Afrigather Chris Kies, Marcus King, and Perry Bean onstage on the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville.
Though John Bohlinger has accomplished the speaking for almost all of our Rig Rundowns, adopted by our director of video content material Chris Kies and chief videographer Perry Bean, I’ve been PG’s jaws on my fair proportion. So, right here’s what it’s love to do a Rig Rundown.
It begins nicely earlier than we get to the venue, with Chris dealing with the scheduling with the artist’s group. Then, on the appointed time, Chris, Perry, and I convene on the membership or live performance location. I both know the artist’s work or have accomplished analysis so I can ask knowledgeable questions. Chris and Perry arrive with cameras, lavalier mics, SM57s, tripods, and lights. Since I’m simply carrying a notepad, I prefer to help. Each Rundown I’m on is sort of a reunion with Chris and Perry, too. We get to catch up, and since they’re greatest mates, they radiate a rapport and positivity that’s infectiously good. (I haven’t labored immediately with our new videographer, Jarrad James, but, however I hope you’ve seen a few of his Drum Rundowns.)
Normally, the artist or guitar tech is prepared for us onstage, and once they’re not, it’s both a deal with to listen to a part of soundcheck—just like the Allman Betts Band ripping via “Whipping Submit,” or Eric Johnson last-minute-tweaking his amp setup—or, on unfortunate days, torture—like listening to a guitarist blame the sound engineer for his awful tone for a half hour, with out as soon as attempting to alter the settings on his personal Marshall.
I prefer to make Rig Rundowns partaking conversations, as an alternative of mere show-and-tell.
When the stage is prepared for us, Chris and Perry use their expertise to seek out the most effective angles to shoot the motion. They place me and the artists and arrange lights to light up the place we stand. They put the SM57s on amps, assist safe the lavaliers, do a fast soundcheck, and ensure the lenses are getting the products. Truthfully, they do all of the arduous work.
If the artist or tech isn’t accustomed to Rig Rundowns, I’ll give them a fast define of the dialog we’ll have. Usually, rising artists aren’t simply prepared, they’re psyched! I’ve heard, “Oh, I know how a Rig Rundown works!” … usually. And with undisguised glee.
Then Perry, sometimes, says “rolling,” and away we go. I prefer to make Rig Rundowns partaking conversations, as an alternative of mere show-and-tell, which is why I arrive knowledgeable and able to speak about an artist’s historical past, recordings, stylistic pursuits, and extra. If we will have an actual dialogue, and perhaps even weave in a bit of humor or empathy, all the higher.
If I make a mistake—ask a dumb query, stumble over phrases, stray out of the lens—I can cease or be stopped for a redo (and so can the artist), and Chris and Perry will cue me again in completely, teaching me on bodily and verbal continuity. They’re actually administrators, making brief documentaries. After filming a kabillion Rig Rundowns and demos, they’re additionally extremely well-informed about gear, so they may recommend we deal with a selected instrument or stomp to hit all the proper notes. Additionally they encourage the artists to play, so we will start every video with a dwell efficiency and actually showcase the tones these rigs create.
I like being onstage when any individual like Doug Aldrich, a fantastic man with a coronary heart filled with tone, rolls up the quantity dial and hits the strings. Jimmy Herring did the identical at a Widespread Panic Rundown at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater, and if I wasn’t standing subsequent to him once I heard the low, mournful roar that got here out his amp, I might have been satisfied that Godzilla was developing the close by Cumberland River. It was one of many best sounds I’ve ever heard. Completely primeval.
When the filming’s over, Chris begins packing up and Perry takes stills for the Rundown’s textual content on PG’s web site. I often snap a number of cellphone images to seize particulars I’ll wish to use writing that textual content—simply as visible notes. After which it’s a wrap … aside from the hours of modifying that go into every Rundown, the place a wholly completely different magic occurs.
The bonus for me, in fact, is getting to speak to artists I like about their gear. After interviewing Eric Johnson and Devon Allman for years, it’s been nice to fulfill them and discover they’re additionally sort and beneficiant in particular person. My favourite Rig Rundown was with Buddy Miller, who I’ve lengthy admired, and who invited us into his dwelling studio for a spirited, free-ranging speak about his favourite devices, recording gear, and far more. He even allow us to use his classic overheard mic after we got here up brief. And sure, Nick Raskulinecz’ Nashville pad is the final word heavy rock playroom!
Each Rig Rundown I’ve accomplished has had actual highs—moments of discovery, enlightenment, musical journey—and I hope you expertise that, too, once you watch them.
