We reached out to those who worked on the show, came to the show, and won some awards at the show to ask about favorite moments.
Nook Schoenfeld: A few years ago I was enjoying my meal and conversation when I got a phone call. “Where you sitting?” I told the backstage member where I was and inquired why. “Somebody with Tom Petty needs your assistance.”
A few minutes later [stage manager] Stephen Gudis tapped me on the shoulder, and I handed him my rolling papers. —Nook Schoenfeld, PLSN Editor
George Petersen: Picking one special Parnelli moment is not easy, but for me, presenting the audio awards in 2019 with my friend Alan Parsons was fun. In the past, I had tried to get him to the awards, but he was always on the road somewhere on Parnelli nights. Besides being a successful artist and studio engineer/producer (including The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, The Hollies, Al Stewart, The Alan Parsons Project and others), he was a pioneering FOH engineer with his early quadraphonic P.A. touring for Pink Floyd. Best of all, Alan’s a friendly person and enjoyed chatting with everyone during the pre-and post-Parnelli cocktail receptions. And to cap it off, he won his first Grammy award two weeks later. —George Petersen, FOH Magazine Editor
Ted Maccabee: The Parnellis are our Academy Awards — they turn the spotlight onto the men, women, and companies that are invisible the rest of the year and give them the chance to shine for one evening.
I have two favorite moments: the first came when we won our first Parnelli in 2007; we were a small company, and we thought that we never had a chance to win. We were stunned and pleased beyond belief when it happened.
My second favorite moment came in 2018 when the legendary Marc Brickman did a tribute to Mark Grega, my partner who had passed away suddenly. Mark was an incredibly talented man, and the industry deserved to know the impact he had on not only Strictly FX but on the industry as a whole. —Ted Maccabee, Strictly FX Co-Founder
Jamie Leasing: My most unforgettable Parnelli Awards Show moment was the standing ovation that the audience gave to Gerry Stickells for the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. The applause seemed to go on for five minutes. As this was happening, more than a hundred people were emotionally moved enough to walk over to where Gerry was seated, surrounding him with a mass expression of gratitude like I’ve never seen before or since. —James “Jamie” Leasing, Parnelli Awards Associate Producer and Board of Advisors Member
Joe Fucini: “I remember getting a table at the first Parnellis from Greg Gallardo years ago. I enjoyed that and the dinner at this year’s NAMM Show in January — hard to imagine that was less than a year ago! Millions of memories are sandwiched between the two. To me, the Parnellis have been one giant growing experience. I have met more interesting people than I can ever hope to count. My biggest takeaway from these dinners is how the people in this industry, even the biggest ‘stars,’ are genuinely interested in sharing insights and supporting one another. That’s something I hope never changes.” —Joe Fucini, Fucini Productions
Debi Moen: My favorite moment was eating dinner with guests Denny Laine (The Moody Blues, Paul McCartney & Wings) and Phil “Fang” Volk (Paul Revere & The Raiders). When the two musicians learned they both lived in Las Vegas, suddenly, as if by magic, Fang produced an accordion file chock full of CDs, photos and promotional material from under his chair, attempting to convince Denny they should play together sometime. I had to suppress my laughter as Fang continued to “audition” for Denny’s band throughout the awards presentation. —Debi Moen, PLSN Columnist and Parnelli Board of Advisor Member
Suzi Spangenberg: I have so many Parnelli memories it would be almost impossible to choose a favorite. From Tom Petty’s perfect description of live music as a spiritual practice to production meeting laughter, they are the memories that have been getting me through this pandemic shutdown.
There is one Parnelli memory that I will always treasure and that stands out from all the rest. It was watching the tape of the Parnellis with my beloved friend and Parnelli video producer Jerry Cobb a week before he died from cancer. [From 2009 to 20014, Jerry directed and edited all the Parnelli show documentaries and video pieces.] He talked about what the Parnellis meant to him and expressed just how much he loved working with Kevin [Mitchell] and the rest of the crew. I will never forget how much gratitude and affection he held for the show and those he worked with, many of whom have became treasured friends. —Suzi Spangenberg, Parnelli Awards Stage Manager
Kevin M. Mitchell: I have too many favorite/memorable moments and picking one is like saying which of your kids’ you like the most. But I do have a surreal moment.
It’s show day, 2 p.m., and I’m pantsless in my hotel room because I’m ironing my suit. The room phone rings. “It’s Billy Squier. My room isn’t ready. I need to come to yours.” I warned him what decidedly non-rock ‘n; roll task I was involved in, and he said he didn’t mind. A few moments later, I let him into my room. “I f*cking HATE Las Vegas,” he said marching in. “I hate it. I’m only here because of Charlie [Hernandez].” He then opens up my mini-bar and grabs a Red Bull, and sits down. For an hour, we continued to talk about Vegas, Charlie, and music. I eventually put pants on.
So yeah, I’ve ironed pants with Billy Squier in the room. And no one can take that away from me. —Kevin M. Mitchell, Senior Writer, PLSN and FOH, and
Parnelli Awards Producer/Writer
Clive Forrester: I have many good memories, beginning with the very first Parnelli to the most recent NAMM-associated events. Thinking back to the early Parnellis, I remember Patrick Stansfield being very much involved. I miss Patrick — he was a wonderful and decent person who bought arts and culture to balance the tearaway that was Keith Kevan who was always good for a laugh or two.
I have enjoyed hanging at the bar with Micky Dolenz and I enjoyed seeing Eric Pearce take away a Visionary award (2013). Eric was an integral part of introducing many of the fine production people to the industry including Mark Spring, Dale Skjerseth, Ed Wannebo, Keith Mitchell and Brian White. Also, I worked for him in the early years along with Erik Eastland, Dave Agar, Bob Hughes, Joe Gallagher of Gallagher Staging, Jose Cantu of Accurate Staging, and Mark Steneide of Northwest Video, among others.
There are many funny stories about the Parnellis — I always saved a seat for Colin Waters to sit with us, at the same time trying to separate him from Erik Eastland, as they would goad each other into heckling!
I enjoy having the relaxed chats with my competitors and walk away pleased, knowing that we are all not so very different. If only our politicians could emulate us in that way! —Clive Forrester, CEO, All Access Staging & Productions
