FEATURE PROJECTION LIGHTS & STAGING NEWS “You know this is the longest I’ve ever been on stage without cutting the head off of something, so I better go.” —Alice Cooper, Master of Ceremonies Mark Haney received the 2008 Parnelli Award for Video Director of the Year for his work on Eric Clapton’s tour. Elizabeth O’Keefe and Seth Jackson accepted the Parnelli Award for Set/Scenic Designer of the Year. continued from page 37 Sheehan, who received the Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award. Stansfield began by saying it was wonderful to be in a room full of friends and admirers of Sheehan’s, then introduced two very special, very funny videos that were made exclusively for the Parnellis. There was one from U2, for whom Sheehan has worked for 25 years, and one from Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. Plant joked about Sheehan having to wake him up at 4 p.m. and then expressed his gratitude for all he did with the band in the 1970s. He then congratulated Sheehan on his Parnelli award. The U2 video had the band play “Stairway to Heaven,” with Bono singing; “There’s a tour manager who’s sure …,” alluding to the many stories Sheehan had shared from his days with Led Zeppelin. At the end of the video, each band member held up a sign with one word on it, making the sentence: “Dennis Sheehan — Man Legend.” A Surprise Guest Stansfield then brought out a surprise guest: U2 guitar tech Dallas Shoo, who flew in to honor Sheehan, saying a few words about how much he’s done for the band. A video of Sheehan’s career, also created especially for the awards, followed. It recapped his career, including his stint as a professional musician before going behind the scenes to be a tour manager. The noticeably moved Sheehan took the podium and spoke about his career and his special relationship with the current U2 family. A Night to Remember “This was by far the most enjoyable, entertaining, and memorable Parnellis ever,” Lowe said afterwards. “Everyone stayed until the very end and it was just a great time.” He added that the show could not have been possible without the many sponsors. The Gold Sponsors were: All Access Staging and Production, Bandit Lites, Brown United, Dedicated Staging, Harmon Professional Group, Lab.gruppen, Nocturne, Precise Corporate Staging, Pyrotek Special Effects, Rent What?, Rock-It Cargo, Show Distribution, Sound Image, Strictly FX and Syncrolite. Silver sponsors included: Apollo Design, ASI, Littlite, Martin Professional, Stage Rigging and Techni-Lux. The Production sponsors included ASI, Mendenhall Productions, On Stage Audio, PRG, PSAV, Stage Crew and Techni-Lux. The crew from Bandit Lites, accepting the award for Lighting Company of the Year, included, from left, Peter Heffernan, Dizzy Gosnell, Richard Willis and Michael Golden. Kevin Graham, with Diamond Coach, accepting the Parnelli for Coach Company of the Year. Steve Maples of Rock-It Cargo, winner of the Parnelli award for Freight Fowarding Company of the Year. James J. “Winky” Fairorth accepts the Parnelli Award for Set Construction Company of the Year on behalf of Tait Towers. Clive Forrester and Eric Eastland of All Access Staging & Productions accept the 2008 Parnelli Award for Staging Company of the Year. Doug Adams, from Pyrotek Special Effects, receiving the Parnelli Award for Pyro Company of the Year. David Middleton, with Atlanta Rigging, the 2008 Parnelli Award-winning Rigging Company of the Year. 38 <strong>PLSN</strong> NOVEMBER 2008
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