NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – For nearly 50 years, the GMA Dove Awards honor those who have achieved excellence in Christian music, including modern Rock, Pop/Contemporary, Southern Gospel, Urban, Worship and Rap/Hip Hop. Held at the Allen Arena at Lipscomb University October 16th, the night featured a lighting package provided by Bandit Lites and performances from Lauren Daigle, Tauren Wells, Rebecca St. James, Rascal Flatts and Tori Kelly.
Due to the venue, the event is scheduled around the existing Lipscomb University athletic schedule, which requires the production team to rely heavily on pre-planning logistics from how trusses are suspended to how the crew will physically handle set changes between the artists’ performances.
“Bandit Lites’s exceptional prep process was brought to bear to allow us to bring in a small but rather complicated lighting rig and support structure in a quick and efficient fashion,” said Scott Moore of Go Live Productions. “To facilitate this process, there was a day allotted for pre-rigging the system and then a day and a half of volleyball tournaments. Then we had a day and a half to get the entire system up and 100 percent operational. Crew chief John Lucksinger, and technicians Jimmy Murray and Sam Morgan did a fantastic job of installing the system and having it ready for the design team.”
The theme of this year’s show was Reverent Wonder and lighting designer Mark Carver worked to communicate this dramatic motif through timing and intensity, saying “Lighting Programmer Andre Petrus and Media Programmer Chris Lighthall were crucial in this execution.”
Bandit Lites supplied more than 160 fixtures for the stage including VL 3500 Spots, GLP X4, GLP X4S, VL 2500 Spots, GLP JDC 1 Strobes, Elation ACL 360 Bars, Elation CuePix WW4 Blinders, Chauvet Rogue RH1 Hybrids, Claypaky Mythos, Claypaky Sharpys, Robe Robin 600 LED Washes, Circa Scoops and a grandMA 2 Full console for control.
With TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) airing the Dove Awards, Carver also utilized 50 lights to illuminate the audience for those watching at home, making use of Chauvet Nexus 4x4 fixtures, Claypaky Sharpys and GLP X4 fixtures.
“We always try to make sure the vision translates well for the camera while still making sure the artist looks great for the video image especially in the closeup,” he said.
Since the awards feature several performances, Carver worked in a tight time frame to cue fifteen performances making sure each one is unique and impactful.
“Looking at the schedule there was no room for anyone to be off their game and the team from Bandit, including project manager Don Lockridge and account manager Michael Golden, gave us a system that was flawless and ready to go when called upon,” said Moore. “I could not be happier with their execution and attention to detail.”
“For this project Scott Moore built one of the most impressive teams I have seen in years and that is the primary reason it was such a success,” said Bandit Vice President Mike Golden. “Mark Carver is a consummate professional, and he brought in Andre and Chris who were a sincere pleasure. Peter Streiff and Dustin Reynolds also did an incredible job of Production and Stage Management and that made our job that much easier.”
“Bandit once again delivered an excellent, well-prepped rig, precisely to spec,” Carver finished. “Thanks to Mike Golden and Don Lockridge. On site John Lucksinger, Jimmy Murray and Sam Morgan worked tirelessly in a very tight, long production schedule delivering an awesome 100 percent lighting rig.”
About GMA:
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country, Latin and more. The GMA community includes agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards and IMMERSE. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.
About Trinity Broadcasting Network:
Trinity Broadcasting Network is the world’s largest and most watched faith-and-family broadcaster, reaching over 175 nations across the earth with inspirational and entertaining programming 24 hours a day in 14 languages and on 32 global networks. As the world’s most influential non-profit religious broadcaster, TBN has led the way in expanding the impact of faith-based television across the earth through the creation of innovative content designed to reach every viewer demographic with the life-changing message of hope and grace. To find out more about the TBN Networks, visit us at tbn.org.
About Bandit Lites, Inc.
Bandit Lites is a global leader in the entertainment lighting marketplace. From touring productions to fixed installations, Bandit Lites has a full staff of highly trained professionals to deal with all types of lighting needs. Bandit’s global presence will insure seamless transitions no matter where your next show takes you. More information available at www.BanditLites.com