Explore every episode of the podcast Radio Check - Life In The Concert Touring Industry
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode #59 with Andy Fairweather Low | 15 Jul 2024 | 02:08:35 | |
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. | |||
| Episode #58 with Eric "Ski" Piontkowski | 10 Jun 2024 | 01:34:53 | |
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. | |||
| Episode #49 with Joe Paul Slaby | 21 Jun 2022 | 01:33:41 | |
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. | |||
| Episode #48 with Jerry Harvey | 02 Mar 2022 | 01:25:41 | |
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. | |||
| Episode #47 with Kurt Wagner | 07 Feb 2022 | 01:32:49 | |
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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| Episode #46 - Health and Wellness on the Road | 29 Dec 2021 | 01:26:59 | |
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. | |||
| Episode #45 with Ray Winkler | 13 Dec 2021 | 01:33:37 | |
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. | |||
| Episode #44 with John " Bugzee" Hougdahl | 01 Dec 2021 | 01:53:14 | |
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. | |||
| Episode #43 with Kille Knobel | 03 Nov 2021 | 01:43:06 | |
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 with 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. | |||
| Episode #42 with Wob & Chris Roberts | 17 Aug 2021 | 01:45:43 | |
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. | |||
| Episode #41 with Jim Digby | 02 Aug 2021 | 01:42:17 | |
Health and Safety has risen to the forefront of the concert touring industry. No one individual personifies this movement more so than Jim Digby and the non-profit association he founded, the “Event Safety Alliance”. Listen as Jim shares his story on why both physical and mental health, along with overall site safety, have become so important to him. He also tells Matt and me all about “Show Makers”, his on-line industry educational platform. This is a must listen episode for all industry professionals. Please find here links to Jim’s platforms and passions. Mental Health First Aid training Janine Diaz – Well Better Best
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| Episode #40 RUSH w/ Howard Ungerleider and Robert Scovill | 24 Jul 2021 | 01:47:08 | |
In our 40th episode, we pay homage to the mighty RUSH. Matt and I had the great pleasure of welcoming back Howard Ungerleider and Robert Scovill to revisit their days working together with the band. They have great stories of fun n games with Geddy and Alex as well as thoughts, on how hard it still is, getting over the death of Neil Peart. This was a real privilege. | |||
| Episode #57 with Tim "Gooch" Lougee | 10 May 2024 | 01:41:45 | |
Tim Lougee, aka “Gooch” has been tour managing at the highest level for 35 years. His learned, effective outlook and approach to his work is refreshing and makes for great story telling. We visit tales over his entire career from his early days doing security at the Metro in Chicago, meeting and growing up with the Smashing Pumpkins, having to remove sweaty stage armor off of Gene Simmons after his first show, to navigating the eccentricities of Neil Young. This is a great podcast. | |||
| Episode #39 with Pyro Pete Cappadocia | 07 Jul 2021 | 01:44:32 | |
Pyro Pete is a legend in the world of pyrotechnics. We first met in 1983 in the days when he was blowing up cars and buses for the Plasmatics. From there, his career exploded touring with Kiss, Def Leppard, Motley Crüe, and AC/DC shooting the biggest, most innovative pyro displays on the road. We talk about his career, technology, the future of pyrotechnics and what it’s like to mentor the next generation of pyrotechnicians. We recall the day in 1985 when he taught me how to blow up watermelons and more recently how hard it is to get Keith Richards to stand in the right place on stage. We have a lot of fun. | |||
