Feature <strong>FOH</strong> Hometown Heroes Peers Honor Six Who Stand Out in Their Region By KevinM.Mitchell Despite their different zip codes, backgrounds and equipment preferences, every one of these six sound companies quickly jumped to the same explanation when asked about what makes them successful: It’s the people they hire. “We invest in people,” Bobby Brantley says emphatically. “I say this again and again, you can have the best gear out there, but if you don’t have the right people behind the gear, you’re starting with one hand behind your back.” “I think it’s the people we hire that help us stick out,” echoes Roy Kircher of Austin’s Big House. “It’s as important as the gear.” It’s hard to disagree — or argue with the success — of that. Yet obviously, the “people” part of the equation must start at the top. Selected by their peers, these six companies are honored as standouts in their region. They are: 20 Great Lakes Sound Toledo, OH The team at Great Lakes Sound Bill Robison was installing small sound systems for bars and working with local bands when he founded Great Lakes Sound in 1985. Today, they have ten full-time employees and serve corporate, music, sporting, theatrical and festival clients. Their reach has expanded beyond the Midwest, and they’ve grown into a full-service company handling lighting needs as well. “About a year and a half ago, we started focusing on the business end of things,” says Vice President Todd Mitchell. “Not only audio and light, but also staging and a store that sells equipment.” Mitchell, who has been with the company since 1997, says that while they go as far as St. Louis and Phoenix, Toledo continues to be their biggest market, followed by the tri-state area that includes Michigan and Indiana. “We do a lot of nonprofit fundraisers, and as Toledo has a lot of big insurance companies here, we handle many corporate events. Also we do about 90% of the larger festivals around here.” At Great Lakes, they keep their eye on the ball: “We have a creative staff here and we just stay on top of things. We don’t focus on what other people are doing; we focus on what our markets need, what our customers want.” A solid foundation, a diversified customer base and a passion for what they do are all key to their success. Also, respect is important. “We have a lot of good allies, and we try not to burn any bridges,” Mitchell says. “We try to maintain friendships with everyone in the area.” The future entails Great Lakes making things better, bigger and maintaining the infrastructure of the organization. “We follow Bill’s business plan, which involves growing slowly and keeping up with trends. “Bill is not a hands-off person. For example, he’s out driving a truck down to a job this morning!” Mitchell laughs. “He has a lot of passion about what he does.” OCTOBER 2007 www.fohonline.com Out of all these honorees, one will receive the Parnelli Award for Hometown Hero in Orlando, Fla., at the gala award event on Nov. 16. The Parnelli is the industry’s highest honor for live event professionals. (For more information on the Parnellis and to make your reservation, go to www.parnelliawards.com.) Carlson Audio Seattle, WA Carlson Audio’s Mark Carlson (L) and Jon Myers (R) Two decades ago, Jonathan Myers worked for another sound company, which also employed Mark Carlson, and left it to follow his own road. He toured with bands, went back to school, and then was all set to start a sound company in Spokane, Wash. Meanwhile, Mark Carlson got wind of Myer’s idea. Carlson was already prepared to launch a similar company in Seattle, so the two decided to join forces. “We spent virtually a year putting a business plan together and then officially launched the company in 1990,” says Carlson. “It started in a 10-foot by 18-foot garage, and the plan was to service the 3,000seat-and-under market, which wasn’t being serviced at the time in Seattle. We achieved our goal rather quickly, and then business flourished.” T o d a y they have a 22,000square-foot facility, and Midwest: Great Lakes Audio Northwest: Carlson Audio Southwest: Big House Sound Southeast: Brantley Sound Associates Northeast: Firehouse Productions Canada: Sound Arts “We know who pays the bills, and what we’re asked to do is often inconvenient. In fact, MOST often it’s inconvenient!” — Mark Carlson their gear and people have toured with clients all over the world. The core staff numbers under 15, with a tried-and-true list of freelancers topping 100. They handle everything from corporate to national touring acts. Recent clients include REM, Pearl Jam and Modest Mouse. “I think our proudest achievement is that we’ve grown our market in and out of our region, and we’ve gained the trust of clients as we’ve grown,” Carlson reflects. “Picking up national tours, and gaining the respect of <strong>FOH</strong> engineers has been really rewarding.” Like all artists, they make it look easy: “We know who pays the bills, and what we’re asked to do is often inconvenient. In fact, MOST often it’s inconvenient! [Laughs.] But early on I heard, ‘You can’t tell your clients what they want,’ and it’s something we take to heart.” While they have toyed with opening offices elsewhere, including Portland and Las Vegas, they took a step back from that and came to the conclusion that their core business strategy still holds up — that serving their customers as they have in the past makes the most sense. “We’re sound guys,” Carlson shrugs. “We do events. So we’re happy where we’re at.”
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