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Geezers Of Gear Podcast: Legend Series - Robert Roth | Dining With Dinosaurs at LDI   Robert A. Roth, Vice President of Live Events at 4Wall Entertainment and Founder of Eccentric Design, continues to shape live event production with the inventive streak that launched his career nearly six decades ago. A rare triple threat, Roth seamlessly bridges business, design, and technology to navigate complex productions from every angle, overseeing strategy for major stadium tours, broadcast productions, and corporate events. Across his career, Roth has been a creative visionary for globally recognized artists, including Eagles, Billy Joel, Metallica, Justin Bieber, Eric Church, Bad Bunny, The Jacksons, and Ozzy Osbourne, as well as “The Trilogy Tour” featuring Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull, and Ricky Martin. His journey started at just 14 in Athens, Georgia, where he created his first projection performance, “The Aurora Lite Show.” Choosing the road over Georgia Tech, he found mentorship from industry veterans like Lynyrd Skynyrd’s original road manager and founded R.A. Roth, Inc. in 1975. A major milestone came in the early 1980s with his lighting design for The Jacksons’ “Victory Tour,” elevating his work globally. Always innovating, he integrated early CAD systems into his workflow through ventures like Source Point Design. Roth later joined Production Resource Group (PRG) in 1997 as Vice President, spent 15 years as a Sales Executive at Christie Lites, and eventually transitioned to 4Wall Entertainment. His diverse portfolio also spans television, festivals, Tyler Perry's stage tours, and historic political events, including Barack Obama’s 2008 election night broadcast. A dedicated mentor, Roth remains driven by one core philosophy: stay curious, stay committed, and make it work.

FUTURETECH Featuring Pangolin and Artistry In Motion EPISODE 69 We break down Justin Perry's official appointment as President of both Pangolin Laser Systems and Artistry in Motion Group following their merger. Discover how this formal leadership shift unites the worlds of high-tech laser systems and live-event confetti without disrupting ongoing operations.

Geezers Of Gear Podcast: Legend Series - Seth Jackson | Dining With Dinosaurs at LDI Seth Jackson has twice won the Parnelli Award for Set Design of the Year, the Redden Award for Lighting Design of the Year, the Broadway World Los Angeles Award for Lighting Design of the Year, and the LIT Award for Concert Design. In 2024, he was the lighting and production designer for The Doobie Brothers Tour 2024 and the lighting designer for Labyrinth in Concert, as well as production designing the final shows for country icon Toby Keith before his death in March 2024. On Broadway, Seth directed and designed Manilow On Broadway at the St. James Theater. In Los Angeles, he co-designed (with Jeff Croiter) the lighting for Harmony at the Ahmanson. In St. Louis, he designed lighting for The Rep, The Muny, and the New Jewish Theater. He was the creative director & production designer for two Selena Gomez World Tours, twenty-five years for Barry Manilow, and served as associate director and production designer for Star Wars in Concert with industry legend Steve Cohen. He served for twenty years as production designer for Toby Keith, three tours as production designer for Carrie Underwood,  as well as production designs for Alice Cooper and Kenny G.  He provided lighting designs for Don Henley, Jason Mraz, Melissa Etheridge, American Idols Live, Hilary Duff, America's Got Talent Live, and The Doobie Brothers. In Las Vegas, he was the creative director and production designer for Manilow: Music & Passion. On Television, he was the lighting designer for Don Henley's Inside Job Live, Manilow Live from Las Vegas, and Manilow: Live at the Paris. He is a featured speaker at numerous industry events and is the author of CONCERT DESIGN: The Road, The Craft, The Industry.