| Episode #38 with Ken "Pooch" Van Druten | 10 Jun 2021 | 01:31:55 | |
Ken “Pooch” Van Druten has done it all. He’s mixed live sound for heavy metal bands, pop divas, hard core rap artists and even K-pop at the highest level of success. We breeze through his massive resume, talk about his love for Linkin Park, his giving back to the sound community thru his master classes, and even get into his podcast he hosts with Kevin “Tater” McCarthy called “Wrong End of the Snake.” I highly recommend giving this one a listen. Here are links to Pooch’s podcasts, masterclasses and social media. Wrong End of the Snake http://www.youtube.com/c/WrongEndoftheSnake/?sub_confirmation=1 https://anchor.fm/wrong-end-of-the-snake Pooch and Rabold https://www.youtube.com/c/PoochRabold/?sub_confirmation=1 https://anchor.fm/poochandrabold Masterclass Twitter: @tourpooch Insta: @foh_engineer_pooch | |||
| Episode #37 with DC Parmet | 06 Jun 2021 | 01:16:29 | |
It’s no coincidence that DC Parmet went from tour merchandiser, to tour accountant, to tour manager in just a few short years. His work ethic, enthusiasm and knack for balance sheets, swung open the door of a great career working with Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Sade and for the last 25 years, Elton John. We chat about our early days touring together with Ozzy Osborne, Soundgarden and The Cult as well as spending time getting into his long history with Elton. It was so fun catching up with DC and finding out all the pet nicknames Elton has for him. | |||
| Episode #36 Pantera w/ Guy Sykes & Grady Champion | 25 May 2021 | 01:53:14 | |
Pantera were the mightiest heavy metal band of their era. Both Guy Sykes and Grady Champion worked for Pantera throughout most of their career, Guy as tour manager and Grady as “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott’s guitar tech. We have a great time recalling Pantera’s storied history from their spandex club days in Texas all the way to becoming one of the most inspirational and infamous heavy metal bands in the history of music. This is an epic episode. | |||
| Episode #35 with Dale "Opie" Skjerseth | 18 May 2021 | 01:46:24 | |
Dale “Opie” Skjerseth describes himself as a “brick and mortar” production manager. I would imagine that is what it takes to handle The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Guns n Roses all at the same time. Opie is one of the most respected and successful production managers in our industry, having followed in the footsteps of his legendary mentors, Jake Berry and Charlie Hernandez. Listen as Opie describes how he started working in clubs with local bands, cut his teeth with Sha-Na-Na, and how working on the lighting crew created the platform on how to be a stage manager. He has strong beliefs and opinions, and is not afraid to share them. Please also see here a link to something he is very passionate about. A project he did with “Alliance for Lifetime Income.” https://www.protectedincome.org/dale-opie-skjerseth-testimonial/ | |||
| Episode #34 with David Lawrence | 09 May 2021 | 01:48:18 | |
#34 David Lawrence has always done whatever it takes to get the job done. Titles mean nothing to him. That’s how he went from selling t-shirts and driving the van for Manchester hip-hop and reggae bands in the 80’s, to winning the 2019 TPI – Dennis Sheehan, Tour Manager of the Year award. David tells the story of his early days in Manchester, his 25 years with Massive Attack, working with New Order and the coming about of his production and events company DNG. David is also one of our industry’s passionate voices, leading the way in promoting improvements in crew mental health and well-being. We could have gone on for hours.
