CHAUVET COLORado PXL Bar 16, (44) CHAUVET Professional COLOR Strike M, (143) Elation Professional SMARTY Max fixtures, 948’ of Tyler GT Truss, and more.
The 2023 CMT Music Awards also highlighted the diversity and the significant role of women in the industry. With a majority female team led by CMT Executive, Leslie Fram and Executive Producer, Margaret Comeaux, the event showcased the powerful impact of inclusive and diverse teams.
The CMT Music Awards outrated every single TV show that week on CBS, reaching a larger audience and proving that “everything in Texas is bigger.” Kenny concluded, “The world would be a very dark and boring place without all of these people, and thankfully we provided some beautiful light at the end of the tunnel.”
Production Team
Production Designer: Ann Brahic
Art Director: Aaron Black
Lighting Designer: Tom Kenny
Lighting Director: Michelle “Pickles” Griesmer
Lighting Programmers: Fuji Cortina, Felix Peralta
Gaffer: Cole Kieracoff
Rigger: Michael Cassidy
Moody Center: Shane Randel, Amye Bueno, Chris Walker
Line Producer: Jim Craig
Executive Producers: Margaret Comeaux, Josh Hamlin
Director: Lauren Quinn
CMT Executive: Leslie Fram
4Wall Account Executive: Bob Suchocki
Project Manager: Gabe Thruston
Lighting Crew Chief: Matt Weede
Lighting Techs: Brendan Johnson, Jason Blasing, Ryan Hodge, Timothy Reed
Lighting Equipment
2023 CMT Music Awards
4 MA Lighting grandMA3 full-size Console
144 CHAUVET Professional Maverick MK3 Wash
65 CHAUVET Professional COLORado PXL Bar 16
44 CHAUVET Professional COLOR Strike M
143 Elation SMARTY MAX
48 Elation Dartz 360
8 Elation Artiste Mondrian
3 High End Systems SolaFrame 750
76 Robe MegaPointe
73 Robe BMFL Blade
12 Robe BMFL FollowSpot
18 Chroma-Q Color Force II 12
22 Chroma-Q Studio Force II 48
8 Astera Titan Tube
252′ Tyler Box Truss
948′ Tyler GT Truss
2023 CMT Music Awards Red Carpet
2 MA Lighting grandMA3 full-size Console
32 CHAUVET Professional Maverick Storm 1 Wash
16 CHAUVET Professional COLORado 1 Solo
2 CHAUVET Professional onAir IP Panel 2
10 Elation Proteus Rayzor 760
14 Elation Proteus Lucius
21 Elation Proteus Maximus
8 Robe MegaPointe
7 Chroma-Q Color Force II 72
16 Astera Titan Tube
2 Astera AX5 Perfect PAR
66′ Tomcat Box Truss
Further information from 4Wall Entertainment: www.4wall.com