Geezers Of Gear Podcast: Legend Series - Jeff Alder | Dining With Dinosaurs at LDI Jeff Alder Lighting Designer | Author | Rock & Roll Pioneer Jeff is a survivor of the “Pirate Years” of rock and roll, a wild, lawless era when concert lighting was invented in real time. From the psychedelic liquid light shows of the early 1970s to the birth of automated technology, Jeff didn’t just witness the industry's evolution; he was one of its primary architects. The Road & The RigJeff’s career is a roadmap of rock history. He began by running lights for Grand Funk (back when they were still a “Railroad”) and eventually bookended his career with them decades later. Along the way, he became a pivotal figure in the stage's technical revolution, working with Fantasee Lighting soon after they developed the analog Cyklops and later pushing Morpheus Lights toward the R&D of computer-controlled systems. His portfolio reads like a Hall of Fame induction list. Jeff designed and directed lighting for legendary acts including: Santana (his personal favorite) Huey Lewis and the News Aerosmith Cyndi Lauper Ozzy Osbourne Alice Cooper War Pablo Cruise Success Through "Losing"The high-octane lifestyle of the road met a sudden halt in the mid-90s when a collapsed vertebra forced Jeff into a career transition. Moving from the stage to the corporate world and the classroom, he adapted his "pirate" grit into a new kind of resilience. Today, Jeff is a dedicated cyclist and an educator who shares his deep knowledge of production management and the psychological toll of the touring industry.How to Be a Lighting GuyJeff recently captured his decades of chaos and creativity in his book, A Misfit's Guide to How to Be a Lighting Guy (During the Pirate Years of Concert Touring). More than just a technical manual, the book is a raw reflection on innovation, the importance of camaraderie, and the art of the comeback. As Jeff puts it, while he walked away with plenty of memorabilia, his greatest reward was "learning how to succeed at a lifetime of losing." He remains a passionate voice in the industry, advocating for lighting that serves the music and supporting mental health awareness for the next generation of road warriors.

EPISODE 366 Kevin Hughes, Senior Product Specialist and Project Manager at Pyrotek Special Effects. Operating out of Pyrotek’s Toronto office, Kevin is a licensed Special Effects Technician who has spent over 15 years designing and executing massive pyrotechnics, custom propane flame effects, and atmospheric design for the live event industry. If you’ve seen live pyrotechnics on tour with Green Day, Guns N' Roses, Rush, or the Jonas Brothers, or caught spectacular displays at the Grammys, the Super Bowl, or the American Music Awards, you’ve seen Kevin’s work in action. This episode is brought to you by Pangolin and Artistry In Motion

Geezers Of Gear Podcast: Legend Series - John Featherstone | Dining With Dinosaurs at LDI John FeatherstonePrincipal | Lightswitch Inc. John is a visionary in the world of visual design, known for bridging the gap between high-energy spectacle and architectural elegance. As a Principal at Lightswitch Inc., John leads a global collective of designers dedicated to transforming how people experience the world through light, media, and visual storytelling.From Rock & Roll to Refined Design Originally from the United Kingdom, John brought his formal theater training and a "rock and roll" sensibility to the United States in 1989. His early career was forged on the road as a veteran lighting designer for major concert tours worldwide. This foundation in live entertainment, where technical precision must meet raw emotion became the catalyst for his diverse and award-winning portfolio. A Reputation for InnovationJohn has built a reputation for producing singular, elegant designs that utilize cutting-edge technology without sacrificing cost-effectiveness. His expertise spans a vast array of disciplines, including: Experiences & Entertainment: Creating immersive environments that captivate audiences. Museums & Architecture: Using light to reveal the soul of a structure or the story of an artifact. Corporate & Events: Crafting powerful moments that foster deep connection and brand impact. The Lightswitch PhilosophyUnder John’s leadership, Lightswitch operates as a collaborative powerhouse with studios across the globe. The practice is defined by a commitment to "unexpected wonder," ensuring that every project from a massive live event to a permanent architectural installation is infused with a sense of discovery. John remains perennially in pursuit of the next great project, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the design industry. Whether he works with a team of artists or navigates the specific needs of a complex site, his goal remains the same: to create unforgettable moments that leave a lasting impression.

Dining With Dinosaurs with LDI Special Podcast In 1971, while attending college in Denver, Scott De Vos helped load gear for a Nitty Gritty Dirt Band concert in exchange for free entry. That single night launched a lifelong career in live music production.He quickly joined a local sound company and by 1973 was managing stage and production for a venue hosting Kenny Rogers, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Steve Martin, and Willie Nelson. Life on the road soon followed. He toured with a prominent jazz artist, then spent years building massive outdoor stages for stadium tours with Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac. In 1979, he switched to lighting and while working with Obie’s, toured with the Allman Brothers, Willie Nelson, and Fleetwood Mac.It was on the road that he met his wife, Julie. They married in 1980. Back in Colorado, Scott joined Feyline Concerts, where he designed and built a roof for the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater. He went on to manage concerts at Red Rocks and McNichols Arena, working with the Stones, The Who, Grateful Dead, Simon & Garfunkel, and dozens of other major acts. In 1987 he moved to Los Angeles, returned to Obie’s Lighting, and rose to Vice President and General Manager. Six years later, he opened Obie’s Nashville office. In 1996, Scott and Julie launched De Lux Productions, building long-term relationships with clients including the Country Radio Seminar, Gospel Music Association, Salem Media Group, the Dove Awards, Bass Pro Shops, and Vanderbilt University. Today, they live and ride in the mountains of East Tennessee with their animals. Their greatest joy is spending time with their two sons and their families, which include three beautiful grandchildren.