www.tourproductiongroup.co.uk
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| Episode #33 with Tom Kenny | 04 May 2021 | 01:28:42 | |
Tom Kenny started his stage lighting career at the age of 14 in Ireland, where he learned a little bit about everything. He has gone on to cover the entire ROYGBIV spectrum of lighting, working in theater, rock n roll and television. Concert lighting with Eric Clapton, Page and Plant, David Bowie and The Who to television, lighting The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, MTV Storytellers and massive PPV events. Listen as Tom tells his very animated story. I even ask him if the rumors were true. Did Led Zeppelin really play his wedding? | |||
| Episode #32 with Robert Scovill | 19 Apr 2021 | 01:33:55 | |
Robert Scovill knows a thing or two about audio. Not only is he a world class, award winning sound mixer, but he is also a teacher, lecturer and ambassador for the sound community. We have a wonderful time talking about his history with Def Leppard, Rush and Tom Petty as well as his role with AVID developing the future of audio technology. Robert is very funny and charismatic. We had a blast together on this one. | |||
| Episode #31 with Marguerite Nguyen | 11 Apr 2021 | 01:09:04 | |
Marguerite Nguyen is one of our industry’s true success stories. From her early days working in clubs in Richmond, VA, all the way to becoming the tour manager for Coldplay and everything in between, she has done it all. Listen as we exchange fun banter telling tour stories as well as discuss what truly solidifies our friendship, food. This was a fun one. | |||
| Episode #30 with Debbie Sharpe | 29 Mar 2021 | 01:16:50 | |
Debbie Sharpe has always had a love for music and the music industry. From her early days in Australia as a music writer, all the way to Britain to do the accounts for Adam and the Ants, to becoming one of the early pioneers of rock n roll tour catering. Debbie’s story takes you from Paul McCartney, through the Rolling Stones, all the way to her successful Chicago gourmet deli chain, The Goddess and Grocer. Hear the story that is almost as amazing as the woman herself. | |||
| Episode #56 with Mark "Springo" Spring | 25 Apr 2024 | 01:38:32 | |
Mark Spring pulls no punches. He says what’s on his mind unapologetically. Springo, a Parnelli Lifetime Achievement recipient, shares sensational stories with Matt and I spanning his 40 plus year career. From his early days working for Show Lights touring huge productions with the likes of Def Leppard all the way through his 22 years as production manager for Paul McCartney. This man knows what it takes to produce massive shows for some of the most prominent artists in our industry. His stories are unique, entertaining and fun. | |||
| Episode #29 with Keely Myers | 22 Mar 2021 | 01:30:24 | |
Keely Myers is a Renaissance woman. She is driven by many things to include equality, gender neutrality and updating the outdated language used in both. We discuss her forward-thinking Tour Production Group’s diversity sessions, how she started The Production Office, and her current very progressive company, the Global Touring Office. I also had to ask Keely about her experience working with Kate Bush. So jealous. https://www.globaltouringoffice.com/
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| Episode #28 with Andy Franks | 08 Mar 2021 | 01:29:33 | |
Andy Franks, who is lovingly known in our industry as “Franksy” has done it all. He started as a musician in the 70’s playing punk rock before moving into live audio, mixing acts like Gang of Four and Pig Bag. He went on to work with Depeche Mode for 17 years starting as their monitor mixer and quickly elevating to tour manager. Franksy has great stories about Depeche, Robbie Williams, Coldplay and more. We also get into his organization “Music Support” and his involvement with British Summertime. He was an absolute pleasure to talk with. | |||
| Episode #27 with Jon Lemon | 22 Feb 2021 | 01:43:33 | |
Jon Lemon is a well-travelled sound mixer. Between his impressionable days working with Jands in Australia, and then moving to the UK working with Britannia Row, he began carving his very long and successful career becoming one of our industry's true world class sound engineers. We discuss his early days with Level 42, The Cure and Depeche Mode, get into his transition from analog to digital, and what it was like to mix Pink Floyd. We couldn’t get through the conversation without talking about our shared passion for food and wine. This was a really fun conversation. | |||
| Episode #26 with Malcolm Weldon | 16 Feb 2021 | 01:40:27 | |
