Parnelli Awards Presenters Include Alan Parsons, Kevin Lyman

Alan Parsons

The Parnelli Awards Board of Advisors has finalized the list of presenters for the 18^th Annual Parnelli Awards. The event takes place on January 25^th at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel as part of the NAMM show, and presenter list is impressive indeed, including Alan Parsons (Beatles audio engineer; producer and songwriter; and founder of the Alan Parsons Project) and Kevin Lyman (Van’s Warped Tour founder). Parsons and Lyman join Kenny Aronoff (drummer for John Mellancamp, Paul McCartney and Sting, among others), host of the event, and an impressive list of other presenters and awards nominees.

“This is absolutely the most star-studded collection of live event ‘rock stars’ we’ve ever had on stage at one time in the history of the Parnellis,” says Kevin Mitchell, producer of the event, which lauds behind-the-scenes designers, production teams, companies and products that all play a key role in the success of live events and tours. “Since moving the Parnellis to NAMM, the interest in being part of the awards has increased and that being held during January and in Southern California has made it all so much better,” Mitchell adds. “This group of presenters, and the impressive list of nominees, are all people anyone remotely interested in concert touring will want to network with at the Parnelli cocktail party and after party. This is a Parnelli Awards you do not want to miss.”

Kevin Lyman

Many of the presenters are also taking part in the Pro Production workshops sponsored by PLSN, FRONT of HOUSE and Stage Directions magazines that are taking place during  the NAMM convention. (For a list of those go here. ) In addition to FOH editor George Petersen and PLSN editor Nook Schoenfeld, here is a list of award presenters:

Butch Allen is a production and lighting designer who also works as creative director, designer, and producer with MODE Studios. He won the 2017 Parnelli Award for lighting designer of the year for his design for Paramore. Acts he’s worked with include Christina Aguilera, Black Sabbath, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, The Eagles, Garbage, Paramore, Seal, Gwen Stefani, Van Halen, and Yes.

Stefaan “Smasher” Desmedt is a Parnelli Award-winning video director who was a long-time member of the U2 creative team as a video director as well as technical director and programmer on U2 tours including Vertigo, 360 Tour, and The Joshua Tree Tour 2017. He’s also served as video director for Madonna’s MDMA tour, Robbie Williams’ Take the Crown tour, Prince’s Welcome 2 tour, and The Rolling Stones’ 14 On Fire tour.

Jim Digby is a 30-plus year veteran of the live music and event production industry. He has served as director of touring and production for Linkin Park since 2002 and has worked with a long list of artists including Meghan Trainor, Mike Shinoda, Bon Jovi, the Backstreet Boys and Marilyn Manson. Jim is also the founder and Chairman of the Event Safety Alliance.

Sara Full is a production manager currently with the Lumineers and won the Patrick Stansfield Production Manager of the Year for her work with that band in 2016.

Marty Hom is a 40-year industry veteran who has worked with Barbra Streisand, Shakira, Bette Midler, Lionel Richie, The Eagles, Alicia Keys, Shania Twain, and Janet Jackson. He has been with Fleetwood Mac for 21 years, most of those years as tour manager.

Kevin Lyman launched Warped in 1994, followed by the founding of his full-service production company, 4FINI Inc. Through the years of what would in 1996 become the Vans Warped Tour he helped many bands get a greater exposure including No Doubt, Blink-182, Eminem, Fall Out Boy, Green Day, Katy Perry, Good Charlotte, Black Eyed Peas, and many more. Last year he got off that tour bus permanently and is currently teaching at USC’s Thornton School of Music.

Anne Militello is a lighting designer and principal and founder of Vortext Lighting. Her work on the concert stage include such venues as Hollywood Bowl, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, O2 Stadium, Royal Albert Hall, and the White House. She designed touring productions for Tom Waits, Robert Plant, Leonard Cohen, KD Lang, Lou Reed, and Pearl Jam, among others.

Alan Parsons is an audio engineer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He was involved with the production of the Beatles‘ Abbey Road and Let It Be, and the art rock band Ambrosia‘s debut album Ambrosia as well as Pink Floyd‘s The Dark Side of the Moon. Parsons’ own group, the Alan Parsons Project, as well as his subsequent solo recordings.

Michelle Sarrat is a lighting and video designer and director based in Los Angeles. She’s been involved in the field of entertainment lighting for over 20 years. She most recently was the Lighting Director/Programmer/Operator on this year’s Jack White tour (which earned her a Parnelli nomination). Other acts she’s worked with include Jimmy Eat World, Lucius, Sia, OK Go, and Death Cab for Cutie, among others.

For more on the Parnelli Awards and to reserve your seat today go to www.parnelliawards.com.