Geezers of Gear

Marcel Fairbairn
  • 4.1 (17)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Music Industry veteran talking about anything and everything with incredible people - behind the scenes creating live events, concert and entertainment. Over 300 episodes, with memorable conversations and stories from many pioneers of the event and concert touring world, including hot new up and comers. Geezers Of Gear is never boring, offering great surprises as well. Plus, check out the NEW "Leading Ladies" episodes - that celebrate the incredible women of the concert business, with host (and Geezers Of Gear Producer) Sarah Birnie and our fully Ai FutureTech podcast for industry releases.

  1. When Confetti Meets Lasers - The AIM & Pangolin Merger

    3d ago

    When Confetti Meets Lasers - The AIM & Pangolin Merger

    FUTURETECH Featuring Artistry In Motion  and Pangolin Laser Systems. This week on Geezers Of Gear - FutureTech, Chris and Lacy dive into the massive news shaking up the special effects world: Artistry In Motion (AIM) is merging with Pangolin Laser Systems. We break down what this means for live production, touring crews, and the future of spectacular show design. Will we see laser-guided confetti, or is this all about backend R&D and logistics? (Spoiler: It's a bit of both!) Plus, we discuss why AIM's day-to-day operations in LA aren't changing, and how this alliance represents a major step forward for the live entertainment industry.

    6 min
  2. Inside D.C.’s Record-Breaking 860,000-Firework Show Planned for 4th July

    6d ago

    Inside D.C.’s Record-Breaking 860,000-Firework Show Planned for 4th July

    FUTURETECH Featuring Pyrotecnico We explore the massive logistics behind Washington, D.C.’s planned Fourth of July spectacle, from ten launch sites and barges on the Potomac to hand-packed shells and a laptop that couldn’t handle the programming load. The episode also looks at how Pyrotecnico and Live Events combine old-school craftsmanship with high-tech synchronization to create a jaw-dropping experience for the crowd.

    6 min

  3. Jun 24

    Mastering Live Sound: Lessons from Top Monitor Engineer Paul Klimson

    Episode #356 Paul Klimson has spent more than two decades behind the scenes helping some of the biggest artists in the world sound their best. As a world-class monitor engineer and audio professional, he has worked with an extraordinary roster that includes Justin Timberlake, Drake, Madonna, John Legend, The Roots, Kelly Clarkson, Eric Clapton, and countless others. His career has taken him from international tours and major festivals to iconic television productions, including more than 900 episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he helped build and manage the show's audio infrastructure and worked alongside musical guests ranging from Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen to Kendrick Lamar and U2. Known throughout the industry for his technical expertise, calm demeanor, and relentless work ethic, Paul has earned the trust of artists performing on the world's biggest stages. His credits span Saturday Night Live, Eurovision, the Cannes Film Festival, the Super Bowl, and multiple record-breaking world tours, including Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience Tour and Madonna's Celebration Tour. After what he jokingly calls his "retirement" from touring, Paul shifted his focus to building something even bigger. Alongside his wife Courtney, he founded Theory One Studios in Niles, Michigan, a state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos recording and production facility that combines vintage analog character with cutting-edge technology. The studio serves artists from around the world while also supporting the couple's broader vision for independent music creation and distribution. That vision now includes Brass Alley Live, an immersive live music venue and broadcast space currently under development, and SoulSeed.tv, a subscription-based music platform designed to put more money back into the hands of independent artists. Together, these ventures are creating a new ecosystem where musicians, crews, and creators can thrive outside traditional industry models. Paul is also the co-founder of The Roadie Clinic, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of touring professionals and their families. Much of what he is building today is designed to create sustainable funding and long-term support for the people who make live entertainment possible. Whether discussing life on the road, mixing for some of music's biggest names, building a next-generation recording studio, launching new media platforms, or reimagining how artists and crews are supported, Paul brings a rare combination of technical mastery, entrepreneurial vision, and hard-earned perspective. His motto? "Keep going, don't suck." This episode is brought to you by ETC and Pangolin

    1h 49m

  4. Jun 17

    Mastering Live Sound and Production: Insights from Ryan Goldbacher

    Ryan Goldbacher, a Tour Manager, Production Manager, and Front of House Engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the live entertainment industry. Ryan has toured the world with artists including, The HU, Accept, Sebastian Bach, Thin Lizzy, and many others, managing everything from international logistics and production to front-of-house audio A Nashville-based professional and owner of Show Logistics LLC, Ryan brings a unique combination of technical expertise, leadership, and real-world touring experience.  We're excited to hear stories from the road and learn what it takes to keep major productions running smoothly around the globe..Ryan is currently on tour with Tom Keifer and took time out during his busy schedule to chat to us. This epsiode is brought to you by Inner Circle Distributions and Main Light

