Chris, Chris and Michelle Adamson. Photo by Todd Kaplan
ANAHEIM, CA – The 18th annual Parnelli Awards returned for a second show at Winter NAMM, taking place Jan. 25, 2019 at the Anaheim Hilton with special honors going to production manager Chris Adamson (Lifetime Achievement Award), Yvan Miron (Visionary Award) and Brock Adamson (Audio Innovator Award).
Parnelli executive producer (and former Hot Potato publisher) with host Kenny Aronoff
It was a star-studded evening with video congrats for Chris Adamson coming in from Mick Fleetwood and Lenny Kravitz, and Alan Parsons stepping up to present some awards along with host Kenny Aronoff.
George Petersen and Alan Parsons handed out audio awards
Kiki Epsen also returned to the gala with her soulful piano playing and singing.
Kiki Ebsen performs
But the real stars of the gala were the designers, production companies and backstage technologies being featured and applauded. They included…
2019 Parnelli Award Winners
Parnelli Awards
Chris Adamson didn’t have to exhort the attendees to ‘get it in ye’ this time around.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Chris Adamson
Yvan Miron, 2019 Parnelli Visionary Award Winner
Visionary Award: Yvan Miron
Brock Adamson, 2019 Parnelli Audio Innovator Award Winner
Audio Innovator Award: Brock Adamson
Bandit Lites’ Michael Strickland
Lighting Company of the Year: Bandit Lites
Ray Ziegler of RZI Lighting, Hometown Hero Lighting Company of the Year, didn’t hesitate to give a shout-out of support to his hometown team in SoCal Rams territory. “Go Saints!” he said.
Hometown Hero Lighting Company of the Year: RZI Lighting
LD Bryan Hartley
Lighting Designer of the Year: Bryan Hartley
Michelle Sarrat also served as a presenter at this year’s ceremony.
Lighting Director of the Year: Michelle Sarrat
Tamlyn Wright with the Parnelli Award for Set and Scenic Designer of the Year
Set/Scenic Designer of the Year: Tamlyn Wright
George Petersen and Alan Parsons announced Clair’s win as Parnelli Sound Company of the Year.
Sound Company of the Year: Clair Global
George Petersen with Ryan and Sara Knutson from Brown Note Productions
Hometown Hero Sound Company of the Year: Brown Note Productions
Kyle Hamilton
FOH Mixer of the Year: Kyle Hamilton
Tony Luna and fellow crew members gave a shout out of thanks from the road.
Monitor Mixer of the Year: Tony Luna
George Petersen presents Taylor Nyquist with the Parnelli for Audio System Tech of the Year
Audio System Tech of the Year: Taylor Nyquist
Accepting the award for Solotech are Richard Lachance and Mickey Curbishley.
Video Production Company of the Year: Solotech
LD Dan Hadley accepts on Josh Adams’ behalf
Video Director of the Year: Josh Adams
All Access Staging’s Clive Forrester
Staging Company of the Year: All Access Staging
Atlanta Rigging’s Jason Adams accepts the Parnelli for Rigging Company of the Year.
Rigging Company of the Year: Atlanta Rigging Systems
Tait’s Ted Moore
Set Construction Company of the Year: TAIT
Strictly FX’s David Kennedy and LD Marc Brickman noted the recent passing of Mark Grega from Strictly FX. Kennedy accepted the award in Grega’s honor.
Pyro/Special Effects Company of the Year: Strictly FX
Production manager of the year Mikie Weiss accepted the honor from the road via video
The Patrick Stansfield Production Manager of the Year: Mikie Weiss
Tour Manager of the Year Marty Hom also served as a presenter at the 2019 ceremony.
The Patrick Stansfield Tour Manager of the Year: Marty Hom
Joey Hemphill
Coach Company of the Year: Hemphill Brothers
Accepting the Parnelli for Trucking Company of the Year, Upstaging Inc., are Evan Lawrence and Chanon DiCarlo.
Trucking Company of the Year: Upstaging
Accepting for Freight Forwarding Company of the Year, Rock-It Cargo, are Jay Deme and Annabel Simer.
Freight Forwarding Company of the Year: Rock-It Cargo
Indispensable Technology (IT) Awards
Chauvet’s Maverick MK Pyxis got the “Indispensable” nod. Caroline Chauvet accepted the award.
Lighting: Chauvet Professional/Maverick MK Pyxis
L-Acoustics’ Sherif El Barbari, director of L-ISA Labs, accepted the IT Award for Audio.
Audio: L-Acoustics/L-ISA Immersive Audio System
ROE Visual’s Frank Montero accepts.
Video: ROE Visual/Black Marble LED Floor Panels
Tyler Truss’ Jason Tello and Tracie Allen accepted.
Staging: Tyler Truss Systems/Centerline Truss
More Photos…
Parnelli Awards executive producer and PLSN/FOH/Stage Directions publisher Terry Lowe
NAMM’s Joe Lamond welcomed attendees at the start of the ceremony.
PLSN editor Nook Schoenfeld at the lectern as a presenter this year, with Lighting Director of the Year Michelle Sarrat.
LD Anne Millitello was at ease in the limelight, engaging the audience and presenting a number of awards this year.
Co-presenters (and previous Parnelli honorees) Butch Allen and Stefaan ‘Smasher’ Desmedt at the Parnelli 2019 gala
Warped tour founder and current USC professor Kevin Lyman lauded Yvan Miron for his staging innovations
Kevin ‘Tater’ McCarthy helped laud Audio Innovator Brock Adamson, and also wish his speedy recovery from a recent auto accident.
CORRECTION: Earlier versions of this post included the wrong name for the winner of the Parnelli Award for Set/Scenic Designer. The winner is Tamlyn Wright. PLSN regrets the error.