Malcolm Weldon and I first met on the Club MTV tour in 1989, and have been good friends ever since. Since our early days together with Paula Abdul and Milli Vanilli, Malcolm developed into one of the top production managers in our industry. Under the tutelage of super star manager Roger Davies, he has worked for some of the biggest artists in the business. From Janet Jackson to Tina Turner, Pink to Cher and from Sade to Beyonce, Malcolm knows how to produce a big show. He also has some great stories about Prince and why David Lee Roth wanted to fight him out back after the show. | |||
| Episode #25 with Todd Fox | 06 Feb 2021 | 01:24:52 | |
Todd Fox began learning his trade in the Marine Corps before segueing into personal security with Madonna and Maynard James Keenan. He has risen to the top of his field by developing forward thinking methods and practices that are now common place on the road. We talk about our long history working together, his company “Tour Protection Group”, the executive high-risk end of his industry, and the three books on security he has authored. We couldn’t get through the podcast without delving into our years touring the world wining and dining together. #toddfox, #tourprotectiongroup http://tourprotection.com | |||
| Episode #24 with Roy Bennett | 28 Jan 2021 | 01:35:58 | |
LeRoy Bennett is possibly the most celebrated theatrical show designer of our time. Starting with his career working with Prince in 1980, he has designed hundreds of shows for all sorts of artists in every genre, from Rammstein to NIN, Madonna to Tina Turner and from Ariana Grande to Paul McCartney. We discuss his early days with Prince as well as how he approaches each show design. Roy also gets into the need to reset our industry’s production ethos post Covid. | |||
| Episode #23 with Upstaging's John Huddleston | 18 Jan 2021 | 01:15:17 | |
John Huddleston has been in concert lighting for over 40 years, starting as a crew chief in the 80’s and making his way to becoming the Director of Production Services for Upstaging. I spoke to him from his office in Sycamore, Illinois where he and the company have reinvented themselves into a PPE production line creating face shields and barriers for schools and hospitals. We have a great conversation talking about how they have successfully kept the company operating as well as thoughts on what it will take to revert back into prepping and sending systems back onto the road. I also ask him about Upstaging’s corporate side and his thoughts on the possible difficulties we all may face staffing tours again in the future. #upstaginglightinginc | |||
| Episode #22 with Kevin Lyman | 27 Dec 2020 | 01:11:18 | |
The Warped Tour broke many barriers en-route to becoming one of the most influential and innovative festival tours of our time. Kevin Lyman tells the story of how he carved his path thru the school of hard knocks, not paying any attention to the norm with Warped for 25 years. We also discuss how his influence and mentoring have helped so many artists and crew members find their own paths to success. I also had to ask what it’s like being Professor Lyman at USC. #kevinlyman, #warpedtour
Please find here the You Tube link to “Warped Roadies TV”
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGBZEA24Ext_GyfgNJP-N-B2UzM7gW-3G
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| Episode #21 with Marty Hom | 21 Dec 2020 | 01:17:59 | |
Marty Hom has found himself predominantly working alongside super star women for the last 35 years, shepherding them around the world, through their biggest tours and moments. Between Stevie Nicks, Barbara Streisand, Shania Twain, Paula Abdul, Shakira, Bette Midler, (I could keep going) he has cultivated a wonderful and productive career for himself, as a tour manager and director. We discuss his early days promoting and managing small bands in his Sacramento college days, as well as touch upon a few of the great ladies he has worked for over the years. #martyhom | |||
| Episode #20 with Bill Leabody | 08 Dec 2020 | 01:43:11 | |
Bill Leabody was part of the London punk scene of the 1970’s, witnessing first-hand the rise of the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. He went on to cut his teeth with the Pretenders, eventually becoming their long time Production Manager. We talk about his great career with Peter Gabriel, David Bowie and The Cure as well as his current clients Coldplay and Beyonce. We also discuss the COVID vaccine and the importance of carbon neutrality in our industry. | |||
| Episode #55 with Bryan Grant | 12 Jan 2024 | 01:40:18 | |