    1h 30m
  5. InfoComm 2026 Preview: Inner Circle Distribution - Booth N6063 Gear to Watch

    Jun 15

    InfoComm 2026 Preview: Inner Circle Distribution - Booth N6063 Gear to Watch

    FUTURETECH Featuring Inner Circle Distribution Chris and Lacy preview InfoComm 2026 in Las Vegas, breaking down the show floor split between Work and Play and why the North Hall is the place to be for live events and production gear. They also spotlight Inner Circle Distribution’s Booth N6063, including new products from ROXX, MADRIX, Claypaky, and Portman, plus a free exhibit hall pass code for attendees.

    8 min
  6. Fred Foster Mentorship Shapes the Next Generation of Lighting Talent

    Jun 12

    Fred Foster Mentorship Shapes the Next Generation of Lighting Talent

    FUTURETECH featuring ETC This episode explores the legacy of ETC founder Fred Foster and how his Student Mentorship Program connects emerging lighting professionals with industry veterans. It also spotlights the 2026 cohort, from themed entertainment and immersive design to opera, dance, and international production work.

    5 min
  7. Lighting Up the Hoover Dam with Andrew Gumper and Patrick Dierson

    May 31

    Lighting Up the Hoover Dam with Andrew Gumper and Patrick Dierson

    EPISODE: 354 In this episode, we go behind the scenes of one of the most ambitious lighting projects imaginable—illuminating the Hoover Dam for a major event. What began as a simple question, "Can we light it up and make it a wow?" quickly turned into a race against time as the team navigated complex technical challenges, rigging logistics, weather concerns, and the sheer scale of one of America's most iconic structures. The conversation explores how rapid decision-making, deep technical knowledge, and seamless collaboration between lighting and rigging teams made the project possible. From receiving the call to standing at the dam just two hours later, the story highlights the importance of preparation, adaptability, and trust when executing high-stakes live event productions. Whether you're a production professional or simply fascinated by what happens behind the curtain, this episode offers a compelling look at how creativity and technical expertise come together to transform an engineering marvel into a breathtaking visual spectacle. This episode is brought to you by Main Light, Delicate Productions and Artistry In Motion

    45 min

  8. May 29

    Inside the World of Showco Archives with Indigo Kretzschmar-May, Johnny Roberts and Blake Dewberry

    Geezers Of Gear Episode #353 Indigo is the founder and solo operator of Showco Archives. As the daughter of legendary senior Showco sound engineer Donnie 'DK' Kretzschmar, she grew up surrounded by the history of the crews who built stadium touring from scratch. Today, she meticulously catalogs thousands of legacy artifacts and spearheads the campaign to induct Showco into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jonny is a legendary monitor engineer. Over a four-decade career, Jonny has shaped the live sound for an unparalleled roster of icons—including Jackson Browne during the Running on Empty era, Genesis, The Who, and The Bee Gees—capping off his journey behind the console for Van Halen’s final tour. Blake is the reason your ears were ringing, as a premier sound guy for the legendary Showco, he was on the front lines of live music’s loudest era. We’re talking Van Halen in their prime, The Who, Aerosmith's reunion, and Bad Company. He mixed the smooth soul of Frankie Beverly & Maze, the outlaw country of Waylon Jennings, and the heavy metal madness of Mötley Crüe, Ratt, and Bon Jovi. This episode is brought to you by Main Light and ETC

    1h 45m
See All (406)

4.1
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Music Industry veteran talking about anything and everything with incredible people - behind the scenes creating live events, concert and entertainment. Over 300 episodes, with memorable conversations and stories from many pioneers of the event and concert touring world, including hot new up and comers. Geezers Of Gear is never boring, offering great surprises as well. Plus, check out the NEW "Leading Ladies" episodes - that celebrate the incredible women of the concert business, with host (and Geezers Of Gear Producer) Sarah Birnie and our fully Ai FutureTech podcast for industry releases.

Information

  • Creator
    Marcel Fairbairn
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    406
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Marcel Fairbairn
  • Show Website
    Geezers of Gear

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