LEADING LADIES PODCAST - EPISODE #29 Spotlight: Joanna Benauer | Founder & Owner, NSNS Entertainment SolutionsFrom local New England venues to arena grids across 40+ countries, Joanna Benauer has built a 16-year career at the intersection of creative production design and structural engineering.As an ETCP-certified rigger for over a decade, Joanna’s expertise spans: Advanced 3D drafting & Vectorworks overlays . Structural weight studies & load distribution analysis. Rigging advancing & tour management. Complex automation, motor tech, & dynamic flying systemsThrough her company, NSNS Entertainment Solutions (Lititz, PA), Joanna and her team bridge the gap between ambitious visual concepts and safe, real-world execution. Her portfolio includes world-class tours and productions for major artists including Weezer, Madonna, The Smashing Pumpkins, Conan Gray, Leon Bridges, KISS, and Cirque du Soleil.Whether she's managing multi-axis automated lighting pods on arena tours or advancing complex venue grids, Joanna brings a collaborative, safety-first mindset to every project.This episode is brought to you by Lightswitch

FUTURETECH PODCAST Featuring Event Wire EPISODE 68Discover how EventWire uses smart aggregation to filter hundreds of live production stories down to essential five-minute daily briefs. Learn how features like keyword watchlists, brand pages, and dedicated audio updates help production pros cut through industry noise.

EPISODE #635 Steven "Creech" Anderson is a key figure in the live music production industry and a core member of the team at Premier Global Production (PGP), a lighting and staging company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Known across the industry simply as "Creech," he has spent years supporting major arena and stadium tours. As a key contact and leader at PGP, Creech plays an integral role in facilitating lighting systems, venue logistics, and concert production setups for premier touring acts. Throughout his career in live event production, Creech has built strong partnerships with artists, tour managers, and international production vendors. Beyond his work on major tours, he has been involved with key operational developments at PGP, including facility expansions and the rollout of Camp PGP—a turnkey live streaming and rehearsal production soundstage at the company's Nashville headquarters. This episode is brought to you by ETC and Main Light

LEADING LADIES EPISODE 28 Anne Militello shares her incredible journey through the lighting industry, from underground clubs to Broadway and international projects. Discover her insights on the science of light, her creative process, and advice for aspiring designers. This episode is sponsored by Lightwsitch

EPISODE: 364 Welcome to our ultimate guide to LDI 2026.Today, we're unlocking the best-kept secrets of the LDI website, from booking hands-on control network training to scoring a ticket to the exclusive Dining with Dinosaurs dinner, where the industry's living legends pass down fifty years of rock-and-roll touring wisdom.Whether you're a young professional under twenty-five looking for a break, or a veteran programmer looking for a challenge, this is your master plan for Las Vegas. Let's dive in.

EPISODE 67 We break down Pangolin’s redesigned Unity Elite PRO series, from the Elite 60 PRO’s major weight and power reductions to its impressive red output, tight beam divergence, and integrated FB4 control. Plus, we cover the practical upgrades crew members will appreciate, including yoke angle reference markings and full IP65 weatherproofing for demanding tours and festivals.

EPISODE 67 We break down how a historic riverfront festival pulled off a jaw-dropping spectacle: fireworks launched from barges and a bridge, synced to live radio, and timed with hundreds of drones over the Ohio River. From GPS anchoring and SMPTE timecode to FAA clearances and safety zones, it’s a look at the production complexity behind a modern outdoor show.

EPISODE 66 ETC’s latest Hog HPU Plus packs full console power into a 2U rack unit, delivering headless operation, DMX processing, and support for 64 universes. The episode also covers its ruggedized rear-panel IO, legacy support for original HPU units, and ETC’s five-year warranty commitment.