Friday, April 21, 2006

Fiesta Oyster Bake Part 1

The Fiesta Season has officially started in San Antonio with
the first event of hundreds held over the next week and a half.
Fiesta Oyster Bake, put on by the St. Mary's University Alumni
Association, kicks off our yearly county-wide party in grand
style with great food, concerts and a carnival.
This is the third FOB where I have worked as a sound engineer
but the first time that the band I was with managed to secure
a slot on Stage #1, the coveted main stage.
Let me tell you, they treated us right!

So here's your backstage pass to a behind-the-scenes look
at the staging of a major rock show.
(Please click on the photos to see them full-size)

Local band String Theory was the opening act for John Waite.
His long career started in the USA with the over-hyped British
import band The Babys, then he found success with solo hits like
'Missing You' and as the singer in the '90's supergroup Bad English
featuring Santana/Journey guitarist Neal Schon.

The first photo is an example of unauthorized photography
during soundcheck. This is heavily frowned-upon but I was
able to get a covert shot while the talent's backs
were turned. The last thing you want is a guy with a microphone
and 100,000 watts of sound system yelling at you for taking his
picture, right in front of your co-workers and friends.


Our RV dressing room, which was every bit as big
as John Waite's.


'String Theory' bassist David Rey grooving on the pampered
lifestyle.


A view of the backstage area from our dressing room.
The air conditioning was the most popular feature.


The stage and half of the speaker system.

100,000 watts of professional audio power!
I was stoked...

Stay Tuned For Part 2.

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