Pro Audio Panel Discussion at NAMM to Focus on Career Transitions

ANAHEIM, CA – NAMM Live! and FRONT of HOUSE magazine will present a panel discussion of interest to pro audio road warriors ready for a change. The session, titled “The Business of Sound: You Can Get Off the Bus,” includes moderator Dave Shadoan (Sound Image; pictured here at the 16th annual Parnelli Awards) along with David Scheirman (AES), Michael MacDonald (ATK Audiotek), Dean Roney (Solotech), FOH engineer Robert Scovill and monitor engineer Kevin “Tater” McCarthy.

The panel discussion will take place Friday, Jan. 26, at 10:30 a.m., in the San Simeon Room of the Hilton Anaheim. The panelists will discuss the secrets of transitioning from being on the road as touring live sound engineers to finding their place in the corporate world of live audio. This will be a fascinating, first-hand frank discussion that answers, “Yes, you can still be in the concert business and sleep in your own bed.” And the roster of panelists have collectively racked up a formidable array of career awards and achievements.

In addition to his role as co-founder of Sound Image, Panel moderator Dave Shadoan was named co-winner, along with the late Ross Ritto, of the Parnelli Audio Innovator award in 2012. David Scheirman, who took office as AES president in December, is also director of Bose Professional’s Global Concert & Rental Business.

Michael MacDonald, who joined ATK Audiotek as company president in 2012, has held senior positions with Yamaha, Harman, JBL and served as a consultant with Pilot Business Strategies. Dean Roney, who, like MacDonald, has served on the Parnelli Board of Advisors, is vice president of touring at Solotech and has supported recent tours for artists including Lady Gaga, Céline Dion and Michael Bublé, among others.

Along with his work as FOH engineer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and others, Parnelli FOH Mixer of the Year award recipient Robert Scovill also works as senior market specialist for live sound for Avid. And Kevin “Tater” McCarthy, another Parnelli honoree (for Monitor Mixer of the Year), has long handled monitor duties for top bands including Linkin Park.

The San Simeon Room is located on the fourth floor of the Hilton Anaheim. The discussion is free to all with a NAMM badge, and attendees will be accommodated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information, please visit www.namm.org.