Radio Check - Life In The Concert Touring Industry – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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Sideman is the title multi-instrumentalist Andy Fairweather Low prefers. Eric Clapton, Roger Waters and George Harrison have all called him their right-hand sideman. AFL, who has an incredible memory for detail, generously walks Matt and I thru his illustrious career playing with several legends of the last 50 years. He even humorously shares the story of being called out by Jimi Hendrix for playing out of key. What a storyteller, what a guitar player, what a great guy. This was an absolute pleasure.

(I absentmindedly left my podcast microphone on the road. I apologize for my poor audio)

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Eric Piontkowski is on the leading end of the next generation of great production managers. “Ski” as he prefers to be called, is a strong example of how hard work and determination lead to amazing things. He tells us his story of travelling in vans playing with club bands, attending Full Sail University and eventually getting on the road with Clair Brothers as an audio tech. Ski is now one of the most respected production managers in our industry. His story is as fascinating as it is inspiring. 

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Matt and I reconvene after a 3-month hiatus with drum tech and all-around great guy Joe Paul Slaby. We get into our long touring history together as well as some of the great drummers he has worked with over the years like Danny Carey, Josh Freeze and Stephen Perkins. What an incredible trip down memory lane. This is a can’t miss episode. 

Please also check-out Joe's funny and informative Instagram page....(@ joeslaby)

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In this episode we chat with monitor mixer, inventor, and entrepreneur Jerry Harvey. Listen as he shares stories of finding his way into the concert touring industry, and how he developed the dual driver in ear monitor out of necessity while working for Van Halen. Jerry goes on to explain how his first company “Ultimate Ears” started, and what his current company “JH Audio” are up to these days. Matt and I learned so much. This is a must listen.

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In this episode we “check-it” with Kurt “Slap Daddy” Wagner. Those of you who are familiar with Kurt know him as the stage manager to mega acts like the Rolling Stones, Guns n Roses, Cher, Prince, Billy Joel, Roger Waters and so many others. We chat about how he got his start at the Royal Oak Theater in Detroit and how the comedian Gallagher convinced him to move to Los Angeles where his career launched. He and I laugh our way through his recollection of the early days and reminisce on the opportunities that opened the doors to a long and successful career.  We also get into our shared love of baseball. 

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In this episode, Matt and I discuss the importance of health & wellness while on the road. Matt’s experience as a registered dietitian, health coach and former touring carpenter gives him a unique perspective on the challenges we face on tour.  We discuss the importance of restorative sleep, good eating habits and a path forward to healthy touring. Matt’s wealth of knowledge is pure gold for anyone looking for an improved touring way of life.

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Mark Fisher was Ray Winkler’s external architecture examiner at University College in London before hiring him on at Mark Fisher Studios, with his indoctrination to the company, U2’s “Popmart” and the Rolling “Stones Bridges to Babylon”. We discuss his years working with Mark on Cirque du Soleil’s “KA”, the Beijing Olympics, U2’s “360” all the way up until Mark's passing in 2013. Ray and Stufish have since gone to new heights designing immersive theaters in China as well as breaking new ground in Saudi Arabia. This was an incredible conversation.

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John “Bugzee” Hougdahl got into the music industry by dumping a beer down a guitar player’s chest soaking the guitar. He went on to cut his teeth with 70s rock bands Nazareth, Uriah Heep and the Pat Travers Band before getting his first production manager gig with Blue Öyster Cult in 1981. From there it was off to the big time with Mötley Crüe, Kiss and 25 years of arenas and stadiums with Bon Jovi. We talk about the 1984 Jackson’s Victory tour as well as what it was like the day Michael Jackson died during production rehearsals for “This Is It”. His 50 plus years in the concert touring industry speak for itself.

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Kille Knobel went to the California Institute of Arts with the mind of becoming an actor. When she discovered acting wasn’t for her, she side shifted over to Cal Art’s theater department and fell in love stage lighting modern dance. From her days at Cal Arts, Kille has since gone on to become one of our industry’s most versatile lighting minds, having designed, programmed and operated in both television with Jimmy Kimmel Live garnering 2 Emmy nominations, and on tour for the last 20 years in arenas and stadiums with Pearl Jam. We talk about her time as an Icon programmer and bench tech at Light and Sound Design and how her big break with Pearl Jam came about. We also discuss being the mother of 3 boys and the stigma associated with being a touring mother while no such bias is given to touring fathers.

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Brothers Wob and Chris Roberts have a combined 70 years in concert touring. From their humble beginnings playing in garage bands in the UK, they have risen to industry prominence as two of the most sought after production managers in our business. Their parallel journeys throughout the decades have been filled with friendly jealousy and respect. Their incredible stories are heartwarming and fun. We could have chatted for hours.

www.tourproductiongroup.co.uk