Britannia Row came into being as a rental house for Pink Floyd to hire out their touring equipment as a way to support their crew between tours. Bryan Grant joined Britannia Row in 1979 eventually going on to purchase the company from Pink Floyd in 1984. For the last 45 years Brit Row have been at the vanguard of touring audio systems around the globe. Bryan guides Matt and I through the early days of the company and how they evolved over the years from stacking PA by hand to modern day line array. We also touch on the Clair Global acquisition and the company’s international strategy. | |||
| Episode #19 with Michael Tait, Winky and Adam Davis of Tait Towers | 12 Nov 2020 | 01:16:55 | |
Tait Towers has been the leader in theatrical scenic fabrication since it’s inception in 1978. Their exceptional staging concepts, automated engineering and show control have contributed to the biggest shows in the history of our industry. Here to tell their story are the company founder Michael Tait, President and CEO James “Winky” Fairorth”, and Chief Creative Officer Adam Davis. They are part NASA, part Brookings Institute, part Army Corps of Engineers and a whole lot of Monty Python. It’s a great conversation. Sadly I drop out toward the end due to a hurricane power outage in NOLA. #taittowers, #michaeltait, #jameswinkyfairoth, #adamdavis | |||
| Episode #18 with Charlie Hernandez | 18 Oct 2020 | 01:44:40 | |
Charlie Hernandez has done just about everything there is to do in the concert touring industry. He was production managing large scale, high tech shows when he was still in his 20’s… We discuss his incredible career, the story of how the Production Alliance came to be, the importance of the Event Safety Alliance, and his passion for helping people in need all over the world with “Just a Bunch of Roadies". We also remember Lori Tierney and how important of a person she was in his life…. This is a must listen.... Please find here links to some great organizations that are important to Charlie. https://www.grammy.com/.../musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund Food Bank Finder: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-Foodbank https://wck.org/chefsforamerica https://www.loavesandfishesmn.org https://www.nokidhungry.org/who-we-are Mental Health Help Finder: | |||
| Episode #17 with Bryan Hartley | 04 Oct 2020 | 01:25:41 | |
Bryan Hartley has been designing, programming and operating lights in the concert touring industry for over 35 years. He and I started with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts together in the mid 80s. We discuss our early days as well as the challenges of topping himself year after year designing the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. We also get into his 15 years with Kiss and how difficult it can be to work for Manson. We have a blast. #bryanhartley, #trans-siberianorchestra | |||
| Episode #16 with Mark Guterras of Transam Trucking Limited | 27 Sep 2020 | 01:27:54 | |
Mark Guterras was a drum tech in the early 70’s for Emerson Lake & Palmer before finding his passion for driving trucks. He and his partner Sandy founded Transam Trucking Limited in 1976 with a single bob-tail truck. They have grown the company into one of the largest transport companies in Europe. We discuss his early days with Motorhead and AC/DC, the state of trucking in Europe with Brexit and his great passion for wine. | |||
| Episode #15 with Shaun Clair of Clair Global | 13 Sep 2020 | 01:19:09 | |
Shaun Clair grew up in the music business. He has done every conceivable job in the company prior to escalating to VP of Sales. Shaun shares some of his progressive ideas on health and well being in the company, the great relationship he has with his father Troy and what his amusing nickname was when he toured as a fly guy on The Police. | |||
| Episode #14 with Joerg Philipp of Beat The Street | 13 Sep 2020 | 01:23:37 | |
Joerg Philipp is the owner and founder of Beat the Street Band & Crew Bussing. From an early age he knew he was destined for the music business. He started as a stage hand and promoter before finding his niche driving buses for hard core bands throughout Europe. From there he has built BTS into one of the largest international touring companies in our industry…. Listen as Joerg tells his story. | |||
| Episode # 13 with Industry Icon Steve Lawler | 30 Aug 2020 | 01:28:40 | |
Steve Lawler is a true Icon in the concert touring industry. Listen to him tell the story of his early days as a grocery bagger and stage hand to touring stadiums with the biggest bands of the 70’s. Steve also recalls the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash and how he recently went back to visit the crash site to share a moment with people from the local community who rescued them. He also remembers the early days of Pace concerts building the first amphitheaters. And how boring staying home during the pandemic is confirming that he is not ready to retire just yet. | |||
