Parnelli Awards

The 2011 Parnelli award winners

Ed Wannebo gets a favor returned (a Magarita) from Kenny Chesney

ORLANDO — The 2011 Parnelli Awards, held Oct. 29 at the Peabody Orlando, paid tribute to Lifetime Achievement Award winner Ed Wannebo (personally congratulated with a surprise appearance by a Margarita-bearing Kenny Chesney, pictured here), Audio Innovator Kenton Forsythe, Parnelli Visionary Jim Fackert and winners in 24 other categories for individuals, companies and products that all helped the live production industry take a giant step forward in 2011.

It was an evening of laughs, touching moments, and surprises. Flo and Eddie, a.k.a. Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan, kicked off this show doing a faux Lady Gaga bit, and then proceeded to entertain the crowd with inside jokes and bit about their career, all wrapped up in their unique brand of self-deprecating humor.

Parnelli Awards Executive Producer Terry Lowe “Welcome to the 11th annual Parnelli Awards,” said Terry Lowe, executive producer of the awards program and publisher of PLSN, FRONT of HOUSE and Stage Directions magazines. “I understand that Jim Fackert’s first ambition was to by a literal rocket scientist. Jim, you didn’t make that, but you ended up in career where you were with people who were very, very high.” Kenton Forysthe, meanwhile, was introduced by audio legend David Robb, with a fitting video tribute.