The stars gathered onstage, backstage and at the stage right artists bar in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena packed with music fans and anticipation for Toby Keith: American Icon – a tribute to late, singer-songwriter.
Tom Kenny was tasked by producers Adam Freed and Alex Colletti to light this show which was filmed for broadcast on the NBC network. The lighting rig included eight Robe BMFL followspots on RoboSpot systems, 12 iFORTE LTX WashBeams and 61 MegaPointes, supplied by 4Wall Entertainment’s Nashville shop.
Kenny’s remit was to ensure the broadcast had a sumptuous ‘big rock show’ aesthetic that looked great on camera as well as live for the 20,000 fans. The show featured special guests like Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, among others.
“It was an evening of many very special moments,” recalled Kenny, who collaborated with Scenic Designers, Bruce Rodgers and Marcia Garcia. “We had the best crew with a massive amount of talent, and everyone was committed to giving their all and producing an outstanding event.”
Kenny selected iFORTE LTXs as high-impact beam and accenting lights to punch in from the side and up from the floor. The LD declared the fixtures as “beautiful” which provided cross stage and back-fill shots for multiple camera angles, directed by Alex Coletti. In addition, eight BMFL Follow Spot fixtures on a RoboSpot system were positioned four at FOH, two on the side trusses and two at the back; used extensively for following and key lighting. “They have stood the test of time, and are still an awesome light, especially for arena followspotting,” he noted.
MegaPointes were dotted around the overhead trusses and used extensively to light around some scenic trusses that Rodgers had introduced resembling RSJs and industrial oil extraction and pumping equipment – inspired by the Oklahoma landscape where Toby grew up. Despite using MegaPointes innumerable times for various projects, Kenny is still finding new effects to create with them, and rates them as “still the best, strongest and most versatile” effects fixtures available.
With time at a premium, David “Fuji” Convertino, Scott Cunningham and Lighting Director, Han Henze programmed as the stars lined up for sound checks in the afternoon. “It’s a great way to work,” commented Kenny. “It’s the biggest challenge, you have to have a real harmony with what’s happening onstage and good communication skills – but that is also the fun of this type of scenario. We enjoyed ourselves and worked right up until doors and this was a big part of the vibe of this show – Toby’s outlook on and attitude to life inspired all of us to work hard and create an exceptional event he would have been proud of.”
The wider lighting crew comprised Gaffer, Michelle “Pickles” Griesmer; Overnight Gaffer, Candida Boggs; Best Boy, Daniel Fly; 4Wall Entertainment Crew Chief, Matt Weede; Lighting Technicians, Benoit St-Aubin, Justin Grotteland, Joey Brewer, and Taylor Sherman.
4Wall Entertainment also supplied video under the guidance of Project Manager, Robert Thomas; Video Crew Chief, Connor Adams and Video Technicians, Alli Murphey and Dawn Rueda; Media Server Operator, Nicholas Cumming with video content created by Alex Coletti and Toby’s manager, TK.
Kenny cited the additional support of Rigger, Justin Campbell and FOH Engineer Dave Natale as “completely instrumental” to the staging and technical process being so smooth and calm given the ambitious nature of the show.
Many Nashville-based industry friends and colleagues rocked up to catch the mood and the moment, including Lighting Designer, Sooner Routhier, who is based in the city and Robe North America’s own Thommy Hall, who was there supporting Kenny and soaking up the great atmosphere. “It was excellent to see Thommy, Sooner and so many other people there,” concluded Kenny.
The broadcast was aired on NBC on 28 August 2024.