| Episode #12 with TPA's Matt Doherty & Jerome Crooks | 30 Aug 2020 | 00:52:33 | |
Matt Doherty and Jerome Crooks from “Touring Professionals Alliance” discuss TPA’s conception and how they are building a movement to help our industry make it thru the Covid 19 pandemic. We also get into Matt’s history with the “Big Day Out” festival in Australia. Please find here some contact information for Matt and Jerome as well some strong sources to get some help. If you know of anyone struggling during these trying moments, please have them get in touch with one of the sources listed below. They do great work. Matt Doherty - (747) 477 6718 / matt@unusualcompany.net Jerome Crooks - (310) 503 1238 / jeromecrooks@gmail.com #Sims Foundation – www.simsfoundation.org The SIMS Foundation is a 25-year old non-profit founded by those mourning the loss of Sims Ellison, a musician who died by suicide after years struggling with depression. The SIMS Foundation is the only non-profit of its kind in the United States. SIMS provides mental health and substance use recovery services and supports for musicians, music industry professionals and their dependent family members. #Backline Care – www.backline.care A group of clinical professionals who host a twice weekly meeting for anyone in the industry who needs a welcoming space to share held on Mondays & Thursdays @ 5:30PM EDT/2:30PM PDT The zoom meeting ID is 789 801 804, there's no password and it's open to anyone in the industry that'd like to join | |||
| Episode #11 with Howard Ungerleider | 21 Aug 2020 | 01:24:02 | |
Howard Ungerleider was the longtime creative director for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Rush. His designs are famous for their uniqueness and creativity. Howard received the Parnelli Visionary award in 2014 honoring his 40 years of innovation in the concert touring industry… He shares stories of his early day as a talent agent in NYC, his philosophies on show design, the evolution of technology and his successful special effects company “Production Design International.” Howard also champions some great causes in “We Make Events” and “Red Alert-Restart.”
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| Episode #10 with Dan Cleary | 12 Aug 2020 | 01:22:03 | |
Dan Cleary has seen some shit in his years backline teching in the concert touring industry. Listen as he tells the story of what it's like to get sucker punched by Marilyn Manson or play on stage with NIN. Dan also co- hosted the long-running podcast "Dark Matter" w/ Dave Navarro. Currently, he has his own podcast called "Rare Form Radio.” Check it out on the link below. | |||
| Episode #54 with Chris Adamson | 20 Sep 2023 | 01:55:37 | |
Chris Adamson is one of the true legends we have in our industry. He started his career in the late 60’s carting band equipment around Britain for several London bands eventually hooking up with Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac. Chris went on to work with several prominent bands like Emerson Lake & Palmer, Roxy Music and Steely Dan but is most known for his time with Pink Floyd. He tells Matt and I classic tales of the making of Dark Side of the Moon including how he came to record his famous line “I’ve been mad for years”. Chris also shares heartfelt stories of his long and close relationship with Tom Petty. | |||
| Episode #9 - with Bill Rahmy | 09 Aug 2020 | 01:31:56 | |
Veteran production manager Bill Rahmy has toured with many ground breaking bands over the his decades long career such as NIN, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, and The Smashing Pumpkins. We discuss our history, friendship, the uncanny amount of gig overlap we've had and what it's like to one on one with Kanye West. | |||
| Episode #8 - with Gary Meyer | 02 Aug 2020 | 01:01:42 | |
Gary is an industry vet working in the Detroit area as a tour promoter for Live Nation. Listen to him tell the story of how he got his start working for a booking agent in NYC and how he got his big break moving to Detroit to work for Cellar Door. | |||
| Episode #7 - with Jerome Crooks | 02 Aug 2020 | 01:12:28 | |
Jerome is one of the industry's top tour managers. He has worked with high profile acts such as Tool, NIN, Beastie Boys, Linkin Park and Soundgarden. Listen to his story about his love for music and how he came to work with some of the world's top musical talent. | |||
| Episode #6 - with Icarus Wilson-Wright | 02 Aug 2020 | 01:16:51 | |
Icarus, who is a long time touring industry vet has worked for amazing artists such as Massive Attack, Roger Waters, James Blake and, Ah-Ha. Icarus gets into the evolving world of video production and technology as well as the bond we share with bicycle accidents. I also ask him if he knows Banksy. | |||